QF First Lounge access

[Henk]

Hi All,

Few weeks ago reached WP for the first time and was looking forward to my firts visit to QF First Lounge in Melbourne before flying to Fiji on FJ 930, (business class,) but was refused access:evil:

I thought, with WP, flying OW, (business class,) I would have access to QF First Lounge

Is QF part of OW

Is FJ part of OW

So, instead of ....(don't know... never been to QF first lounge) I'm trying to make the best out of the Melbourne's Business Lounge and going through thier second bottle of 2003 Jacobs Creek Johann.

Would welcome some thoughts on the above. Thanks

Henk






Is Air Pacific

 

[Mal]

Is QF part of OW

Is FJ part of OW

Qantas is part of oneworld indeed.
Air Pacific is partially owned by Qantas, but isn't part of oneworld - so according to the rules around lounge access, no go.

It is a very confusing point though because of the close association between Air Pacific and Qantas. I've certainly heard of people having the same issue in Sydney.

(I also had the same issue in Brisbane, but the difference between the First and Business lounges in Brisbane is negligible!).

Just watch they'll still allow you to board after polishing off the wine !

See also : http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/your-questions/air-pacific-denied-access-qf-15530.html

 

[Hvr]

Is QF part of OW

Yes

Is FJ part of OW

No

So were you booked on an FJ or a QF flight number?

 

[dajop]

Is FJ part of OW

FJ are not part of oneworld. To access QF FCL must be on flight marketed and operated by a oneworld member or Jetstar (Australia) (so I don't think QF code on FJ flight is eligible for entry either - but there seems to be some ambiguity around this).

Anyway congratulations on attaining WP! If you want to access the FCL, just get a cheap fare to SYD on one of the JQ services operating between the international terminals at MEL & SYD. That will do the trick!

 

[serfty]

FJ are not part of oneworld. To access QF FCL must be on flight marketed and operated by a oneworld member or Jetstar (Australia) (so I don't think QF code on FJ flight is eligible for entry either - but there seems to be some ambiguity around this). ...

I believe the OP would been able to access the F/L if flying on the QF codeshare.

As per the access rules:

Member and 1 guest can access the lounge when travelling on a Qantas, Jetstar or oneworld flight.# Guest must be travelling with member.

To break this down:

• Qantas,
• Jetstar or
• oneworld flight.#

A QF or JQ flight number suffices.

As for a "oneworld flight", see the # "next onward flight that day must be on a oneworld Airline Members operated and marketed flight ..."

 

[djfuzz]

Interesting, I witnessed a very similar incident at the MEL FLounge recently, and I believe the GA's used the same reasoning as serfty suggests - only the QF codeshare will give you access to the FLounge as a WP, as it is priced by QF into the codeshare fare accordingly.

Has been interesting seeing the various applications of WP access to OW lounges over the last few weeks. Went to an empty FLounge and felt too aware of the access rules to even think to ask to see if I could sneak in another guest (just for a chat, not to eat/drink). On the other hand, after reading CX's very clearly specified rules posted at both the Wing and Pier, we were not able to bring a second guest into the First section of the Pier because the GA said that privilege did not extend to 'Qantas Emerald' (in contradiction to the sign right next to them, but was too short of time to push the point).

 

[Sprucegoose]

I believe the OP would been able to access the F/L if flying on the QF codeshare. ...

Serfty is correct, as we did that a few weeks ago. Interestingly althought we did have QF tickets, the BP showed us on the FJ flight rather than the QF flight. They scan the barcode on the BP to determine if you are on a QF ticket.

Nestor at the front door has the good sense to let me in on my word!!!

Cheers

SPRUCE

 

[Henk]

Hi All,

Thanks a lot for your kind replies.

I did get on the flight to Nadi and I exaggerated a little with the wine I had, but I enjoyed it.

I was surprised to find out that with my WP a discounted OF economy ticket would give me access to FL and a business FJ did not... but rules are rules.

Cheers

Henk

 

[Mal]

I was surprised to find out that with my WP a discounted OF economy ticket would give me access to FL and a business FJ did not... but rules are rules.

Indeed! Have fun in Nadi.

Keep in mind that as a WP (Or as a SG) you have access to the Air Pacific lounge when you depart Nadi. This is not available to those with QP access, which confuses the situation even more!

Hope you get your chance in the Syd F lounge soon - it really is a good lounge.

 

[mw331]

Hi All,

Few weeks ago reached WP for the first time and was looking forward to my firts visit to QF First Lounge in Melbourne before flying to Fiji on FJ 930, (business class,) but was refused access:evil:

I thought, with WP, flying OW, (business class,) I would have access to QF First Lounge

Is QF part of OW

Is FJ part of OW

So, instead of ....(don't know... never been to QF first lounge) I'm trying to make the best out of the Melbourne's Business Lounge and going through thier second bottle of 2003 Jacobs Creek Johann.

Would welcome some thoughts on the above. Thanks

Henk






Is Air Pacific

Qantas is certainly part of the One World Alliance so One World 'Emerald status' (equivalent to QFF Platinum) should give you access to the F lounge at SYD. There are some lounges operated by One World partners such as British Airways that are not available to Emerald status members of other One World airlines e.g. the Concorde Lounge at Terminal 5 of LHR is only available to those travelling in first class on B.A./One World partner airline. One World Emerald (including B.A. Executive Club Gold) status holders travelling in business, premium economy or economy are not permitted to access this lounge.

P.s. I am not sure whether Air Pacific are a full member of One World. They may only hold an affiliate/associate membership of One World, which may explain some of the problems you are having with lounge access.

 

[Mal]

Qantas is certainly part of the One World Alliance so One World 'Emerald status' (equivalent to QFF Platinum) should give you access to the F lounge at SYD. There are some lounges operated by One World partners such as British Airways that are not available to Emerald status members of other One World airlines e.g. the Concorde Lounge at Terminal 5 of LHR is only available to those travelling in first class on B.A./One World partner airline. One World Emerald (including B.A. Executive Club Gold) status holders travelling in business, premium economy or economy are not permitted to access this lounge.

P.s. I am not sure whether Air Pacific are a full member of One World. They may only hold an affiliate/associate membership of One World, which may explain some of the problems you are having with lounge access.

mw331, welcome to AFF.

There are lounges which are outside the scope of the oneworld agreement. As noted by you, T5 Concorde room is one, as is the various Arrival's lounges at Heathrow. Also the Concorde room at JFK, the Chairman's Lounges operated by Qantas around Australia etc etc.

Air Pacific is partially owned by Qantas, but isn't an affiliate or partial member of oneworld. Qantas has been wanting to sell it's stake in Air Pacific for a while, but I'm not sure what stage that is at.

It really is a messy situation and causes much confusion, but as posted earlier in the thread, the Qantas (and indeed oneworld) rules are fairly clear about lounge access when flying Air Pacific. Lounge access at Nadi airport is also strange as only Business Class passengers, Plat's/Chairman Lounge/Gold Qantas members and Tabua club members get lounge access.

 

[dede]

Is it still possible to fly domestically on a QF International flight between MEL-SYD? Or is the only alternative JQ? I've been looking but can't see any flights in the QF booking engine.
This is purely to do a first class lounge run!

 

[serfty]

It's been the case for around 2 years at least. Jqi the only option.

Whn Qantas got their first 388, they even used to fly it without PAX between MEL and SYD.