Access to BA lounge with Qantas Club m'ship on BA EU flights

kooky · #1 (**permalink**) 18th January 2005, 12:43 PM

If I have Qantas Club m'ship, can I access a BA lounge when I am on a BA flight that does not have a QF in the flight number? Specifically, e.g. small European airport, Hamburg Germany for example, that has a BA lounge, but of course no Qantas route since they only fly to Frankfurt.

Qantas' web site seems cryptic using lots of ^ and * style symbols which start talking about you *can* use a BA flight with a QF code etc.

NM · #2 (**permalink**) 18th January 2005, 01:03 PM

Yes, you can access a BA Executive Club lounge when flying on a BA flight on the same day. Note that at some airports, the BA lounge is not operated by BA and they may refuse you access based on the fact that it is not a BA lounge but someone elses lounge that permits BA members to enter.

I know there have been some issues entering the CDG BA lounge that is actually operated by AF so is not a BA Executive Club lounge - they just have an agreement with BA to allow their EC Gold, Silver and CE passenger to enter. In that case even a QF Platinum member flying on a QF codeshare is not permitted (probably would be if flying on a BA flight number).

The BA web site lists the Hamburg lounge as only available to BA EC Gold and Silver members, while most European lounges are also available to Club Europe passengers. So I would not be surprised if that means the Hamburg lounge is not operated by BA, but someone else.

kooky · #3 (**permalink**) 18th January 2005, 01:45 PM

Wow. Thanks for this. This then represents fantastic value for a life membership if you look at the purchasing power of the pound. I mean approx £1,500 gets you life membership to most BA lounges .. that's incredible. I'll sign up next few days.

What threw me originally was that on the Qantas Club site there's a list of lounges but they only list LHR and Frankfurt - and even those weren't real Qantas lounges. http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying...tions/ukEurope It's strange why only two are listed. Really strange.

Am I right in assuming Qantas Life is the only life membership that exists of all the major airlines? Is there anything else I should be considering?

Also do the T&Cs cover you literally "for life" - is there any way they can null and void these life memberships in 5 years time or something else unexpected short of Qantas going bust?

kooky · #4 (**permalink**) 18th January 2005, 01:57 PM

I'll have to ring Hamburg to find out, according to the airport's website at http://www.ham.airport.de/de/3d_lageplan.html (then click "start") it says British Airways Lounge under Lounges. Weird. Does this mean I couldn't get in as a Qantas Club member, or is that totally irrelevant whether it takes Silver, Gold or Executive Club?

NM · #5 (**permalink**) 18th January 2005, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kooky

What threw me originally was that on the Qantas Club site there's a list of lounges but they only list LHR and Frankfurt - and even those weren't real Qantas lounges. http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying...tions/ukEurope It's strange why only two are listed. Really strange.

That is because LHR and FRA are the only European ports where Qantas operates its own aircraft. All other QF flights in Europe are codeshares (possible exception of the occasional LHR-MAN operated by a leased BAe146).

Quote:

Originally Posted by kooky

Also do the T&Cs cover you literally "for life" - is there any way they can null and void these life memberships in 5 years time or something else unexpected short of Qantas going bust?

The membership if for life (your life or the life of the Qantas Club program). They reserve the right to change the benefits and privileges of membership at any time.

Mal · #6 (**permalink**) 18th January 2005, 06:53 PM

I've had no issues in either the BA lounge at Heathrow or Rome when flying BA that day and flashing my Qantas Club card.

Although I can't find it in the T&C, I've also been able to check in through the Business lines when flying BA. Another time saver!

kooky · #7 (**permalink**) 18th January 2005, 09:27 PM

Thanks for all your responses guys. This seems a no-brainer as I regularly make a lot of European flights on BA and Heathrow can be a right pain at times if you know what I mean .. very squashy. Also I find Sydney airport rather drab so it'll come in handy over there too. If I combine this with an 8 hour sleep over at the Singapore airport Transit Hotel airline travel with never be the same again! Yipee!!

NM · #8 (**permalink**) 18th January 2005, 10:17 PM

I quite like Heathrow since they changed T1. The new premium checkin area is great and the F lounges (T1 and T4) have a wonderful scotch selection. A great way to spend a few hours between flights.

kooky · #9 (**permalink**) 19th January 2005, 12:38 PM

The worst thing was when they closed down the pub that used to be upstairs - I'm pretty sure it was T1 (or it might have been 3, but fairly confident it was 1). It's in the airside departures lounge. Now it's some stupid coffee shop. I cherish the photo I took at the time of the "Lift to Pub" sign. Now that was my favourite airport sign ever!