Qantas and LATAM Airlines have a bilateral partnership that includes lounge access for frequent flyers of both airlines.

Qantas Gold, Platinum and Platinum One members can access LATAM-operated lounges when flying on LATAM flights marketed by either Qantas or LATAM.

According to the LATAM website, LATAM Pass Platinum, Signature and Black Signature members can also access Qantas lounges when flying Qantas.

However, LATAM’s website doesn’t specify which Qantas lounges its members can access, nor what kinds of tickets are eligible. LATAM’s website simply states that eligible frequent flyers can access “all Qantas VIP lounges, available only for passengers flying with LATAM or Qantas.”

So, does LATAM Pass status get you access to Qantas lounges when flying on Qantas marketed and operated flights? (For example, if you’re just flying Qantas from Brisbane to Cairns on a “QF” flight number?)

The experience of AFF members

AFF members with LATAM Pass status have reported mixed experiences.

Numerous members have posted on the AFF forum that top-tier LATAM status got them access to the Qantas domestic Business Lounges in airports including Brisbane and Sydney.

But another AFF member posted on our forum:

Denied at domestic Brisbane. The Qantas staff are resilient and non negotiable. Insisted it needed to be code share.

So, does LATAM status get you Qantas lounge access on Qantas-marketed flights?

We couldn’t find a definitive answer to this question anywhere on the internet. The LATAM website doesn’t mention anywhere that only codeshare flights are eligible, nor does the Qantas website have any information about this.

For what it’s worth, Qantas Gold, Platinum and Platinum One members can use any of the five LATAM-operated lounges in South America when flying with LATAM on a QF or LA flight number.

Since this is a reciprocal agreement, we would have expected that LATAM status likewise came with Qantas lounge access when flying on either a LA or QF flight number. But this doesn’t appear to be the case since LATAM left the Oneworld alliance.

What Qantas says

We put this question to Qantas. They told us that LATAM frequent flyers could access the following lounges when travelling on LATAM-marketed flights operated by Qantas:

• LATAM Black and Black Signature can use International First Class or International Business Class lounges.
• LATAM Platinum are welcome in International Business Class lounges and domestic Qantas Clubs.

In addition, LATAM status comes with access to the Oneworld International Los Angeles Business Lounge when flying out of Los Angeles on LATAM-operated flights.

The Qantas spokesperson did not specifically say that LATAM Pass members on Qantas-marketed flights are not eligible for lounge access. But that appears to be the case.

What LATAM says

We also contacted LATAM Airlines seeking further clarification. LATAM said that its Platinum, Black and Black Signature members could access Qantas international lounges when travelling on a LATAM ticket. In other words, you would need to be on a LATAM-marketed flight.

Contradicting the information provided by Qantas, LATAM informed us that Qantas lounge access is only available for international flights on LATAM routes. They said lounge access is not available on Qantas domestic flights, even when booked on a LA flight number.

Unfortunately, this is all about as clear as mud. But the general consensus seems to be that Qantas does not let LATAM frequent flyers travelling on a QF flight number into its lounges.

Matt Graham

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countries… with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include economics, aviation & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.