Does anyone know of an Asian or Middle Eastern airline that has a program similar to Qantas Club?

8 replies

Jono

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Jan 2013

Total posts 108

Does anyone know of an Asian or Middle Eastern airline that has a program similar to Qantas Club? If Virgin Australia had a better international lounge network, I'd join in an instant.

It's mostly a good international network and reciprocation I'm after. Like how you can use Qantas lounges if you are flying Qantas, Emirates, JetStar or American Airlines.

moa999

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 02 Jul 2011

Total posts 835

If you simply want lounge access, you are probably better looking at Priority Pass - which outside Australia has pretty good coverage.

Paid lounge programs from airlines are really the domain of the US and Australian airlines.

Elsewhere the lounges are pretty much reserved for First and Business passengers, or elite frequent flyer members.

Jono

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Jan 2013

Total posts 108

Thanks moa999,

I've used Priority Pass in the past and it's worked well. The only issue you can run into is if the lounge is on a different terminal then your departing flight, as you are aparently not allowed airside in international terminals you aren't departing from.

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

Not that I know of.

For the Asian mob like CX, SQ, MH, TG, JL, NH, CZ, etc., none of them have paid club memberships like QP. In fact, CX requires you to pay to earn status credits, and SQ has one of the world's stingiest FFPs.

I also believe that the Middle Eastern bunch, e.g. don't have paid-club programs either.

In fact, I'm inclined to think that the only paid-club program outside the States is actually QP, and it's probably the best one to boot for reciprocation and international network (especially when there was reciprocal access with BA), as most of the Stateside ones seem to mostly be internal.

So yeah, QP is actually an exception rather than the rule - so no, I really can't find an equivalent Asian/Middle Eastern program.

Jono

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Jan 2013

Total posts 108

Thanks watson374,

It seems odd that CX would ask for extra cash to earn status credits. I thought they were to be used as a tool for encouraging more business.

watson374

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 17 Aug 2012

Total posts 1,285

Marco Polo Club apparently has some nominal fee. I think it's a one-off joining fee of USD 50.

PeterLoh

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 May 2012

Total posts 356

I'm not aware of any Paid Lounge Membership offered by Asian or Middle Eastern carriers.

 

However, United & Air Canada have paid memberships which allow you to access any Star Alliance Gold lounge (when travelling on Star Alliance), as stated on the Star Alliance website:

Eligible Paid Lounge Membership Customers have access to any Star Alliance member carriers' owned Business Class lounges2.

However, you'd be better off trying the acheive Gold status with Aegean airlines (the cheapest/easiest way) which will give you the same lounge access.
 
 
Similarly, American Airlines offer paid lounge membership but that would be superfluous to your Qantas Club membership.

Jono

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 Jan 2013

Total posts 108

Hi Peter,

Thanks for the heads up. Air Canada's option looks good. For $665 CAD you get access to what looks to be a generous chunk of StarAlliance lounges. (I especcially like how I may be able to choose from SG, NZ and UA lounges at Melbourne international) as UA's lounge is a little below par.

I wasn't able to see if the $550 USD United Club membership would get me the same worldwide acceptance as the Air Canada one.

PeterLoh

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 25 May 2012

Total posts 356

Unfortunately I do not have any experience with either of these paid United Club or Maple Lounge memberships, but I'd suggest that AC would be more widely accepted as you've found.

Another alternative with be Priority Pass membership, which may fit your flying patterns better as it doesn't restrict access based on the airline you're flying.

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