BA Lounge Heathrow Hiccup

[garybatz]

A couple of days ago I got off QF9 in Terminal 3 at Heathrow with a few hours layover before getting on a BA flight to Prague. Thought I would try something different and check out the BA lounge rather than the Qantas one.

Show my boarding passes and Qantas card to the reception person, who looks a bit confused before saying I can't come in as "Qantas aren't part of Oneworld". Maybe someone missed the first day of induction training?

I was able to politely resolve the situation and headed in for a hot shower and an ok snack, but think I might stick with the Qantas option in the future...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A couple of days ago I got off QF9 in Terminal 3 at Heathrow with a few hours layover before getting on a BA flight to Prague. Thought I would try something different and check out the BA lounge rather than the Qantas one.

Show my boarding passes and Qantas card to the reception person, who looks a bit confused before saying I can't come in as "Qantas aren't part of Oneworld". Maybe someone missed the first day of induction training?

I was able to politely resolve the situation and headed in for a hot shower and an ok snack, but think I might stick with the Qantas option in the future...

That's actually quite insightful! (in a humourous way)

The reality is with Simpler and Fairer, lack of codeshares on key partners such as CX, and the tie up with Emirates... I think plenty of passengers would be scratching their heads as to whether QF was part of oneworld!

 

[TomVexille]

You're not the first person to report this. I do wonder if this can be reported to Oneworld.

 

[Princess Fiona]

A couple of days ago I got off QF9 in Terminal 3 at Heathrow with a few hours layover before getting on a BA flight to Prague. Thought I would try something different and check out the BA lounge rather than the Qantas one.

Show my boarding passes and Qantas card to the reception person, who looks a bit confused before saying I can't come in as "Qantas aren't part of Oneworld". Maybe someone missed the first day of induction training?

I was able to politely resolve the situation and headed in for a hot shower and an ok snack, but think I might stick with the Qantas option in the future...

Which Qantas lounge???
There is no QF Lounge at LHR T3 and there never has been one.
Your choices dependent on status and class of service are BA J/F, CX J/F and AA Admirals/Flagship
EK if on a QF flight in F (although that's closed for renos at present)

I agree it's poor form for BA staff not to recognize QF One World status but it's been going on at times for a fair while now and I doubt complaining will resolve it sadly

 

[Colster]

Which Qantas lounge???
There is no QF Lounge at LHR T3 and there never has been one.
Your choices dependent on status and class of service are BA J/F, CX J/F and AA Admirals/Flagship
EK if on a QF flight in F (although that's closed for renos at present)

was going to say the same thing. Slightly OT - as a WP @T3 can I guest SWMBO and two tin lids into any lounge for a 2 hour layover between QF1 and a BA to BCN flight?

 

[amaroo]

Had two BA agents tell me that QF and BA are no longer partners, etc ... BA T5 F lounge, April this year.

Fully expect to hear the same thing when we use the T5 F lounge on multiply occasions later this year.

 

[Princess Fiona]

was going to say the same thing. Slightly OT - as a WP @T3 can I guest SWMBO and two tin lids into any lounge for a 2 hour layover between QF1 and a BA to BCN flight?

Short answer is no unless both kids are under two. You might be successful if you ask politely but I don't fancy your chances

 

[serfty]

Short answer is no unless both kids are under two. You might be successful if you ask politely but I don't fancy your chances

True that - in the 90's BA did not even permit children into their Terraces lounges ...

... in this case it is just the one guest rule.

 

[Colster]

Thanks @servty and @princessfiona - what about AA or CX? I would rather not pay priority pass...

 

[amaroo]

Thanks @servty and @princessfiona - what about AA or CX?

CX has always permitted my two in ... haven't needed to try at LHR though.

 

[dot]

Had two BA agents tell me that QF and BA are no longer partners, etc ... BA T5 F lounge, April this year.

Fully expect to hear the same thing when we use the T5 F lounge on multiply occasions later this year.

In my experience (that includes six times this year at LHR and LGW, 12 times last year) the BA dragons all know that QF is still part of OW and I've never had a problem with entry to the BA Flounges or BA JLounges in other airports. I'm not saying that it never happens, but it is a rare occurrence that the BA dragon will try and claim the a QF status pax (WP/SG) is not entitled to enter.

 

[amaroo]

In my experience (that includes six times this year at LHR and LGW, 12 times last year) the BA dragons all know that QF is still part of OW and I've never had a problem with entry to the BA Flounges or BA JLounges in other airports. I'm not saying that it never happens, but it is a rare occurrence that the BA dragon will try and claim the a QF status pax (WP/SG) is not entitled to enter.
I

There is form. A few years ago they weren't keen on the 5 of us entering the T3 F lounge ... I then pointed out that we had 5 x F BP's so that sorted that out. Then we entered the F dining room - what a sad joke!

Created a thread on our experience on the BA board over on FT, but that's a story for another time

 

[Princess Fiona]

In my experience (that includes six times this year at LHR and LGW, 12 times last year) the BA dragons all know that QF is still part of OW and I've never had a problem with entry to the BA Flounges or BA JLounges in other airports. I'm not saying that it never happens, but it is a rare occurrence that the BA dragon will try and claim the a QF status pax (WP/SG) is not entitled to enter.
I

I'd agree with this dot. Status access at LHR is rarely a problem, it does happen every now and again but not common.

 

[garybatz]

Which Qantas lounge???
There is no QF Lounge at LHR T3 and there never has been one.
Your choices dependent on status and class of service are BA J/F, CX J/F and AA Admirals/Flagship
EK if on a QF flight in F (although that's closed for renos at present)

I agree it's poor form for BA staff not to recognize QF One World status but it's been going on at times for a fair while now and I doubt complaining will resolve it sadly

Hi Fiona, just near the BA lounge there is prominent signage for a Qantas lounge, I'm guessing it might be the AA one with some co-branding? Agree complaining won't stop these things happening, I was just so surprised that the person didn't know Qantas was in OW. I could understand some confusion about partner airline access, with all the different rules, but that is a different issue.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hi Fiona, just near the BA lounge there is prominent signage for a Qantas lounge, I'm guessing it might be the AA one with some co-branding? Agree complaining won't stop these things happening, I was just so surprised that the person didn't know Qantas was in OW. I could understand some confusion about partner airline access, with all the different rules, but that is a different issue.

Haven't noticed that sign but you could well be correct about the co-branding. IIRC QP members use the AA lounge at LHR when on a QF flight ex-T3.

With BA it pays to never be surprised at anything, hopefully your future travels will be smoother

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Then we entered the F dining room - what a sad joke!

Yep, indeed. However, I am generally in there for the first CX departure and it's nice and quiet at that time of the morning.

 

[Himeno]

I've never had an issue accessing any lounge at LHR.

The T3 BA lounges are cobranded BA, QF, JL, UL, RJ and JJ.

The QF website lounge map labels the T3 lounge as a joint BA/QF lounge.
They send QC members to the AA lounge and everyone else to the BA lounge.

 

[Bandicoot]

I've had similar experiences over the years trying to access BA lounge and have been rather assertive of my privileges - including taking a print out of my entitlements. But this has changed. Qantas club is no longer accepted at the BA lounge. But you can go to the Emirates lounge. But if you have Gold status or above you should be welcomed into the BA lounge. Fortunately I've made it to Gold flying Jetstar but that is another story.

 

[ajw373]

But this has changed. Qantas club is no longer accepted at the BA lounge. But you can go to the Emirates lounge. .

Nope in LHR T3 you should be heading to the AA lounge. EK will turn you away. Note you only get access to the AA lounge if your next flight is on QF or EK, so wouldn't work if your on a BA flight.

 

[Bandicoot]

Oh, seriously. Mind you I only travel BA in Europe. Always on a QF or EK flight from/to Aus. I find this all so confusing. Fortunately I am now QF Gold and life is a bit simpler.