Using BA Gold + QF Gold on Qatar Airways Economy – What’s the smartest way to maximise benefits + earn Qantas Status Credits?

[MJJWatto]

Hi all,

I’m hoping for some guidance from people who’ve navigated mixed-status travel on Qatar Airways.

I’ve got a run of Qatar economy flights coming up: SYD–DOH–LHR, LHR–DOH–JRO, and JRO–DOH–SYD (all separate tickets). I’m currently BA Gold (oneworld Emerald) and Qantas Gold (oneworld Sapphire).

Here’s what I want to achieve on these flights:

1. Use BA Gold to access Qantas First check-in and the QF First Lounge at Sydney, and to get the oneworld Emerald baggage allowance and priority handling. (Key is to attain extra baggage)
2. BUT I need the flights to earn Qantas Status Credits, not BA Avios/Tier Points. Status Credits are the main priority.
3. I know that lounge access can be granted by just showing the BA Gold card, but the actual benefits (luggage, priority boarding, status credits) depend on the FF number linked to the booking at the time of travel.
4. I also know once you check in, most airlines lock self-service changes to the FF number — but my understanding is agents can override it before boarding.?

My current thinking:

• Put my BA Gold number in the booking before check-in at SYD to get the full Emerald treatment.
• After clearing security, find a Qatar Airways service desk airside and ask them to switch the FF number from BA to Qantas for the actual flight crediting.
• That should allow me to keep the Emerald perks (granted at check-in), while earning Qantas Status Credits (which are based on the FF number at the time the flight departs).

Questions for the community:

• Is this the best/cleanest way to do it?
• Has anyone successfully done BA→QF FF number swaps with Qatar between check-in and boarding?
• Is there a reliable Qatar Airways desk airside at SYD T1 where this can be done?
• Any pitfalls I should be aware of to ensure the status credits & points post to Qantas?

Appreciate any practical experiences or insights. This is the first time I’ve needed to juggle Emerald for benefits + Qantas for Status Credits on QR economy, so I want to make sure I don’t get caught by system quirks.

Thanks in advance.