Qantas Lounge Pass Access Denied Almost Everywhere

[RichardMEL]

[off-topic portion redacted]

... I do think while QF are blocking use at some lounges (and LAX has always been a no go for the J lounge IIRC due to it being a joint OW lounge rather than a pure QF one) passes definitely can be used at many QF operated lounges.

I do think blocking transfers during busy periods (eg school hols) is a bit silly. I can transfer a pass to someone to use in 9 months. Sure many might think OK I'm flying next week and want to use a pass but I reckon a blanket block is overkill - specially when the main states have variable school holiday break times - eg between NSW/QLD/VIC and even SA the holidays combined can cover pretty much a month (for the April/July/September breaks).. I reckon it should be a bit more flexible than that. imo.

 

[MaureenV]

@RichardMEL it does seem a bit hard on teachers, who can only travel during the school holidays.

The rest of us eventually get to the kid free years and get the benefit of being able to travel during school term.

Are you saying that you can transfer passes to someone during school holidays, provided it's early enough that they haven't set up the 'block' within in the system?

 

[NM]

[Mod Hat]
Please stick to the thread topic.
[/Mod Hat]

 

[RichardMEL]

@RichardMEL it does seem a bit hard on teachers, who can only travel during the school holidays.

Well yes teachers, or really anuyone who is limited to travel during holiday periods - parents/grandparents or even people who do things like after school care and the like. I agree.

The rest of us eventually get to the kid free years and get the benefit of being able to travel during school term.

Are you saying that you can transfer passes to someone during school holidays, provided it's early enough that they haven't set up the 'block' within in the system?

Well what I meant was that I could send you a pass today and you possibly could use it during a holiday period. QF's most recent decision to suspend transfers during a school holiday period seemed to be based on an assumption (to me, anyway) that one wants to transfer passes for use in the near future (which seems a funny idea, because one can't transfer and use passes within 24 hours of use).

If QF wants to limit usage of passes during period of high demand and capacity limits due to use or other factors (eg: covid laws) then OK, but instead of a broad block on transfering passes, either revert to the older form of "lounge X is not available during Y period" or even drill down more to allow actual lounges to set their own policy on a day or week basis or even time of day. Heck allow a duty manager to be able to allow or not during busy periods instead of a blanket no at all times. eg: 0600 on a Sunday in ADL is almost certainly not going to be croweded vs 1700 on a Friday so allow passes to be used instead of a blanket no.

Now maybe the systems are not in place (and resources to implement something like this are probably lacking) to do something like this, but it would seem the best way to manage something like this rather than just turning off the functionality fully for a few weeks which just irritates everyone and makes even transfers unrelated to the current period not possible (eg if you say you have a flight in November and I want to gift you a pass to use then - surely I should be able to at any time).

my four cents.

 

[encryptededdy]

Heck allow a duty manager to be able to allow or not during busy periods instead of a blanket no at all times. eg: 0600 on a Sunday in ADL is almost certainly not going to be croweded vs 1700 on a Friday so allow passes to be used instead of a blanket no.

This would be nice, but they ought to update their IT systems to make it easier to get a pass redeposited if it was unable to be used.

 

[kerfuffle]

Apologies for hijacking this thread, but since it's about the same passes attached to the same card that the OP has, thought I'd give it a shot.

My cousin has one six-month-old kid and one two-year-old kid. Are her and her husband able to use the passes that come with their card to go into the International Sydney Qantas Club lounge with their kids when they fly to Bali? Or will the kids need their own pass?

Thanks in advance!

 

[sudoer]

Or will the kids need their own pass?

This.

Complimentary Lounge Invitations | Qantas

Frequent Flyer members can login to manage any complimentary lounge invitations, a single-entry pass for one person to access a Qantas Lounge.

www.qantas.com

Eligible Customers cannot bring guests, including children

 

[kerfuffle]

This.

Complimentary Lounge Invitations | Qantas

Frequent Flyer members can login to manage any complimentary lounge invitations, a single-entry pass for one person to access a Qantas Lounge.

www.qantas.com

Damn, that was a fast response. Thank you sudoer!

 

[HSB44]

Technically they need their own pass, but sometimes in the past when I've arrived at reception with my 2yo daughter they've said something along the lines of : 'oh you don't need one for her'.

 

[Drobbo]

Hello, very new to all of this FF lingo but wondering if you can please offer some advice?
As a Silver member I have a Complementary pass to use on an upcoming MEL > LHR > Helsinki flight. I would prefer to use it in London and the Lounge Invitations Portal will allow me to select the LHR > HEL flight (flight number starts with QF). However, the website also states that "Complimentary Lounge Invitations will not be accepted at this time" at the Qantas London Lounge. Is this still the case post COVID? Given I can select this flight to link my pass to, perhaps the text on the website is outdated? Further, if I link them and then am denied, will I have my pass 'refunded' to use at another lounge on this same return flight?

Of course, I need to accept and link my lounge pass by 30 September so appreciate any last minute advice anyone can offer. Thank you in advance

 

[encryptededdy]

However, the website also states that "Complimentary Lounge Invitations will not be accepted at this time" at the Qantas London Lounge. Is this still the case post COVID?

To my knowledge they are accepted right now. At least, I know they were accepted at some point post-covid (my friend used lounge passes I gave them in April at the London lounge), and I do not believe these rules have changed since.

Further, if I link them and then am denied, will I have my pass 'refunded' to use at another lounge on this same return flight?

No . I've tried to get Qantas to refund a pass after they cancelled a flight that a pass was already linked to, and even then they said nope. Maybe you could get it with some arguing, but I doubt it.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

No . I've tried to get Qantas to refund a pass after they cancelled a flight that a pass was already linked to, and even then they said nope. Maybe you could get it with some arguing, but I doubt it.

I would be arguing this with QFFF. It’s a stated benefit which members should be entitled to use.

 

[Vic]

This.

Complimentary Lounge Invitations | Qantas

Frequent Flyer members can login to manage any complimentary lounge invitations, a single-entry pass for one person to access a Qantas Lounge.

www.qantas.com

No, not this. Children are not, always, considered to be guests...

In addition, you may also be able to bring children into a Qantas lounge subject to the child access guide. If children are older than 18 they are considered as a guest.

@kerfuffle is talking about accessing a Qantas owned and operated lounge, therefore:

Qantas owned and operated lounge

0 to 3 years 4 to 17 years 18 years +

Complimentary access Complimentary access for up to 2 children Adult guest

having said that, Qantas is consistently inconsistent...

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/access.html#children

Post automatically merged: Sep 29, 2022

Technically they need their own pass, but sometimes in the past when I've arrived at reception with my 2yo daughter they've said something along the lines of : 'oh you don't need one for her'.

Technically, it depends on the lounge. they should not need a pass according to qantas rules.

 

[encryptededdy]

No, not this. Children are not, always, considered to be guests

Admittedly it's technically conflicting, but my interpretation is that normal lounge guesting rules do not apply entering using a Lounge Pass. I think it's quite clear what the rule means

Eligible Customers cannot bring guests, including children

 

[Vic]

Admittedly it's technically conflicting, but my interpretation is that normal lounge guesting rules do not apply entering using a Lounge Pass. I think it's quite clear what the rule means

There in is the conflict, child access is complimentary for Qantas lounges, their eligibility is not based on being a "guest". edit: Apparently

18+ = Adult guest.

With a 6 month old and a two year old, I'd say they have a much better chance to make the case, and be successful, than for a 2 to 17 year old.

 

[sudoer]

No, not this. Children are not, always, considered to be guests...

The question is about complimentary passes, so the standard lounge access rules page which applies to status/class of service isn't relevant.

There have been plenty of stories on AFF about travelling with infants and members being told they need a pass for the infant. The T&C on complimentary passes are pretty clear - no guests, period. Expecting any different is likely to end in disappointment.

 

[OATEK]

Hello, very new to all of this FF lingo but wondering if you can please offer some advice?
As a Silver member I have a Complementary pass to use on an upcoming MEL > LHR > Helsinki flight. I would prefer to use it in London and the Lounge Invitations Portal will allow me to select the LHR > HEL flight (flight number starts with QF). However, the website also states that "Complimentary Lounge Invitations will not be accepted at this time" at the Qantas London Lounge. Is this still the case post COVID? Given I can select this flight to link my pass to, perhaps the text on the website is outdated? Further, if I link them and then am denied, will I have my pass 'refunded' to use at another lounge on this same return flight?

Of course, I need to accept and link my lounge pass by 30 September so appreciate any last minute advice anyone can offer. Thank you in advance

Not sure how the School Holiday black-out period might affect you as well. If you are able to link passes for the LHR-HEL leg, then you could always ask around here for one or two more to cover the children.

 

[Port Power]

Not sure how the School Holiday black-out period might affect you as well. If you are able to link passes for the LHR-HEL leg, then you could always ask around here for one or two more to cover the children.

@Drobbo didn't mention children. That was @kerfuffle for her cousin. But the latter could take your advice and ask for passes, which would ease their minds when heading to Bali.

 

[OATEK]

@Drobbo didn't mention children. That was @kerfuffle for her cousin. But the latter could take your advice and ask for passes, which would ease their minds when heading to Bali.

Thanks for that, a bit of old-timers syndrome on my part.

 

[Vic]

The question is about complimentary passes, so the standard lounge access rules page which applies to status/class of service isn't relevant.

There have been plenty of stories on AFF about travelling with infants and members being told they need a pass for the infant. The T&C on complimentary passes are pretty clear - no guests, period. Expecting any different is likely to end in disappointment.

As quoted, Qantas have provided information that says children are only classified as guests when older than 18 years.
If a child is not classified as a guest, then saying "no guests" is meaningless.

I'm sorry if there is a contradiction in Qantas' information about this question. I'm pretty sure there are also plenty of people who have been allowed in with a child.

Since complimentary lounge passes are listed as an option on the Qantas lounge access eligibility page, I cannot agree with your opinion about relevance.

I'm kinda of amazed with the idea that qantas are consistent in their day to day operations. enjoy that thought...