Qantas to Westjet at LAX

[roslynm]

Interesting to see TSA refuse someone based on terminal alone! This could perhaps be a capacity thing as the TBIT security checkpoint is massive from my memory and hence has the capacity to deal with all sorts of customers. What I do recall a representative from the TSA once saying when people were frustrated with the long queues at certain airports was to do as I said, (i.e. check the MyTSA site to see which terminal has the minimal wait time and clear security through there).

Hopefully that's ample time, and given WestJet's on time performance I wouldn't be surprised if that 5 hour layover turns into 7 a hour one!

Joking aside, I reckon the QF F lounge at LAX is pretty good when it comes to things like food, showers, etc.? If I was in their shoes (and I'm not in their shoes BTW) the first thing I'd do after a long flight like that would be grabbing a shower at the lounge!

Hi, we just did Qantas to LAX connecting Westjet to Vancouver on Tuesday this week. A couple of comments, we were booked on Qantas boarding passes all through to Vanc. We were able to book baggage all the way thru. Picked up in LAX and dropped off immediately. Mister & I are both Qantas Club so we're expecting to get into Q club in LAX Terminal 5 as we had 5 hours waiting. We checked back in thru security to airside, able to because we had Q boarding passes but were informed by the lounge that even though Qantas booking, the Lounge would not take anyone on a Westjet flight as there are no reciprocal arrangements. They were very firm. The First class lounge has the same rule, I heard it from them directly. So, I am not an expert on higher fare or Status options but if you have access to other lounges, eg flying first class with Westjet you might get Delta lounge, I would explore those other options. So, we stayed airside in T5 as it was comfortable, then wandered down to T2 as per the boarding pass however the flight leaves from T3. The walk is refreshing after the flight from AU not too onerous.
My other observation, if you are departing on QF11 it consistently leaves 1-2 hours late. You can see the history on flightaware. We were about 1 hr late departing Syd.

Hope his helps. Enjoy yr skiing. We head to Whistler tmrw.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Thanks for the ongoing discourse on this. It's all really helpful. Except I don't believe I would have access to the QF Flounge. It's an award ticket booked with QF, but the flight# is WS.

Roslynm posted while I was typing and her experience seems to reflect this. Thanks, Roslyn, I appreciate the benefit of your recent experience. Great to know that the bag drop worked as expected as that was my main concern. We prob won't mind a delay out of Sydney -- a short delay, I hasten to add, as we don't want to spend all day in the Flounge! That would shorten our waiting in LAX.

Have fun in Whistler. We're off to Panorama (BC) and then Whitefish (MT) for a bit of skiing and family visits.

 

[RichardMEL]

Thanks for the ongoing discourse on this. It's all really helpful. Except I don't believe I would have access to the QF Flounge. It's an award ticket booked with QF, but the flight# is WS.

Roslynm posted while I was typing and her experience seems to reflect this. Thanks, Roslyn, I appreciate the benefit of your recent experience. Great to know that the bag drop worked as expected as that was my main concern. We prob won't mind a delay out of Sydney -- a short delay, I hasten to add, as we don't want to spend all day in the Flounge! That would shorten our waiting in LAX.

Have fun in Whistler. We're off to Panorama (BC) and then Whitefish (MT) for a bit of skiing and family visits.

And unfortunately even if the WS flight is sold/ticketed as a QF codeshare flight number, lounge access rules under oneworld status require the onward flight be both OW mareted *and* operated.

Same applies to access via CoS too.

 

[serfty]

And unfortunately even if the WS flight is sold/ticketed as a QF codeshare flight number, lounge access rules under oneworld status require the onward flight be both OW mareted *and* operated.

Same applies to access via CoS too.

It not a oneworld access situation. It is explicitly Qantas' rules.

The following is moot as @BriarFlyer is not on a QF flight number.

The access is explicit if travelling on a Qantas Flight number:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/qantas-lounge-access-eligibility.html#international-first-lounge

 

[serfty]

Hope his helps. Enjoy yr skiing. We head to Whistler tmrw.

To be clear, were you flights from Los Angeles to Vancouver on a Qantas Flight number?

 

[roslynm]

To be clear, we're you flights from Los Angeles on a Qantas Flight number?

My experience is that it won't help. The lounge staff indicated they have requested many times for Q to make it obvious/ clear to flyers that even on a Qantas Flight number, If travelling on Westjet, no lounge access. Business lounge or First lounge.

 

[serfty]

My experience is that it won't help. The lounge staff indicated they have requested many times for Q to make it obvious/ clear to flyers that even on a Qantas Flight number, If travelling on Westjet, no lounge access. Business lounge or First lounge.

OK, so you were traveling on something like QF3359 or QF4156?

 

[RichardMEL]

It not a oneworld access situation. It is explicitly Qantas' rules.

The following is moot as @BriarFlyer is not on a QF flight number.

The access is explicit if travelling on a Qantas Flight number:

You're absolutely right @serfty. Mea Culpa. For some reason I was thinking OW rules and was looking at the OW lounge access policies. Duh.

apologies for the slight misdirect

 

[Quickstatus]

QF4156

WS codeshares are usually QF3xx_ (Trivia)

 

[Quickstatus]

What QF Flight numbers do not allow QF lounge access?

 

[justinbrett]

My experience is that it won't help. The lounge staff indicated they have requested many times for Q to make it obvious/ clear to flyers that even on a Qantas Flight number, If travelling on Westjet, no lounge access. Business lounge or First lounge.

The Qantas page for Westjet says you get access on codeshare: (https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas...-airlines/westjet-airlines.html#lounge-access)

Eligible customers and their guests booked on a Qantas flight number on the codeshare routes can access the following lounges.

Qantas International Lounges

Access to Qantas Lounges in accordance with Qantas lounge policy

The lounge policy also confirms QF marketed gets access at QF lounges

Wouldn't be the first time a Lounge Dragon was giving out incorrect information.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thanks for the ongoing discourse on this. It's all really helpful. Except I don't believe I would have access to the QF Flounge. It's an award ticket booked with QF, but the flight# is WS.

If the flight has a WS flight number instead of a QF flight number then yes you are right it's not a QF marketed flight and therefore would not qualify you for QF access on departure at LAX.

 

[justinbrett]

It is really dumb that QF award flights with partner airlines don't get access to QF lounges.

 

[roslynm]

OK, so you were traveling on something like QF3359 or QF4156?

QF4156 Yes.

 

[roslynm]

The lounge staff aren't happy that they have to keep delivering the bad news.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

My experience is that it won't help. The lounge staff indicated they have requested many times for Q to make it obvious/ clear to flyers that even on a Qantas Flight number, If travelling on Westjet, no lounge access. Business lounge or First lounge.

The lounge agent was wrong! The Qantas lounge eligibility site specifically calls out Qantas flight numbers implying that the flight need only be marketed as a Qantas flight (it could for instance be operated by Air Canada or WestJet):



If they wanted it to be only Qantas operated flights they would have explicitly stated so which they do when it comes to the Qantas International Business lounge for China Eastern:


In the future your best bet is to show them the website and/or ask for a manager. Be forceful in your point but respectful. If they still don't grant you access note the names and date you were at the lounge and write a note to QFF to complain about your denied access. I suspect in most cases you'll get something for your troubles to make up for it.

I should also note that you have a higher chance of encountering a MOLA (Misleading or lying agent) at outstations like LAX. In particular, I remember agents for Air Canada claiming I can't request an eUpgrade to business class for my flight from LAX to YYZ back in July because my AC flight was ticketed by United, which their own website says is not the case. I showed the station manager the site but they still didn't care. Sorry not possible. Lesson learned: next time I won't fly Air Canada.

-RooFlyer88

 

[roslynm]

Thank you kangarooflyer88, I will definitely use that on the way back. All QF ticketing, dep VYR next Sunday. Will let you know how I go.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Thank you kangarooflyer88, I will definitely use that on the way back. All QF ticketing, dep VYR next Sunday. Will let you know how I go.

What does your itinerary back to Australia look like? Is it the Qantas direct flight back to Sydney or are you connecting through the US? If the former, you will want to ensure the check-in agent confirms what lounge you have access to (I think it would be Plaza Premium since QF and OneWorld don't have any lounges at YVR). If the latter, things might get a bit more tricky. If it's a OneWorld partner like American or Alaskan, then a visit to the check-in desk should give you a lounge invite to the Plaza Premium at US transborder. For WestJet and Air Canada, however, you'd want to visit the Qantas check-in area at some point to pick up the lounge invite for that. All of this, of course is supposing you have lounge entitlement through the ordinary methods (i.e. QF Gold/Platinum, travelling in BusinessFirst or a QF Club member).

 

[SYD]

What does your itinerary back to Australia look like? Is it the Qantas direct flight back to Sydney or are you connecting through the US? If the former, you will want to ensure the check-in agent confirms what lounge you have access to (I think it would be Plaza Premium since QF and OneWorld don't have any lounges at YVR). If the latter, things might get a bit more tricky. If it's a OneWorld partner like American or Alaskan, then a visit to the check-in desk should give you a lounge invite to the Plaza Premium at US transborder. For WestJet and Air Canada, however, you'd want to visit the Qantas check-in area at some point to pick up the lounge invite for that. All of this, of course is supposing you have lounge entitlement through the ordinary methods (i.e. QF Gold/Platinum, travelling in BusinessFirst or a QF Club member).

I doubt there is lounge access in YVR for QP members.

Outside of Oz access is usually limited to any QF operated lounge or AA AC flying on AA.

 

[serfty]

The lounge staff aren't happy that they have to keep delivering the bad news.

Well, that bad news is incorrect as per post 11, 24, 32 & 36.

I note you indicate Qantas Club membership, so the international business lounge should have been available.

Also, the Admitals Clubs in T4, T5 & the Eagles nest. -Incorrect, Needed to be flying AA.

Wouldn't be the first time a Lounge Dragon was giving out incorrect information.

Agreed.