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South America’s LATAM Airlines left the Oneworld alliance in 2020. But it remains a partner airline of Qantas, and Qantas flyers can still receive certain benefits when flying with LATAM.
This guide explains the current LATAM Airlines partnership for Qantas Frequent Flyer members.
Contents
Earning and redeeming Qantas points on LATAM Airlines
Qantas Frequent Flyer members can continue to earn points when flying with LATAM Airlines in an eligible fare class. But no status credits are earned unless you’ve booked a Qantas codeshare flight with a “QF” flight number.
When flying LATAM Airlines from Australia to New Zealand or South America, you’ll earn more points if you book the “QF” codeshare service. Qantas codeshares are also available on a small handful of routes between Santiago and other destinations in South America, such as Lima or Rio de Janeiro.
You can also redeem Qantas points to book LATAM Airlines flights. That’s useful if you want to travel to or within South America. LATAM Airlines has had pretty good Economy and Business award availability between Australia, New Zealand and Chile lately!
Great Credit Cards for Earning Qantas Points
- Card Name
- Qantas American Express Ultimate
- Earn
- 1.25
- Signup Bonus
-
60,000 bonus Qantas Points
Apply by 28th May 2024
- Annual Fee
- $450 p.a.
- Read more
- Read the guide
Qantas Frequent Flyer Qantas Points on everyday purchases
- Card Name
- NAB Qantas Rewards Signature
- Earn
- 1
- Signup Bonus
-
Up to 120,000 Qantas Points
- Annual Fee
- $295 p.a. for the first year, $395 p.a. thereafter
- Read more
- Read the guide
Qantas Frequent Flyer Qantas Points on everyday purchases
- Card Name
- Qantas Premier Platinum
- Earn
- 1
- Signup Bonus
-
Up to 80,000 bonus Qantas Points
Apply by 01st May 2024
- Annual Fee
- $349 for the first year and $399 p.a. ongoing
- Read more
- Read the guide
Qantas Frequent Flyer Qantas Points on everyday purchases
Unfortunately, you can no longer use LATAM Airlines as part of a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward.
LATAM Airlines lounge access for Qantas Frequent Flyers
This is where things start to get a bit complicated. LATAM lounge access depends on the marketing airline for your flight, your status and/or your class of travel…
Flying on a LATAM codeshare flight with a “QF” flight number
If you’re booked on a Qantas-marketed flight (with a QF flight number) that is operated by LATAM Airlines, you’ll be able to use Qantas lounges as if you were flying on Qantas. This means you can use the Qantas lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Auckland if you have a Qantas Club membership or Gold, Platinum or Platinum One status with Qantas.
You can also use the same LATAM lounge in Santiago where Qantas sends its own passengers who are booked on QF28 (Qantas’ Santiago-Sydney flight) and are eligible for lounge access.
Flying on a LA flight number
Things work a bit differently if you’re on a flight that’s marketed and operated by LATAM Airlines. In other words, if you’re booked on a LATAM aircraft and your ticket has a LA flight number. (This also applies to LATAM flights with a LU, LP, XL, 4C or JJ flight number that are operated by one of the LATAM Group’s subsidiaries.)
Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold, Platinum and Platinum One members booked on LATAM-marketed flights can access lounges operated by LATAM (only). These are available in the following five airports:
- Bogotá
- Buenos Aires (Ezeiza International Airport)
- Miami
- Santiago (access is available to the LATAM Premium Lounge)
- São Paulo
Qantas Gold (and higher) frequent flyers can also bring one guest into LATAM lounges who is travelling on the same flight.
Unfortunately, Qantas status does not get you access to any lounges in Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland when flying LATAM on a “LA” flight number. (This is where Priority Pass membership could come in handy.)
Flying LATAM Airlines Business or Premium Economy
If you’re booked in LATAM Airlines Business Class, you’ll have access to both LATAM Airlines and third-party lounges as a benefit of your ticket.
Lounge access is also offered at most airports to LATAM passengers holding Platinum, Black or Black Signature status with the LATAM Pass program. And LATAM is one of few airlines to offer lounge access to Premium Economy passengers.
In Australia and New Zealand, LATAM Business Class passengers receive access to the following lounges:
- Auckland – Strata Lounge
- Melbourne – Qantas International Business Lounge
- Sydney – Qantas International Business Lounge
Other benefits for Qantas flyers travelling on LATAM Airlines
According to the Qantas website, there are no additional priority benefits available to Qantas frequent flyers booked on QF codeshare services operated by LATAM.
I recently flew with LATAM Airlines within South America as a Qantas Platinum, and I was assigned “group 5” boarding. I also was unable to access the priority check-in queue because the staff member at this particular airport in Brazil had never heard of Qantas. So, it doesn’t seem like LATAM is honouring other benefits for Qantas frequent flyers any more.
The reciprocal benefits for Qantas flyers were much easier to understand when LATAM was part of the Oneworld alliance. Nonetheless, Qantas and LATAM still offer lounge access to each others’ flyers at some airports. That’s obviously better than nothing!
