Hi all - I’m planning a trip from Melbourne to London and because I’d like a stopover in Hong Kong would prefer to use Cathay rather than Qantas .

Hi all - I’m planning a trip from Melbourne to London and because I’d like a stopover in Hong Kong would prefer to use Cathay rather than Qantas .

I would like to earn QFF status credits, but as I’m not travelling business I want to be able to access lounges in Hong Kong and London which I can’t with my Qantas Club silver, but I am a Marco Polo Gold (OW sapphire).

My question: do I have to have my MP number on my CX boarding pass to be able to access the lounges, or can I have my QF number on my boarding pass and just show my MP card at the lounge (and at the gate for priority boarding).

Responses to similar questions I have found on forums have been from a couple of years ago so don’t know if the information is up to date. Thanks.

Your MP Gold card will give you access in combination with your boardingpass, which proves you are on a OW flight (CX flight in fact). No need to have your MP number on your BP, esp if you want to credit the mileage to QF (in which case your QF number should be quoted as you know). The access is given on the basis of your MP status as well as the fact that you are travelling on a OW flight.

If you want to be able to perhaps upgrade (or be upgraded - OpUp) than it is wise to have your MP number on your BP (in which case you will NOT earn QF points) as you are on a CX flight and CX will process upgrades on the basis of elite status.

Again, regardless of what is on your boardingpass (even if no number is quoted) you can still access the lounge by flashing your shiny MP Gold card and showing your BP.

If you're really concerned that they'll deny your lounge access just check in with your MPO Gold so that it's printed on your BP and to guarantee that they give you a lounge invitation (as you'll know CX still insist on giving all MPO card holders paper lounge invitations...).

Once you're in the lounge simply ask them to change the FFP number on your PNR from your MPO to your QFF account; they'll re-print the BP in the lounge for you as well so that you can verify that your QF number is on there.

Very important what QF says on OpUp's and bear in mind that QF are rather restrictive when it comes to crediting CX status credits on economy class flights - you only earn 0.5 status credits for discount economy flights (thats B, H, K, L, M and V) - you don't earn 1 sc unless you're ticketed in the Y fare bucket.

 I meant what KG says on OpUp's... my bad

Isn't it the case that you always earn half the status credits on discount economy that you would have done on a Y fare, regardless of airline?

I do know that QF doesn't credit any points/credits for deep discount CX fares (CX often don't either).

That's true - but you need to look at the level of discount involved. Y is the most expensive, full-fare economy class ticket which explains why you get 1 sc, as opposed to 0.5.

But if you look at the rest of the fare buckets - B, H and K in particular (M, L and V are definitely within discount economy, but not quite deep discount which for CX is N, Q and S) - these are still fairly flexible economy class tickets.

For example, if you were to credit CX flights onto an AA account - Y and B are classified as full-fare economy (hence you get 1.5x elite qualifying miles for AAdvantage) and H is standard economy accruing 1x elite qualifying miles. 

All I'm saying is that the range of fare buckets at which you can earn 1 sc (rather than 0.5 sc's) on QFF when you fly CX is restrictive - just another reflection of the fact that CX and QF are uncomfortable bedfellows despite both being in OW!

Thanks very much KG and LHRBNE.