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Business Class passengers departing from Australia on Oneworld airlines other than Qantas are being refused access to the Qantas First Lounges, despite the Qantas Business Lounges being closed indefinitely. In fact, passengers departing from most Australian airports in Business Class on airlines such as Qatar Airways, American Airlines or Cathay Pacific do not currently have access to any lounges at all.
Meanwhile, some Oneworld airlines including Japan Airlines and Malaysia Airlines are sending their Business Class passengers to the inferior Plaza Premium Lounge at Sydney Airport. This is in lieu of Qantas lounge access.
Oneworld lounge access rules
Passengers flying in Business Class on a Oneworld alliance airline can normally access any Business Lounge operated by another Oneworld airline before departure. But all of Qantas’ international Business Lounges in Australia are currently closed.
Qantas’ First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne are currently open. Under the Oneworld lounge access rules, anyone flying in First Class on a Oneworld airline would have access to the Qantas international First Lounges. Anyone with Oneworld Emerald status (including Qantas Platinum or Platinum One status) would also enjoy First Lounge access when flying with a Oneworld airline in any class of travel.
Qantas is letting most of its own passengers into the First Lounge
While the airline’s international Business Lounges remain closed, Qantas is allowing its Gold frequent flyers, Qantas Club members and Business Class passengers on its own flights into the First Lounges.
Passengers booked on Qantas codeshare flights (with a “QF” flight number) operated by partner airlines, if they would normally have Business Lounge access, are also being welcomed into the First Lounge. (This assumes the Qantas First Lounge is open – which is currently only the case in the hours prior to the departure of a Qantas-operated international flight.)
But this invitation is not being extended to Business Class passengers or Oneworld Sapphire frequent flyers (including Qantas Gold members) travelling out of Australia on other Oneworld airlines. These passengers would ordinarily be entitled to Qantas Business Lounge access, but the international Qantas Business Lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane airports are currently closed. Therefore, no lounge access is offered at all.
Qantas is also currently not offering access to customers using complimentary Qantas lounge invitations at any of its international lounges in Australia. (These invitations are also not currently accepted at the Gold Coast Qantas Club, for some reason.)
Alternatives for passengers on Oneworld airlines
Last week, an AFF member flew out of Sydney on a Japan Airlines Business Class ticket. Despite being told to go to the Qantas First Lounge at check-in, they were denied entry. (To make matters worse, the Qantas staff told this person that it was because Japan Airlines is not a Oneworld member airline – which is incorrect.)
As an alternative, Japan Airlines Business Class passengers in Sydney currently have access to the much smaller Plaza Premium Lounge. This is the same for Malaysia Airlines passengers.
But Qatar Airways Business Class passengers in Sydney are only being offered $50 worth of food vouchers in lieu of access to any airport lounge.
Star Alliance and SkyTeam lounge access in Australia
In Sydney and Melbourne, Business Class customers and Star Alliance Gold members flying on Star Alliance airlines can enjoy access to the Singapore Airlines lounges (during the hours they are open). This includes eligible passengers on Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, ANA, Air New Zealand or Asiana. But the Singapore Airlines lounges at other Australian airports including Brisbane are currently closed.
Meanwhile, the SkyTeam Lounge at Sydney’s international terminal is currently closed, but all eligible passengers are being allowed into the neighbouring Plaza Premium Lounge.
In Melbourne, the unaffiliated Marhaba Lounge is also open. So too is The House lounge in Sydney, which is even now accepting Priority Pass (with a $20 surcharge if you want access to the a la carte food menu, premium alcohol and showers).
The Emirates, Air New Zealand and American Express lounges at Sydney and Melbourne airports remain closed for the time being.
You can leave a comment or discuss this topic on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum.
