Qantas club is a scam

[Archphoto]

They do have that information - it isn't hard to find on the QF site under lounge locations. There is nothing on the QF site to suggest lounge access for a QP member flying out of Gatwick.

This is quite correct and QP members need to read the fine print for LHR - only AA Lounge is available if you're *not* flying J or F:

(iii) Qantas Club Members in Economy or Premium Economy (including any Eligible Guests) may only access American Airlines Admirals Club regardless of whether they are travelling on Emirates Flights or Qantas Flights.

 

[timster]

The problem for people is understanding the pre-EK world vs the post-EK world. Totally different worlds for QP.

It would have helped if Qantas had been totally honest when the changes were made. They simply said you will "continue" to have lounge access "here" and "here". Qantas did not say "unfortunately you will no longer have access to any lounge when flying out of European ports (other than LHR), nor when travelling into Europe from LHR".

Anyone reading what they actually wrote would have been forgiven for thinking "oh .. so things haven't really changed that much". Wrong !

Qantas never "owned up" to no longer offering the level of lounge access that QP had pre-EK.

I know very few QP members who fully understand the new system, ie
- you have access to EK lounges in some places but not others
- at LHR, the lounge you have access to is not a Qantas lounge, not an Emirates lounge, not a BA lounge, no .... it's an AA lounge ! (even though you are flying QF or EK).
- although EK is supposedly a QF partner just like BA was, you don't have access to any of their European lounges when flying with EK

 

[nlagalle]

The problem for people is understanding the pre-EK world vs the post-EK world. Totally different worlds for QP.

It would have helped if Qantas had been totally honest when the changes were made. They simply said you will "continue" to have lounge access "here" and "here". Qantas did not say "unfortunately you will no longer have access to any lounge when flying out of European ports (other than LHR), nor when travelling into Europe from LHR".

Anyone reading what they actually wrote would have been forgiven for thinking "oh .. so things haven't really changed that much". Wrong !

Qantas never "owned up" to no longer offering the level of lounge access that QP had pre-EK.

I know very few QP members who fully understand the new system, ie
- you have access to EK lounges in some places but not others
- at LHR, the lounge you have access to is not a Qantas lounge, not an Emirates lounge, not a BA lounge, no .... it's an AA lounge ! (even though you are flying QF or EK).
- although EK is supposedly a QF partner just like BA was, you don't have access to any of their European lounges when flying with EK

The BA "changes" happened well before the EK tie up and iirc you didn't have access to all lounges in EU with BA as many were third party lounges.

I'm not sure why QP members are sent to the AA lounge at Heathrow and not EK, but the lounge SG and WP are sent to is the BA lounge..

 

[timster]

The BA "changes" happened well before the EK tie up and iirc you didn't have access to all lounges in EU with BA as many were third party lounges.

With respect, that's what I said in post 13.

 

[mannej]

With respect, that's what I said in post 13.

Partly - your experience in post 13 is contrary to what many were experiencing during that period which was before EK was mentioned.
Search for the thread and you will see.

 

[timster]

And while we're on the point of 3rd party lounges, not even that was consistent with BA. For example, I was in STR as QP in BA Y many times including just before the divorce, although it was listed at the time by BA as a third-party lounge. ZRH as I stated were also 3rd party but less welcoming.

So that's my experience.

So as not to discredit anyone whose experience differed, let's just stick shall we to what everyone in QP had pre-EK even when BA got stricter - access to (BA-owned) lounges when flying out of continental Europe homewards, and into Europe from LHR on same day as arrival. Gone !

 

[tyrolean]

And while we're on the point of 3rd party lounges, not even that was consistent with BA. For example, I was in STR as QP in BA Y many times including just before the divorce, although it was listed at the time by BA as a third-party lounge. ZRH as I stated were also 3rd party but less welcoming.

So that's my experience.

So as not to discredit anyone whose experience differed, let's just stick shall we to what everyone in QP had pre-EK even when BA got stricter - access to (BA-owned) lounges when flying out of continental Europe homewards, and into Europe from LHR on same day as arrival. Gone !

STR was/is a good old BA operated Lounge. So no problem in accessing it with a QP-Card in the good old BA/QF times.

ZRH is a third party lounge (the ZRH Lounge).

I really miss the BA Lounge access - but on the other hand I do not need it any more reaching LTG in a few months.

 

[timster]

STR was/is a good old BA operated Lounge. So no problem in accessing it with a QP-Card in the good old BA/QF times.

I think you're probably right. It's certainly BA blue. But strangely it is listed now - and was then - as third-party. I know because I looked it up at the time of the ZRH rebuff ! It may be that there are "BA third-party lounges" and "non-BA third-party lounges". Anyway .. neither here nor there for QP anymore.

My lounge access will move mainly to *A soon.

 

[Archphoto]

I must admit I am wondering why I renewed my QP membership; will see how things go this year as the reduction in SCs is most definitely going to see me hit rock bottom next year - PS will be but a memory unless I'm comped (which I'm 99.999% sure is not going to happen).

If I decide to swap my FF program to CX instead (I'm Asia based), it'll be useless anyway . . . Decisions, decisions!!


Sent from my iPhone using AustFreqFly

 

[medhead]

So as not to discredit anyone whose experience differed, let's just stick shall we to what everyone in QP had pre-EK even when BA got stricter - access to (BA-owned) lounges when flying out of continental Europe homewards, and into Europe from LHR on same day as arrival. Gone !

Not sure how you can say BA got stricter. BA renamed all the lounges that were available to Qantas club members and then denied access because the name of the (same) lounge was different. Effectively killing lounge access for Qantas club members. This was long before the divorce.

 

[mannej]

Not sure how you can say BA got stricter. BA renamed all the lounges that were available to Qantas club members and then denied access because the name of the (same) lounge was different. Effectively killing lounge access for Qantas club members. This was long before the divorce.

Correct - this is well documented on here with plenty of anecdotal evidence to back this up.

 

[timster]

BA got stricter at LHR T5 for QP, particularly regarding T5 galleries lounge access. The new rules said one had to have come in from Asia on QF or BA, and be continuing on into Europe on the same day. If you satisfied those requirements you got in. If you you didn't, you could still get lucky (as I did on a number of occasions where I stopped over in London for a few days).

Similarly flying out of continental Europe the new rules said that one had to be connecting at LHR to a same-day flight to Asia on QF or BA, and it had to be a BA-owned lounge in Europe. Then you got into the T3 BA lounge at LHR. If you were just hopping over to London for the weekend, again you could get lucky.

Look I honestly don't know who screwed who leading up to the divorce. I'm no apologist for BA or QF. Who knows which side wanted to vary the access/reimbursement terms, or who was intransigent.

If someone wishes to outline specifically how QP lounge access is equivalent under EK as it was under BA, let's hear it.

 

[svstrider]

Just adding my 2 c and my annoyance. I bought a Qantas ticket bne to paris with a stopover in Singapore. However when turned up for 9 am flight on emirates metal but with qf ticket, the qantas club was closed to 2.30 pm. Went to emirates lounge but refused entry as not gold or platinum. What is the use of being in qantas club and paying the extra for a qf tkt?.

 

[eminere]

Just adding my 2 c and my annoyance. I bought a Qantas ticket bne to paris with a stopover in Singapore. However when turned up for 9 am flight on emirates metal but with qf ticket, the qantas club was closed to 2.30 pm. Went to emirates lounge but refused entry as not gold or platinum. What is the use of being in qantas club and paying the extra for a qf tkt?.

In the absence of status Qantas Club membership gets you access to the Emirates business lounge in DXB only I'm afraid.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just adding my 2 c and my annoyance. I bought a Qantas ticket bne to paris with a stopover in Singapore. However when turned up for 9 am flight on emirates metal but with qf ticket, the qantas club was closed to 2.30 pm. Went to emirates lounge but refused entry as not gold or platinum. What is the use of being in qantas club and paying the extra for a qf tkt?.

Whilst you might be disappointed, I don't believe that what happened to you is in breach of the T & C for QC.

 

[FrustratedQP]

It's not just the Emirates tie up that has devalued QP. SWMBO and I purchased Lifetime QP before Jetstar commenced operations. All good when travelling to destinations not offering J class, then the orange cancer struck.

Although we try to fly Qantas when we can, many destinations are now not serviced by Qantas at all or some segments not offered i.e. no Qantas services, Sydney to/from Launceston.

In these cases the QP has either been removed (think Ballina/Byron) or closes after last Qantas flight, leaving us staring at the locked QP.

 

[UP4014]

The Emirates tie up has certainly been a stitch up for the QFFers.

Matt

 

[incumbent]

The Emirates tie up has certainly been a stitch up for the QFFers.

I've found it much easier to use my QFF points for premium travel since the QF-EK relationship began, and thus consider it a net positive.