Playing the lounge access game.

Playing the lounge access game...

So I'm asking if this senario will work. Could I check in on say a domestic flight and use the lounge access assosiated with my status and then at the last minute when I'm about to leave the lounge to board my flight get them to change the frequent flyer number on my boarding pass to another airline in the same allience I want to allocate the flying miles to?

I will answer with QF as an example and I am happy to be corrected by someone else, but I think where you choose to credit the miles is irrelevant. Lounge access is determined based on your status + the operating/marketing airline.

As an exmaple, if you were flying a QF domestic and have QF Gold, you could check in, put down your AA Advantage number, get your QF boarding pass and then still access the QF lounge.

I think Hutch is on the money, but there may be the odd exception such as Airberlin which is both a Qantas partner (via its Oneworld membership) and a Virgin Australia partner.

As it happens, Airberlin has 'executive waiting areas' at several airports in Germany which are located near its gates and to which Velocity Gold and Platinum frequent flyers have access but Qantas frequent flyers do not, indeed no Oneworld airline member has access to them.

But I don't know that you'd need to change your frequent flyer number from QFF to VFF on your Airberlin boarding pass, simply waving your Velocity card might do the trick.

But that said, these are not lounges as we know them: as out article below states. "these are more like a low-key 'express lounge' than a full-blown business class lounge – hot and cold drinks, comfortable chairs and handy AC power sockets are the limit of pre-flight creature comforts."

For more, see Airberlin's lounge & "exclusive waiting area" access explained

David, it may be worthwhile keeping note of a strange communication I received the other day from CX when my Diamond membership was renewed.  I am also a QF Gold.  It drew my attention as an Australian to an "exception" to the OW Lounge Access Policy which was stated as follows:  "Qantas Frequent Flyer Gold members, regardless of their oneworld tier status, cannot access Qantas Domestic Business Lounges." 

I was going to ask a separate question about this, and whether anyone could help with the meaning.  Read literally, it means that flashing my OW Emerald card will not get me in if my booking is associated with my QF Gold status, or indeed the literal meaning is probably broader and extends to even if my booking is associated with my CX status and I also happen to be a QF Gold.  But, I think "sensibly" that it means the former. 

The exception is also now listed on Cathay's Australian web site at cathaypacific.com/cx/en_AU/travel-information/oneworld/frequent-flyer-benefits.html under "oneworld lounge access for frequent flyers by tier status" but I have not found anything similar on the QF site.  I would be grateful to know if people are now having trouble accessing QF Domestic Business lounges by flashing a OW Emerald card when they have their QFF details on their boarding pass.

Thanks David,

I have read the information regarding the "exclusive waiting areas" when it was posted some time ago refering to how a similar system should be applied for smaller airports around Australia.

Thanks for the comments, I am actually refering to Qantas, who I have Platinum status with but now due to the recent changes in their award system and earning rates, I will be better off with Aadvantage. It's a shame but I have to do what's best for me. My questions have been answered in as much that I will still be able to use all the advantages for the next year with my Platinum status with Qantas while at the same time building up my status with American Airlines.

Scott,

I assume you have also read about the recent changes to Aadvantage, which are far more drastic than the Qantas changes

Which changes might that be moa999?

http://         crankyflier.com/2014/04/09/american-makes-a-few-fairly-insignificant-changes-but-delivers-the-news-poorly/

TheRealBabushka - There's a little information here:

http://www.theage.com.au/travel/travel-news/american-airlines-introduces-changes-to-frequent-flyer-program-20140409-36c06.html

The onemileatatime blog on boardingarea probably has the best descriptions.

Some changes include:

- removal of AA's oneworld explorer awards

- eliminated gateway stopover awards

- added multiple levels of award availability with substantially increased cost at the higher levels - particularly standard awards

Time to use US Airways.

Yes. But I would not consider these changes earth shattering.

The impact for us in this part of the world is negligible, from my point of view.

That's how I understand the changes to Aadvantage as well TRB.

To get a reward flight in business from Perth to New Zealand with Aadvantage is only 35K return! It works out to cost about AU$1100 and thats a great deal.

I'm not interested in using my miles for an around the world trip so the changes don't exactly bother me too much.