Article: Unbundled Business Class fares that exclude perks like lounge access

[cqtiger]

Just tried to book on virgin site multi city BNE to BCN then FCO to BNE
What a nightmare compared with Qatar site. Couldnt even find a button

 

[Albert_Thurgood]

Last time I flew Qatar a couple of years ago, I had OW Emerald/Qantas Platinum 1 status.

This was just after QR introduced this new cost-cutting measure so I didn't know about it.

Unlike stated in the main article, status did NOT allow us lounge access in Doha. (It's not such a great lounge but for a long stopover better than nothing).

Has QR changed its policy since then?

 

[jase05]

Last time I flew Qatar a couple of years ago, I had OW Emerald/Qantas Platinum 1 status.

This was just after QR introduced this new cost-cutting measure so I didn't know about it.

Unlike stated in the main article, status did NOT allow us lounge access in Doha. (It's not such a great lounge but for a long stopover better than nothing).

Has QR changed its policy since then?

You should have had access to the Platinum and Gold lounges

 

[Albert_Thurgood]

You should have had access to the Platinum and Gold lounges

Yes, according to that article,

I assure you we were strenuously denied entry. So I never flew QR again. and won't if I have any choice.

But now it looks like all airlines are in the race to the bottom with this.

 

[Bayside Flyer]

Last time I flew Qatar a couple of years ago, I had OW Emerald/Qantas Platinum 1 status.

This was just after QR introduced this new cost-cutting measure so I didn't know about it.

Unlike stated in the main article, status did NOT allow us lounge access in Doha. (It's not such a great lounge but for a long stopover better than nothing).

Has QR changed its policy since then?

which lounge did you try and enter using your OW status?

 

[serfty]

Yes, according to that article,

I assure you we were strenuously denied entry. So I never flew QR again. and won't if I have any choice.

But now it looks like all airlines are in the race to the bottom with this.

Do you have Sapphire or Emerald oneworld status? (With Qantas that would be Gold and Platinum respectively.)

 

[Albert_Thurgood]

which lounge did you try and enter using your OW status?

The usual BC lounge (not FC)

 

[WilsonM]

The usual BC lounge (not FC)

Qatar has separate lounges for status holders (Gold and Platinum lounges), for those who only qualify for access via status and not class of travel. Al Mourjan (the usual Business Class lounge in Doha) is only for eligible Business Class travellers. This is also true of Qatar's Premium outstation lounges - they send status holders to other lounges instead.

Sorry, but the lounge agent was correct in denying you access.

 

[jase05]

The usual BC lounge (not FC)

The agent was correct unfortunately.
The Al Mourjan is the Business lounges and you wouldn’t have access to those.
You would have had access to the inferior Platinum and Gold lounges though

 

[Albert_Thurgood]

Do you have Sapphire or Emerald oneworld status? (With Qantas that would be Gold and Platinum respectively.)

Yes as above: Platinum One with QF so OW Emerald.

The agent was correct unfortunately.
The Al Mourjan is the Business lounges and you wouldn’t have access to those.
You would have had access to the inferior Platinum and Gold lounges though

Thanks. They did not advise that. And the point of this thread is PAX paying for business class should have access to BC lounges.

 

[serfty]

Thanks. They did not advise that. And the point of this thread is PAX paying for business class should have access to BC lounges.

Not with Qatar - to Access their business lounge you must be flying First or Business and not be on a Business Light fare. If you book online this is clearly indicated against each fare type if you drill down.

Qatar generally provide alternate status based lounge access for oneworld Sapphire and Emerald at airports where the passenger is flying Economy, Premium Economy or Business Lite.

In the case of Doha, they have a "Platinum Lounge" and a "Gold Lounge"; for more see the "Access" rules for each lounge here:

Airport Lounges: oneworld Lounges & Airport Lounge Access

Enjoy airport lounge access at nearly 700 airport lounges worldwide through your oneworld Priority tier. Exceptions may apply.

www.oneworld.com

 

[markis10]

Yes as above: Platinum One with QF so OW Emerald.

Thanks. They did not advise that. And the point of this thread is PAX paying for business class should have access to BC lounges.

Your lounge entitlement is clearly printed on your BP, at least it was for me at CGK, Doha, and ZRH


PS That meal also printed on the BP was the most inedible meal I have ever been served.

 

[dajop]

What I don't like about these unbundlings is often they are independent of the underlying fare level.

I'm more used to a paradigm where a low fare booking class has lots of restrictions, but as you move up to higher fare levels the restrictions become less. But with some carriers (many?) it's just an add on to any underlying fare regardless of level. To illustrate on EY, same route, different flights:

 

[drron]

We once got an unbundled J cash fare on EK SIN-DOH-FRA. We were able to visit their lounges in SIN and due to MRSdrron's QFF status
Worst part was we cold not allocate seats and were the last 2 allocated. Ended up in the middle seats of an older 777 with 2-4-2 seating.
Although that was meant to happen on the DBX - FRA sector we were allowed to select seats on the 380. J was virtually full..