Qantas Platinum refused entry to British Airways lounge at Vancouver

14 replies

traveller99

Member since 18 Nov 2015

Total posts 119

Terrible service.  Qantas Platinum flying QF J, refused entry to the BA Lounge at Vancouver.  They couldn't even lie and say the lounge was "full" - they were just saying "sorry BA passengers only".  Could see that the lounge was not full (and they weren't giving that as a reason for refusal).


Just as an FYI for anyone travelling through Vancouver.

Mal

Member since 14 Jun 2013

Total posts 109

Well that sucks! BA's lounge staff have a bad history for denying entry to Qantas passengers who are eligible for lounge access due to their Platinum or Gold QFF status, I've seen this happen at BA's Heathrow T5 First and Business lounges for example. Some BA staffers took the BA/QF 'divorce' when Qantas partnered with Emirates to mean that Qantas lost BA lounge access, they don't realise that this right remains due to Qantas being a member of OneWorld. You sometimes have to stand your ground, show them the OneWorld emerald or sapphire marking on your QFF card and point out that you ARE entitled to use the lounge. Or call up the Oneworld website and show them how QFF Platinum or Business Class both entitle you to use the lounge.

traveller99

Member since 18 Nov 2015

Total posts 119

Am currently in a debate with their Twitter person who also has no idea.  She says: 

"the lounge is a BA only lounge, which is where the problem lies for you. If you were travelling on a codeshare flight on Qantas, you would be allowed access as your flight would have a BA flight number. As you're travelling on a normal Qantas ticket, you're not entitled to access the lounge."

I've sent a screenshot from the BA.com website where it clearly states:

Lounge access is available to:

...

  • Emerald and Sapphire level Members of any oneworld airline frequent flyer programme on a flight operated by British Airways or one of our oneworld partners

Last editedby traveller99 at Dec 31, 2016, 11:17 AM.

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

That is not acceptable and against Oneworld policy. The BA YVR lounge is BA operated and not a contract lounge. Flag it on Flyertalk. The BA moderator lurks around in there. BA's twittter person is not the sharpest tool in the shed. 2 short planks come to mind...

GregXL

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 26 May 2014

Total posts 320

The QF flight leaves just over an hour before the BA YVR-LHR flight with both operated with 747s.  Perhaps they restrict entry to prevent the lounge becoming crowded.  Not suggesting this complies with one world policy.  

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

The QF flight leaves just over an hour before the BA YVR-LHR flight with both operated with 747s.  Perhaps they restrict entry to prevent the lounge becoming crowded.  Not suggesting this complies with one world policy.  

What is the QF provision at YVR?

GregXL

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 26 May 2014

Total posts 320

The QF website lists the Plaza Premium lounge as their only YVR lounge.  

PB57

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 08 Nov 2014

Total posts 23

In September 2016 I had a lengthy conversation with a BA staff at the T5 Heathrow Lounge. She wouldn't accept my QF Gold as entitling entry even though the card clearly has the One World Sapphire emblem on it. She insisted that it was a "Qantas blue" level. I eventually convinced (dared?) her to put my details in the system to check. She seemed very annoyed when a big tick appeared on her screen with the message underneath it clearly stating I had Lounge access. She grudgingly let me in saying that she was only doing it because "the computer said she could this ". I concluded this woman was either poorly trained or enjoyed being rude, or both. I didn't hold my breathe waiting for an apology for her obnoxious attitude, there was none forthcoming. Not a very good advertisement for BA at all. 


traveller99

Member since 18 Nov 2015

Total posts 119

The QF website lists the Plaza Premium lounge as their only YVR lounge.  

And it is a woeful lounge.  

Despite a repeated back and forth with their Twitter person, they maintained that it is a BA "ONLY" lounge and that I could not access as flying on QF metal.  Absolutely disgraceful.

traveller99

Member since 18 Nov 2015

Total posts 119

Perhaps they restrict entry to prevent the lounge becoming crowded.  Not suggesting this complies with one world policy.  

It's actually OK for them to refuse entry if the lounge is full.  If that was the reason given on entry, that would be acceptable.  But they flatly refused on the basis that it was "BA ONLY".  Totally clueless.

Yaf

Member since 02 Nov 2012

Total posts 48

Got to the BA lounge in Manchester and showed my Qantas Platinum card and BA boarding pass with BA blue number, Was refused entry. When I requested she change the Frequent ler on the boarding pass she let me in without changing it

UpUpAndAway

QF

Member since 11 Jul 2014

Total posts 19

I can't remember the amount of times "Qantas and One World" have PMO, that's why I just fly who ever these days. No loyalty from Airlines gets the same in return.

Davedownunder

Member since 19 Aug 2011

Total posts 5

I had the same problem with BA when I was a QF platinum in Heathrow, voted with my feet and changed next flight to Qantas. Probably cost BA about $100,000 in lost revenue from me plus the loss of their image by all the bad mouthing. 


Contrast that flying Emirates economy with my QF life time Gold in Emirates system, both the inflight director and the economy cabin manager came by and said g'day. I dont ever remeber any BA staff even thinking to do that, then again I havn't been on many BA flights recently!

sanj747

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Nov 2016

Total posts 148

Am a QF gold status and recently used BA lunge at JFK airport returning back home on Cathay. Very good staff who allowed both my wife and daughter with me. The lady at the front desk was great.

traveller99

Member since 18 Nov 2015

Total posts 119

Contrast that flying Emirates economy ... both the inflight director and the economy cabin manager came by and said g'day.


I had a similar experience flying AA domestic First Class earlier in the year.  Our flight attendant came up to me and personally thanked me for being loyal to One World (I'm QF Plat, OW Emerald).  Thought that was a nice touch.

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