Qantas Status Benefits vs Reality

Qantas publicizes many of the benefits associated with attaining status with the airline from business class check-in for Silver elites to Priority Phone support for Platinum One elites. Presently, Qantas has four elite tiers that members can attain through flying: Silver, Gold, Platinum and Platinum One. Each of these elite tiers corresponds to an elite tier that OneWorld recognizes. Qantas Silver provides Ruby level benefits when flying on OneWorld alliance airlines, Gold provides Sapphire level benefits and lastly Platinum and Platinum One provide Emerald level alliance benefits. Despite the considerable amount of efforts both Qantas and the OneWorld alliance has published on the benefits tied to status, the reality is that recognized benefits, particularly on partner airlines can often be considerably better than what either OneWorld or Qantas publicize.

The purpose of this article is to document the various benefits offered by OneWorld partner airlines that apply to Qantas elites based on what the airlines publicize across the various dimensions of elite benefits such as priority seating, lounge access and baggage allowance. In this way, should you be looking to book a flight with a partner you'll have a better idea of what to expect as a Qantas elite.

Baggage Allowance

Partner Airline	Qantas Silver (OneWorld Ruby)	Qantas Gold (OneWorld Sapphire)	Qantas Platinum/ Platinum 1 (Emerald)
Alaska Airlines	2 free bags	2 free bags	3 free bags
American Airlines	1 free bag	2 free bags	3 free bags
British Airways	N/A	2 free bags (upto 32 kg each)	3 free bags (up to 32 kg each)
Cathay Pacific	N/A	2 free bags (upto 23 kg each)	2 free bags (up to 23 kg each)
FinnAir	N/A	1 free bag	1 free bag
Iberia	1 free bag (23 kg)	1 free bag (23 kg)	1 free bag (23 kg)
Japan Airlines	N/A	1 free bag (23 kg) or + 15 kg (weight system)	1 free bag (23 kg) or + 20 kg (weight system)
Malaysia Airlines	N/A	1 free bag (23 kg) or + 15 kg (weight system)	1 free bag (23 kg) or + 20 kg (weight system)
Qatar Airways	N/A	1 free bag (23 kg) or + 15 kg (weight system)	1 free bag (23 kg) or + 20 kg (weight system)
Royal Air Maroc	N/A	1 free bag (23 kg) or + 15 kg (weight system)	1 free bag (23 kg) or + 20 kg (weight system)
Royal Jordanian	N/A	1 free bag (23 kg)	1 free bag (23 kg)
SriLankan Airlines	5 kg more (weight concept)	15 kg more (weight concept) or 1 additional bag (piece concept)	20 kg more (weight concept) or 1 additional bag (piece concept)
Fiji Airways (OneWorld Connect)	N/A	N/A	N/A

Notes:

1. Some carriers on this list have a restriction whereby if you are travelling on Basic Economy (or Economy Light) no baggage allowance is offered in spite of your elite status. This list will be updated shortly to reflect that
2. FinnAir makes it unclear about its checked in baggage allowance for elites since they only cite policies for their elites. From what I gathered by their elite status (and corresponding OneWorld elite tier) I interpolated what the baggage allowance should be
3. Iberia doesn't provide an explicit OneWorld rule and the only way you can find out what baggage allowance is offered is to use their calculator and they only let you select from their frequent flyer tier. Interestingly enough if you have the highest tier status with Iberia, you still only get 1 free bag on a fare Basic.
4. Qatar Airways own frequent flyer program offers slightly more baggage allowance although interestingly enough there is a link on the Qatar website linked that just points other OneWorld elites to the usual OneWorld site that states the provided benefits for Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald elites.
5. Royal Air Maroc does not list additional baggage allowance for elite members aside from their own, so I'll assume that the standard OneWorld allowance applies here
6. Royal Jordanian uses the piece concept for all itineraries involving them. However, they do not provide guidance on allowance for OneWorld elites, so again, we default back to the OneWorld rules.
7. Despite Fiji Airways being a OneWorld Connect partner and offering some reciprocal benefits (i.e. lounge access) it does not seem that baggage is one of the perks on offer

 

[funnymummy]

is r travel responses your area of study?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Adding to this article to now include lounge membership as a Qantas elite:

Partner Airline Lounge Operator	Qantas Silver (OneWorld Ruby)	Qantas Gold (OneWorld Sapphire)	Qantas Platinum / Platinum 1 (OneWorld Emerald)
Alaska Airlines	N/A	You + 1 Guest on departure	You + 1 Guest on departure
American Airlines	N/A	You + 1 guest to either Admirals or Flagship Lounge on departure, arrival or connection	You + 1 guest to either Admirals or Flagship Lounge on departure, arrival or connection
British Airways	N/A	You + 1 guest to BA Business Class lounges on departure	You + 1 guest to BA First Class lounges on departure
Cathay Pacific	N/A	You + 1 to CX Business lounges on departure	You + 1 to CX First lounge on departure
FinnAir	N/A	You + 1 on departure	You + 1 on departure
Iberia	N/A	You + 1 on departure	You + 1 on departure
Japan Airlines	N/A	You + 1 on departure	You + 1 on departure
Malaysia Airlines	N/A	You + 1 on departure, and potentially on arrival?	You + 1 on departure, and potentially on arrival?
Qatar Airways	N/A	You + 1 on departure, Gold class lounges	You + 1 on departure, Platinum class lounges
Royal Jordanian	N/A	You + 1 on departure	You + 1 on departure
SriLankan Airlines	N/A	You + 1 on departure	You + 1 on departure
Fiji Airways (oneWorld Connect)	N/A	You on departure, must be travelling on a flight with a QF flight number	You on departure, must be travelling on a flight with a QF flight number

As you can see the rules are largely similar to the general OneWorld lounge access rules but there are some subtle differences between airlines. AA provides access on arrival to its lounge if you are an elite. Additionally for AA is the inclusion of access to the lounge on arrival for any AA/OneWorld marketed and operated flight on the same day. This could potentially be useful for someone who is, for instance, flying Qantas to LAX, then catching a connecting flight on United to say Denver. In such an instance you would simply stroll up to an Admirals lounge or Flagship lounge show your Qantas boarding pass and be let in.

Notes:

1. For travel on domestic US routes operated by AA or Alaskan, you can access OneWorld Emerald/Sapphire lounges (i.e. AA Admirals) even though your itinerary is US domestic. The reason being is that frequent flyers of programs aside from American and Alaskan have OneWorld lounge access across the board (i.e. the limitation on AA/AS elites accessing US lounges travelling domestically was done to reduce the overcrowding often exhibited in these lounges).
2. If you are lucky enough to be flying either AA or BA to LHR, and also hold OneWorld Emerald status (i.e. QF Platinum) you can also avail yourself of the exclusive arrivals lounge
3. American Airlines offers Flagship First dining in their Flagship lounges which is a sit down dining experience similar to the QF F lounge I am told. However, you will not get access to this benefit unless travelling on a AA Flagship First service an inter-continental or on a trans-continental flagship service (i.e. JFK > LAX). I am told you can buy this perk at the lounge if you are so inclined (current price is $150)
4. I think it goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, you generally need to be travelling on a flight that is operated and marketed by a OneWorld carrier. There are some exceptions to this rule. For instance, AA will let OneWorld elites on a JetBlue marketed, AA operated flight access their lounge, but in general, to avoid disappointment you really should try and have OW operated, OW marketed flights.
5. At some BA lounges (i.e. SIN) Sapphire and Emerald members share the same lounge. However, Emerald unlocks additional benefits in the lounge. For instance at the SIN lounge, you have access to First dining.
6. The FinnAir lounge located in the non-Schengen at Helsinki has a First class (Platinum) wing that is open at specific times to Emerald elites (10:30 - 17:30 when I was there in September 2023)
7. The Malaysia website does not provide any specifics on lounge access for OneWorld elites. Hence, I've assumed that the default OneWorld lounge access rules apply here. At the same time, there are reports that in certain circumstances access to the Malaysian Lounge on arrival is also possible
8. One thing to look out for with lounges are the fine print. For instance, some lounges are operated by a OneWorld partner like Qatar but are specifically designed for those travelling in a specific class of service (i.e. Business or First) or are flying with a specific airline. When you visit a OneWorld lounge you want to look for the blue/green oval indicating it is a lounge open to an elite. If you see those ovals missing on the sign/door, then chances are it's not accessible to OneWorld elites.

Coming soon, a discussion on priority benefits for OneWorld Elites. As an appetizer for those curious, did you know if you are flying American Airlines in coach as a Qantas Platinum, Platinum One to a long haul destination, you get to use the exclusive Flagship First check-in service at selected airports like LAX or LHR? The big benefit of this service is you have a separate entrance into the airport than anyone else and are whisked right up to the head of the security check-point once you check in. It really puts Qantas First class check-in to shame!

-RooFlyer88