Temporary Card

[v8Statesman]

On my up and comming RTW trip I will move from Silver - Gold - Platinum.

My question is how do I obtain a temporary card to ensure I get access that my new status allows?

My flight SYD-SIN-LHR will move me from Silver - Gold and I would like to make sure I get treated like GOLD for the rest of the trip. Until I make Platinum of course

 

[aus_flyer]

There is no such thing as a temporary card.

Once you get Gold, boarding passes should reflect your new status and this should be sufficient. However, you may come across some lounge dragons who still insist on seeing the card.

I know its awkward. I turned Platinum while I was overseas and almost got into an argument with a few of the BA first lounge dragons.

 

[NM]

The lounges agents that usually insist on seeing the card are at LHR. Be prepared to "prove" what is on the boarding pass is accruate. Perhaps carry a print out of your status from the web site along with you, or insist that if they do not believe you that they call Qantas to ask.

Most other places (including all Qantas and AA lounges I have used) are happy with what is printed on the BP.

 

[v8Statesman]

Has anyone had a boarding pass print an incorrect status?

 

[NM]

Has anyone had a boarding pass print an incorrect status?

Apparently, there is a way to "select your own status" with BA's on-line systems. I have not seen it myself, but have been told by others that it can be done. Perhaps this is why BA does not believe what is on the BP.

 

[freqbugsmasher]

Lounge dragons are an interesting breed. In business (Perth to Brisbane) walked in and showed bording pass (Didn't have linked booking to QC, Travel agent error).
Was told that business class didn't automatically get into the QC, and had to produce card from wallet.
Anyone else had such an experince?


Mike
​

 

[Mal]

Lounge dragons are an interesting breed. In business (Perth to Brisbane) walked in and showed bording pass (Didn't have linked booking to QC, Travel agent error).
Was told that business class didn't automatically get into the QC, and had to produce card from wallet.
Anyone else had such an experince?
​

They are an interesting breed indeed. Although, BA seems to have the fiercest ones in the kingdom!

For domestic Qantas, Business class doesn't get you QC entry unless it is part of an international itinerary. For some airlines it does, but not with Qantas. The exception is domestic legs of International flights (EG QF SYD-MEL leaving Syd T1). Qantas may be changing the rules sometime soon - I think they were looking into it, but that plan may be shelved now that the Ozjet threat has been neutered.

 

[aus_flyer]

Apparently, there is a way to "select your own status" with BA's on-line systems. I have not seen it myself, but have been told by others that it can be done. Perhaps this is why BA does not believe what is on the BP.

That is exactly the problem I had with the BA dragons!!

 

[aus_flyer]

Has anyone had a boarding pass print an incorrect status?

Yes, and strangely enough it actually happened with Qantas - that is, I had Platinum status with QF and yet my QF boarding pass printed Gold.

I realised the error as soon as I was handed my boarding pass, and asked the check-in agent to correct it. They couldn't work out why it happened. However, the best explaination is that at the time you make a booking on the QF website, it "grabs" your status and attaches it to the booking. Then, unless it is "refreshed" at checkin, the old status is shown.

Doesn't gel with my understanding of booking systems, but I guess it kind of makes sense (in an illogical sort of way)

 

[NM]

Lounge dragons are an interesting breed. In business (Perth to Brisbane) walked in and showed bording pass (Didn't have linked booking to QC, Travel agent error).
Was told that business class didn't automatically get into the QC, and had to produce card from wallet.
Anyone else had such an experince?
​

The agent was 100% correct. Domestic business class travel does not entitle you to Qantas Club lounge access (except in conjunction with international business/first class itinieraty). So the agent was right to ask to see your card.

 

[coco50]

Yes, and strangely enough it actually happened with Qantas - that is, I had Platinum status with QF and yet my QF boarding pass printed Gold.

I realised the error as soon as I was handed my boarding pass, and asked the check-in agent to correct it. They couldn't work out why it happened. However, the best explaination is that at the time you make a booking on the QF website, it "grabs" your status and attaches it to the booking. Then, unless it is "refreshed" at checkin, the old status is shown.

Doesn't gel with my understanding of booking systems, but I guess it kind of makes sense (in an illogical sort of way)

I have had the reverse to this. I had flown from MEL to SIN in late Sep '04. QF FF anniversary was 30 SEP. Flew back to MEL 4th Oct and technically should have been reduced to Gold but on check-in had Plat printed on the BP. First class lounge was nice. Logged in to QF FF page to see if the error in status was in the system, but sadly there I was, reduced to gold. I think you are right about the status "grab" when you book.

 

[freqbugsmasher]

Thanks NM and Mal for that. First time in the pointy end of the plane and wasn't sure what to expect in regards to lounge access etc, that's why I asked the question.

Found it much better than the Cessna breed of AC that i usually fly in for work.

 

[raccoon111]

For domestic Qantas, Business class doesn't get you QC entry unless it is part of an international itinerary...The exception is domestic legs of International flights (EG QF SYD-MEL leaving Syd T1).

Does this mean non-QP members travelling in Business Class on domestic legs of international flights (itinerary solely within Austraila) get QP access?

 

[v8Statesman]

Does this mean non-QP members travelling in Business Class on domestic legs of international flights (itinerary solely within Austraila) get QP access?

The question I was always asked was are you on an international flight today.

 

[serfty]

Does this mean non-QP members travelling in Business Class on domestic legs of international flights (itinerary solely within Austraila) get QP access?

There have been some conflicting reports on this but I know of at least two people who did this on a regular basis.

They were Ansett Top upper echelon elite when that world came tumbling down. Rather than join QP they simply travelled on J international flights as much as possible and used the Business lounge. One of their favorites was the old QF21 evening MEL-SYD flight. After a few months they became SG and the point was moot.

 

[oz_mark]

There have been some conflicting reports on this but I know of at least two people who did this on a regular basis.

They were Ansett Top upper echelon elite when that world came tumbling down. Rather than join QP they simply travelled on J international flights as much as possible and used the Business lounge. One of their favorites was the old QF21 evening MEL-SYD flight. After a few months they became SG and the point was moot.

I've taken an international flight between SYD and MEL so I get to go into the first class lounge

 

[NM]

Does this mean non-QP members travelling in Business Class on domestic legs of international flights (itinerary solely within Austraila) get QP access?

So long as the international sectors are in First or Business class, then yes you have access on the domestic sectors (even if the domestic sectors are in economy). You will need to show your international First or Business Class ticket or boarding pass to be entitled to entry.

It does not need to be the same day, but technically does not need to be the same itinerary. So you can't use a Business Class boarding pass from a previous trip to gain lounge access on a different trip. However, I would not be surprised if some people have bent that rule in the past. Certainly of the International premium cabin boarding pass was on the same day but a different PNR, I would expect you would be granted access since it is fairly obvious you are on the same trip.

In my experience, Qantas Club staff are generally good at knowing the access rules and applying them correctly. They don't seem to have the same attitude as BA who tend to use the theory that you are not allowed in unless you can jump through all their hoops and align all your proof to the satisfactions of the agent applying their own interpretation of the BA rules.

 

[NM]

I've taken an international flight between SYD and MEL so I get to go into the first class lounge

I think you might find that since SYD and MEL are both in Australia (yes, I know MEL is "south of the boarder") that it is in fact a domestic flight. That is why your boarding pass has a big orange D sticker on it.

 

[serfty]

I've taken an international flight between SYD and MEL so I get to go into the first class lounge

Me too... because I am WP.

The point I was making was that these guys had no status that entitled them to lounge access (i.e. QF NB then QF PS).

They gained Business lounge access on the international flights because they were flying in J class from the international terminal on a QF flight number less than 400.

Whether this was within the policy guidelines or or not is moot.

 

[oz_mark]

I think you might find that since SYD and MEL are both in Australia (yes, I know MEL is "south of the boarder") that it is in fact a domestic flight. That is why your boarding pass has a big orange D sticker on it.

Pedant

I have taken a domestic leg of a flight with a number below QF400....