Cairns International lounge (Reef Lounge) access policy for QC and QFF passengers

[Austman]

There seems to be a lot of confusion about the lounge in Cairns International.

Called The Reef Lounge it's a private lounge operated on behalf of Cathay Pacific.

QantasLink and Jetstar allow some of their passengers to use the lounge. It is not a Qantas lounge.

As far as I can work out (and I'll edit it if it's wrong according to reports by others), the access policy for QC and QFF passengers is as follows:

When travelling on Cathay Pacific: CX First or Business Class, QFF (CL/ Platinum/Gold only = OW Sapphire/Emerald) are given access. QC at QFF Sliver/Bronze are NOT given access.

When travelling on Jetstar: StarClass passengers are given access. QC, QFF (CL/Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze) not flying StarClass are NOT given access. (I'm not 100% sure here - there a report that QFF (CL/Platinum/Gold) in Jetstar economy gets access)

When travelling on QantasLink: QC, QFF (CL/Platinum/Gold only) are given access. QFF (Silver/Bronze) are NOT given access.

When travelling on a Qantas codeshare (other than Cathay Pacific): QC, QFF are NOT given access.

When travelling on Air Nuigini: QC, QFF are NOT given access.


The lounge was a former Qantas Club and some evidence of its former existance still exists :

 

[samh004]

Some points make sense, others don’t.

As it’s a lounge operated by a OW carrier, if you have the appropriate status (Sapphire/Emerald) and are travelling on a OW carrier, access should be given, so long as it’s open.

Jetstar isn’t a OW carrier, so I’d imagine there’s no case for SG/WP/CL members to be given access unless Qantas has worked out an agreement with Cathay.

As for Qantas Club members, it’s firmly stated that the only lounges they have access to are ones operated by Qantas, AA and BA. As the lounge is operated by Cathay Pacific, they shouldn’t have access.

 

[Austman]

The main reason I'm doing this thread is because neither QantasLink nor Qantas publish any information about this lounge. Jetstar say it's for StarClass only.

It's a 3rd party operated lounge, so OW access rules do not have to apply either. But it seems QantasLink allows QC and OW status passengers access. And Jetstar allow StarClass (and maybe others).

It's not a great lounge, but it's quite OK with drinks, snacks, showers, internet, TV. The domestic QP is better IMO and if you have the time, it's maybe a better option there, where access is more of a known. Otherwise you might risk going through migration, being denied entry to the Reef Lounge and then being 'stuck' in the international departure lounge.

 

[medhead]

The main reason I'm doing this thread is because neither QantasLink nor Qantas publish any information about this lounge. Jetstar say it's for StarClass only.

It's a 3rd party operated lounge, so OW access rules do not have to apply either. But it seems QantasLink allows QC and OW status passengers access. And Jetstar allow StarClass (and maybe others).

It's not a great lounge, but it's quite OK with drinks, snacks, showers, internet, TV. The domestic QP is better IMO and if you have the time, it's maybe a better option there, where access is more of a known. Otherwise you might risk going through migration, being denied entry to the Reef Lounge and then being 'stuck' in the international departure lounge.

I used this lounge in May 2010. There was a clear jetstar logo on the door. That leads me to believe that Jetstar have an arrangement for the benefit of starclass pax. I was a starclass pax and they informed me of my ability to use that lounge.

In terms of the domestic QP, I looked into this at the time. As I recall you can only access the lounge in the terminal from which you are departing. I'm pretty sure that was what the Qantas website advised. So that would rule out using the domestic QP before an international flight. A platinum could have used anytime access in May 2010, but that will end on 1 Feb 2011.

 

[Mal]

As it’s a lounge operated by a OW carrier, if you have the appropriate status (Sapphire/Emerald) and are travelling on a OW carrier, access should be given, so long as it’s open.

It depends on the arrangements, but even when a lounge is owned+operated by an OW airline they can still refuse permission to enter. The common get-out clause that is used for a lounge like the "Reef Lounge" is "Access may not apply at a limited number of third-party-operated lounges."

 

[yo yo ma]

QantasLink and Jetstar allow some of their passengers to use the lounge. It is not a Qantas lounge.

When travelling on QantasLink: QC, QFF (CL/Platinum/Gold only) are given access. QFF (Silver/Bronze) are NOT given access.

When travelling on Air Nuigini: QC, QFF are NOT given access.

I can confirm this... when I travel CNS-POM I aways ensure work book me on QantasLink rather than Air Niugini. They are very strict with access to the Reef Lounge.

 

[benhadi]

Will you be even allowed to clear immigration if you're not flying out of the country OR boarding a domestic flight from an international terminal? If not, then not possible to even consider Reef Lounge unless you are allowed to go through immigration?

 

[LR09WA]

Could anyone clarify that I could or couldn't obtain access to the Reef Lounge on the Amex Charge Plat, even tho I will be flying Air Nuigini and that flight wasn't paid for on the card??

 

[markis10]

Could anyone clarify that I could or couldn't obtain access to the Reef Lounge on the Amex Charge Plat, even tho I will be flying Air Nuigini and that flight wasn't paid for on the card??

I would say you have no chance of lounge access!

 

[Limewood]

I've used the Reef Lounge a few times over the years both when QA had it and now CX, I don't like it, very plain, uninviting and really drab, reminds me of the Qantas lounge in HNL, not been renovated in a very long time.

As an SG and flying CX in April in Y, I'm going to the new Qantas domestic lounge instead with Mrs Lime and hope they let us in.

 

[richie9x]

Could anyone clarify that I could or couldn't obtain access to the Reef Lounge on the Amex Charge Plat, even tho I will be flying Air Nuigini and that flight wasn't paid for on the card??

I think you just might. With an Amex platinum charge card you can get a complimentary priority pass card. Do you have a Priority pass card? According to Priority Pass website the Reef Lounge at Cairns is one of only two lounges in Australia that can be accessed by priority pass cards. Given that the departure times of Air Nuigini fit within the opening hours listed on priority pass website, you should get access as per the priority pass terms.

 

[williamsf1]

I was in this Lounge in Dec 2011 . I was flying JQ to NRT . I only had access as I was on a MAX fare ( I am SG but this would not allow me access on JQ to this lounge ) the lounge only had JQ pax ( i counted 7 of us in total) and was very quiet.


A QF PL who was on the same flight ( in Y class ) was trying to gain access .. and the " dragon" turned him around quickly ..

 

[11sjw]

Could anyone clarify that I could or couldn't obtain access to the Reef Lounge on the Amex Charge Plat, even tho I will be flying Air Nuigini and that flight wasn't paid for on the card??

Priority Pass shows you can access it using your PP membership.

Edit: I see Richie beat me to it.

 

[Katie]

Not being particularly helpful here, but when I was there in Oct (CX stop on the way to HKG), there was a woman there chatting on the phone proclaiming to the other person she was in "the Qantas club". She had also kicked off her shoes and had her bare feet curled up on the two seater lounge she was sitting on. She wasn't on the CX flight, can't remember any more details of her conversation, as I didn't really want to be listening to it.

 

[markis10]

Those lounge hours look a lot longer than previously reported, if your on PX93 that departs around the JQ timings it should be open!

 

[Balwyn3103]

Last week I was flying JQ economy CNS-NRT and JQ check-in advised me I couldn't use the Reef Lounge despite having WP status. So I trundled back to the domestic terminal and was allowed to use the QF lounge there.

 

[Moopere]

Nothing about this lounge on the CNS airport website ... in fact, that website is worse than useless ... no info on any lounges at all, either domestic or international.

I'm flying to Guam later this year on UA and they mention a "contract lounge" being available, presumably this same reef lounge, though no-one seems to know anything. This is the best info I could find:

Cairns International Airport Reef Lounge - Airport | Facebook

I think I'm going to have to ring them to get any details at all - though even a phone number eludes me at the moment.



EDIT: Just got this from the JQ site

Cairns International Airport

Cathay Pacific - Reef Lounge

Airside - directly after international security screening

Mon - Sat: 0500 - 1530 Sun: 0700 - 1300

Ph: (07) 40349281 Fx: (07) 40349283

 

[Austman]

Reef Lounge, at Cairns International is now part of Priority Pass.

https://www.prioritypass.com/lounges/lounge-details.cfm?loungecode=CNS

 

[ashleyn]

I'll be there on Tuesday, QP flying QF to POM, will post how I get on.

 

[Austman]

I'll be there on Tuesday, QP flying QF to POM, will post how I get on.

Have done it already and access was granted (I'm QP and WP).