Qantas Status based Lounge Access before Fiji Airways Flights

[leaving on a jet plane]

Okay. Time for a straw poll. I need to know if I am being unreasonable about my expectation and anger here.
The situation is this. I have Platinum frequent flyer status with QANTAS. I booked 2 business class seats on a direct flight from MEL to NAN. The redemption E-Ticket showed FJ934 despite their being a QANTAS code share flight number QF3867. (For background ALL QANTAS booked passengers on direct flights from MEL - NAN are on the same Fiji Airways operated aircraft as QANTAS do not operate their own hardware on the route.....And Fiji Airways has special status as a "One World Connect" partner. Probably because QANTAS part owns them).
So here's the source of my anger. When I called to confirm that I would be able to use the MEL First class lounge as a Platinum member flying on a QANTAS code share flight with Business class seats booked with QANTAS Frequent flyer points, on a One World Connect partner... I was told NO.!!!

Thoughts?
JC

 

[Cessna 180]

I was in the QF F Lounge SYD today (flying QF) and they told me the policy now is both QF and FJ code get access - consistent with recent reports.

Hopefully MEL F Lounge got the memo and this is now a non-issue.

A bit of old info, (I don't get out of Aus much, haha).

However when I was last in MEL F a few months ago I had this very discussion with the agent when entering. We had a bit of a chat and as I was on a QR ticket she said "it is the EMER on your pass that lets you in". We then discussed FJ and she specifically said "that as a QF Plat, that I could enter if on a FJ ticket".

I realize this is only one brief meeting a few months ago, but i think I would be reasonably confident of entry on the FJ ticket.

 

[SYD]

A bit of old info, (I don't get out of Aus much, haha).

However when I was last in MEL F a few months ago I had this very discussion with the agent when entering. We had a bit of a chat and as I was on a QR ticket she said "it is the EMER on your pass that lets you in". We then discussed FJ and she specifically said "that as a QF Plat, that I could enter if on a FJ ticket".

I realize this is only one brief meeting a few months ago, but i think I would be reasonably confident of entry on the FJ ticket.

Yes, the reports of prior access were from a while back but others here assumed peeps just lucked in because online, you still see the OW Connect gobbledygook (mentioned up thread). Plus the actual dud advice the OP received from QF (which was probably an offshore call centre)…

Hence why I made a point of asking. I had meant to ask a month ago but forgot…

AFAIK, my earlier comment is the first reporting of the actual QF policy change (even though it’s been in play for a while).

It would be useful to find out which other lounges it applies to? LAX QF F?* SIN QF F?**

*I’ve seen similar reports of peeps getting in fairly recently. One and only time for me, even on QF code - I had talk my way in.

**Probably mute for now. Departs before F lounge opens?

 

[moa999]

its more a matter of principle. Its the same plane (all Qantas direct flight from MEL - NAN are on FJ hardware... it has a Qantas code share number for that very reason), I am in the same J class seat, I booked the flight with Qantas, using their own currency (QFF points). The only difference is that I booked that same seat on that same flight with Qantas FF points rather than cash.

But Qantas also has plenty of codeshares with non-oneworld airlines, including plenty in other alliances.

Once you start with different metal and codeshares the rules get complicated quickly.

 

[SYD]

But Qantas also has plenty of codeshares with non-oneworld airlines, including plenty in other alliances.

Once you start with different metal and codeshares the rules get complicated quickly.

Certainly travelling in whY.

At least in J, there’s still usually some sort of lounge by way of class of travel (although “Lite” fares are the new minefield).

 

[moa999]

although “Lite” fares are the new minefield).

At least for now award redemption seem to book into mainstream categories.
Albeit Jetstar outstations are a case in point. Lounge access is only available these days on Business Max fares, and you can't redeem into that.

 

[justinbrett]

I was in the QF F Lounge SYD today (flying QF) and they told me the policy now is both QF and FJ code get access - consistent with recent reports.

Hopefully MEL F Lounge got the memo and this is now a non-issue.

I wonder if this means access is granted in NAN also?

What about QF F in LAX?

 

[SYD]

I wonder if this means access is granted in NAN also?

I thought NAN was ok even for QP?

What about QF F in LAX?

Yeah, that was the obvious follow on question that came to mind a couple of comments back. Also SIN QF F also (but I think FJ flights depart before the lounge opens).

Also, it wasn’t explicitly stated if it’s just QF WP (and presumably SG for the J lounges) or all OWEs.

 

[justinbrett]

I thought NAN was ok even for QP?

You need to be on a QF flight number to access the lounge as QF elite.

 

[dylarr]

I was in the QF F Lounge SYD today (flying QF) and they told me the policy now is both QF and FJ code get access - consistent with recent reports.

Hopefully MEL F Lounge got the memo and this is now a non-issue.

Good on them for changing the policy before they technically had to, prior to FJ flicking the switch on full Oneworld membership.

 

[serfty]

Posted in another thread - FJ to join oneworld "by the end of the first quarter of 2025". That should remove any doubt about such lounge access.

Oneworld’s CEO on new members, a digital platform and interest in Indian and Latin American markets – Business Traveller

Business Traveller attended a roundtable discussion with Nat Pieper to discuss the alliance’s past, present and future.

www.businesstraveller.com

Post in thread 'Fiji Airways to become full oneworld member and adopt AAdvantage program'

Friday at 8:03 AM

Fiji Airlines to become full OW member 01 Apr 2025
Source :- a roundtable discussion with the CEO of oneworld, Nat Pieper,
Oneworld’s CEO on new members, a digital platform and interest in Indian and Latin American markets – Business Traveller

A growing membership
At the time of writing, the alliance counts 13 members: Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific Airways, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air Maroc, Royal Jordanian and SriLankan Airlines. (Note that S7 remains suspended)...

• Mwenenzi

• 
• 

 

[Andy72]

Today on the Auckland F lounge FJ flights are on the departure board, for what it is worth

 

[aus_flyer]

If you’re on QF codeshare then you have access

 

[SYD]

If you’re on QF codeshare then you have access

Did you ask if they also are letting in QF status holders now when flying FJ code?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Did you ask if they also are letting in QF status holders now when flying FJ code?

I think there are a couple parts to this question which is leading to the misunderstanding here. If I may break it down:

• Can you access QF lounges when flying QF marketed flights operated by any airline (including FJ) as a QF Elite? Yes
• Can you access QF lounges in Australia when taking a FJ marketed and operated flight as a QF elite? Anecdotally the answer seems to be yes!
• Can you access QF lounges abroad (e.g., LAX) when taking a FJ marketed and operated flight as a AF elite? Unclear
• Can you access FJ lounges when flying on a QF marketed/operated flight as a QF elite? Yes
• Can you access FJ lounges when flying on a FJ marketed/operated flight as a QF elite? Unclear

 

[Flyerwin]

I flew to Fiji on an FJ flight In July on E tickets only and got access to F lounge in Melb as a WP.

 

[SYD]

I think there are a couple parts to this question which is leading to the misunderstanding here. If I may break it down:

• Can you access QF lounges when flying QF marketed flights operated by any airline (including FJ) as a QF Elite? Yes
• Can you access QF lounges in Australia when taking a FJ marketed and operated flight as a QF elite? Anecdotally the answer seems to be yes! No, confirmed policy as above.
• Can you access QF lounges abroad (e.g., LAX) when taking a FJ marketed and operated flight as a AF elite? Unclear
• Can you access FJ lounges when flying on a QF marketed/operated flight as a QF elite? Yes (Not in question. You can do that in Oz on QF marketed flights)
• Can you access FJ lounges when flying on a FJ marketed/operated flight as a QF elite? Unclear

It was a simple question whether the previous poster asked AKL lounge staff if they’re letting in QF status PAX flying FJ metal / FJ code ex AKL. Not just assume the old rules are still in play.