QFF Club member flying BA

[susiesnowflake]

I am a newbie to the forum - and am wondering whether I am going to be severely disadvantaged by having a BA flight SYD-LHR unintentionally booked for me when I really wanted a QF flight. Can I use all the Qantas Club facilities? Are the points earned the same? Is there anything I should know?

Thanks very much

 

[Mal]

Pretty much the same.

Points earning will be the same, Club access will be the same.

The only real gotcha to be aware of is the BA baggage policies which have recently changed, plus of course you will not have your extra Qantas Club allowances for baggage.

For more information see the following 2 links:

British Airways - Baggage essentials
British Airways - Checked baggage

Oh, and also you will not be able to use your points to upgrade your flights, as points upgrades are for pure Qantas flights (Qantas metal+ Qantas Flight Number)

 

[Dave Noble]

One benefit of being on BA is that with the new seating policy, if you make use of Online Checkin at t-24hrs , you are likely to have a very good choice of seats. Drawback is that you cannot ( unless booked in 1st class, or JCWY booking classes or have OW Emerald/Sapphire status ) pre-select seats until check in time

Dave

 

[susiesnowflake]

Dear Mal and Moderator Dave, many thanks for your welcome advice.

Not all bad news then? I've checked out the new baggage deal - to be honest, I don't mind at all as it will stop me shopping as if all the shops are closing forever at Easter!!!

I presume I have a choice of using either the QF or BA club lounges here and in the UK? Wonder also if the BA check in queue will allow me to check in at the J Class/Executive Lounge queue . . . . hope so, it is one of the great perks of QF Club membership.

Susie

 

[Commuter]

Ah, the BA's new baggage policy...

A little off-topic, but the BA check-in person who was doing the check-in for Qantas flight (QF flight number and operated by QF crew on QF airframe) told me that 10kg extra for QF Gold membership was 'discretionary' and they didn't have to give it to me at all.

Is that correct!?

 

[JohnK]

A little off-topic, but the BA check-in person who was doing the check-in for Qantas flight (QF flight number and operated by QF crew on QF airframe) told me that 10kg extra for QF Gold membership was 'discretionary' and they didn't have to give it to me at all.

Is that correct!?

According to Benefits and Priviliges from the QF website you are entitled to an extra 10kgs or one extra piece on flights through the USA.

 

[oz_mark]

It is a stated benefit, so it can't be discretionary. Imagine the inconsistencies that would result if it were so.

 

[Commuter]

Thanks JohnK. Thanks oz_mark too. That's what I thought, but the check-in agent was quite adamant. I wish they educated their contractors better...

 

[Dave Noble]

Ah, the BA's new baggage policy...

A little off-topic, but the BA check-in person who was doing the check-in for Qantas flight (QF flight number and operated by QF crew on QF airframe) told me that 10kg extra for QF Gold membership was 'discretionary' and they didn't have to give it to me at all.

Is that correct!?

If it is a flight both marketed by and operated by QF, then the addtional allowance applies. At the moment , the BA allowance is actually more generous at 32Kg, just limited to 1 piece in economy, so if checking in 1 piece, it makes no odds on which of the 2 carriers rules apply

Dave

 

[Commuter]

Ah, this check-in agent also tried to enforce the "23 kg rule" before it even became effective for BA. I wasn't exactly happy... I don't consider myself a whinger but that one almost got me to write a complaint letter to Qantas regarding their contractor training.

 

[Mal]

I presume I have a choice of using either the QF or BA club lounges here and in the UK? Wonder also if the BA check in queue will allow me to check in at the J Class/Executive Lounge queue . . . . hope so, it is one of the great perks of QF Club membership.

The lounges are the same. You will have access to the Qantas Business Lounge in Sydney, and the Terraces (Business) lounges in London. Your QC card gives you access to BA lounges before BA flights.

Access to Partner airline lounges

In addition to Qantas Club lounges, you can relax in British Airways lounges (Terraces and Executive Club lounges), American Airlines® Admirals Club lounges and US Airways Club lounges.

To access a partner airline lounge, simply present your Qantas Club card or Platinum or Gold Frequent Flyer card at check-in and again with your boarding pass at the lounge reception. You may also invite a guest. Note that both you and your guest must be travelling together and have onward travel that day on a flight marketed and operated by the partner airline whose lounge you wish to visit.*

As for checking in, I don't know the official answer for this one. I've never seen anything that says you can use the premium check-in facilities when travelling BA using a QC Card. However, when I was a QC member, I did this a couple of times without any dramas (checked into a BA Flight via either the Business line or the Premium area). When I asked a BA staffer if there was somewhere else I should be checking in, I was redirected to the Premium area at Heathrow Terminal1 (Zone R)... so it has happened in the past.

 

[Dave Noble]

I presume I have a choice of using either the QF or BA club lounges here and in the UK? Wonder also if the BA check in queue will allow me to check in at the J Class/Executive Lounge queue . . . . hope so, it is one of the great perks of QF Club membership.

However the perk is specifically when travelling on Qantas and does not apply when travelling on other carriers. You need to have silver QF status to be eligable to use it

From the QF Club benefits details

To help avoid queues, members may use The Qantas Club priority check-in areas available at most airports. If there is no dedicated Qantas Club check-in, you may check in at the Business counter before any Qantas flight, regardless of your fare class. You must be travelling on a Qantas operated service with a Qantas flight number

Dave