QPPS benefits on BA?

[Awesom Andy]

It looks like I might be going on a whirl wind tour to western Europe, so just a few questions on how the entitlements (if any).

Expected itinerary: HKG - LHR - FCO, then AMS - LHR, then LHR - HKG. All on BA.
class of travel: group ticket discount Y

1. Quoting the Qantas website: "In addition to Qantas Club lounges, you can relax in British Airways lounges (Terraces and Executive Club lounges)" Would this mean I would have lounge access throughout all sectors? Some of the lounges are Galleries rather than the Terraces and EC as stated. Does this make a difference?

2. Check-in: as a OW ruby, would I be able to use the business class counters for all sectors?

3. For SCs and FF points, I should be able to earn them on all sectors as well? Noting the table on QF's website that discount Y classes "GKLMNOQSV" are eligible. Are there any discount Y classes that are not included which I should look out for? (At 0.25 point per mile, it's hardly anything, but it's better than nothing, I suppose).

Thanks in advance for your help. I guess I know well enough how QF works, but the BA rules are pretty much foreign concepts for me.

 

[samh004]

Ba has aways been a bit stingy to OW Ruby members, let alone anyone that’s not a BA EC member, however:

1. Galleries is the new Terraces, so providing you have a current/valid Qantas Club card on you, then you have access to the business lounges when travelling on BA.
2. You would have access per the OW rules. You might not see a OW Ruby symbol at these counters though, due to their reluctance to acknowledge anything but their own. They also like to use check-in kiosks a lot these days.
3. For certain legs of your booking you may be given the chance to upgrade cheaply and earn J SC, might be worth it, but not sure about lower than discount Y classes.

 

[GT351]

BA were exceptionally good to me on my trip to BKK.

As a SG, they invited me to pay for upgrade to WTP on the departure and at the gate was bumped up to Club class.

On the return leg, upgraded to WTP at check-in then bumped up to Club class at the gate.
Amazing.

Cant guarantee this would happen to you but people where also a bit pessimistic about how BA treat SG.

admittedly no business travellers at easter

GT

 

[serfty]

oneworld - oneworld Tier Status

The issue is that BA do not have a Ruby tier, so they have no internal recognition for it.

As per the above link, the only benefits they must provide for Ruby as per oneworld are:

• "Business Class priority check-in" and
• "Priority standby and waitlisting";

-the latter is really an intangible with BA.
-the former is spotty to say the least

 

[Will]

There is next to no recognition from BA. You will be allowed into the terraces lounges, and get business check-in, but nothing else. Sorry.

That said, BA gives f-all recognition to anybody.

 

[thewinchester]

You will be allowed into the terraces lounges...

Clarification might be needed here for future readers.

As a QPPS, he would be allowed access into the Galleries (fmr. Terraces) or Executive Club Lounges - as long as he is travelling on a QF or BA flight.

As a PS, he would have no lounge access whatsoever.

The following access grid makes this clear (can't find the absolute latest one, but this is still correct):

 

[Will]

Thanks, thewinchester.

Absolutely correct. Prepare to be looked down the nose at when you rely on a paid lounge membership for access though

 

[openseat]

Prepare to be looked down the nose at when you rely on a paid lounge membership for access though

About five years ago I would have agreed with you (especially when I travelled through IAD a number of times where the BA lounge dragon was fierce about QP members) - but in the last few years, and this is purely anecdotal, BA lounge 'dragons' have been entirely welcoming.

My last experience travelling as a QPPS on BA was back in 2002 (I think) - I remember being able to use the special Zone R (elite) check-in when BA were still at Terminal One at LHR. It saved my bacon on one trip when I had slept in and almost missed my flight to FCO.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Thanks, all. Just wanted to confirm my understanding for the lounges and check-in's, so that's all good now. Frankly, at the "entry level" of the status world, it would be silly to expect anything more. Come to think of it, *A silver doesn't even offer the benefit of business check-in.