Qantas Club question

[Keelan]

In most airports, there is a separate check in desk for Qantas Club/Oneworld Ruby/Premium Economy for all Qantas flights. IIRC, Qantas does not have allocate a check in counter to a specific (with the exception of flights to the USA). In SYD, the counters (together with Business Class check in and First Class check in) are completely separate from the general economy check in area and are located on the other side of check in area D.

Thanks so much for that - was confused as I have only flown air Canada from Sydney recently so was going by the set up in that area - obviously as a home airport qantas has a different, more elaborate check in area. Cheers!

 

[blueflamenco]

So, if you were likely to travel mostly economy, it seems that this is better value than chasing status? Or am I missing something?

Cheers!

Unless you are naturally flying enough to come somewhat close to Gold, I think purchasing the Qantas Club membership is the best option. Personally, the additional benefits (what benefits?) I experienced after a few years of Gold would not have been worth paying anything extra for (in terms of status runs). In fact.. The best perks I received with Qantas were when I was Silver with a Qantas Club membership. For some people, getting Gold vs just buying the membership does seem to be about having that sense of superiority over those who "buy in".

 

[jono88888]

Whilst it's always hard to predict future travel, in my case it's looking like a few years of limited travel are coming up. Come the end of my current year I may be just a few points shy of requalifying for WP. If this is the case then it could be worthwhile doing my first ever status run to maintain WP.

Not only will I get the benefits that go with the status on those occasions I do fly, it will mean one more year before I soft land down to Gold and Silver and so delaying for one more year before I need to fork out cash on my QC membership.

But I do puzzle over some of the status runs I see discussed. If you're not flying that much then is it really worth while spending significant points/dollars to get status. As others have said it all comes down to cost v benefit and each to their own on that.

 

[timster]

The dedicated QP (or combined with J) checkin desks in Australia and Asia and LAX (and DXB now I assume) are useful when can't arrive early for checkin and would otherwise have to join the 'zoo' Y line, which can be long and slow. One does tend to checkin early anyway if a QP member in order to make use of the lounge (ie to get your moneys worth). At that time the Y lines are usually not much longer than QP / J.

Note that European lounge access for QP has been greatly reduced by the EK deal / end of BA JSA. QP had access to BA lounges outbound from any European port where BA had a lounge; EK is not providing such access to their lounges. So for QP the 'advantage' of avoiding LHR (previously with BA) for EK direct flights into Europe from DXB is largely lost.

BTW, I think QP is the most expensive membership in the industry (not that many airlines offer them), right ?

Priority Pass and AA 30-day memberships are other possible options for lounge access.

 

[Keelan]

The dedicated QP (or combined with J) checkin desks in Australia and Asia and LAX (and DXB now I assume) are useful when can't arrive early for checkin and would otherwise have to join the 'zoo' Y line, which can be long and slow. One does tend to checkin early anyway if a QP member in order to make use of the lounge (ie to get your moneys worth). At that time the Y lines are usually not much longer than QP / J.

Note that European lounge access for QP has been greatly reduced by the EK deal / end of BA JSA. QP had access to BA lounges outbound from any European port where BA had a lounge; EK is not providing such access to their lounges. So for QP the 'advantage' of avoiding LHR (previously with BA) for EK direct flights into Europe from DXB is largely lost.

BTW, I think QP is the most expensive membership in the industry (not that many airlines offer them), right ?

Priority Pass and AA 30-day memberships are other possible options for lounge access.

Thanks Timster, great info and much appreciated. I have been looking at the 30 day AA membership for an upcoming trip. From my read of the terms and conditions, for a $99 day fee I would get access to Qantas QP in Canberra pre my flight to Sydney, QP Business International in Sydney pre flight to Hong Kong, QP Business International in Hong Kong pre flight to Sydney and QP Sydney pre flight to Canberra. And could also guest in my friend who is travelling on these flights with me (all QF flights). Seems great value.

AA also offer 1yr renewal after the expiry of the 30 day membership, for around $400 US. This seems a much cheaper way of getting quasi QP access (compared to the rather outrageous $855 first year fee with QP and subsequent $400 plus yearly membership). Granted I don't think you get priority check in etc with AA club on QF flights, but I could be wrong. Anyone aware of any flaws in my reasoning on this?

Cheers!

 

[serfty]

...

AA also offer 1yr renewal after the expiry of the 30 day membership, for around $400 US. This seems a much cheaper way of getting quasi QP access (compared to the rather outrageous $855 first year fee with QP and subsequent $400 plus yearly membership). Granted I don't think you get priority check in etc with AA club on QF flights, but I could be wrong. Anyone aware of any flaws in my reasoning on this?

Cheers!

Did you not read my post #18.

No AFF member needs to pay $855 to join the QP - although USD$500 for AC membership does not seem too bad.

 

[Keelan]

Did you not read my post #18.

No AFF member needs to pay $855 to join the QP - although USD$500 for AC membership does not seem too bad.

Sorry Serfy, I did miss that post. Thanks for the info. That is a good saving with AFF membership, on quick calculations end up around 180 dearer than the AA approach, but would provide priority check in and baggage benefits. Will definately have a think on this option. Thanks again!