How to use Qantas, Virgin ‘on arrival’ lounge access

Savvy frequent flyers can take advantage of visiting an airport lounge after their flight…

By Staff Writers, September 24 2024
How to use Qantas, Virgin ‘on arrival’ lounge access

Airport lounges are generally considered as places to spend time before jetting off somewhere, but in the right circumstances they can also be visited after your flight.

‘On arrival’ lounge access can be the perfect solution to those times you need to make a pit-stop to attend to some urgent business or join an online meeting, or even to grab a quick coffee or a bite to eat.

It's also a great way to maximise your sleep on those east-west ‘red eye’ flights, allowing you to skip the breakfast meal service and pop into the lounge for a bite to eat and a shot of barista-pulled coffee.

While only a relatively small number of airports around the world have a dedicated arrivals lounge for international travellers, Qantas and Virgin Australia offer the convenience of arrival access to their domestic airport lounges across Australia once you step off a domestic flight.

Here’s all you need to know about Qantas Virgin Australia ‘on arrival’ lounge access. 

Qantas ‘on arrival’ lounge access

Qantas restricts domestic arrival lounge access to its very top-tier frequent flyers – specifically, those holding Qantas Platinum, Qantas Platinum One or Qantas Chairman’s Lounge status.

Disappointingly, there’s no arrivals lounge access for business class passengers (this is one area where Virgin trumps Qantas). 

What about Qantas international arrivals lounge access?

Qantas does extend its ‘on arrivals’ lounge access policy to international flights landing in Australia.

While this is still restricted to Qantas Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers and Chairman’s Lounge members, they can be arriving on a Qantas, Jetstar, Emirates or Oneworld flight, or a Qantas codeshare service (such as a Fiji Airways flight booked under a QF flight number). 

But with most Australian airports having physically seperate international and domestic terminals, the time and trouble to change terminals can reduce the appeal or even practicality of swinging by a domestic Qantas lounge after your long overseas flight.

There can also be the additional issue of having to deal with any checked luggage from your international flight.

Virgin Australia ‘on arrival’ lounge access

In stark contrast to Qantas, Virgin Australia offers arrival lounge access to a far wider range of passengers, including

However, two caveats apply here:

  • you must enter the Virgin Australia lounge within 60 minutes after your flight arrives
  • preference is given to business class passengers, Velocity Platinum and Beyond members, while everyone else is ‘subject to space availability’ as a measure to avoid the lounges becoming over-crowded

Sadly, members of loyalty programs from Virgin Australia partner carriers such as United Airlines, Singapore Airlines and Qatar Airways are not granted on arrival access. 

21 Apr 2019

Total posts 20

As a Velocity Platinum on arrival J/C into Melbourne I had disposed of boarding pass.

I had a very stern suspicous questioning receptionist. Twice my QR code was scanned the process took a full 5 minutes.

I wrote to Velocity and received a stock bland reply.

So much for VA Platinum status.

25 Feb 2015

Total posts 66

Considering the configuration of our main international airports in SYD and MEL (separate terminals, separate arrivals and departures zones), and the fact that so many major international flights are overnighters, I really wish that Qantas would establish dedicated arrival lounges at both ports, like Cathay Pacific used to have.

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

16 Jan 2016

Total posts 7

If arriving on a OW flight into LAX can you use the  QF  F lounge in LAX

QFF

12 Apr 2013

Total posts 1560

Basically useless. For QF pax for sure. To be useful such lounge must be outside security like CX one in HKG, if it still operates.

26 Oct 2017

Total posts 24

As a QF Platinum, I was denied entry at the Melbourne Qantas domestic Business Lounge in May. Staff at the desk said only Plat 1 members had access.

I've used Virgins on arrival access numerous times, the self kiosks make it pretty easy. Always nice if you have to wait around for a mate from another flight. Now they just need to improve the food & bev offering and i'll want more than the 60mins.  


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