Status and flying with others

[Matt P]

Hi All

I just looked at my future bookings in my QFF account and it seems i'll finally be making PS as of Jan 2010 (3 months into that member year, go figure!).

AFAIK this will entitle me to business/qc bag drop amongst a few(!) other things

Most of my travel will be with my fiancee/wife (well, we'll be married then! The honeymoon on business pushes me over 350 sc's) and while she will make PS a few months later, there will be a time when we're travelling together but she's PB and i'm PS.

Is she entitled to use the same bag drop that i am?

Thanks
Matt

(i'd also like to point out that the only reason i'm making silver before she is, is that i have been more creative with my routing when travelling alone, something i blame you lot for!)

 

[skeeo]

yes, tis fine.

 

[drron]

We have always done this with no problems.Now though Mrsdrron outranks me so I must rely on her good graces

 

[NM]

So long as you are travelling together, she can join you at the Business Class/Qantas Club check-in counter. If she is travelling alone, even if you are there at check-in time she is not entitled to the Silver benefits.

 

[Matt P]

thanks all

 

[djfuzz]

What do you man by 'travelling together'? The same booking / PNR?

Recently travelled a few legs with relatives visiting from O/S (paid for my own ticket separately) so checked in with them each time in the regular queue - did notice that I lost a few choice seat allocations, so I assume that decision was working against me rather than for them.

 

[noahb]

i think travelling together means same flight, not necessarily same booking. as an NB i have checked in with an SG at Business counter; we were on the same flight but different bookings

 

[MarcB]

Although it's probably bending the rules, I have checked in non-status friends I've taken to the airport using my 'privileges' - i.e. I was not travelling and we've still utilised the J or QP counter - I just make sure I have my FF card out and a nice big smile. As for those times where I have been travelling, we always check in together at the J or QP counter - regardless of the same PNR. The same goes for prioroty check-in etc although this is more relevant on international legs.

 

[Grooba]

(i'd also like to point out that the only reason i'm making silver before she is, is that i have been more creative with my routing when travelling alone, something i blame you lot for!)

That's what we're here for!!!

 

[MelUser]

so if 1 pax on a 4 pax PNR is platinum, can all check in (for an international qf flight) at the 1st class counter regardless of class of travel?

 

[Will]

so if 1 pax on a 4 pax PNR is platinum, can all check in (for an international qf flight) at the 1st class counter regardless of class of travel?

Yes. Even on separate PNRs, IME.

 

[serfty]

so if 1 pax on a 4 pax PNR is platinum, can all check in (for an international qf flight) at the 1st class counter regardless of class of travel?

Yes!

However, only the WP traveller and one guest can access a lounge.

 

[NM]

so if 1 pax on a 4 pax PNR is platinum, can all check in (for an international qf flight) at the 1st class counter regardless of class of travel?

Yes. I have done this when I was the only Platinum and travelling with my family where we had seven passengers on the one itinerary (though split over 2 PNRs). At each port of the ATW economy class award journey we all lobbed at the First Class check-in desk for a single check-in process. No problems or complaints from the check-in staff, though possibly a few glares from the other passengers waiting in the queue behind us .

 

[Matt P]

we always book our flights together (on the krisflyer plat amex ) so it will be same booking

thanks for the help all!

 

[MelUser]

Yes. I have done this when I was the only Platinum and travelling with my family where we had seven passengers on the one itinerary (though split over 2 PNRs). At each port of the ATW economy class award journey we all lobbed at the First Class check-in desk for a single check-in process. No problems or complaints from the check-in staff, though possibly a few glares from the other passengers waiting in the queue behind us .

Which lounge did you go in for this?

In my scenario we will be 3 plats, 1 gold, 2 non status, 1 infant and 1 child who will have just turned 2 (2 years and 10 days) so has her own seat. We will be flying Premium Y.

 

[simongr]

Although it's probably bending the rules, I have checked in non-status friends I've taken to the airport using my 'privileges' - i.e. I was not travelling and we've still utilised the J or QP counter - I just make sure I have my FF card out and a nice big smile. As for those times where I have been travelling, we always check in together at the J or QP counter - regardless of the same PNR. The same goes for prioroty check-in etc although this is more relevant on international legs.

I guess you feel no guilt for this then - using an entitlement that you arent entitled to and delaying other people for your own benefit.

I guess I feel it is this sort of abuse that leads to the airlines reducing other benefits to pay for it

 

[NM]

Which lounge did you go in for this?

I was describing check-in, not lounge access.

For lounge access, I purchased a Qantas Club partner membership for Mrs NM before the trip. So I was permitted two guests as a Platinum member, and Mrs NM was permitted one guest, covering 5 of us. Most lounges allowed two kids in as part of the travelling group. In some cases we were asked to use the J lounge rather than the F lounge, which was understandable and ok by us. This was ok for all QF, AA and BA lounges (BNE, AKL, LAX, DFW, YYV, LHR, HKG, SYD). For other OneWorld lounges where Qantas Club membership is not recognised, we left Mrs NM's parents to fend for themselves and just the 5 NMs went in using my OneWorld Emerald status and they all permitted the kids in for free (AY, and CX lounges).

In my scenario we will be 3 plats, 1 gold, 2 non status, 1 infant and 1 child who will have just turned 2 (2 years and 10 days) so has her own seat. We will be flying Premium Y.

My experience was quite a few years ago. Back then, children were never included in the guest count. This is not always the case now.