Qantas will now let low-tier frequent flyers purchase single-visit passes to its domestic and international airport lounges.
How much will a lounge pass cost?
Lounge passes will cost $49 (or 7,000 Qantas Points) for entry into domestic Qantas Club lounges; $69 (or 9,900 Qantas Points) for International Business Class lounges (such as Sydney, Melbourne and Los Angeles); and $99 (or 14,500 Qantas Points) for the new category of single-class Premium International lounges at Hong Kong and Singapore and, from March 2017, London).
Passes won't be sold for the more up-market first class lounges.
Want to luxe it up at LAX? That'll be $69, if you're flying outside of the peak period
The scheme is being introduced on a trial basis, with passes restricted to Bronze and Silver-grade Qantas Frequent Flyer members booked to travel at what Qantas describes as 'off-peak periods depending on the time, day and route, when there is capacity in the lounges.'
"Off-peak basically means when we know it will be quiet, based on our monitoring of loads and the schedule," a Qantas spokesperson explained to Australian Business Traveller.
For domestic lounges this will typically mean Qantas flights departing during the middle of the day on weekdays, except for school holidays and other peak travel seasons.
However, given that Qantas flights from the overseas international lounges at Los Angeles, Singapore and Hong Kong tend to leave around the same time, it's likely there will be very few invitations offered to those lounges.
Eligible flyers will receive an email invitation to purchase lounge access for themselves as well as their travelling companions between three and five days prior to travel.
The passes will be sold only online, and will not be available at the lounge itself on the day of travel.
Qantas is quick to address concerns that this could lead to over-crowding. "We regularly monitor lounge capacity so invitations to purchase a lounge access pass will only be made available during what we know are quiet times," the spokesperson said, adding that the trial is currently on-going.
"During the months ahead we're going to regularly monitor take-up to determine interest from recipients and importantly, capacity in the lounges to see if we need to make any further tweaks to the offer."
Qantas will control the number of invitations sent, and passes will be sold in limited amounts to avoid overcrowding.
In the event that substantial and widespread flight delays results in packed lounges which are at capacity, passengers who have purchased a one-off lounge access pass 'will be provided a refund if they cannot be accommodated'.
Meanwhile, over on eBay...
Qantas lounge passes are a popular item on eBay, despite the online auction-house's moves in early 2015 to block all listings for Qantas lounge passes, citing the company's policy on travel-related items which includes 'guest passes to airline lounges' among the 'travel-related incentives' which are not allowed to be sold on the site.
A quick search this afternoon on eBay Australia for 'Qantas lounge pass' revealed some two dozen listings at prices from $20 to upwards of $75.
Likewise, over a dozen cards were listed for sale through eBay's Aussie sibling Gumtree.
These 'complimentary' passes – typically issued as part of a Qantas credit card package – are valid for one visit to a domestic Qantas Club lounge or a Qantas-operated international business lounge when flying with either Qantas or Jetstar.
Read: These credit cards get you Qantas Club airport lounge access
Despite the cards declaring among their conditions that 'Invitations are not for resale', they're a popular item on eBay among occasional travellers looking to snare lounge access, especially before a long international flight.
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
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
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 319
As a Gold FF and former QC member before that I am always weary with this sort of thing. I would like to see a time limit put on it, someone can pay $49 or 7000 points to sit in a lounge for 8, 10 ,12 hours on a long connection. Many visits are one or two hours only and the lounge has limited value, why not just pay for the times when you know your connections have a long gap. Second I would like to see lounge access restricted for connections only, that way people can't just arrive half a day early and get on the booze, we have enough of that already.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2213
With the sheer number of travellers neglecting the basics like insurance, I wouldn't be so sure there are many people actually willing to part with $49 for a coffee, two boiled eggs and a toasted sandwich.
In SIN, the $99 would honestly be better spent on a swim and shower at the T1 hotel pool and an absolutely obscene dinner.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 101
Certainly agree with Watson374.
It means a very expensive Breakfast , who would want to pay $49 for Baked beans on Toast with a Latte on the side
Or if you imbibe thats a lot of liquid refreshment just to recoup the folding material
How many Singapore Slings would you get for $99
Best to use a Credit card that gives you free access to a contract lounge in Singapore
Selling space devalues the lounge experience, didnt Air NZ try that with some of their packages and then flagged it away?
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 593
yes i've used the AirNZ lounge at AKL when our incoming flight from LAX was late and we ended up in AKL for 8hrs...cheaper to pay the nz$42 than waste more than that on crappy airport food
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Feb 2013
Total posts 45
Was in QF Singapore longe a few weeks ago, they no longer serve Singapore Slings at the bar. Nice lady behind the bar said quite a few people who like getting the Sing Sling at the lounge, like me, were quite surprised, again like me.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Aug 2012
Total posts 2213
For $99 in SIN — it doesn't matter if it's SGD or AUD as we're at near-parity — you can get an airside swim and shower ($17) plus a very nice restaurant dinner ($20-30) and still have plenty of money left over to have a drink or three at one of the airside bars.
Qantas have cleverly priced the lounge visits to not be terribly worthwhile in ports like SYD, MEL, SIN and HKG, so you're really just a sucker buying their brand, which is pretty silly if you're already dropping hundreds on their flights.
30 Jun 2011
Total posts 49
Even better if you can pick up some 'Changi dollars' vouchers. I also don't really see the value in Q-pub tix.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Mar 2016
Total posts 9
This is intersting news, on one hand it would be a nice way to get into the lounge without the status, but it devalues it for those who already have access, especially QC members. In the case of people only being allowed in at 'off peak times' does that mean one could arrive and gain entry at 1pm for a 6pm flight but if they arrive at 4:30pm they will be disallowed?
Interesting to note this also from a previous AUSBT article, I guess Qantas aren't offering it 'at the door' but its close enough!
"Qantas has sold passes to its Qantas Club lounges as a limited-time promotion, most recently offering four single-use passes for $197 in December 2012, but has ruled out the possibility of Qantas Club access ever being offered on a walk-up, pay-at-the-door basis." - https://www.executivetraveller.com/virgin-australia-offers-paid-entry-to-airport-lounges
15 Sep 2012
Total posts 96
What a con! Only for bronze or silver frequent flyers. How many of these frequent flyers would not already have lounge access. Typical Qantas - letws try and look good without actually doing anything!! How about offering lounge access to all passengers. Jetstar did this for a while at gold coast and it made for a terrific flight experience!
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2514
Erm, Bronze is the base level in Qantas Frequent Flyer that everybody gets just for signing up, so in other words, this is open to practically everybody...
30 Jun 2011
Total posts 49
From memory on occassion the old OOL J* lounge could be added for $10, which given it had a typical QP-style bar was great value at the time.
27 Aug 2013
Total posts 32
Will be very interesting to see if those that were highly critical of Virgin opening its lounges to seniors in off peak periods on a promotional basis will be just as critical of Qantas adopting a similar tactic, albeit open to everyone and on a paid basis. No strategy, thinking on the fly, the grey buffet set will wreak havoc on Virgin they bemoaned. And guess what, the world is still turning and everything is ok. Seems both airlines see logic to opening their lounges in off-peak periods. So yes, I do wonder how the oneworld warriors amongst us will react to this news. Hopefully it opens up the QF lounges to an all new species of lounge dweller, the low-status high-vis army, now those boys know how to negotiate a bain marie.
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 654
GEEZ PEOPLE...READ THE ARTICLE IN FULL. there are conditions...its not an open to all rock up at the front desk thing (a la VA)..and in addition IT IS A TRIAL
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Feb 2013
Total posts 45
Bronze FF, isn't that anyone with a membership of QF FF?
13 Feb 2015
Total posts 1
Someone remind why I pay the big bucks for Qantas Club membership to have it devalued in this way! I am done with being unable to access the lounges at varying points during the day simply becuase the they have reached the point of standing room only (and yes even off peak in Brisbane and Townsville is more often than not standing room only). How does one really determine true capacity? As people have already stated below it does open up to people who get to the airport early and stay there while waiting for a flight which could be hours later simply to save on the extra fees associated with late checkout in a hotel which is not an issue until it is peak hour and the people who pay all year round for the 'luxury' of a place to work/clear emails/relax are unable to find a place to sit. Time to review my membership.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 481
If you're offering to free up a seat Aquamacca - go for it!
AusBT has published numerous articles this year documenting Qantas's extensive lounge refurbishment program. Clearly they understand the peak-period crowding issue and are responding - and as others have noted - this is a trial...if people abuse the system I'm sure Qantas will kill it!
The lounges have come a long way since the dark days of the Ansett collapse when it really was standing room only!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 553
"big bucks for Qantas Club membership" you are joking right?
28 Oct 2011
Total posts 654
and it hasnt even started, yet people have already chosen to be outraged by how they are affected by it..LOL..gotta love social media LOL
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 593
What if I paid for it then end up running late and not having enough time to use it?
14 Jun 2013
Total posts 354
I'd suggest this falls into the area of being your fault, or at least not Qantas' fault.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 216
This isn't a stupid question, and shouldn't be dismissed outright. That does pose an interesting problem:
Suppose you fly MEL>SYD>HKG and pay for access to the Sydney International Business lounge... but your domestic Qantas flight MEL>SYD is delayed, and arrives so late that you can't use it?
If the fault rests with a Qantas service shortcoming, and you can't receive your paid Qantas product (lounge access), would you not expect a refund is in order?
Conversely, what if the same situation arises but at the fault of another oneworld carrier? (Say, if CX arrives too late into HKG for you to enjoy your lounge access into QF HKG?)
It's quite a relevent question to ask.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 481
The OP should have embellished his/her comment further.
I read the comment as inferring that the OP is running late in getting to the airport and then misses out on using the lounge - OP's fault, not Qantas.
In the original article above Qantas does make the comment that refunds will be offered in certain circumstances such as flight delays that cause unexpected overcrowding. IF your connection from MEL-SYD was delayed and you missed out on the lounge then I'm sure Qantas would offer a refund IF you ask nicely...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2015
Total posts 20
Agreed markpk...
Australia has consumer law and Qantas has to abide by the "Law" and will do so in relevant situations.
They do not want ACCC attention where easily avoided by being above board in relation to Law.
Why of why do people post without ...
A) Reading accurately & concisely?
B) Using a minimal amount of logic.
Sometimes the simplicity of argued questions annoys thecrap out of me...the rest of the time I just have to frown a& sigh deeply.
Oh well.
They have stated accurately an dsimply their trial and its situation. It's pretty Black&White really.
It's basically offering people motivation and incentive to increase their status by "selling" them a taste of lounge life in traffic circumstances that suit Qantas and do not interfere with the comfort of those who have paid or earnt their way to LoungeLife.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 Jan 2015
Total posts 593
I wouldn't pay that much for the lounge access due to it being a waste of money for my needs and i'm always the first in line at the international check-in...usually end up waiting for 20mins for them to open the check in. My original question was refering to long being late due to long lines at security which is common place at MEL for domestic and international terminals.
24 Dec 2013
Total posts 97
I don't understand why people would spend such high amounts for access. If anyone is actually considering buying these passes can you please share what value you see in these passes considering the price?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 319
You people are obviously novice drinkers, 4 Crown lagers and a pie anywhere in the terminal you just hit $50, people who want to spend a day on the sauce will find the access fee a real bargain, throw in free scotch and food for 6 or 8 hours and they will take advantage of it.
19 Jun 2014
Total posts 32
I am not sure drinking that many alcohol is good before the flight. The airline can banned people from boarding the flight when he/she is too drunk.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 553
Haha no we just aren't alcos like most who hangout at QC trying to "drink as much as they can for their membership", no better with the food options with most people acting like it's their last meal piling plates high and again just tring to get something free.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Nov 2015
Total posts 20
Oh and incidentally for all those saying Qantas will allow these offers to people for 6 to 8 hours before a flight....
Really, do you ythink Qantas is that stupid?
They will offer it to people in off peak periods who are flying within 3 hours absolute maximum befor their flight...
If that even, personally I'd say more like 1.5-2 hours prior.
Qantas as we all know are Not a Charity and rarely act asif they are..
T
31 Jul 2012
Total posts 2
Great idea.
When I travel with the family, the Qantas family policy allows 1 guest plus up to 2 kids that are U18 to enter the lounge. My daughter recently turned 18 and so last time we travelled the whole family coud not get into the Qantas lounge. Inconvenient but its the rules. Would be willing to pay the extra so we can all enter the lounge.
American Airlines allow you to purchase the passes for their lounge. When in Dallas with Qantas we used the American Airlines lounge and they were kind enough to let the whole family enter the lounge rather than charge us for an extra person - even though we were flying Qantas.
In contrast on the way out, Qantas in Sydney refused to allow my 18 year old daughter into the lounge so we had to decide either to split up or just not use the lounge.
Not complaining though because the Qantas family policy is great. Most airlines dont have it. BA amost have an anti-family policy at Heathrow!!!
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 117
As a silver frequent flyer who rarely travels by plane domestically but on the occasions I do I would take up this offer of the $49 pass. Why - well it is reasonable value (note "value", not "cheap") - this is a combination of the limited and poor nutritional value of food service offerings at domestic terminals, the high prices of the food in the domestic terminals and my overall preferece to be seated somewhere where there is no TV blaring sensational celebrity gossip packaged up as "news" (which is the sitaution in both Sydney and Melbourne QF terminals). I think the QF lounges are nice and I see the value at the $49 price point. Obvioulsy I would charge the $49 as a work expense:)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2014
Total posts 319
You raise a good point, ,many companies won't offer QC membership anymore to employees but as an individual spend on each occasion most will just claim it on their expenses. Another reason not to pay the annual QC out of your own pocket.
15 Sep 2012
Total posts 96
How about doing an article on what lounges are available at Australian airports for the casual one off traveller and for families
03 May 2012
Total posts 11
For $50 or $100 surely you could just bribe the airline employee.
29 Jun 2016
Total posts 25
Not sure how to react on this issue. I suppose if people have long hours to kill and want some level of comfort and can afford it, then why not, on the other hand I see an airline desperate to try and squeeze passengers for as nuch revenue as possible, yet the lounges are not always that grand, First Class lounges being the exception. Now what I'd like to know if anyone has a definitive or authoritative answer including David Flynn is why does QF publish in its website a list of benefits for QF plattinum flyers including when travelling on Emirates such as fast track cards/access at airports where this facility is available yet when travelling Emirates neither on the plane nor at checkin counters Emirates staff will give QF Platinum cardholders any fast track cards. I rang QF and they insist I should have been given one but Emirates continues to flatly refuse, BKK airport and flights into BKK are the worst culprits, even when notes on hte PNR have been included by the call centre in Dubai they still refuse, I find this is so wrong, QF saying one thing Emirates doing the complete opposite! Anyone able to clarify this?
04 Jan 2014
Total posts 40
I am a Plat FF, and have used Emirates 4 times these past weeks. Sure each leg was either F or J, and on each occasion, the FA walked around the cabin handing out the cards. At the airport check in, passes handed when given tickets.
Maybe on the aircraft, just an issue in the Y cabin, when finding the Plat FF's too difficult. Even so, you would think they would give you a pass when you advised them you are a plat FF
On several of the flights, I never used the card due to no crowds, so keep them for the times I ever fly Y.
29 Jun 2016
Total posts 25
Thank you Geoff, You are right, it was not on First or Biz but I was travelling Y or economy. The purser made sure she told me loud and clear that she was not going to give me one as I was travelling economy (as if I didn't know already) but just to make sure she showed how she could throw her weight around)... and at check-in at the airport in BKK they declined, not the first time, I was told that only F and J classes were given fast track cards. Unfortunately I must travel to BKK quite a bit and the queues are long and yes I used every single spare card I can but am down to my last one! Emirates is a good airline but they treat you like crap if you are flying economy and they care very little if you are Platinum QF or even Platinum Emirates from what some friends have told me, I mean during the flight. QF at least they try and make sure you are greeted by the CSM or if busy the CSS, they do make the effort,,,,
Qantas - Qantas Frequent FlyerJ
19 Apr 2013
Total posts 13
I am a Gold ff who flies to the UK from Perth twice a year flying in the back end. I have had no problem getting a fast track card when landing in Dubai not anywhere else though (but then I restrict my Emirates flights to Perth Dubai Manchester). The passes are handed out. The only time I had to ask was last week and it was because I'd fallen asleep!
Emirates Y class provide poor service, poor food choices and very restrictive food options. Often running out of the only item you fancy so really appreciate the reciprocal lounge access for a bite to eat. Please bring back QF flights from Perth to the UK, much prefer QF lounges as well.
Hope I can get a seat whenever I use international or domestic lounges.
11 Nov 2014
Total posts 11
hope you get your wish but dont hold your breath. Qantas are going to the dogs, time to find another carrier?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Nov 2013
Total posts 481
I hear you 1WFF,
I've only had a few experiences with Emirates and on those occassions I was flying as QFF Platinum in their economy cabin - to say there was a service disconnect would be an understatement...
Their default attitude (IMHO) is that you are flying s**t-class so we don't care who you are...
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
11 Mar 2015
Total posts 194
are qantas this desperate to get some dough? in most domestic lounges you are much better off to spend this money outside you can have a feast for that-inside cheap second class roadkill food-pathetic idea
19 Jun 2014
Total posts 32
It may be another factor for some people to choose flying with Qantas. Not a bad option for transitting in international flights if the lounge pass is available for purchase on the day.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum
07 Feb 2013
Total posts 553
Exactly well said, it's more targeted to the alcos trying to drink as much as they can who typically dont have the healthiest diets anyway
29 Jun 2016
Total posts 6
My beef with Airline Lounges and having been a QF Club member and a Business Class flyer, is that I cannot use a lounge on arrival. As I tend to not like wasting too much time before I fly, I rarely use a lounge when departing, but it would be nice to have a lounge on the arrivals side to freshen up and say, a breakfast after a red eye or a long international flight.
A few years ago, one could arrive at Heathrow early AM,freshen up,have breakfast and be ready for business.
I doubt if payment will change things and Qantas has a problem with too many members over crowding their lounges for much of the time,or the need to have larger lounges or split them for arriving and departing/transit passengers.
With a purchased pass, there is going to be even more over crowding and over use of the lounges,making one more negative when it comes to flying.
05 May 2016
Total posts 634
WP (Platinum Status) have lounge access on arrival for QANTAS domestic flights. You would need to fly a lot more than your currently do to get this benefit.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Jan 2015
Total posts 17
Last year when I was a Bronze FF I could upgrade Y to J MEL to SYD for 10,000 points. I think 7000 just for the lounge without the better seat is not good value.
Cathay Pacific - The Marco Polo Club
20 Jun 2013
Total posts 48
Was emailed this offer, it came in via email early am my time I clicked on the link at 8am and get some QF notice that offer no longer valid, sounds like a con to me. I checked the conditions and I I don't appear to have breached any of them. Tried to call 131313 was passed to another dpt (FF) they said someone senior on another number should help and while then I was disconnected. Not happy nor impressed. note the ACCC has consumer laws against false and or misleading offers like this.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Aug 2014
Total posts 216
Write your local MP
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
18 Jul 2017
Total posts 30
Members please note that the Lounge passes will become worthwhile due to the slightly better quality of food. Most airlines are now moving towards Frozen meals for Y pax commencing in the very near future, both internationally and domestically. J and F pax will continue to get the quality (!) made meals specifically for the flight. Airlines are looking at cost cutting and this is one area to be hit. So if in Y take your own meal along
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas is now selling airport lounge passes