Question about Cathay Pacific’s Lounge Admittance

[Drew]

Hi there.

My wife and I had planned to spend a few nights in Hong Kong and given the recent riots, we’ve decided to fly to Taipei from Hong Kong. I remember reading on a forum/article about Cathay Pacific’s lounge admittance rule, specifically:

If you are travelling in different cabin classes within a single ticketed journey (e.g. from Singapore to Hong Kong in Business Class, and a connecting flight to Paris in Premium Economy), we will honour the highest class of travel (Business Class) for lounge entitlement* throughout your whole journey to make it a comfortable one. Please note that this only applies to flights operated by Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon.

(https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en...n/airport/lounges/all-lounges-admittance.html)

We’re flying form Adelaide to HK in J class and was wondering if I was to purchase two economy tickets and how our ADL-HK boarding pass if we’d be granted admittance to the lounges.

Many thanks
Drew

 

[Hvr]

If you flew ADL-HKG in J, then HKG-TPE in Y on one ticket then yes you should be granted lounge access in HKG. But do note it must be one ticket. So buying a new ticket to travel to TPE won't allow lounge access based on your previous journey.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Provided your onward flight to TPE is the same day as your arrival into HKG from ADL you will have lounge access under the more generous (for your circumstances) OneWorld lounge access policy.

Oneworld policy provides for lounge access when connecting to or from an international long haul to an international short haul.

Unlike the Cathay policy, the Oneworld policy does not require a single ticketed itinerary. You can have separate tickets. Even separate tickets on different airlines.

Just show your international long haul boarding pass, together with your connecting flight, for lounge access.

(Cathay's policy would be more generous if, for example, you were to fly PEK-HKG in First, but then connect to LAX in economy. You'd have F lounge access in HKG because everything is on the one ticket, and 'highest class' would apply. )

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks Hvr. I thought as much. I did contact them via chat to double check and they confirmed what you said.

If you are spending a few days in Hong kong then no lounge access on a separate ticket in economy class. However, if you are connecting same day, you will 100% have lounge access, even with separate tickets in economy. The call centre won't know the finer details of lounge access.

The oneworld connecting rules are here: Lounge Access | oneworld (--> lounge access for first and business class passengers)

 

[Drew]

If you are spending a few days in Hong kong then no lounge access on a separate ticket in economy class. However, if you are connecting same day, you will 100% have lounge access, even with separate tickets in economy.

Thanks MEL_Traveller. I removed my post and was about to respond to yourself and Hvr.

Perhaps I should have been clearer, but yes, I’ll be booking a flight straight to TPE from HKG. I’ve done a bit of reading and it seems people have been allowed in the lounger by showing their boarding pass from the prior flight (same day).

See how I go.

Provided your onward flight to TPE is the same day as your arrival into HKG from ADL you will have lounge access under the more generous (for your circumstances) OneWorld lounge access policy.

Oneworld policy provides for lounge access when connecting to or from an international long haul to an international short haul.

Unlike the Cathay policy, the Oneworld policy does not require a single ticketed itinerary. You can have separate tickets. Even separate tickets on different airlines.

Can you elaborate on the point about OneWorld. I redeemed my ADL-HKG flight via Qantas.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks MEL_Traveller. I removed my post and was about to respond to yourself and Hvr.

Perhaps I should have been clearer, but yes, I’ll be booking a flight straight to TPE from HKG. I’ve done a bit of reading and it seems people have been allowed in the lounger by showing their boarding pass from the prior flight (same day).

See how I go.



Can you elaborate on the point about OneWorld. I redeemed my ADL-HKG flight via Qantas.

Oneworld = the Oneworld alliance of airlines. Qantas, Cathay, British Airways, japan Airlines, American Airlines are some of the major airlines in the alliance.

When you are a oneworld first or business class passenger, you can use the lounges of any oneworld partner. it doesn't matter which airline issued the ticket, or which airline operates the flight.

Oneworld partners have agreed a set of rules governing lounge access. Those rules are in the link I posted above, which states that your long haul class of travel will grant access to lounges at any connecting point on your itinerary.

individual airlines may have their own lounge access rules in addition to the oneworld rules... like the cathay link you posted.

In your case, you are a cathay business class passenger - it doesn't matter who issued the ticket, nor whether it is paid or award - and you are arriving into HKG long haul business class, connecting to short haul economy. So you get lounge access under oneworld rules.

Note that not all alliances are the same. Star Alliance (United, Thai, ANA, Singapore Airlines) don't have a similar rule.

Hundreds of people a day probably take advantage of this longe access rule. I've done it many times. You won't have an issue with Cathay. (Although Qantas does ignore the rules in Perth, and we don't know why.)

 

[serfty]

If you flew ADL-HKG in J, then HKG-TPE in Y on one ticket then yes you should be granted lounge access in HKG. But do note it must be one ticket. So buying a new ticket to travel to TPE won't allow lounge access based on your previous journey.

While CX publish that, in practice the connecting oneworld flights rule applies to separate tickets as well - as long as all flights are oneworld operated and marketed.

oneworld Lounge Access

Connecting between oneworld marketed and operated flights:

• First and Business Class customers connecting on the same day of travel, or before 6am the following day, can access the lounge when travelling between an international long haul (a oneworld international long haul flight is defined as an international flight marketed and operated by any oneworld carrier with a scheduled flight time longer than 5 hours) and an international short haul or domestic flight (and vice-versa).
• Lounge access will be determined on the international long haul ticketed flight (either First of Business Class) regardless of the ticketed class of travel on the international short haul or domestic flight.
• You must be prepared to show your boarding pass or itinerary showing travel in First or Business class on the international long haul flight, in order to access the lounge before your international short haul or domestic flight.

 

[Drew]

Hundreds of people a day probably take advantage of this longe access rule. I've done it many times. You won't have an issue with Cathay. (Although Qantas does ignore the rules in Perth, and we don't know why.)

Appreciate your response Melb_Traveller and linking OneWorlds’ Lounge Access policy. This is especially useful to know on future travels.

While CX publish that, in practice the connecting oneworld flights rule applies to separate tickets as well - as long as all flights are oneworld operated and marketed.

oneworld Lounge Access

Cheers serfty! Only thing left to so is wait for Cathay to approve our waitlisted flights

 

[Flashback]

What are your travel dates? We're doing the same, travelling to HKG but spending little time there so going down to TPE (well, KHH and then up to TPE). The ticket into KHH and then returning from TPE was considerably cheaper than a TPE return and it allows us to explore a different part of the country!

Mrs FB and I are both OWE so can guest one each into the F lounge (Wing or Pier) if our dates align.

 

[Drew]

That's awfully nice of you.

Our tickets from TPE-HKG (J) and HKG-HND were issued yesterday so that's comforting to know.

Mrs FB and I are both OWE

What do you mean by OWE? Since we're on the topic, am I able to guest others given it's a redemption flight?

We're departing Adelaide on an evening flight 15 Feb and get into HK at 5 am the following day, then probably explore 1-2 of the lounges, have a quick bite before going to TPE. As for the F lounge, we're flying out from HKG on 20 February 2020.

 

[Hvr]

What do you mean by OWE?

OneWorld Emerald, all airlines have different status levels and to ensure congruency between airlines there are common levels to allow for recognition. Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald are the OneWorld levels.

Have a look at this page for Qantas Platinum benefits: Frequent Flyer - Flying Qantas and Partner Airlines - Status Credits and Tier Benefits - Tier Benefits

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What do you mean by OWE? Since we're on the topic, am I able to guest others given it's a redemption flight?

Guesting rights are determined by either (a) class of service or (b) frequent flyer status.

If you have no status and are relying solely on class of service, business class passengers are not permitted guests. First class passengers may bring one guest.

If you have status, guesting rights are generally one guest per gold (oneworld sapphire) and two guests for platinum (or oneworld emerald).

For either of the above, it doesn’t matter if you ticket is fully paid, or an award, or if you have paid for an upgrade.

Some airlines restrict lounge and/or guest rights if you were given an operational (free) upgrade, or if you have used a bidding system to pay for a discounted upgrade.

 

[Flashback]

That's awfully nice of you.

Our tickets from TPE-HKG (J) and HKG-HND were issued yesterday so that's comforting to know.



What do you mean by OWE? Since we're on the topic, am I able to guest others given it's a redemption flight?

We're departing Adelaide on an evening flight 15 Feb and get into HK at 5 am the following day, then probably explore 1-2 of the lounges, have a quick bite before going to TPE. As for the F lounge, we're flying out from HKG on 20 February 2020.

December for us, so we'll miss you I'm afraid!

 

[Drew]

OneWorld Emerald, all airlines have different status levels and to ensure congruency between airlines there are common levels to allow for recognition. Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald are the OneWorld levels.

Gotcha, I’m aware of OneWorld and the status tiers of the loyalty program. Still getting to know the FrequentFlyer lingo. I can only imagine the number of flights you’d have to fly to achieve high status.

Cheers

If you have no status and are relying solely on class of service, business class passengers are not permitted guests. First class passengers may bring one guest.

Class of service is where I sit. Good to know my wife and I can guest two passengers on our HKG-HND (F) leg.

December for us, so we'll miss you I'm afraid!

It’s the thought that counts FB

 

[Julesmac]

Hi all. I'm a total pleb. lowly Bronze lifetime QFF member. I'm flying to the UK with my brother in May on Cathay in PE (told you I was a pleb). Is there any way I can get access to a lounge as we have a 5 hour stopover in HK. Zilch points

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all. I'm a total pleb. lowly Bronze lifetime QFF member. I'm flying to the UK with my brother in May on Cathay in PE (told you I was a pleb). Is there any way I can get access to a lounge as we have a 5 hour stopover in HK. Zilch points

I think you might be out of luck here There are paid lounges open to general admission.

FWIW Japan Airlines includes lounge access for their premium economy. Might be worth considering for future travel.

 

[Flashback]

Hi all. I'm a total pleb. lowly Bronze lifetime QFF member. I'm flying to the UK with my brother in May on Cathay in PE (told you I was a pleb). Is there any way I can get access to a lounge as we have a 5 hour stopover in HK. Zilch points

There are several pay per use lounges, Plaza Premium springs to mind (both normal PP and PP First), beware the line for normal PP is very long and takes a while to get in!

 

[Julesmac]

There are several pay per use lounges, Plaza Premium springs to mind (both normal PP and PP First), beware the line for normal PP is very long and takes a while to get in!

Thanks. For a layover of 5 hours perhaps a queue won't be too bad. Especially if we make a run for head of the queue

 

[Flashback]

Thanks. For a layover of 5 hours perhaps a queue won't be too bad. Especially if we make a run for head of the queue

Every time I walked past there was a queue I think the additional normal PP lounge will be open by then anyway so that should help!

 

[Julesmac]

Every time I walked past there was a queue I think the additional normal PP lounge will be open by then anyway so that should help!

Thanks