Change to Qantas Lounge Pass Transfers Effective July ‘26

[Pcoder]

Qantas definitely looking to crackdown on lounge overcrowding or is it part of the push to focus more on status credits than points. Generally, anyone with status would already be using their guesting abilities over a lounge pass unless travelling with larger groups.

In my use case it now makes it useless to hold the Amex QF Ultimate card as a Gold, given that my lounge passes were often transferred to my wife on the odd occasion when she would travel separately or to a mate. Looks like a great time to me to finally change my credit card.

In same boat. Think there needs to be a carve out for lounge members, as this makes cards like Amex QF ultimate less desirable.

 

[Aeryn]

this makes cards like Amex QF ultimate less desirable.

Not really this card still has the best QF points earn rate (ongoing) and is essentially free as the annual fee is given back as a travel credit. Plus you still get your Amex lounge access, free insurance, bonus QF points for QF spend.

Ive not needed to use my CC/PC lounge passes for myself in almost 2 decades as have always had QC or SG or WP since then. On the rare occasion we travel as a family (4 people) I have guested 2 and then used pass for my sibling. Generally i gift the passes to friends/colleagues and if no takers before expiry I donate on AFF, I guess I should also transfer this years un-needed passes before this kicks in.

I'm wondering if this means in future the gifter has to select a flight from their bookings and then add the FF# of the giftee. Or if all travelers need to be o the one PNR? And if I gift a pass now that expires after this takes effect, can the receiver still link to a flight Im not on?

 

[fletty]

Ah this is a shame. I've given out a few passes to family and colleagues heading off on international flights, and as people who don't travel often it always makes them so excited to use the lounge as a treat.
The prolific trading of them on Facebook and other forums would've been the killer, and a contributor to lounges being busy. Every time I walk into one there is someone fumbling at the desk trying to link a pass on the spot.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

So the passes become yet another completely useless "benefit" for anyone with status.
I already have so many unused rights to take guests into lounges.
The last thing I need is the right to take more people traveling with me on the same flight into a lounge.
Especially since I can take guests into First or OWE lounges.
So to use the passes to admit additional guests I would have to slum it in a Business lounge.
Such a typical Qantas "enhancement".

 

[Pcoder]

Not really this card still has the best QF points earn rate (ongoing) and is essentially free as the annual fee is given back as a travel credit. Plus you still get your Amex lounge access, free insurance, bonus QF points for QF spend.

Ive not needed to use my CC/PC lounge passes for myself in almost 2 decades as have always had QC or SG or WP since then. On the rare occasion we travel as a family (4 people) I have guested 2 and then used pass for my sibling. Generally i gift the passes to friends/colleagues and if no takers before expiry I donate on AFF, I guess I should also transfer this years un-needed passes before this kicks in.

I'm wondering if this means in future the gifter has to select a flight from their bookings and then add the FF# of the giftee. Or if all travelers need to be o the one PNR? And if I gift a pass now that expires after this takes effect, can the receiver still link to a flight Im not on?

Yes it does have the best earn rate, but QFF is a bit of a so so program, particularly as Premium redemptions have been getting harder. I think programs like Asia Miles are probably better than Qantas.

Amex with its limited acceptance is an issue and there are quite a few visa/mc cards that are 1:1. You can't also get domestic sale tickets prices through the amex travel portal.

I'm not happy about the changes on gifting and even if they were concerned about gifting to too many random people (which I don't do), this could be solved by having say a maximum of say 3 different flyers a year.

I've already lodged a complaint with Qantas as if they don't get negative feedback then it's unlikely they will do any carve out for people with lounge access.

 

[DejaBrew]

This seems like such a punitive change.

The wording on the monthly activity statement email I received earlier today states -:

From 1 July 2026, the way you transfer your Complimentary Lounge Invitations earned through Points Club or a Credit Card will change. These will only be transferrable to someone travelling on the same flight as you.

I can't recall the T&Cs on usage, but does this imply (by omission) that Silver Status members who currently receive one complimentary pass per year still have the ability to gift that pass to anyone else?

The inability to transfer passes earned through PC becomes a moot point as soon as PC is sunset, however the impact to passes obtained from Credit Cards is definitely disappointing.

All that being said, I wonder if this is a precursor to complimentary passes being removed as a benefit of various Credit Cards, or if it might potentially (albeit exceedingly unlikely) point to a potential increase in the guesting limits for flyers with relevant OW status?

 

[Flyfrequently]

or if it might potentially (albeit exceedingly unlikely) point to a potential increase in the guesting limits for flyers with relevant OW status?

Agree @DejaBrew exceedingly unlikely

 

[sudoer]

potentially (albeit exceedingly unlikely) point to a potential increase in the guesting limits for flyers with relevant OW status?

No way other OW airlines would agree to this - and it would need to reciprocal.

 

[DejaBrew]

No way other OW airlines would agree to this - and it would need to reciprocal.

Or to be more specific, guesting limits to Qantas-operated lounges for those with QFF Status (given we're talking Qantas complimentary lounge passes).

 

[maroonone]

I have passes expiring 30 Sep. If I transfer now to a friend do they have to be used before 1 July or 30 Sep

 

[DejaBrew]

I have passes expiring 30 Sep. If I transfer now to a friend do they have to be used before 1 July or 30 Sep

Before July 1st if your friend is travelling independently of yourself, or before September 30th if you're all travelling together on the same flight.

See @justinbrett's post below mine as upon re-reading, I believe he is correct. Regardless, be aware of the current limitations -:

While we work on improvements to our lounge network, the following lounges aren’t currently eligible for linking Complimentary Lounge Invitations:

• Sydney International Business Lounge – reopening early 2027
• Brisbane International Lounge
• Los Angeles International Business Lounge
• Gold Coast Qantas Club
• Hobart Qantas Club – reopening late 2026
• Perth International Lounge

 

[justinbrett]

The inability to transfer passes earned through PC becomes a moot point as soon as PC is sunset, however the impact to passes obtained from Credit Cards is definitely disappointing.

The credit cards could outsmart this change by allowing you to credit the lounge passes to a different person

I have passes expiring 30 Sep. If I transfer now to a friend do they have to be used before 1 July or 30 Sep

Before July 1st if your friend is travelling independently of yourself, or before September 30th if you're all travelling together on the same flight. Regardless, be aware of the current limitations -:

As far as I'm aware you just have to transfer it before 1 July and they'll have the normal expiry.

 

[QFFHntrGthr]

Or to be more specific, guesting limits to Qantas-operated lounges for those with QFF Status (given we're talking Qantas complimentary lounge passes).

That might be a possible future remedy. CX allows its Diamond to guest 2 into CX operated lounges now (still just 1 per OW rules for non CX operated lounges).

 

[DejaBrew]

As far as I'm aware you just have to transfer it before 1 July and they'll have the normal expiry.

Upon re-reading, I believe you're correct. Have updated my earlier post accordingly.