Qantas First Class lounge: what would you pay for a one-off visit?
By David Flynn, April 13 2012
How much would you pay for one-off entry to the ritzy Qantas international first class lounge?
For those who aren't flying first class or holding a platinum Qantas Frequent Flyer Card, the answer seems to be $100.
At least that's the going price on eBay, where 'complimentary invitations' to the Qantas First Lounge are now popping up.
Qantas doesn't offer one-off entry to any of its lounges (while Virgin Australia closed its single-entry lounge pass scheme early this year).
However, these invitations were issued as part of a make-good measure to frequent flyers affected by last year's dramatic worldwide Qantas shut-down.
They're valid through to December 2012 (and officially 'not for resale', according to the fine print on the back of the invitation, but who's arguing?).
The Qantas First Lounge passes can be used if you're travelling in any class on any Qantas or Jetstar flight out of Sydney or Melbourne international airport, and they're get you into one of the world's best airport lounges – with restaurant-grade food designed by Neil Perry and his Rockpool team, a Payot day spa and first-class service to boot.
For a taste of what's in store, read our reviews of the Qantas First Lounges at Sydney and Melbourne.
(And if you buy one of these passes, don't miss our guide to making the most of your visit to the Qantas First Lounge – which starts with checking in as early as you can, to maximise your time in the lounge and boost your chances of a booking in the day spa.)
Infrequent travellers can also bid on the same eBay page for a one-off pass for The Qantas Club from $12 up to $50.
Thanks to AusBT reader Al Glidden for tipping us off to this!
For the very latest news for business travellers and frequent flyers, tune into @AusBT on Twitter.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
04 Nov 2010
Total posts 670
I don't expect Qantas would ever offer single-entry passes into the First Lounge, imagine all the bogans it would attract! And they probably want to keep their domestic Business Lounges the same way, well, a bit 'select' shall we say, despite there being no shortage of cashed-up bogans in those nowadays! But they should sell passes to the Qantas Club lounges, that would be very attractive to those 'infrequent flyers'.
04 Nov 2010
Total posts 670
PS I woud certainly pay $100 for a single-entry pass to the Qantas First Lounge, matter of fact I might hit that eBay link now and grab one for myself!
10 Mar 2011
Total posts 526
I can't say I would pay anything for access. As much as I love the Qantas First Lounge - If I wasn't already eligible for entry then quite frankly I don't think either of Sydney or Melbourne airports are bad enough to be "forced" to escape the main terminal area and pay to go into a lounge. Perhaps if I was in one of the US airports I would feel differently and pay but our airports are comfortable enough to not have to worry.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Nov 2010
Total posts 20
How much? Nothing, it's not that great. Qantas should take a leaf out Thai's BKK First lounge or Lufthansa's FRA First terminal or Swiss ZRH First Lounge. That's real First, not apoor Australian excuse for it
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
02 Aug 2011
Total posts 41
Have you been to the United States?
I think Australia still has a pretty high standard of air travel.
20 Jul 2011
Total posts 72
Rob, perhaps LH's first terminal in Frankfurt is better - but mainly for the fact that you arrive and check in there and are then called individually for your flight (and driven to the aircraft). The lounge itself is no better than the QF first lounge (which is not to say both aren't very, very good). And the Lufthansa first lounge in Munich - their other flagship - is disappointing by comparison.
20 Jul 2011
Total posts 72
(and I missed the "poor Australian excuse for it" comment. Seriously, have you ever been to the QF first lounge?)
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 59
$5 and no more.I have entered them going back to the days when they were known as Captain Club Lounges but flying Continental out of Melbourne Business Class in the late eighties.These days It's United who do the flying now and you use Red Carpet Club facilities.
04 Nov 2010
Total posts 670
LOL! Snoopy, the Qantas First Class Lounge is a LOT different to the old Captain's Club Lounges. You're confusing these with something like The Qantas Club, and even if Qantas offered casual entry to this I can assure you it'd be a lot more than $5. That'sthe cost of a cup of coffee at any airport cafe and even the Qantas Club offers much more than that!
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