Last month I traveled on Qantas to AKL in Economy (My employer only gives Business if the flight is over 6 hours - sucks to have competent HR managers).
Being oneworld sapphire (Qatar Airways) I rocked up to the Business Lounge in T2, where I was met by a sturdy kiwi lady whod make an excellent junior army officer. She looked at my boarding pass, asked to see my FF card (I only have the app) and after examining this carefully informed me that my QR Sapphire status was not sufficient to gain entry.
I was surprised, I thought that if I am ticketed by and the flight is operated by a oneworld airline I, as a one world sapphire / gold status, should be allowed access. I politely queried why I was being denied and was informed that I could only gain access if I credited my flight to a QF FF number (that was a very new rule to me).
I figured there was little to gain from arguing with the lady so I decided to use some reverse psychology and said thank you for informing me of this new rule, I wasnt aware of this rule. I then proceeded to ask the lady where I, as a oneworld sapphire flying on a Qantas ticketed and operated flight, could find my lounge.
This question led to confusion and she called a colleague over. He was unsure as well, so he suggested that they should let me in. I thanked them and as I entered the lounge, the kiwi lady called out to me from five metres behind her desk, making the small queue that had formed stare at me like i was a cat the dog had dragged in, and loudly reminded me 'next time we will not allow you in'.
Cant say I enjoyed this public humiliation, but smiled towards her and quickly walked into the lounge, finding a secluded seat where I wouldnt need to meet the eyes of those thats just heard that I wasnt really suppoosed to be there but had been allowed by her grace.
Since I am traveling MEL to AKL in economy again next week, I figured I should reach out for advise.
What lounge should I go to?
Being oneworld sapphire (Qatar Airways) I rocked up to the Business Lounge in T2, where I was met by a sturdy kiwi lady whod make an excellent junior army officer. She looked at my boarding pass, asked to see my FF card (I only have the app) and after examining this carefully informed me that my QR Sapphire status was not sufficient to gain entry.
I was surprised, I thought that if I am ticketed by and the flight is operated by a oneworld airline I, as a one world sapphire / gold status, should be allowed access. I politely queried why I was being denied and was informed that I could only gain access if I credited my flight to a QF FF number (that was a very new rule to me).
I figured there was little to gain from arguing with the lady so I decided to use some reverse psychology and said thank you for informing me of this new rule, I wasnt aware of this rule. I then proceeded to ask the lady where I, as a oneworld sapphire flying on a Qantas ticketed and operated flight, could find my lounge.
This question led to confusion and she called a colleague over. He was unsure as well, so he suggested that they should let me in. I thanked them and as I entered the lounge, the kiwi lady called out to me from five metres behind her desk, making the small queue that had formed stare at me like i was a cat the dog had dragged in, and loudly reminded me 'next time we will not allow you in'.
Cant say I enjoyed this public humiliation, but smiled towards her and quickly walked into the lounge, finding a secluded seat where I wouldnt need to meet the eyes of those thats just heard that I wasnt really suppoosed to be there but had been allowed by her grace.
Since I am traveling MEL to AKL in economy again next week, I figured I should reach out for advise.
What lounge should I go to?
