Qantas New Domestic Business Lounges

[serfty]

I have noticed that Qantas have updated the entry page with information on the Domestic Business Lounges:

• Access to the Qantas Domestic Business Lounge

For me, the following is most pertinent:

Platinum

Member's next onward flight that day must be on a QF, BA or JQ flight number. Member and 2 guests. Guests do not need to be travelling.​

Domestic J - no guests

There's specific information on international connections, basically J - no guest, First - one guest.

Note the following:

Emerald

Member and 1 guest can access lounge on day of departure of a oneworld flight​

Sapphire

No Access​

...

So NO [domestic] Business Lounge access for oneworld Sapphires.

Perhaps the most comprehensive that I have seen on such a topic from Qantas. (no mushroom principle here ...)

 

[QF WP]

Member's next onward flight that day must be on a QF, BA or JQ flight number

That doesn't make sense . Why would you be in a Domestic Lounge if your next flight was on BA??

 

[NM]

That doesn't make sense . Why would you be in a Domestic Lounge if your next flight was on BA??

BA codeshare operated by QF, perhaps?

 

[QF WP]

True, but why wouldn't they include AA in the list as well (given there are some QF flights with AA codeshare numbers) as well as any other oneworld alliance members' codeshare flights (surely them are a couple?).

Or perhaps the QF/BA alliance has something to do with it....?

 

[BAM1748]

I agree, I actually think the segmentation is correct as well. I also support QF jacking up the QF club fees by at least 10-20% as well

I would suspect most would be paid by a company not an individual, so would think no change in the number of people.

 

[BAM1748]

I was in Camberra Lounge around midday today [sunday], and I wish it had a J lounge.
Why.

Well, I coUnted in the first part of the lounge the following 2A 2C; 2A 3C; 2A 1C; 2A; 2A 4C; 3A; 2A 2C; 2A 2C; 1A; 2A 3C; 2A 2C; 2A 1C.

Thankfully went around the corner to near bar and about 6 adults here but seating is very limited for 4A. Lucky bar guy was able to change TV there to Olympics.

Obviously Children are exempt as guests are they !!

Kids should be welcome, I've taken my 2 teens in without issue, as long as we are flying I wouldn't expect an issue.

 

[BAM1748]

I don't remember paying a $400+ to wait for the last bus or train I took :shock:

I would suggest the gate lounges are like a train waiting area, not the QC

It gets you some extras and a separate waiting area for a free beer or three. It's not really a "club".

If you want a real club join the AJC where they do have a separate bar for real members, or perhaps The Lakes Golf Club.

 

[JohnK]

Member's next onward flight that day must be on a QF, BA or JQ flight number. Member and 2 guests. Guests do not need to be travelling.

It will be interesting to see how strictly this is enforced. I was advised that I can enter the business lounge if I have been/will be on a QF flight that day. I know people who actually get access to the business lounge without even flying on the day.

So NO [domestic] Business Lounge access for oneworld Sapphires.

I would not have expected anyone other than Oneworld Emerald to be allowed access to the domestic business lounges.

 

[taswegian77]

i have to pick up mrs taswegian's father from MEL tomorrow evening so was going to attempt to spend the wait in the new J dom lounge. It will be interesting if they will just let me in with the usual flash of my Plat card as I am used to doing in the QC lounge. Note I am not traveling tomorrow.
I will let you all know how I get on tomorrow.

 

[Mal]

i have to pick up mrs taswegian's father from MEL tomorrow evening so was going to attempt to spend the wait in the new J dom lounge. It will be interesting if they will just let me in with the usual flash of my Plat card as I am used to doing in the QC lounge. Note I am not traveling tomorrow.
I will let you all know how I get on tomorrow.

Good luck - they've been strict (must show current boarding pass) on the 2 entries I did earlier this month.

 

[taswegian77]

does that imply that they do not offer lounge check in access for passengers traveling with no luggage? When I travel with no checked baggage I always check in once inside the QC lounge. Is this option available with the new J ounge or is the check in desk at the front when you try to get in only?

 

[garyjohn951]

does that imply that they do not offer lounge check in access for passengers traveling with no luggage? When I travel with no checked baggage I always check in once inside the QC lounge. Is this option available with the new J ounge or is the check in desk at the front when you try to get in only?

Melbourne is different from Sydney, as you checkin at the QC first then re-checkin at the J lounge further in. Therefore while you may get past the first one with the card, the flight check-in is in the first part of the QC, so they would expect you to have BP by the time you get to the J Lounge.

 

[Mal]

does that imply that they do not offer lounge check in access for passengers traveling with no luggage? When I travel with no checked baggage I always check in once inside the QC lounge. Is this option available with the new J ounge or is the check in desk at the front when you try to get in only?

In MEL, for Plats there are 2 checkpoints - show Plat card at front door above escalator, waved in. Then walk straight ahead to next to the buffet and there is a frosted glass door to the J lounge. Door opens, there is a Service Desk on the right hand side where they check boarding pass, check you in etc etc. If too busy they might not look properly, but were quite keen to keep people out who shouldn't have been there when I was there.

 

[htchapman]

The J lounge is an excellent addition.

I noticed 12-18months ago that the dom QC's were getting rediculously overcrowded. In some instances (you know the times/locations) I think there were more people inside the pub than in the terminal.

It provides a seperate atmosphere for those who want and those who need.

 

[taswegian77]

thanks for the heads up on how MEL j config works. I guess the crown lager in QC lounge will suffice as I do not like to try to weasle my way in when not allowed. I will get to see it next tuesday as will be traveling J to SYD.

 

[Sprucegoose]

It's been said before on another thread that the lounge is just a waiting room for public transport. I think it's just that, and there's not really anything to gain from agonising over QF's access policies.

I enjoy the lounge facilities and explicitly fly OW to maintain my access privileges and seating selections but I'm under no illusion it's some sort of up market sanctuary of calm.

You can get a beer and a shower. Get on line and sometimes get something decent to eat. You're still just sitting waiting for a plane though, and if the place is rammed with other people waiting for a plane, or kids playing in the aisles good on them. Under whatever policy or discretion QF has allowed them access so they've got every right to enjoy the facilities as the next person. Personally I'd much rather have kids running around me than self important twits yelling into their mobiles but YMMV - it's public transport so you're going to have to deal with the general public waiting for it.

Cheers,
Steve.

Very well put Steve - gives it all perspective. At the end of the day all we want to do is get home safely - somthing QANTAS has been doing for a very long time.

cheers SPRUCE

 

[Sprucegoose]

thanks for the heads up on how MEL j config works. I guess the crown lager in QC lounge will suffice as I do not like to try to weasle my way in when not allowed. I will get to see it next tuesday as will be traveling J to SYD.

you would get in on your plats...no need for J.

Cheers SPRUCE

 

[v8Statesman]

Correct me if I am wrong, but does it look like the have gone to OW and said they want to treat the new Dom J lounges like Int F lounges? (As far as access rights go?)

 

[v8Statesman]

True, but why wouldn't they include AA in the list as well (given there are some QF flights with AA codeshare numbers) as well as any other oneworld alliance members' codeshare flights (surely them are a couple?).

Or perhaps the QF/BA alliance has something to do with it....?

Note that this only affects QF WP's. OWE's get access as long as they are on *any* OW flight that day. (Not just next flight).

I would assume a AA EXP flying DJ MEL-SYD to connect to AA Code SYD-LAX will have access in MEL.

Comments?

 

[simongr]

I would not have expected anyone other than Oneworld Emerald to be allowed access to the domestic business lounges.

The thing is that the OW lounge access rules contradict that. For Example the lounge access for a AAdvantage Platinum (OWS):

Lounge access benefits: When travelling internationally* on any of the oneworld member airlines, regardless of the class of service, a Sapphire equivalent member and one guest will be welcome in any of the exclusive airline pre-flight Business Class and Frequent Flyer lounges.

I know QF have specified that OWS do not have access but that is in contravention of the rules on the OW site. All it will take is QF updating the OW site but for now their internal policy is not consistent with external policies.