Access to Melbourne F Lounge flying China Airlines (CI) as a QF codeshare

[bosox76]

Just thought that I’d share a little experience from the other night. Mrs B, Infant B and I were flying MEL-TPE in J on China Airlines (CI58) but booked through and ticketed by QF as flight QF360. The check in staff at the CI desk kept telling us that as J pax we had access to the Maharba Lounge. I politely said that as a QF platinum I would head to the QF F lounge and he shrugged his shoulders saying he wasn’t sure if it would work.

On arriving at the F lounge we were stopped and told we didn’t have access. I politely pointed out that this was a QF codeshare ticketed by QF (ie 081 ticket number) and the app also mentioned that I should relax preflight in the F lounge. She asked if I was flying China Eastern, and I replied no it’s China Airlines. She again stated that China Airlines passengers weren’t allowed entry, but if we were flying MU then we would be. I was about to get a little shirty when her colleague then called someone who finally confirmed (after repeated questions of “are you sure, it’s China Airlines”) that we were indeed allowed entry. At least they apologised but tries to cover it by saying they’d never had a CI codeshare flying pax try to enter before.

I would have thought that with all the codeshare flights that QF have these days this wouldn’t have caused so much drama. Anyway just to confirm if flying CI as a QF codeshare you definitely have access to the lounge. I’m sure the same applies to the J lounge if you’re gold. But perhaps the Marhaba is better than the J anyway. Haven’t been down there in some time.

As an aside if you have an infant that is longer than about 60cm the bassinet on CI is completely useless. It’s more like a board with a 5point harness and a head support that is too small if >60cm. Ended up holding infant B for the entire flight. Service was very good though.

 

[RooFlyer]

That's pretty bad. If it was overseas, we'd tut tut about the ignorance of the lounge staff.

We'll, I guess I for one still do, but with a demonstrable QF. Flight number and ticket number, there should have been no question or debate.

I suppose you'll have to fight for the SCs and points?

 

[bosox76]

That's pretty bad. If it was overseas, we'd tut tut about the ignorance of the lounge staff.

We'll, I guess I for one still do, but with a demonstrable QF. Flight number and ticket number, there should have been no question or debate.

I suppose you'll have to fight for the SCs and points?

I thought I would too, but the points and SC posted today. So really it was just the lounge staff. The boarding pass even had clearly printed on it “sold as QF360” just not my QFF number.

 

[Happy Trails]

The published rules say that it has to be both QF operated and marketed.
Interesting that the app said otherwise.

 

[RooFlyer]

The published rules say that it has to be both QF operated and marketed.

That's interesting - but which rules? As a QF Plat I get access to QF F lounge on any OW flight; now CA isn't OneWorld, but I'd be really surprised if a codeshare doesn't get access. I stand to be educated, though!

 

[Happy Trails]

That's interesting - but which rules? As a QF Plat I get access to QF F lounge on any OW flight; now CA isn't OneWorld, but I'd be really surprised if a codeshare doesn't get access. I stand to be educated, though!

Here, though I guess you could argue the placement of the commas:
Lounge Location | Australia | Melbourne International | International First

Platinum Frequent Flyer

Next onward flight must be on a Qantas^, Emirates^, China Eastern*, Jetstar Airlines+ or oneworld operated and marketed flight. #

One guest allowed and must be travelling with the member on the same flight.

 

[RooFlyer]

Thanks - but typically, its a bugger's muddle. How often do we see this?

The * for China Eastern says:

China Eastern refers to a flight operated by China Eastern with a QF or MU flight number travelling between Australia and mainland China.

So a QFF Plat gets FLounge access on a China Eastern metal and coded flight.

Emirates would be allowable on Emirates metal and code as well, i think.

I suspect these rules simply haven't been updated to allow for China Airways code shares - if it is, then it should have same access as for China Eastern, you'd think. But of course Qantas - 'consistently inconsistent'.

 

[cwd]

They really should find a better way to write the entry conditions, but in this case, my understanding is it's a "Qantas flight" due to the QF code. You wouldn't get in if not booked on the QF code, whereas Emirates, China Eastern, Jetstar and Oneworld flights are given entry even without being booked on the QF codeshare, hence them being additionally listed.

 

[bosox76]

Platinum Frequent Flyer

Next onward flight must be on a Qantas^, Emirates^, China Eastern*, Jetstar Airlines+ or oneworld operated and marketed flight. #

One guest allowed and must be travelling with the member on the same flight.

I’d argue and I did that the “Qantas^” bit doesn’t specify qantas marketed AND operated. It just says Qantas flight. As far as my ticket goes it is a QF flight. QF marketed and QF ticketed with a QF code. They obviously just need to update their list/rules. I’m sure the same will apply with FJ flights (to come?). But it all worked out in the end.

 

[bosox76]

They really should find a better way to write the entry conditions, but in this case, my understanding is it's a "Qantas flight" due to the QF code. You wouldn't get in if not booked on the QF code, whereas Emirates, China Eastern, Jetstar and Oneworld flights are given entry even without being booked on the QF codeshare, hence them being additionally listed.

That’s my understanding too. I wasn’t booked on the CI code. If I was I wouldn’t have even tried to get in and would have gone across the hallway to the Maharaba lounge.

 

[Kiwi_Flyer]

They obviously just need to update their list/rules. I’m sure the same will apply with FJ flights (to come?). But it all worked out in the end.

I don't think that is it. Asiana also isn't listed and QF has code-shared with OZ for years.

 

[bosox76]

I don't think that is it. Asiana also isn't listed and QF has code-shared with OZ for years.

Then the first hosts just need to know the correct entry rules and which airlines QF codeshares with better. But the website should (I stress should because we all know how many glitches there are with the site) have an accurate up to date list or make their statements less ambiguous for joe/jane public. Maybe have a line about QF codeshares having access etc.