There goes hope of that epic musical safety video...

Correct. This is the bit that I don't understand about alliances. Qantas punishes you with less points/status credits for flying on a non QF ticket (but still within OW), Qatar goes one further here.

'Our partner Singapore Airlines has excellent lounges as well' - correct, except these lounges are too excellent for Velocity members, with not even VA Plats make the cut.