QF to sell lounge passes

[kevrosmith]

Not sure if this makes it more certain or more unclear, but it seems they have added a section to this page indicating that you may receive an invitation to purchase a lounge access pass Eligibility and Access to The Qantas Club Lounges | Qantas

Immediately after this section, the section "Invite a Guest" describes how you can bring a guest along. I'm not sure if they intend for you to read both sections together, and therefore a guest is permitted with a lounge access pass, or whether they are distinct sections intended to be read in isolation. (I'm sure that's how some lounge dragons would view it.)

 

[njba]

That's a great catch and feels like something very new -- and going to be not well received by the people who complain about crowding in the lounges.

I wonder how much they'll charge (and will the charge more for international lounges?)

 

[eminere]

Not sure if this makes it more certain or more unclear, but it seems they have added a section to this page indicating that you may receive an invitation to purchase a lounge access pass Eligibility and Access to The Qantas Club Lounges | Qantas

Immediately after this section, the section "Invite a Guest" describes how you can bring a guest along. I'm not sure if they intend for you to read both sections together, and therefore a guest is permitted with a lounge access pass, or whether they are distinct sections intended to be read in isolation. (I'm sure that's how some lounge dragons would view it.)

That's a new development. Just reported over at AusBT.

 

[JessicaTam]

Looks like they are not selling F lounge access, or passes for peak times.

 

[Mattg]

Interesting! Could be a good option after the Admirals Club 30 day memberships go the way of the dodo next month.

 

[JessicaTam]

Interesting! Could be a good option after the Admirals Club 30 day memberships go the way of the dodo next month.

Except these will be targeted and single use only.

 

[njba]

Prices from AusBT:

Lounge passes will cost $49 (or 7,000 Qantas Points) for entry into domestic Qantas Club lounges; $69 (or 9,900 Qantas Points) for International Business Class lounges (such as Los Angeles); and $99 (or 14,500 Qantas Points) for the new category of single-class Premium International lounges at Hong Kong and Singapore.

Full article here: http://www.ausbt.com.au/qantas-is-now-selling-airport-lounge-passes

$49 for QP is a bit steep.

 

[Ansett]

And strictly by invite so may not be many of them.

As far as cost goes this is the response

[h=2]Question[/h]How much does a lounge access pass cost?[h=2]Answer[/h]The price of a lounge access pass varies by port and the applicable cost will be presented when you receive your invitation and click on the link to purchase a pass. Qantas reserves the right to change the cost of the lounge accesspasses at any time.

 

[RooFlyer]

I wonder if they'll spam every purchaser of a Qantas ticket leaving from a port with a QC and who's not a QC member (by purchase or status) with an 'invitation' to buy a pass?

More money for Qantas, less amenity for its status and QP paying passengers.

 

[dajop]

$99 (or 14,500 Qantas Points) for the new category of single-class Premium International lounges at Hong Kong and Singapore.

This could lead to denied boarding ....as there is certainly one way to making paying $99 worthwhile .....

 

[drewbles]

If they're extending the invite only 2-3 days prior to travel, I wonder if this is a move towards e-vouchers like VA use? It would stop the gumtree/ebay sellers, and simply move the revenue to QF.

 

[Comoman]

I think all the prices are too steep - the QF lounges in Singapore etc. are nice but $99?

 

[travelislife]

I think all the prices are too steep - the QF lounges in Singapore etc. are nice but $99?

Could get a lot of good food in the airport in Singapore for $99!

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

for the kind of money they're charging I'd prefer to spend the $$$ at a nice restaurant and enjoy my time that way.

 

[harvyk]

By invite only was a detail that I missed.
I don't really have a problem with single purchase QP / Int JLounge invites, as it provides a cheap way (comparatively) for someone to get just that little bit of luxury before a flight.
At that price I would imagine the vast majority of people whom are likely to take up the invite would be honeymooner's / couples whom are wanting something just a little special before / after a holiday.

I highly doubt that invites will be offered for SYD / MEL / PER at peak times, so I'm not really against this idea.
Besides at that price, it doesn't take too many visits before a proper QP membership becomes worthwhile.

 

[njba]

That's true: as a general principle, when one has to pay directly for something, one is more likely 'try to get your money's worth'. It's going to make a fun guessing game in the coming months: who is here on a paid pass?

 

[andye]

It might make sense when there the bought pass tops up a group eligible by status (eg 3 adults, one who was SG, 2 children)

 

[russ]

Great! I've always thought the lounges could be more jam packed with people.

 

[medhead]

Prices from AusBT:

Lounge passes will cost $49 (or 7,000 Qantas Points) for entry into domestic Qantas Club lounges; $69 (or 9,900 Qantas Points) for International Business Class lounges (such as Los Angeles); and $99 (or 14,500 Qantas Points) for the new category of single-class Premium International lounges at Hong Kong and Singapore.

Full article here: How to buy a Qantas domestic international lounge access pass - Australian Business Traveller

$49 for QP is a bit steep.

I think all the prices are too steep - the QF lounges in Singapore etc. are nice but $99?

The pricing is probably about right. We do a holiday with the BiL every 18 to 24 months. Two people over my allowance. They're happy to pay a one of fee if that's an option. For a typical trip to Asia they would be looking at $300 total, which is cheaper than paying for Qantas Club membership for a year. (they did that once) They have also been happy to pay the US$27 for priority pass lounge access. Other times I beg Qantas to extend my guest allowance, or more recently I've got a credit card that provides QC passes. In fact, I could use my 2 annual card passes in SIN and just buy access in ADL for $100.

It might make sense when there the bought pass tops up a group eligible by status (eg 3 adults, one who was SG, 2 children)

Indeed. Instead of being nice to a platinum begging for one off extra guests they can make some money.

 

[Happy Trails]

That's true: as a general principle, when one has to pay directly for something, one is more likely 'try to get your money's worth'. ?

Some of the 'Current F Lounge Menu' posters might give them a run for their money.