Qantas Club Price Rise

[NM]

I think you are mistaken regarding Star Alliance.

If I join United's Red Carpet Club (similar paid membership to Qantas Club) I can access lounges of the other star alliance members when travelling on their flights. The following table explains this:

United Airlines - Star Alliance lounges

I think it is similar if you are a Air NZ Koru Club member.

My request is that the One World Airlines copy this. IE - If I am a member of QClub or any other One World Airline's lounge/club, that I can use any lounges of One World Members when travelling with them.

My understanding is that the Red Carpet Club access is not a Star Alliance benefit, but a Red Carpet Club benefit for their paid members. This is provided by an agreement UA has with each airline in the table and not as part of any Star Alliance program benefit.

I do not believe this privilege is afforded to all non-status member of paid lounge access programs of Star Alliance airlines. Certainly does not appear to be the case for NZ Koru Club.

But even if Qantas changed their Qantas Club membership to allow access to lounges of all OneWorld member airlines, that would not help with access to Air Pacific lounges as Air Pacific is not a OneWorld alliance member.

Would you be willing to pay a higher membership fee in return for extending access to a greater number of partner airline lounges? Of course the other side to that equation is that QF does not provide a refund when removing lounge access from a partner airline as they have done in the case of Air Pacific and previously with US Airways.

 

[NM]

I have just had a bit of look at the lounge programs offered by a few Star Alliance members and there does not seem to be the consistent alliance-wide access suggested. For example:

• NZ Koru Club - no mention of any access except for NZ lounges when travelling on NZ operated and coded flights
• SQ does not seem to have a paid lounge access - only based on Kris Flyer or PPS status levels
• LH does not seem to have a paid lounge membership - only based on Miles&More status levels
• TG does not appear to have a paid lounge membership - only based on Royal Orchid Plus status levels
• SAS does not appear to have a paid lounge membership - only based on EuroBonus status levels
• UA does permit Red Carpet members to use most Star Alliance member's lounges
• US allows the US Airways Club members to purchase an additional annual membership option for access to UA Red Carpet Clubs (for US$120) or Star Alliance lounges (for US$220).
• AC has paid Maple Leaf Club memberships. This allows access to AC's own lounges, UA Red Carpet Clubs when flying UA or AC, and LH lounges in FRA and MUC only. See here for the list.

So it seems that UA is quite unique with its generous lounge access, while US members can purchase the same access for an additional fee.

 

[Petch]

Priority Pass vs Virgin Blue The Lounge Membership

As Qantas Club membership & flying Qantas gets more expensive, and the AUD gets closer to parity with the USD - does the USD399 (no additional payment for unlimited visits option) Priority Pass offer better value, than actually buying a Virgin Blue The Lounge membership at AUD349 + AUD199 joining fee?

The part I like is; Priority Pass associated lounges, (e.g. Virgin Blue’s The Lounge), let you in regardless of whom you are flying. (PP FAQs) So when departing from a terminal like T2 SYD (the common user terminal), flying out on Rex, QantasLink, Jetstar or any of the other small commuter services, you get “The Lounge” access. The advantage becomes even greater for those flying frequently from cities like BNE or ADL, where a Priority Pass member catching a Qantas flight can also access “The Lounge”.

Downside is, you have to pay extra if you want to take a guest in, however Priority Pass also gives access to 500 other lounges internationally, which “The Lounge” membership doesn’t.

Any thoughts or opinions?