Airports & Lounges

Airports and lounges are integral to the travel experience, offering comfort and convenience before your flight. From the Qantas Club to Virgin Australia lounges and tips for navigating airport lounges worldwide, this section has you covered. Find guides and reviews below to make the most of your airport time.

ID Checks at Australian Domestic Airports?

There have recently been calls to make identification checks mandatory for all passengers flying within Australia. The checks would be intended to prevent criminals from flying under a fake name. Booking a ticket using a false name is already a serious criminal offence. However, the introduction of online check-in and self-service kiosks means that it … Continued

The Absence of Third-Party Airport Lounges in Australia

For frequent flyers, airport lounges become a part of the travel experience that is almost as important as the flights themselves. Gold and Platinum Qantas & Virgin Australia flyers – and their equivalent in other frequent flyer programs – gain unlimited access to their airline’s lounges whenever they fly. But not everyone flies enough to … Continued

Lounge Makeover for Hobart Qantas Club

Qantas has just completed refurbishing its Hobart lounge. The lounge now features more seats and an improved menu, with the addition of toasted sandwiches. The increased seating has been made possible by removing the lounge’s Business Centre. The Hobart lounge is often regarded as one of the worst capital city lounges in the country due … Continued

Qantas Closes Bangkok Lounge

Qantas has permanently closed another of its Qantas Club airport lounges. Qantas Club members and other eligible customers flying from Bangkok are now being redirected to the Louis Tavern CIP Lounge in Concourse G. A number of members believe the change is a detrimental one as the CIP lounge is not up to the same … Continued

First Look: Virgin’s Brand New Perth Terminal

Virgin Australia is moving in Perth! From next Sunday, 22 November, Virgin domestic flights will depart from a brand new domestic pier attached to Terminal 1. This is an extension of Perth’s current international terminal. Our member scottz95 recently got a glimpse of the new terminal ahead of the official opening. This member has generously … Continued

World’s Best First Class Lounges

There are some incredible First Class airline lounges to be found in airports all over the world, from Sydney to Frankfurt and Hong Kong. But which is the world’s best? Our members are divided on the answer to this question. The popular Qantas First Class airport lounges in Sydney and Melbourne are often rated as … Continued

Pros & Cons of Qantas Club membership

Complimentary lounge access is an included benefit for frequent flyers with Gold or equivalent elite airline status. However for infrequent flyers who don’t fly enough to earn such status, there is an option to purchase lounge access. There are a number of programs, such as Priority Pass, that offer lounge access for a fee. For … Continued

Qantas Club access restricted for Admirals Club members

Admirals Club passes have, until now, offered a cheap alternative to purchasing Qantas Club membership. Under an agreement between Qantas and partner American Airlines, American Airlines Admirals Club members have been able to access Qantas lounges (and vice versa) any time they flew on one of each other’s flights. This has been particularly advantageous for … Continued

No thongs allowed in Qantas Club: A step too far?

The issue of minimum dress standards in the Qantas Club is proving a hot topic that has our members divided. Qantas recently began actively enforcing its long-standing Qantas Club dress code. Lounge entrants are now required to adhere to basic minimum dress standards. Items like thongs and singlets are off the list of allowed items … Continued

Gold Coast Airport to be upgraded… eventually

Regular flyers to the Gold Coast will be delighted to hear that the airport will finally be getting a much-needed upgrade… eventually. The airport, which still lacks aerobridges, will in time have its carpark, international terminal and domestic terminal upgraded, though we are yet to see the exact details. Good news is that the GC … Continued

Drink Refusal: Confusion in Qantas Club

One sober member this week was denied a fourth drink in the Qantas lounge due to the alleged enforcement of Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) rules. The RSA rule spruiked by the Qantas staffer was that they were not allowed to serve any more than three drinks in a ninety minute period. Qantas have defended … Continued