TBIT 'Qantas' Business Lounge - extremely confused, as are staff

[cmon0005]

I did actually show them my Qantas card - but the staff member at the front didn't seem to recognise it, or understand what the Qantas Club was - despite me showing her on my phone the Qantas website for that lounge, which clearly states QC members are permitted entry.

Yes it is clearly a training issue and needs to be addressed, very poor form from them. hope you get a proper response.

 

[RooFlyer]

As a side note, when checking in at YYC or SEA, on Alaskan, but with Qantas flight #, the BP gets printed out only with AS flight # (actually this type of thing happens on many airlines). Presumably the barcode contains the QF flight #, but I've had to be prepared for a Lounge dragon 'discussion' a number of times. Not been a problem, so far (touch wood).

 

[LordChaos]

Presumably the barcode contains the QF flight #

I'll run it through my barcode scanner just to make sure - previously after US domestic legs that then head international on Qantas, I've had to get a new boarding pass at the Qantas desk at LAX - perhaps this has changed?

 

[dfcatch]

As a side note, when checking in at YYC or SEA, on Alaskan, but with Qantas flight #, the BP gets printed out only with AS flight # (actually this type of thing happens on many airlines). Presumably the barcode contains the QF flight #, but I've had to be prepared for a Lounge dragon 'discussion' a number of times. Not been a problem, so far (touch wood).

IIRC - you ONLY get access to the LAX Boardroom as a QC member. You do not have access in SEA.

 

[Sdtravel]

This happened to me several months ago.
Was SYD - LAX - SFO. Flight purchased with QF flight number but BP printed with AA number but did say sold as QF... on it somewhere.

I confirmed as a QP member with the call centre i had access to TBIT even though i was departing from T4. They said it was all good.
Got to TBIT and was advised im not allowed and i am not even meant to be in TBIT. Made it sound like i snuck past security or something. But i know the TSA started allowing pax into any terminal several months ago so i was allowed into TBIT and into the lounge.
BUT since the lounge was empty the dragon said they would make an exception since i only really wanted a shower.

I knew she was wrong and i was allowed in so didnt press it that i have valid access since she let me in. Acted like she was doing me a huge favour.
I know i could use T4 AA lounge but reviews said more showers and better food in TBIT.

So its agreed the LAX dragons need better training.

 

[RooFlyer]

IIRC - you ONLY get access to the LAX Boardroom as a QC member. You do not have access in SEA.

Correct re LAX only as QC; elsewhere its a bit more varied. Here is the posting I made after discussion in the SEA Boardroom. Bit dated now.

 

[serfty]

...
Got to TBIT and was advised im not allowed and i am not even meant to be in TBIT. Made it sound like i snuck past security or something. But i know the TSA started allowing pax into any terminal several months ago ...

Try May 2014!

 

[LordChaos]

Try May 2014!

Yeah - interestingly at TBIT I still had to use the 'I'm doing some shopping in TBIT' to get past the people looking at boarding passes..

 

[Sdtravel]

No one questioned me at security. Although i did present the boarding pass i had from QF11 so they may have just assumed i was meant to be there.

 

[Himeno]

A lot of the problem seems to be that the main QF lounge at TBIT is a oneworld lounge with contracted staff for QF, CX, JL and BA. If someone working for one of the other airlines is on at the time, you may get issues. (I wonder why the J lounge is branded as oneworld while the F lounge is branded only as QF)
I was in the T4 F lounge this morning while there was an AA LAX-SFO operating out of TBIT. The T4 lounge staff made some announcements that people on that flight should make sure they leave enough time to get through TBIT TSA. Then came on again a short time later when they remembered there was a shuttle bus.
Most of these issues will likely fix themselves when the TBIT-T4 connector opens next year.

As for the OPs issue, it is likely that the staff at the oneworld lounge scanned it, saw that it was an AS operated flight, and said no based on AS not being a oneworld member.

 

[LordChaos]

As for the OPs issue, it is likely that the staff at the oneworld lounge scanned it, saw that it was an AS operated flight, and said no based on AS not being a oneworld member.

Perhaps so, but they would be doing that based on either a wilful ignorance, or blatant disregard for the rules concerning access to that lounge - specifically, as has been pointed out - for QC members, there merely has to exist a QF flight number for the flight - and you need to have booked through that flight number (as has been confirmed by Qantas).

 

[DC3]

Perhaps so, but they would be doing that based on either a wilful ignorance, or blatant disregard for the rules ....

Perhaps not wilful ignorance, but just ordinary ignorance.

However, I feel for you, as it's these sorts of things that upset (high) expectations for the journey.

 

[drron]

A lot of the problem seems to be that the main QF lounge at TBIT is a oneworld lounge with contracted staff for QF, CX, JL and BA. If someone working for one of the other airlines is on at the time, you may get issues. (I wonder why the J lounge is branded as oneworld while the F lounge is branded only as QF)
I was in the T4 F lounge this morning while there was an AA LAX-SFO operating out of TBIT. The T4 lounge staff made some announcements that people on that flight should make sure they leave enough time to get through TBIT TSA. Then came on again a short time later when they remembered there was a shuttle bus.
Most of these issues will likely fix themselves when the TBIT-T4 connector opens next year.
As for the OPs I ssue, it is likely that the staff at the oneworld lounge scanned it, saw that it was an AS operated flight, and said no based on AS not being a oneworld member

The TBIT lounges are QF lounges,operated by QF and with staff in QF uniforms.We were in the Flounge 2 days ago flying JAL F.At checkin given a lounge invitation that clearly says Qantas First Class lounge.
Lounge Locations | North America | Los Angeles International Airport Tom Bradley Terminal | International Business

And if in the QF F lounge and having problems ask for John.Not the manager but an Aussie and knows how lounges work.Did a great job for mrsdrron getting the meal she wanted-steak tartare without jalapenos when other staff said it couldn't be done.

 

[DC3]

The TBIT lounges are QF lounges,operated by QF and with staff in QF uniforms. We were in the Flounge 2 days ago flying JAL F.At checkin given a lounge invitation that clearly says Qantas First Class lounge ...

... she wanted-steak tartare without jalapenos when other staff said it couldn't be done.

Very confusing it seems. Also, reassure me that there's no horsemeat in steak tartare:

Steak tartare is a meat dish made from finely chopped or minced rawbeef[SUP][1][/SUP][SUP][2][/SUP] or horsemeat.[SUP][3][/SUP] It is often served with onions, capers and seasonings (the latter typically incorporating fresh ground pepper and Worcestershire sauce), sometimes with a raw egg yolk, and often on rye bread.The name tartare is sometimes generalized to other raw meat or fish dishes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steak_tartare

Maybe a bit of culinary licence on Wikipedia

 

[TomVexille]

The TBIT lounges are QF lounges,operated by QF and with staff in QF uniforms.We were in the Flounge 2 days ago flying JAL F.At checkin given a lounge invitation that clearly says Qantas First Class lounge.
Lounge Locations | North America | Los Angeles International Airport Tom Bradley Terminal | International Business

And if in the QF F lounge and having problems ask for John.Not the manager but an Aussie and knows how lounges work.Did a great job for mrsdrron getting the meal she wanted-steak tartare without jalapenos when other staff said it couldn't be done.

The J lounge is a Oneworld lounge. It may be operated by QF, but it's a Oneworld lounge.

The F lounge is a QF lounge.

https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access/-/loungeaccess/LAX

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Very confusing it seems. Also, reassure me that there's no horsemeat in steak tartare:

Steak tartare is a meat dish made from finely chopped or minced rawbeef[SUP][1][/SUP][SUP][2][/SUP] or horsemeat.[SUP][3][/SUP] It is often served with onions, capers and seasonings (the latter typically incorporating fresh ground pepper and Worcestershire sauce), sometimes with a raw egg yolk, and often on rye bread.The name tartare is sometimes generalized to other raw meat or fish dishes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steak_tartare

Maybe a bit of culinary licence on Wikipedia

it can be horse meat, but you're unlikely to be served that outside of a couple of european countries. I'd always check in France what you're gonna get.

 

[Flying Fox]

Its such a shame that this is a regular problem.

Happened to me in JNB. I was denied lounge access before my QF flight operated by SAA. Got back to ADL and called up the QF team. I was told that I should have been allowed in.

Shame how often these things get messed up!

 

[Groundhog]

the staff member was quite abrupt, and would only scan the boarding pass and say 'computer says no'.

.

She didn't look like this did she?

 

[theoracle30]

Just confirming even though I am flying QF16 LAX-BNE in Y with no status of note, if I have a Qantas Club invitation I will be able to access the TBIT Oneworld Lounge?

 

[drron]

The J lounge is a Oneworld lounge. It may be operated by QF, but it's a Oneworld lounge.

The F lounge is a QF lounge.

https://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access/-/loungeaccess/LAX

However the link I gave does say QP members get access if the next flight has a QF or JQ flight number.