Changes to Qantas Club Access

[Rick93]

I've noticed, that the QC staffer at the front desks at the Domestics usually don't 'swipe' your card... whereas, at all Internationals, they always swipe your card, plus put your boarding pass through a 'scanner'.

So, they keep a close ckeck on visitors to International QCs, but not so close with the Domestics.

Also, my wife and four kids have never been split up, attempting access to any QC.... when I say, "I'll just leave the kids here with you ... I won't be too long..." No problem!

regards,

 

[redrat]

...
Also, my wife and four kids have never been split up, attempting access to any QC.... when I say, "I'll just leave the kids here with you ... I won't be too long..." No problem!

regards,

What a bloody good idea
I might do that anyway :wink:

 

[thadocta]

I've noticed, that the QC staffer at the front desks at the Domestics usually don't 'swipe' your card... whereas, at all Internationals, they always swipe your card, plus put your boarding pass through a 'scanner'.

They WILL swipe your card at DOM reception if you still have to check-in as a Gold, Silver QC or Bronze QC. Plats they don't worry about, since they get in anyway. If you have a boarding pass already they don't bother with the card, they just look at the BP.

As for INT lounges, I have never produced my card at a QF lounge when my status is recorded on the BP. Other carriers have wanted it, but never QF.

So, they keep a close ckeck on visitors to International QCs, but not so close with the Domestics.

It isn't just the QP's, they like to know where INT SLC are, period. This is why your BP gets scanned when leaving the DOM terminal on the INT transfer bus.

Dave

 

[Rick93]

Ok, fair enough...

I'm going by my personal experience... and, I have no doubt, breached security by doing things the way I do.

I won't detail it, but I don't have my QC card scanned. I have also gained entry to Dom QCs without a current boarding pass!

It's a system I discovered one occasion. It simply saves a bit of time, and is probably against the rules as well!

regards,

 

[ksthommo]

Bali Lounge Access

Only noticed from a previous post that Qantas has withdrawn lounge access in Bali, cheapskates. Does anyone know if you can use the Premier Lounge under the guise of a oneworld member as Cathay still as lounge access there?

Thanks in advance as I'm heading there later in the year.

ksthommo

 

[redrat]

Access to QP MEL DOM

I see that QF have started using the swipe scanners at the entrance to QP DOM in MEL.
No more casual ales when not travelling :cry:

 

[Rick93]

Ahhh! You know my little secret in Sydney too!
It's the way it's done that counts!

regards,

 

[sully]

I travelled Syd-Mel-Syd on Mon/Tues and didn't have my boarding pass scanned at either end. I did wave my card and BP as I walked into the lounge but given their interest in me I could have had an old one. Perhaps I might just try showing my QC card next Monday when I repeat the trip.

 

[NM]

In my experience, they only swipe cards for people without boarding passes. If you have already checked-in and have a BP, they sight the BP credentials and permit access. If you plan to check-in inside the lounge, they will swipe you QC or FF card to ensure you have a valid departing flight. If you have a Platinum card, there is no need for them to swipe since you are permitted access any time, whether flying or not.

 

[Baysider]

I emailed QC about family entry to the lounges, and I recieved a telephone reply (nothing in writing) which was essentially as follows. It is up to the discretion of the counter staff but normally you would be permitted to bring your family into the lounge UNLESS it was very crowded.

 

[NM]

On the occasions I have traveled with my family and desire Qantas Club lounge access, I have contacted the lounge the day before and politely asked if we may be able to use the lounge. They will normally note the request in the diary and always say something like "that should be ok, but if we are really busy we may have to decline".

It always helps to call at about the time you will be traveling as you stand a good chance of speaking to the person who will be there at the time you travel.

I also did this in AKL as I flew through a week prior to going through with my family. I asked the agent at the desk in person, she make a quick call to a supervisor and nodded and wrote my details in the desk diary. When we arrive a week later, we were welcomed into the First Class lounge.

At Brisbane International for the same trip, I called the day before as suggested above. The fellow on the desk remembered my call and welcomed the family. He requested that since we were a party of 7, would we mind using the Business Class lounge as the F lounge is quite small - no problem. In my party was myself (QF Plat), my wife (QC Partner membership), her parents and our three children.

 

[suemead]

Qantas lounge guest passes

I was extremely emabarrassed when I visited the Melbourne Qantas lounge in early August with 2 very important business clients to be told that my guest passes were no longer valid and I could only take in one visitor. The lounge was half empty and the naz_ on the counter would not give an inch. This was an appalling situation considering the level of my status. I also never received any notification that the visitors passes had been withdrawn.
I am seriously thinking of giving up my membership when it comes up for renewal as every month they seem to withdraw a priveldge from the membership.
I am now flying with Virgin and finding the service I receive is pleasant and helpful and ON TIME.
Disatisfied Platium member

 

[thadocta]

As a Platinum you were entitled to take two guests in anyway. Gold and QC members are only entitled to one guest.

Melbourne has always had the reputation of being the most anally rtentive of the domestic QC's. Staff at these lounges have discretion, and they are prepared to use it in places like CBR, OOL, BNE, ADL, PER and so on.

MEL staff on the other hand hide behind their rule book and apply the rules quite heavy-handedly, and do not even appear to know what discretion is.

Dave

 

[NM]

suemead, according to the Qantas Club terms and conditions on lounge access, a QF FF Platinum member is permitted two guests per this quote form the QF web site:

10.4 There is a limit of one guest per Member in all Qantas Club lounges, except that:

(a) Platinum Qantas Frequent Flyers are entitled to up to 2 guests in Australian and New Zealand domestic lounges; and

(b) 'Annual guest card' holders are entitled to one additional guest above their usual guest limit in all Qantas Club lounges. Annual guest cards are valid for one year from date of purchase and are not transferable.

However, I don't understand your comment regarding:

I am seriously thinking of giving up my membership when it comes up for renewal as every month they seem to withdraw a priveldge from the membership.

As a Platinum FF member, you don't pay an annual fee for your membership, so it is hard to understand how you "give up" the membership. If you do not fly enough with Qantas to retain your Platinum FF status, then you will retain your FF membership and be dropped down to Gold status, still retaining Qantas Club louge access, but just one guest per visit.

Is it possible that your QF FF membership status was not Platinum at the time?

 

[thadocta]

Good pickup, NM. I missed that bit about "renewal".

Seems like suemead is either confused about the level of her status or about what happens on an annual basis (possibly a new Platinum, still learning the ropes?)

Even at MEL, I would expect the staff to allow a Platinum two guests - they are so anally retentive about the rules that I would be surprised that they didn't know this one, particularly someone waving a Platinum card in their faces.

Dave

 

[janmc]

access to lounge

I wrote to Qantas FF re no guest passes - I travel with a disabled husband and a grandchild a couple of times a year. Am a senior Life member. Was told that if I notified the customer service a couple of weeks ahead of travel : they would organise access. So far so good - but only time will tell.

 

[thadocta]

Re: access to lounge

I wrote to Qantas FF re no guest passes - I travel with a disabled husband and a grandchild a couple of times a year. Am a senior Life member. Was told that if I notified the customer service a couple of weeks ahead of travel : they would organise access. So far so good - but only time will tell.

The only time I would go down this road is if flying through MEL, and that is to counter the cough retentiveness I mentioned above.

I have travelled through the following QC's - CBR, SYD T3, SYD T2, OOL, BNE, and ASP since the new policy came in, travelling with an adult and two kids (aged 9 and 5/6 - one had a birthday over the period), and the staff seemed surprised that I was even questioning whether the kids would get access, they took it as a granted.

Dave

 

[NM]

janmc, I would not think "weeks" notice is required. In fact, I would only be calling a day or so before, just to make sure the little yellow note they stick on the desk doesn't get lost :roll: . Its not as if they have to alter the catering order just because you are coming through. If they can cope with sufficient beer stocks for thadocta's unannounced visits, then they don't need more than 24 hours notice that you are coming through with your party's special needs.

 

[janmc]

Melbourne Qantas Club

Melbourne seem to be a bit sticky - Before the changes - I asked if my daughter could come in for a few minutes to see her father (after she had delivered Grandson) - the answer was a firm "NO" as I already had my two guests - I even offered another guest pass - he would have to come out to see her - which he did.

 

[sully]

Sounds like there should be a letter from this site to complain about this state of affairs. In the past two moths I have been in the Mel QF lounge about 9 times, at varying times of day, and have only ever seen it to be 2/3 full at best.

These counter naz_s are only going to be turning away business from QF to Vermin who have the policy of letting anyone in who can wave a $5 at them.