Qantas Lounge Pass Access Denied Almost Everywhere

[OATEK]

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...

What would be really helpful is if someone who has tried to have children accepted without their own separate complimentary pass could say what happens on the ground. I do know that some years ago I was able to give complimentary passes to my daughter/Son-in-law, who were able to take their <3yo child in. that was at least 7-8 years ago.

 

[Vic]

What would be really helpful is if someone who has tried to have children accepted without their own separate complimentary pass could say what happens on the ground. I do know that some years ago I was able to give complimentary passes to my daughter/Son-in-law, who were able to take their <3yo child in. that was at least 7-8 years ago.

Unfortunately, I don't have even that level of experience, being qantas club since the mid-1990s. What I do know is that the rules do not always reflect what will happen in practice.
I've had 1 platinum, and family group of 5 welcomed to flagship lounge at DFW.
Qantas club, post paper passes - partner and <2 year old welcomed. Before child access rules.

I'm hard pressed to see any sane qantas lounge person demanding a pass for a 6 month old. Two year old is borderline, but likely to be ok.

I do also know, if you don't ask, you don't get. The lounge passes are pretty valueless to me, so I'd give it a go in the situation described. Maybe @kerfuffle 's cousin doesn't have the luxury to blow two lounge passes on the chance it will work.

 

[levelnine]

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.

It's beyond question that you are wrong on this issue.

The complimentary lounge pass conditions are crystal clear on this issue:

3.1 Invitations are sent to Eligible Customers at Qantas' absolute and sole discretion and Qantas can withdraw Invitations at any time. Invitations are only for Eligible Customers and Eligible Customers cannot bring guests, including children.

Complimentary Lounge Invitations terms and conditions | Qantas

These terms and conditions govern the complimentarty invitations to access a Qantas lounge.

www.qantas.com

You are quoting from lounge rule pages that apply to people accessing lounges on the basis of frequent flyer status or ticket class (ie business/first). Complimentary lounge passes have their own, separate, access rules.

And even on that page it says the same thing:

Please note Lounge Access Passes, including Complimentary Invitations, strictly do not permit any guests or children.

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

However, Qantas agents regularly make exceptions for people to bring in extra guests. It has happened to me plenty of times. But it is very much at the discretion of the agent at the entrance. If they decide to take a hard line, which most often occurs when the lounge is full, be prepared to be denied.

 

[MaureenV]

@Vic, what about this bit though - these instructions are specific to our complimentary invites: (so mentions guests AND children.) (Not that it matters to me, just want to be informed.)

 

[Port Power]

@Vic, what about this bit though - these instructions are specific to our complimentary invites: (so mentions guests AND children.) (Not that it matters to me, just want to be informed.)
View attachment 298308

That is pretty cut and dried to me. With the exception that a baby can be brought in as they are not eating or drinking Club provisions, or walking and taking up chair space.

 

[Vic]

It's beyond question that you are wrong on this issue.

In your opinion

You are quoting from lounge rule pages that apply to people accessing lounges on the basis of frequent flyer status or ticket class (ie business/first). Complimentary lounge passes have their own, separate, access rules.

Scroll to the bottom of the eligibility page. What do you see, lots of status/class of service info, and then right at the bottom???
Complimentary lounge passes mention along with all the other means of access. Not separately.

It would appear that you, and others, are making a false distinction about access that does not match the website.

Qantas Lounge Access Eligibility | Qantas

Find out more on Qantas Lounge access eligibility whether your traveling in First, Business; are a Qantas Frequent Flyer, Qantas Club or oneworld member.

www.qantas.com

However, Qantas agents regularly make exceptions for people to bring in extra guests. It has happened to me plenty of times. But it is very much at the discretion of the agent at the entrance. If they decide to take a hard line, which most often occurs when the lounge is full, be prepared to be denied.

Exactly my point. But then apparently I'm absolutely wrong.
As I already said, enjoy the belief that Qantas consistently apply their rules.
(I certainly have an opinion about whether that belief system is correct)

Probably the strangest thing is that this forum, I thought was about helping people. to me, it's more helpful to outline the potential variations and risks of failure or success. Rather than to just say "thems the rules", when we know the rules are not consistently applied.

 

[Vic]

@Vic, what about this bit though - these instructions are specific to our complimentary invites: (so mentions guests AND children.) (Not that it matters to me, just want to be informed.)
View attachment 298308

I can only restate from my previous post.

I do also know, if you don't ask, you don't get. The lounge passes are pretty valueless to me, so I'd give it a go in the situation described.

Only you can decide the value of a lounge passes to you.

The exception for babies sounds interesting. Kerfuffle mentioned a 6 month old, that's a baby to me. I wonder if this definition matches the "lap child" rule for those upto 2 years old?

 

[levelnine]

In your opinion

No. In my opinion you are incorrect and causing unnecessary confusion.

Scroll to the bottom of the eligibility page. What do you see, lots of status/class of service info, and then right at the bottom???
Complimentary lounge passes mention along with all the other means of access. Not separately.

That page has literally no information on children guest access.

That page has literally no information on what a lounge pass entitles you to. It simply is pointing you to how to link a lounge pass to a flight. Nothing more.

Exactly my point. But then apparently I'm absolutely wrong.
As I already said, enjoy the belief that Qantas consistently apply their rules.

Not even close. A Qantas agent making an exception to the rules, which they often do, is completely separate from an inconsistency in the rules, of which there are none in this case.

 

[HSB44]

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.

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 say that pass refunds are entirely dependent on the whims of Qantas and who you speak to.

I've actually had instances where the concierge in the lounge has generously organised a pass refund just because we were so late getting through airport security at MEL (the security staff were inefficient, rude and horrible, but that's another story...) and they felt sorry for us that we were only able to enjoy the lounge for 5 - 10 mins before boarding.. And we didn't even request the refund!!

But that experience was probably an outlier.

 

[boicott83]

Well I was excited at the thought of using a Qantas Lounge Pass for the first time on a Bali trip shortly but that's not going to happen.
I have a Black ANZ Qantas Frequent Flyer Card which includes 2 Qantas Lounge Passes per year. This is something like $390 a year card so not exactly cheap.
I initially called ANZ and advised I wanted to use the Passes. They emailed saying it was all go. 3 Months later and no passes visible in the Qantas login system.
Ok I next phoned ANZ and Qantas 4-5 times, each call being on hold for at least 30-40 minutes and both blaming each other. Finally I had success and the passes showed up on Qantas FF site.
Next to assign the pass to my up coming trip to Bali. I couldn't assign Bali so started trying everywhere else. NOWHERE worked except Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Next I phoned Qantas - another 30 minute wait. My call went for at least 40 minutes. Guy kept saying that Qantas prioritize the access to the Qantas Club members and Platinum members. He said the passes will be available for 1.5 years yet !! He then said have you tried to use them in Hong Kong and Tokyo !!! I am not going there I am going to Bali for gods sake ! In the end it works out there is absolutely nowhere in the world I can use these passes except the 3 - 4 largest Australian City's.
I called ANZ again and she said its because they are not Qantas sites but the thing is it wouldnt let me select LAX, Singapore, Auckland, Wellington - all Qantas sites.
Anyway long story but basically these aren't worth a thing to me. I find it very misleading. Qantas customer support guy was rude and very un helpful. I asked for a supervisor but none available for 48 hours. Pretty hopeless. So if you do get one of these Credit-Cards that promise everything good luck if you manage to use the Lounge Passes internationally.

Sorry to hear that

I have same problem too

The last time i called for anz black card pass extension

They said they will extend 4 pass for me due to covid (few months back) but now they cant even find any of my passes left for my trip this and next year.

Spoke to someone who didnt know anything, lodged a complaint, said will call me back this week but didnt. Call back friday and said their system down and will call me back. Full of cough,
I dont know what else to do.

Lionel

 

[strippett]

Hi, we are flying Mel to DFW and back. I know I can use a pass at Mel. But what about the return trip can we use them in DFW?

 

[Quickstatus]

can we use them in DFW

See here

1)Note the name of the DFW lounge
2)Click under Check Eligibility
3) Look under Partner lounge - the reason why 1) is important
4)Look at QantasClub annual Guest card - note the *
5)Scroll down to the footnotes and look under *

Roundabout way of saying that General Lounge Invitations and QF club are only valid at QF operated lounges. DFW lounge is operated by AA and not QF. As a side note: LAX OW TBIT Lounge is operated by CX and BA and not by QF so no luck there either.

 

[muppet]

… As a side note: LAX OW TBIT Lounge is operated by CX and BA and not by QF so no luck there either.

Qantas operates the LAX Business Lounge, it just doesn’t permit single use passes.

 

[RichardMEL]

Qantas operates the LAX Business Lounge, it just doesn’t permit single use passes.

fun fact.. the QF F lounge @ LAX does accept P1 invitations

 

[Quickstatus]

Qantas operates the LAX Business Lounge

Ok probably operated all 3 - CX,BA and QF?

 

[muppet]

fun fact.. the QF F lounge @ LAX does accept P1 invitations

Something leads me to assume that’s not the kind of pass the OP has

Post automatically merged: Jan 28, 2023

Ok probably operated all 3 - CX,BA and QF?

BA and CX certainly have service desk staff there.

 

[SYD]

Ok probably operated all 3 - CX,BA and QF?

Staying OT, was that lounge rebadged? I’ve only ever been to the “QANTAS” First Class Lounge and I thought the J lounge used to be the “QANTAS” biz lounge (for OW PAX).

 

[RichardMEL]

Back before the current setup, the lounges were branded specifically as operated by QF with CX/BA. I even think there was a sign (this is before the TBIT redevelopment.

My understanding is that QF operate the F lounge, while they operate the J lounge as a OW lounge very specifically, and in that sense it's operated on behalf of OW - which of course includes CX and BA. I wouldn't be surprised if the prior arrangements still held to some extent in terms of who actually pays and such.

I see it as akin to the Star Alliance lounge which is operated by NZ but you will definitely see reps there for other Star airlines during their flight windows.

 

[Port Power]

Hi, we are flying Mel to DFW and back. I know I can use a pass at Mel. But what about the return trip can we use them in DFW?

As you are QF Gold, therefore One World Sapphire, won't you have access to the AA Lounge anyway? The point is, can you take a guest? If not, still ask on arrival. Then ask someone waling in alone if they will sponsor your companion.

 

[SYD]

As you are QF Gold, therefore One World Sapphire, won't you have access to the AA Lounge anyway? The point is, can you take a guest? If not, still ask on arrival. Then ask someone waling in alone if they will sponsor your companion.

In fact the AA Flagship Lounge plus 1 guest.

Flagship Lounge − Travel information − American Airlines

www.aa.com