QantasLink to fly to Christmas & Cocos (Keeling) Islands

[henrus]

I asked if QANTAS would provide me with complimentary access to the Aspire lounge in T1, and was told no.

Where did they provide this information. They're yet to announce things like baggage/check in details so impressed that they'd give an answer on the lounge.

 

[QF_Flyer]

I am flying to Cocos later this year. I am only a lowly Bronze QFF with a QANTAS Club membership. I asked if QANTAS would provide me with complimentary access to the Aspire lounge in T1, and was told no.

I assume OP is meaning whether QF will contract the TP lounge to accommodate its status pax, so that Gold/Plat/P1 don't have to sit in the terminal.

Not sure it's likely since they aren't selling J seats on these flights, so there's no incentive for QF to do it...

 

[msam95]

I am flying to Cocos later this year. I am only a lowly Bronze QFF with a QANTAS Club membership. I asked if QANTAS would provide me with complimentary access to the Aspire lounge in T1, and was told no.

Incorrect!

I understand general contact centre staff or the frequent flyer team may have an inaccurate answer for this query, for that reason I have been In contact with Rachel Yangoyan in September, who replied:

“Our team is working to have a partner Lounge available to access for eligible customers in Terminal 1. We hope to make an announcement on this very soon after finalising these arrangements and prior to commencement of our services in November”

Additionally as I was unimpressed myself they had yet to update the lounge page on Qantas.com, one world or send out post departure communications, the head of customer delivery and transformation reached out to me and advised:

“We’re currently finalising arrangements with a lounge provider at Perth Terminal 1 (T1). While I’m unable to confirm the details just yet, we expect to share an update very soon. I’ve also copied xx_xx_x xx_xx_ from our Perth office, who will be in touch as soon as the lounge arrangements are confirmed.

In terms of broader passenger communication, we have a dedicated landing page on qantas.com that outlines lounge locations. This will be updated for our Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands flights leaving from T1 once confirmed. Additionally, our staff at check-in will advise eligible passengers of lounge access.

So yes there will be a lounge available for passengers to use on these services. I’m hoping it will be the Emirates lounge over the Aspire lounge, but I’m sure regardless of what the answer will be it’ll be sufficient.

I’ll report back when I hear or receive clear information and I’ll be on the first service in November anyway.

 

[Happy Dude]

The flight schedule makes it rather difficult to combine CCK with XCH. Stopovers are permitted but essentially you have to stay on each for seven days.

I don't have time for that, and would probably baulk at the cost anyway, which is a pity as I have the opportunity to go on Nov 17 which is very close to the expected crab migration on 15-16 Nov. Can't get off XCH in any direction until 1 Dec so even a trip only to CI is not going to work out.

 

[JMHS]

Where did they provide this information. They're yet to announce things like baggage/check in details so impressed that they'd give an answer on the lounge.

I enquired initially by phone, and then via email. This is the email I receive from Customer Care on 25th September

"Thank you for contacting the Qantas Customer Care team.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience you have experienced in seeking clarification regarding lounge access for your upcoming flight from Perth to Cocos Island on 7 November 2025. We understand your concern regarding the lack of a Qantas operated lounge in Terminal 1, and appreciate the context you’ve provided regarding the recent transition of this route from Virgin Australia to Qantas. As you rightly noted, Terminal 1 is traditionally used for international departures, and Qantas does not currently operate a lounge in this terminal.

The Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1 is a pay per use facility operated independently of Qantas. While it is accessible to all departing international passengers, including those on Qantas flights, complimentary access is not automatically extended to Qantas Club members at this location. Lounge access entitlements for Qantas Club members are generally limited to Qantas operated lounges or designated partner lounges, and unfortunately, Aspire Lounge is not included in this network for complimentary access.

We acknowledge your disappointment and the additional effort you’ve had to make to obtain this information. Your feedback regarding the communication process and the lack of proactive support is duly noted. Customer feedback plays an important role in our continuous improvement process so that we can provide you with exceptional service from start to finish

While we are unable to issue complimentary passes for the Aspire Lounge, you may wish to consider pre-booking access directly via the Aspire Lounge website. This may offer a more comfortable start to your journey, especially given the busy travel period

Once again, on behalf of the team at Qantas, we apologise for the inconvenience experienced and look forward to welcoming you on board soon"

 

[JMHS]

Incorrect!

I understand general contact centre staff or the frequent flyer team may have an inaccurate answer for this query, for that reason I have been In contact with Rachel Yangoyan in September, who replied:

“Our team is working to have a partner Lounge available to access for eligible customers in Terminal 1. We hope to make an announcement on this very soon after finalising these arrangements and prior to commencement of our services in November”

Additionally as I was unimpressed myself they had yet to update the lounge page on Qantas.com, one world or send out post departure communications, the head of customer delivery and transformation reached out to me and advised:

“We’re currently finalising arrangements with a lounge provider at Perth Terminal 1 (T1). While I’m unable to confirm the details just yet, we expect to share an update very soon. I’ve also copied xx_xx_x xx_xx_ from our Perth office, who will be in touch as soon as the lounge arrangements are confirmed.

In terms of broader passenger communication, we have a dedicated landing page on qantas.com that outlines lounge locations. This will be updated for our Christmas Island and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands flights leaving from T1 once confirmed. Additionally, our staff at check-in will advise eligible passengers of lounge access.

So yes there will be a lounge available for passengers to use on these services. I’m hoping it will be the Emirates lounge over the Aspire lounge, but I’m sure regardless of what the answer will be it’ll be sufficient.

I’ll report back when I hear or receive clear information and I’ll be on the first service in November anyway.

I had called QANTAS and then I emailed and asked. This is the final response I received via email from Customer Care on 25th September.
I could only speak to the information QANTAS supplied me in writing. Hopefully you are able to receive a more favourable response

"Thank you for contacting the Qantas Customer Care team.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience you have experienced in seeking clarification regarding lounge access for your upcoming flight from Perth to Cocos Island on 7 November 2025. We understand your concern regarding the lack of a Qantas operated lounge in Terminal 1, and appreciate the context you’ve provided regarding the recent transition of this route from Virgin Australia to Qantas. As you rightly noted, Terminal 1 is traditionally used for international departures, and Qantas does not currently operate a lounge in this terminal.

The Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1 is a pay per use facility operated independently of Qantas. While it is accessible to all departing international passengers, including those on Qantas flights, complimentary access is not automatically extended to Qantas Club members at this location. Lounge access entitlements for Qantas Club members are generally limited to Qantas operated lounges or designated partner lounges, and unfortunately, Aspire Lounge is not included in this network for complimentary access.

We acknowledge your disappointment and the additional effort you’ve had to make to obtain this information. Your feedback regarding the communication process and the lack of proactive support is duly noted. Customer feedback plays an important role in our continuous improvement process so that we can provide you with exceptional service from start to finish

While we are unable to issue complimentary passes for the Aspire Lounge, you may wish to consider pre-booking access directly via the Aspire Lounge website. This may offer a more comfortable start to your journey, especially given the busy travel period

Once again, on behalf of the team at Qantas, we apologise for the inconvenience experienced and look forward to welcoming you on board soon"

 

[msam95]

I had called QANTAS and then I emailed and asked. This is the final response I received via email from Customer Care on 25th September.
I could only speak to the information QANTAS supplied me in writing. Hopefully you are able to receive a more favourable response

"Thank you for contacting the Qantas Customer Care team.

We sincerely regret the inconvenience you have experienced in seeking clarification regarding lounge access for your upcoming flight from Perth to Cocos Island on 7 November 2025. We understand your concern regarding the lack of a Qantas operated lounge in Terminal 1, and appreciate the context you’ve provided regarding the recent transition of this route from Virgin Australia to Qantas. As you rightly noted, Terminal 1 is traditionally used for international departures, and Qantas does not currently operate a lounge in this terminal.

The Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1 is a pay per use facility operated independently of Qantas. While it is accessible to all departing international passengers, including those on Qantas flights, complimentary access is not automatically extended to Qantas Club members at this location. Lounge access entitlements for Qantas Club members are generally limited to Qantas operated lounges or designated partner lounges, and unfortunately, Aspire Lounge is not included in this network for complimentary access.

We acknowledge your disappointment and the additional effort you’ve had to make to obtain this information. Your feedback regarding the communication process and the lack of proactive support is duly noted. Customer feedback plays an important role in our continuous improvement process so that we can provide you with exceptional service from start to finish

While we are unable to issue complimentary passes for the Aspire Lounge, you may wish to consider pre-booking access directly via the Aspire Lounge website. This may offer a more comfortable start to your journey, especially given the busy travel period

Once again, on behalf of the team at Qantas, we apologise for the inconvenience experienced and look forward to welcoming you on board soon"

lol, I know who’s response I’d trust more, Rachel Yangoyen’s and the head of customer delivery and transformation. And for what it’s worth the response from Rachel was in early September!

As previously advised in my post, when I hear back from the internal contact when a lounge has been selected, not “if”, I’ll post it here.