Qantas Lounge Pass Access Denied Almost Everywhere

[Quickstatus]

Unable to get more granular in detail.

If 10 why not also 100?, 200?. (ie pick an number any number)

 

[Port Power]

QF Club passes can be used QF "operated" International J lounges. LAX Int business lounge is operated by QF - according to QF.

@terryforsyth :QFClub comp passes can be used with QF and JQ flights with a QF and JQ flight numbers. So not sure why you can't access QF Brisbane International Lounge.

In other words
JQ passengers with QC passes can use
"Qantas international business lounge"
"Qantas international lounge"
"The Qantas Club"

Note the actual names of the lounges which are reflected in the QF website

However the T&C also says that it is in the discretion of the lounge to refuse entry on capacity control reasons.

@terryforsyth did write that he could access BNE. "NOWHERE worked except Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne." Initially he only wanted Bali, not realising that there is no Qantas lounge there. It appears he is able to access BNE prior to departure. Nice.

 

[coyote25]

Maybe it’s time for Qantas to have a more simple approach and message ‘Only for use in Qantas Lounges located in Australia (subject to capacity limits)’.

I know that takes out a few overseas QF Lounges but there aren’t that many and it keeps to clearer for people getting these passes, which has included me.

They could even just say ‘Only for use at Qantas Lounges when flying domestically’ although I don’t think they need to go that far of only domestic use.

QF, and there partners giving out these passes, need to think about setting expectations better so there is less disappointment.

Right now people are expecting lounge access before their Qantas and Jetstar flights and in many cases, like from LAX, it’s not allowed. Sure there are the rules and limitations in the T&Cs but people are missing those, try using the KISS principle maybe and have it printed/listed on one sentence of the pass?

 

[Quickstatus]

Maybe it’s time for Qantas to have a more simple approach

.
They had “simpler, fairer” when they wanted to rejig FF points earn a few years 2017??. But it was really only “simpler, fairer” FOR the airline as they cut FF point earn for certain fares.

Doesn’t have to be “simpler, fairer” but actually a legal requirement of advertising to be truthful/accurate

 

[coyote25]

.
They had “simpler, fairer” when they wanted to rejig FF points earn a few years 2017??. But it was really only “simpler, fairer” FOR the airline as they cut FF point earn for certain fares.

Doesn’t have to be “simpler, fairer” but actually a legal requirement of advertising to be truthful/accurate

That’s more accurate what you are saying.

BTW I’m only suggesting the above as it is basically working that way anyway I’d prefer these passes work at partner lounges before any QF or Jetstar flight but obviously they don’t want to pay for that.

Technically the current T&Cs cover these restrictions but why have people frustrated when trying to link to bookings or accessing on the day.

I suspect a lot of people what to use lounges more for big overseas flights but the reality is there isn’t much change from outside Australia

 

[Quickstatus]

why have people frustrated when trying to link to bookings

Multiple issues causing frustration for customers. They did have the benefit for all Covid to rethink all of their processes line by line and come up with something better.
Hindsight is always 20/20 though

 

[coyote25]

This remains of a bit in Seinfeld about ‘You know how to take reservation but not how to reserve the car’ in this case happy to sell the access (the QC pass) but not how to give people the access, or in short ‘we got the revenue who cares (we don’t) what comes next!’

 

[RooFlyer]

.
They had “simpler, fairer” when they wanted to rejig FF points earn a few years 2017??. But it was really only “simpler, fairer” FOR the airline as they cut FF point earn for certain fares.

Doesn’t have to be “simpler, fairer” but actually a legal requirement of advertising to be truthful/accurate

Beat me to it. The airline could be more transparent but management are either clueless or couldn't care less. Similar to the T&Sc for its various promos - we spend pages and pages in trying to figure out what's in and what's out because of ambiguous writing. The T&Cs do change from time to time, so they are attending to them, but somehow still manage to be ambiguous - and so likely to unnecessarily disappoint some people.

 

[Quickstatus]

ambiguous

Generous. In the case of hiding a lounge eligibility exclusion behind a redemption portal rather that stating it outrightin the visible exclusion section which had all the other exclusions.

To be clear for others the exclusions in the redemption portal is only visible AFTER a complimentary pass is obtained and AFTER the Credit card product is purchased. Not visible in the T&C of the CC or QC BEFORE obtaining the pass and BEFORE CC product purchase

 

[RichardMEL]

My sister used a pass this morning at MEL.

There's probably more than most of us think. so many CC's give them out yearly, plus silver members with their comp pass, and others getting them various ways (not including the P1 and Titanium passes good for dom J/int F lounges - far fewer of those of course).

Remember those with status/lounge memberships are still a relatively small % of the overall flying public. There's lots of people out there that do want and use them.

Remember when the passes were paper and a lot of "envelopes" were for sale on various sites that just happened to have a pass or thee thrown in them, or even for the non sale type look at the interest in these forums when generous members offer up their lounge passes for use by others. Usually gone very quickly.

Now sure, probably as a percentage of total pax through a big lounge like SYD/MEL/BNE, guest passes per day are probably quite small, but in numbers they may surprise (I have no actual data of course to back this up of course.. )

Many of us with status or QC memberships who take it all a bit for granted are possibly a bit removed from these issues

 

[stm1sydney]

She has no firm views regarding QF but this incident left her fuming and i wonder if QF loyalty have considered this? Someone has a pass and is then told, sorry the computer says no! This isn't smart business and the brand damage is entirely self inflicted and predictable.

Qantas knows exactly what they are doing, they've been getting away with cutting costs and providing awful service and products for over 20 years but customers keep coming back.

 

[Quickstatus]

customers keep coming back.

Like an abusive relationship

 

[HSB44]

Is virgin better with their lounge availability for free passes?

 

[Ade]

Is virgin better with their lounge availability for free passes?

If my memory serves right, VA passes are not transferrable.

 

[MaureenV]

Don't have the hang of quoting here, yet.

We would probably fit into the category of people using complimentary passes to our advantage. Difference between us and others is that we've only been able to start travelling extensively since we retired five years ago. Did our first couple of long haul in economy then decided if our ageing bodies were going to enjoy the travel, we had to head to the front of the plane. All of our travel is during school term. (Hallelujah, felt like those days would never come.)

I don't care about lie flat if it's ten hours during the day, and need to ration our points a bit to make the most of them. So ... BC CR Qantas back from Singapore, but basic Business Jetstar on the way over, and used our complimentary Qantas passes for the lounge in Melbourne on our way out, and obviously the lounge on the way back.

Next up is Vietnam in a few weeks, Vietnam airlines, over in PE (day) and back BC (overnight). Will use our Amex lounge passes on the way over, and obviously get the lounge on the way back.

Planning Japan early next year, already got the BC CR seats from Narita to Melbourne. Going over will be Jetstar business as we specifically want to go into Osaka. Again we'll get the basic business as we will again have complimentary Qantas lounge passes for the Melbourne departure.

It definitely takes some thought and planning, but my retired nerdy accountant brain needs to keep amused somehow, and I quite enjoy the logistics involved.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes understand a bit more now.
Might just use it in Brisbane I guess and it does look pretty good anyway.
Thanks for your help

Yeah, BNE for the outbound. Leaving Bali there might be a paid lounge available. They used to be quite inexpensive, like under USD30 for entry. Dunno if that’s changed post covid with lots of people travelling.

 

[Port Power]

Don't have the hang of quoting here, yet.

We would probably fit into the category of people using complimentary passes to our advantage. Difference between us and others is that we've only been able to start travelling extensively since we retired five years ago. Did our first couple of long haul in economy then decided if our ageing bodies were going to enjoy the travel, we had to head to the front of the plane. All of our travel is during school term. (Hallelujah, felt like those days would never come.)

I don't care about lie flat if it's ten hours during the day, and need to ration our points a bit to make the most of them. So ... BC CR Qantas back from Singapore, but basic Business Jetstar on the way over, and used our complimentary Qantas passes for the lounge in Melbourne on our way out, and obviously the lounge on the way back.

Next up is Vietnam in a few weeks, Vietnam airlines, over in PE (day) and back BC (overnight). Will use our Amex lounge passes on the way over, and obviously get the lounge on the way back.

Planning Japan early next year, already got the BC CR seats from Narita to Melbourne. Going over will be Jetstar business as we specifically want to go into Osaka. Again we'll get the basic business as we will again have complimentary Qantas lounge passes for the Melbourne departure.

It definitely takes some thought and planning, but my retired nerdy accountant brain needs to keep amused somehow, and I quite enjoy the logistics involved.

Welcome to AFF. I’m glad you can keep your brain sharp with planning and routes. That’s the fun of having the time to do so.

Abbreviations: I think BC means business class, otherwise known on AFF as J.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

MaureenV, just make sure you open your eyes in regards to QF Qantas/QFF Qantas Frequent
Flyer, and JQ Jetstar.
They used to be very good, but a lot of things have let them down.
Personally, I met a "something" when I tried too check in for my QFd flight, BNE - ADL on the app, my booking on there couldn't be found.
The app had lost my booking.
Lucky, I had the PNR (the alphabet numerical 6 alphanumerical code) stored elsewhere, and was able to long into my QFF account to check in.
If you read what happens on here, as related by others, and in the news too, you will see that QF is not all its made up to be.
JQ (Jetstar) is the same, lots of people do not like the airline, there is even a website that say, "don'tflyjetstar).
QF Qantas has cut to the bone, staff wise.
If everything goes according as to plan, well and good, but if anything goes wrong, QF leaves you to your own devices.
All to do with cost cutting by AJ Alan Joyce.

 

[MaureenV]

@Port Power thanks for the welcome! Yes, I resorted to using BC on the multiple Facebook FF groups I'm in to avoid the inevitable, 'what's J?' from those new to it all. Will remember to use J here.

 

[MaureenV]

@AustraliaPoochie , yes, thankyou, have been following all of the Facebook FF threads and some of the stores are horrendous. Some people are still waiting on refunds from 2020. We were lucky, our Jetstar for Japan fully refunded in a few days, Finnair right on the 8 x weeks they promised.

Despite being Bronze, we managed J return from Singapore with QF, but of course one way fares on preimium airlines are $$$, so it was $3000 J Singapore or Qantas, or $550 'business' on Jetstar. Knowing their reputation I had a quick check each of the days it was due to fly, and it never got cancelled. No probs flight over or back, but did put AirTags in our luggage just so we'd know where they were if they didn't turn up.

I had my own VERY minor issue with Qantas, changed the flight by half an hour (trivial) but said they'd send us a new e-ticket. When it didn't arrive I called, got told 'when you accept the changes ...', three times, each time me saying that the email said we didn't have to do anything. Fortunately the next person knew what they were doing and we had the correct eticket. I've heard so many stories of flights being altered by other airlines, that people have booked through Qantas, where it's just dropped off their booking. It think it was news to a lot of people that just because the booking's on your account, that doesn't mean you've got a seat on the flight!

We're not ready for long haul yet, given most luggage issues seem to happen with transit, so it's one leg, till things settle down. That's why Singapore and Vietnam rather than Europe this year. We're a bit too old to roll with the punches the way we might have done 20 years ago.

Will be interested to see how our Vietnam Airlines flights go.