Fiji Airways' new Tabua Club Plus program gives Qantas lounge access

Fiji Airways’ most frequent flyers will soon get access to Qantas, American Airlines, British Airways and Cathay Pacific lounges following upgrades to Fiji’s Tabua Club program, as part of the airline’s upcoming Oneworld Connect partnership and the introduction of a new Tabua Club Plus tier.

It works like this: a traveller first needs to join the paid Tabua Club scheme – which already provides lounge access when flying with Fiji Airways, among other benefits – and after earning 20 ‘credits’ from Fiji Airways flights within a single membership year, they’ll be upgraded to Tabua Club Plus, with expanded lounge access and other perks.

From July 16 2018, Tabua Club members will fetch 0.25 credits per Fiji domestic flight (including on Fiji Link services), 1 credit per one-way international economy flight, and 2 credits per one-way international business class flight.

An Australian passenger could earn 20 ‘credits’ by taking two return business class trips from Australia to the United States via Fiji (such as to Honolulu, Los Angeles or San Francisco), giving 16 credits, plus an additional return business class trip from Australia to Fiji, for the four final credits needed.

Standard Tabua Club membership costs FJD$799 (A$519) in the first year and FJD$699 (A$454) to renew, but once you’ve qualified for the Tabua Club Plus tier – providing extra benefits at no additional cost – the price to renew your Tabua Club card reduces to FJD$599 (A$388).

Importantly, travellers can continue earning Qantas Points and status credits when travelling with Fiji Airways, while also holding a Tabua Club membership and earning ‘credits’ for a potential bump to Tabua Club Plus membership from those same flights.

Simply provide your Qantas Frequent Flyer number when joining the Tabua Club program (or, your American Airlines AAdvantage or Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan number, if you prefer), and continue linking your frequent flyer number to your Fiji Airways flight bookings as normal:

When you travel, Fiji Airways can then automatically track the ‘credits’ you’re earning in the airline’s own Tabua Club program, while also awarding you points and status credits in your preferred frequent flyer program, allowing you to ‘double dip’.

However, the airlines are yet to announce exactly which Qantas, AA, BA and Cathay Pacific lounges a Tabua Club Plus membership will provide access to, along with the ‘start date’ for this benefit, which is currently planned to kick off some time in Q4 2018.

Other benefits of Tabua Club Plus status with these Oneworld airlines will also include business class check-in and priority boarding, once Fiji Airways’ Oneworld Connect partnership comes into play.

When travelling with Fiji Airways from July 16 2018, Tabua Club Plus cardholders will be eligible for one complimentary flight upgrade per year when renewing their Tabua Club membership, a boosted baggage allowance of up to 55kg in business class and 38kg in economy, and will get the highest priority when requesting a paid upgrade via Fiji Airways’ Bula Bid system.

Fiji Airways flies non-stop from its Nadi hub to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide, and to Sydney from Fiji’s national capital, Suva, with its broader network including New Zealand, Asia, North America and Pacific Island destinations.

Also read: Fiji Airways Boeing 737 business class review (Brisbane-Nadi)

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.