Which is the cheapest/best value Lounge Access program

[saltaxa]

Dear community,
This is my first post on frequentflyer so I apologise if this question has already been answered previously.
My question is which airline program should I join for the best lounge access both direct(?) and reciprocal.
I am baulking at the excessive cost of the Qantas Club - but was considering joining the AA Admirals Club(about $300 less). Will this allow access to the Qantas Club in Australia(Domestic and International) as well? The other option I considered is Priority Pass (USD 249) for better worldwide coverage. I would mostly be using lounges in Australia and travelling on One World Airlines overseas. Any suggestions/tips or info on a cheaper/better option would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

[moa999]

How much travel and in what order?
What classes, is it mainly Australia or mainly international?

Does your work have a group QF program, or can you join a group membership. There is/is planned an AFF one - these are much cheaper than retail.

If you make QF Gold/ AA Plat (One World Emerald) you get comp OW lounge access anyway

 

[saltaxa]

Aubs,thanks for the reply.
Mostly in Australia + some US. My main use would be Qantas Domestic lounges .

All my travel is Economy class.

Unfortunately I'm only a lowly Bronze QFF.

No program offered through work.

Any thoughts?

 

[moa999]

Well PP won't help you.

AC may,
would also look at this thread: http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/community/airport-lounges/need-find-qantas-9333-16.html?highlight=qantas+club+group
which requires a subscription to this site:
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/cmps_index.php?page=membership

 

[Shano]

Qantas Club membership will get you access to BA and AA lounges when flying QF/BA/AA but will not get you lounge access (or other OW benefits such as J check-in) from other OW airlines.

As I understand it, flying Y you would need to do 50,000 BIS miles per calendar year to maintain AA Platinum (OW Sapphire / QF Gold) or do 60 segments per calendar year. Something for you to consider with respect to how much flying you think you will do. As a QFF Bronze, your level of flying would need to increase significantly to achieve any status.

A moderate amount of Y flying may get you across the line to QF Gold (it did for me), which includes free QC membership. If you estimate you would do enough flying for QF gold then this would be a better option than paid QC membership as you would get J lounge access when flying on any OW airline.

The downside is the lack of lounge access while qualifying.

Another option would be to complete the AA Platinum challenge to gain OW Sapphire status and lounge access much sooner, and then credit flights to QF to achieve / maintain QF gold. Maintaining QF gold will probably be easier than maintaining AA Plat, although burn rates are nowhere near as good on QF as AA.

Don't know much about Priority Pass.

I also did not think that AC membership gained access to QC's but may be wrong on this. Sorry, it appears that AC members do get access - should have known this given QC members can access AC's.

From the AA site: "Access to over 30 additional international lounges operated by airline partner, Qantas."

And welcome to AFF

 

[simongr]

There is also the "corporate" program for QP membership on this site...

 

[Petch]

PRIORITY PASS – stay loyal to your company’s bottom line, while still getting into the lounges.

INTERNATIONALLY, heaps of lounge locations, enabling greater ability to combine Best Fare on the Day flying with lounge access.

DOMESTICALLY, access the Virgin Blue Lounge, prior to flying on ANY domestic airline. Again, great flexibility for Best Fare on the Day S.E Oz flying, regardless of whether you are on Jetstar, Tiger, Qantas, Rex or Virgin Blue itself!

Follow the links that regularly appear in advertising on AFF and while it won’t cost you any extra, I assume it will earn this website some referral money. US$399 per year no more to pay, unless you are accompanied by a guest, then US$27 per guest entrance (limit of one per visit).

In the States, American Express is starting to bundle Priority Pass and Admirals Club access included on its top tier cards, which is just about perfect. But I wouldn’t hold my breath for something similar in Australia.

 

[NM]

Is AAdmirals Club membership really cheaper than Qantas Club membership? If so, then it must be due to the recent change on exchange rates. There are lots of AA flyers in the USA who purchase Qantas Club membership because they found it was cheaper than buying AAdmirals Club membership, and of course the Qantas Club membership ensures they get drinks vouchers when visiting the AAdmirals Club lounges.

 

[serfty]

... of course the Qantas Club membership ensures they get drinks vouchers when visiting the AAdmirals Club lounges.

This may be a major factor in choosing a QP membership over AC for many AAdvantage punters.

 

[NM]

This may be a major factor in choosing a QP membership over AC for many AAdvantage punters.

I am sure it has influenced more than just a few towards the Qantas Club option . Hmm, so would that mean they are lounging under the influence?