Lounge Access Help Desk

[admin]

Background to this thread
We have noticed an increase in the posting of questions regarding what Airport Lounges are available at specific airports when travelling on specific airlines. While one can be assured of access at the airline lounge when travelling on that airline (provided you have Lounge membership), thing start to get complex when travelling on a codeshare or partner airline.

Posting Guidelines
Please post your questions about Lounge access in this thread. Be sure to include the airline you are travelling on, the airport (and terminal, if known), and any Airline Status or Airport Lounge membership programs you have.

When answering questions, please include the original question. This will assist in readability and management of the thread.

(Special thanks to Princess Fiona for suggesting this new thread.)

 

[CaptainCurtis]

Flying AA2862/QF4903 SFO-LAX on Thursday in Y. I am QFF Gold / OWS. AMEX platinum / Priority Pass available as well. Which lounge would y'all recommend?

 

[SYD]

Flying AA2862/QF4903 LAX-SFO on Thursday in Y. I am QFF Gold / OWS. AMEX platinum / Priority Pass available as well. Which lounge would y'all recommend?

AA Flagship.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

AA Flagship.

Sorry, got the route backwards. Updated now. SFO-LAX sadly so no Flagship.

 

[serfty]

Sorry, got the route backwards. Updated now. SFO-LAX sadly so no Flagship.

AC (Admirals club) at SFO ... and Alaska lounge if you could be bothered.

You will have "arrivals access" at the LAX T4 flagship lounge - this is an AA rule, not oneworld.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

AC at SFO ... and Alaska lounge if you could be bothered.

On what basis can I enter the AC lounge?

You will have "arrivals access" at the LAX T4 flagship lounge - this is an AA rule, not oneworld.

Thank you, planning to start at Flagship and then make my way to QF J lounge.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

On what basis can I enter the AC lounge?

Thank you, planning to start at Flagship and then make my way to QF J lounge.

AAdmirals Club (AC) rather than Air Canadia

 

[CaptainCurtis]

AAdmirals Club (AC) rather than Air Canadia

Ahh got it, thank you both!

 

[serfty]

Yeah, I thought this was likely the case. It would be nice if the Qantas website was a bit more clear on these sort of cases.

Note that this indicates they should have access, but I wish them luck with that...

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/qantas-lounge-access-eligibility.html#eligible-travel-class

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah, I thought this was likely the case. It would be nice if the Qantas website was a bit more clear on these sort of cases.

The website clearly says ‘next onward flight’. The next flight out of MEL is on NZ, so doesn’t qualify under any of the tables of flights or airlines.

 

[serfty]

The website clearly says ‘next onward flight’

Where does it state that?

Does it contradict?:

3.One accompanying guest permitted and must be travelling on QF or EK marketed and operated flight on the same day.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Where does it state that?

Does it contradict?:

States it here.
Same page

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Where does it state that?

Does it contradict?:

It seems there is a potential inconsistency when it comes to guest access.

It’s possible you could hold a qantas first class boarding pass and access the SYD F lounge, but the rules as written could potentially mean your guest could have a same day EK boarding pass for AKL-DXB.

It’s a bit of a stretch and an easy clarification if it’s not intended. I’m assuming they haven’t had too many folk try it? (or else they’re happy with it!)

 

[serfty]

States it here.
Same page
View attachment 442284

That would preclude any arrivals access.

So the same page has contradictory content.

I believe with such cases in consumer law precedent, clauses with the more beneficial terms to to customer take priority.

Of course, try telling that to the lounge agent while trying to get access before a NZ flight while brandishing a same day Emirates First Boarding Pass.

 

[serfty]

It seems there is a potential inconsistency when it comes to guest access.

3. One accompanying guest permitted and must be travelling on QF or EK marketed and operated flight on the same day

My reading is that is a multi purpose sentence for brevity. To me it indicates access separatly for both the passenger, and, if applicable, any guest:

(First Passenger) must be travelling on QF or EK marketed and operated flight on the same day

And:

One accompanying guest must be travelling on QF or EK marketed and operated flight on the same day

 

[Princess Fiona]

That would preclude any arrivals access.

So the same page has contradictory content.

I believe with such cases in consumer law precedent, clauses with the more beneficial terms to to customer take priority.

Of course, try telling that to the lounge agent while trying to get access before a NZ flight while brandishing a same day Emirates First Boarding Pass.

Arrivals access for Platinum is well documented on the QF website.


The lack of mentioning it on the general lounge access page doesn’t preclude it.
The OP’s colleague/ friend has nothing on the QF website that states they have F lounge access when their next onward flight is something other than EK/ QF F

Qantas Platinum

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That would preclude any arrivals access.

So the same page has contradictory content.

I believe with such cases in consumer law precedent, clauses with the more beneficial terms to to customer take priority.

Of course, try telling that to the lounge agent while trying to get access before a NZ flight while brandishing a same day Emirates First Boarding Pass.

The terms and conditions are however clear. It must be the next onward flight by the member, and guest eligibility is based on next onward flight as well: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/terms-conditions.html

The wording on the eligibility page may be ambiguous, but only by those looking for a loophole. I think the ordinary meaning and interpretation would be that you get lounge access before your upcoming flight.

Arrival access may be granted as an additional benefit for class of travel or status. But that’s not in question for the OP.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That would preclude any arrivals access.

So the same page has contradictory content.

I believe with such cases in consumer law precedent, clauses with the more beneficial terms to to customer take priority.

Of course, try telling that to the lounge agent while trying to get access before a NZ flight while brandishing a same day Emirates First Boarding Pass.

The terms and conditions are however clear. It must be the next onward flight by the member, and guest eligibility is based on next onward flight as well: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/terms-conditions.html

The wording on the eligibility page may be ambiguous, but only by those looking for a loophole. I think the ordinary meaning and interpretation would be that you get lounge access before your upcoming flight.

Arrival access may be granted as an additional benefit for class of travel or status. But that’s not in question for the OP.

Same as oneworld connecting rules… separate policy.

 

[serfty]

Arrivals access for Platinum is well documented on the QF website.


The lack of mentioning it on the general lounge access page doesn’t preclude it.
The OP’s colleague/ friend has nothing on the QF website that states they have F lounge access when their next onward flight is something other than EK/ QF F

Qantas Platinum

I know that page well. I have had to use it at MEL domestic after arriving on an over night MH flight.

The recent discussion relates to class of service, not status.

It has been established the page for access is contradictory in this regard. @Nate-Dawg is correct here.

As I noted I doubt access would be provided, despite what is published.

 

[serfty]

The wording on the eligibility page may be ambiguous, but only by those looking for a loophole.

Is there anything wrong with that?

 

[Nate-Dawg]

I know that page well. I have had to use it at MEL domestic after arriving on an over night MH flight.

The recent discussion relates to class of service, not status.

It has been established the page for access is contradictory in this regard. @Nate-Dawg is correct here.

As I noted I doubt access would be provided, despite what is published.

I agree that it’s doubtful that my friend would get access to the QF F lounge in MEL. I fully expect that he’ll be told that he only gets lounge access before his immediate next flight and/or that he can only access the lounge at the airport from which he’s flying. I think he’ll probably to try his luck through, as it’s possible (albeit unlikely) that the lounge staff agree with this optimistic interpretation of the lounge rules, and there’s no harm in trying. I believe his flight is in early June, so I’ll see if I can follow up with him then and report the results.