lounge in Melbourne not code-shared?
 

I'm sitting in Melbourne Qantas J lounge not feeling too impressed. Flying on QF9 to Dubai, I was hoping to check out both Qantas n Emirates J lounge.

My expectation of qantas lounge wasn't high in terms of food, and i certainly wasn't proven wrong. No warm food option except soup for dinner. So i thought i will go check out Emirates lounge as my previous experiences with Emirates lounge in other parts of the world were always positive and food offering always top notch.

I was surprised i was a REFUSED entry, as apparently I'm only entitled to use Qantas lounge as the flight is operated by Q. I questioned the receptionist a few times and she was insistent thats the way it works.

So begrudgingly i return to Q lounge, not that it's a bad place to hang out as it was spacious and with pretty good alcohol options, but the lack of warm food is puzzling.

Certainly makes me less likely to fly Q international in the future, esp if there are Code-shared flights operated by Emirates.

This is my first time flying Qantas J long distance, and unless things change in the future Im likely to shun it in the future.

Now hoping for better food on board their A380...

I stand corrected, there's one hot food option of beef i red wine sauce, with potato. Would like to have more option, but hey it's better than nothing.

Has anyone been on Qantas flight and not allowed in Emirates lounge?

The EK lounge in MEL has a habit of incorrectly denying people access based on the fact they are on QF metal. It's been documented before on other forums, possibly on FT as well.

You're only QF PS (no lounge access) and EK Silver (lounge access only in DXB) so you're accessing the lounge based on class of service.

Class of service follows similar rules to the oneworld class of service rules.

That means those flying EK metal in J can use the QF lounge and vice versa.

See here for the QF J lounge rules: http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...unge/global/en

EK are not OW.

You are also referring to the QF lounge rules and not EK. Lounge access based on elite status is completely reciprocal (in Australia, DXB and a few other ports).

Which program are you crediting to?

It should not matter about FF program - according to the Qantas web site, COS based lounge access is indeed reciprocal.

http://www.qantas.com.au/travel/airl...ang:en#lounges


There are no Caveats:

Emirates confirms this at least for Dubai:

http://www.emirates.com/au/english/h...ounges-in-duba

Elsewhere they "recommend" that one stays with the lounge of the operating carrier if both lounges exist at the airport:

http://www.emirates.com/au/english/h...s-lounge-and-a

Actually that wording doesn't actually state that a passenger can choose what lounge that they wish to use, just that they have access to lounges - the OP was granted access to a lounge, just not the one he wanted to use

My understanding is that the passenger should be able to choose ( same as I recently chose to use a Qantas lounge in AKL rather than the EK one ) but I don't see that statement as being clear that the choice should be there

This is something over which I would contact customer relations ( as I had to do recently when EK staff in AKL invented rules )

You are correct ...

Yes I agree, but I have read several reports of EK/QF directing pax to lounges based on the program they are crediting to.

I have seen that happen where access is being requested by status and was , according to customer service, not what they are supposed to do

e.g. Passenger in business class on EK flight with a non status EK FF number in booking but presenting a current Qantas Gold card

Agent stated that could get access for self by virtue of being in business class, but no guest access. Agent was insistant that the status needs to show on the boarding pass and can't just enter based on having the membership card

Qantas customer service have stated that this is incorrect though

EK lounges at SYD/MEL are frequently over-crowded hence EK has a protective attitude towards lounge occupancy. Since EK does not have an F lounge their J lounge has to be better; QF instead has invested in having a separate F lounge at MEL which has great food and drink and much nicer than the EK J/F lounge. Because of this the QF J lounge suffers as it isn't their top lounge but I find it nicer than an Air NZ lounge that I have gone into in the past decade -- so not that shabby. Interesting difference in approach, EK choosing a downgraded F lounge and upgraded J lounge, while QF choosing a "one of the 10 best F lounges in the world" F lounge at MEL (SYD is similar). As for lounge hopping, status is the only sure way (enough status and you can do whatever you want, whenever you want, though not many of us get that much status).

Status is not the only way.

If holding QF status, booked on an EK flight and not having the QF status showing on the boarding pass ( e.g. having an EK number in the booking ) there are some EK agents who will not permit access on status

EK staff are being protective in a manner contrary to the entitlements of QF members ( as confirmed by QF when such issue was raised ).

The lounge criteria states passengers have access to Qantas and Emirates lounges, not Qantas or Emirates lounges.

This implies passengers can choose which one they want. Lounge crowding may be an issue restricting access, but i would expect this to be explained where appropriate.