Qantas lounge access when flying Virgin from regional airports

26 replies

Scepticalflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 30 Aug 2017

Total posts 16

A number of regional airports do not have VA lounges. While still a platinum Qantas flyer, I am flying VA more and more these days due to eroding QF service levels. I obtain lounge access by purchasing a Qantas business class ticket for around the same time and using it to access the Qantas lounge. I can then cancel the Qantas ticket up to 30min before its scheduled departure for a full refund with no fees. Very handy for flying out of ports like TSV, particularly if work needs to be done or to wet the whistle. Just wondering how common this is?

hutch

Member since 07 Oct 2012

Total posts 772

Qantas has eroding service levels, but you still want to utilise them for their lounges because the Virgin service is so good that they don't have one.


I hope it isn't too common and that the majority of people do the right thing, rather than try and game the system for the sake of a workspace & a beer.

mannej

QF

Member since 21 May 2014

Total posts 176

Wasn't there a case of a person in China who kept rebooking a ticket just to eat at the lounge, like 300 plus times? I could have sworn it was in the media.

GBRGB

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Jan 2014

Total posts 295

Yes I could imagine it would be handy in places like TSV, where for some reason the airport has not built a Virgin lounge after all these years, defies belief really, but wouldn’t you have to be checked in to get in the QF lounge or can you still cancel your ticket after you have checked in.

S

Member since 13 Sep 2013

Total posts 119

A number of regional airports do not have VA lounges. While still a platinum Qantas flyer, I am flying VA more and more these days due to eroding QF service levels. I obtain lounge access by purchasing a Qantas business class ticket for around the same time and using it to access the Qantas lounge. I can then cancel the Qantas ticket up to 30min before its scheduled departure for a full refund with no fees. Very handy for flying out of ports like TSV, particularly if work needs to be done or to wet the whistle. Just wondering how common this is?

Surely you’re not seriously doing this!?!?

For the sake of a free beer

Scepticalflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 30 Aug 2017

Total posts 16

Yes I could imagine it would be handy in places like TSV, where for some reason the airport has not built a Virgin lounge after all these years, defies belief really, but wouldn’t you have to be checked in to get in the QF lounge or can you still cancel your ticket after you have checked in.

No issue with check in as long as more than 30 min prior to departure. TSV airport is trying to do an upgrade that would enable a VA lounge, however Qantas is refusing to cooperate and delaying the upgrade.

Scepticalflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 30 Aug 2017

Total posts 16

Qantas has eroding service levels, but you still want to utilise them for their lounges because the Virgin service is so good that they don't have one.

I hope it isn't too common and that the majority of people do the right thing, rather than try and game the system for the sake of a workspace

So how can using the lounge while being in possession of a valid Qantas ticket not be doing the right thing. Got to love the one eyed Qantas loyalists.

sanj747

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 01 Nov 2016

Total posts 148

Looks very clear that you are not a fan of Qantas. Amazed that one can even think of doing what you do.

Scepticalflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 30 Aug 2017

Total posts 16

A number of regional airports do not have VA lounges. While still a platinum Qantas flyer, I am flying VA more and more these days due to eroding QF service levels. I obtain lounge access by purchasing a Qantas business class ticket for around the same time and using it to access the Qantas lounge. I can then cancel the Qantas ticket up to 30min before its scheduled departure for a full refund with no fees. Very handy for flying out of ports like TSV, particularly if work needs to be done or to wet the whistle. Just wondering how common this is?

Surely you’re not seriously doing this!?!?
For the sake of a free beer

The beer is good. As is the workspace and shower when needed. The ticket booking and cancellation is absolutely no effort when doing it regularly.

Chris C.

Member since 24 Apr 2012

Total posts 1,116

Until one day when you forget to cancel your ticket or just miss the deadline, and you'll end up paying half a grand or more for your lounge visit, which will even out the numbers pretty quickly!

mannej

QF

Member since 21 May 2014

Total posts 176

Qantas has eroding service levels, but you still want to utilise them for their lounges because the Virgin service is so good that they don't have one.

I hope it isn't too common and that the majority of people do the right thing, rather than try and game the system for the sake of a workspace

So how can using the lounge while being in possession of a valid Qantas ticket not be doing the right thing. Got to love the one eyed Qantas loyalists.

Got nothing to do with being a QF loyalist - it is perceived loopholes like this that if used repeatedly get shut down, especially once someone publishes it on forums like this.

Last editedby mannej at Jun 08, 2018, 01:28 PM.

Scepticalflyer

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 30 Aug 2017

Total posts 16

Looks very clear that you are not a fan of Qantas. Amazed that one can even think of doing what you do.

Absolutely no qualms about the odd benefit from such a corporate bully. They have sucked enough out of me over the years and I still retain platinum status.

hutch

Member since 07 Oct 2012

Total posts 772

Qantas has eroding service levels, but you still want to utilise them for their lounges because the Virgin service is so good that they don't have one.

I hope it isn't too common and that the majority of people do the right thing, rather than try and game the system for the sake of a workspace

So how can using the lounge while being in possession of a valid Qantas ticket not be doing the right thing. Got to love the one eyed Qantas loyalists.

If you post on a public forum, people may not agree with you.


I also note that you have Platinum status with Qantas. I do not. So not sure who is more loyal.


It is not doing the right thing, because you have no intention of flying. If enough people start doing this (which thankfully, I doubt they will), airlines may start preventing short notice cancellations. This in effect may cause people who genuinely need to cancel a ticket at short notice, having issues.


Every time someone games the system, it may cause a change.

Last editedby hutch at Jun 08, 2018, 01:55 PM.

GBRGB

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 21 Jan 2014

Total posts 295

Yes I could imagine it would be handy in places like TSV, where for some reason the airport has not built a Virgin lounge after all these years, defies belief really, but wouldn’t you have to be checked in to get in the QF lounge or can you still cancel your ticket after you have checked in.

No issue with check in as long as more than 30 min prior to departure. TSV airport is trying to do an upgrade that would enable a VA lounge, however Qantas is refusing to cooperate and delaying the upgrade.

I struggle to see how Qantas can prevent Townsville airport building a lounge for Virgin, sounds like a poor excuse to me, if they wanted to build one they can find space or add on somewhere, lots of spare space around the terminal.

mannej

QF

Member since 21 May 2014

Total posts 176


Every time someone games the system, it may cause a change.



This - especially when one publicises the fact

Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Qantas lounge access when flying Virgin from regional airports

Attach Files