Qantas loosens the rules on first class lounge guests
Platinum-grade frequent flyers can now bring in a guest travelling on any Oneworld member airline flight.
By David Flynn, September 13 2019
It's long been a bit of an oddity: according to the rules, Qantas Platinum and Platinum One-grade frequent flyers have been able to bring a guest into the airline's first class lounges at Sydney, Melbourne and Los Angeles only if that guest was travelling on the same flight as their host.
However, according to Oneworld alliance, to which Qantas belongs, any Oneworld Emerald member – the equivalent to Qantas Platinum – can bring a guest into any first class lounge as long as that guest is travelling on any flight "operated and marketed by a Oneworld carrier."
Staff at the Qantas First Lounges have generally been very flexible in following the more generous Oneworld interpretation rather than the airline's own.
However, it's worth noting that Qantas has now officially changed its own lounge access rules to clarify that position and formally follow Oneworld's lead when it comes to who you can bring into the first class lounge as a guest.
So, if you're a Platinum-grade Qantas Frequent Flyer heading back to Sydney from Los Angeles while a less status-blessed colleague in business class is headed to Hong Kong on a Cathay Pacific flight, you can now both make a beeline for the Qantas First Lounge at LAX.
Two caveats remain in the amended Qantas lounge access rules: if you're flying on Jetstar or Emirates, then your guest must also be travelling on that same flight. This reflects the fact that neither of those airlines is a Oneworld alliance member.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Mar 2014
Total posts 133
This is awesome news!
13 Sep 2019
Total posts 2
Do you think a Plat FF could invite a guest flying on the same flight but not under a QF or Oneworld flight number?
My wife and I are flying on China Airlines to TPE but I booked through CI (therefore have CI flight number) while my wife (who is QF plat) booked through Qantas. Would I be able to go to the lounge with her?
I think if they are following the rules to a t then I would not be allowed, so perhaps my question is how much do the staff use their discretion, given in this case we are literally flying on the same plane.
05 May 2016
Total posts 634
Worth a try, I guess but I wouldn't expect it. Possibly more leeway for Platinum One FF.
01 Feb 2016
Total posts 6
Oneworld rules will only apply when the flight is marked and operated by a Oneworld carrier.
A QF#, operated by China Airlines won't qualify.
Far as QF and CI are concerned - you and your wife are on different flights.
Try your luck, but be prepared for the walk of shame when you're denied!
13 Sep 2019
Total posts 2
Thanks! fully prepared for the walk of shame but worth a shot!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Mar 2018
Total posts 11
I am surprised:
invited a friend in LAX F last May, he was traveling back to HKG with CX when I was on my way to MEL with obviously the Roo
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
12 Feb 2016
Total posts 21
Qantas get my bouquet on this one - their staff are normally flexible, i have been invited into the QF lounge on several occasions despite flying with a different alliance.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Sep 2018
Total posts 156
This isn't really a 'loosening of rules' per say but rather following the rules in my opinion.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Sep 2013
Total posts 1252
Agreed.
08 Jul 2017
Total posts 31
The new access webpage was introduced at the beginning of July - and contained the misinformation referred to. (Footnote of ²)
I noticed it has been fixed by August 16th when the footnote had been changed to ¹ .
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