The best way to start any flight is with a visit to an airport lounge. The best lounges offer specialised dining experiences such as the Neil Perry inspired Qantas First Lounge in Singapore or the invitation only American Airlines Flagship Lounge New York. Others provide a spa service like Cathay Pacifics The Wing in Hong Kong or Thai First Class full body oil massage Bangkok.
So even when we fly economy we always try to access a lounge. As a minimum you get a quiet place to relax and charge your phone and often with showers, good coffee, food and drinks. What a lot of people don’t know is you can also access Qantas lounges via a lounge pass.
In this post:
What Is A Lounge Pass?
A lounge pass is a digital pass to access Qantas Club and Business lounges at airports around the world. Once linked to your flight you can then walk straight into your selected lounge.
How Do I Get A Lounge Pass?
You can get lounges passes in a number of ways:
- As a member of the Qantas Points Club
- Through your credit card provider such as Westpac Altitude Awards or American Express Ultimate Card
- Via a special one off offer from Qantas. The price will vary and does not include all lounges, or
- As a gift from a friend or family member.
I once got a pass just by attending an Adobe Conference. This was the first and only time I have seen this and the lounge pass was domestic.
Which Lounges Can I Access?
The general lounge pass allows you to access nearly all Qantas business class or Qantas club lounges.
General – can be used at any Qantas Club domestic lounge, Qantas International Lounge or Qantas operated International Business Lounge (excluding Los Angeles Tom Bradley Terminal) when departing on a Qantas or Jetstar flight number.
One of the best lounges to use your pass is in Hong Kong where Qantas has a combined first and business class lounge which means great food, service and cocktails.
Where Do I Check How Many Lounge Passes I Have?
When you login to the Qantas site visit the My Account section and click on the link “Lounge Invitations”
You will then be displayed the number of invitations linked to your profile and their expiry date.
Who Can I Transfer Lounge Invitations To?
You can transfer your points to any valid Qantas Frequent Flyer. All you need is their frequent flyer number and last name. This has led to a black market in lounge passes that Qantas actively discourages.
Transfers are done in real time.
How Do I Use A Lounge Pass?
I have never used one as most end up with our economy class blogger Annie. She assures me it’s an easy process to link the pass to the flight. Qantas recommends doing this 24 hours before the flight departs.
Once connected to your flight you just need to turn up to the lounge
Summary
I already access Qantas lounges with my Platinum status and will not need any lounge passes in the foreseeable future. So it makes sense to give my passes to family, friends and Pointsbrotherhood readers. It’s a great perk and a wonderful way to start or end any holiday.
Tips for using them: as long as you have linked your flight to your frequent flyer number (this is the time consuming part) you can then go on to the complimentary lounge invitation page and follow the steps! Unfortunately you can’t use the app, but you can do it on the escalator on the way up to the qantas club (recommend linking when you get to the airport as if you’re running late better save the pass for next time!)