If you have status with an airline or fly in business or first class, you’ll typically have access to a lounge at the airport – and, sometimes, you’ll have a choice of several lounges.
When you check in for your flight, the airline will direct you to a specific lounge, which will be one that it operates or has a special arrangement with.
But not all lounges are havens of comfort and glamour – in fact, some are barely a step up from the chaos of the terminal. So if you do have other, nicer options, it pays to know about them. But many travellers don’t.
One way you can access multiple lounges is where your airline has a partnership or alliance with other carriers that includes reciprocal lounge access rights.
For example, Qantas is a member of the oneworld alliance and Qantas passengers in business or first class, and those with gold status or higher, can access other oneworld airline lounges, no matter which airline they are flying with. This includes lounges operated by Cathay Pacific, British Airways, Qatar Airways, American Airlines and others.
This came in very handy when I flew out of Dallas with Qantas once. I first stopped by the dated, cramped and poorly serviced Qantas lounge (which is actually operated by a third party) but quickly decided to move on to the much nicer American Airlines Admirals Club.
The mediocre Qantas lounge in Dallas I was directed to …
… and the nicer American Airlines lounge in Dallas I ended up in.
I did the same thing at Singapore Airport when flying with Cathay Pacific, popping in briefly to see Cathay’s uninspiring lounge before moving on to the superior Qantas and British Airways lounges (“lounge hopping”, as some of us call it!).
The uninspiring Cathay Pacific lounge in Singapore I was sent to …
… The very pleasant British Airways lounge I checked out next…
… And the even better Qantas lounge I ended up dining in.
Another example of an airline partnership that includes reciprocal lounge access benefits is the Qantas and Emirates tie-up. Passengers travelling with Qantas in business or first class or those with elite status can use an Emirates lounge at many (but not all) airports, and vice versa (note that Emirates isn’t part of oneworld, rather Qantas and Emirates have a separate partnership).
I take advantage of this when flying out of Melbourne, which has a mediocre Qantas international business lounge compared to the much nicer space and superior food and drinks offered by Emirates upstairs.
The gorgeous Emirates lounge in Melbourne
On the other hand, when flying out of Sydney recently in Emirates first class, I opted to relax in the Qantas First Lounge instead, which is much more stylish and with better food and drinks options. It’s one of the world’s best lounges.
The stunning Qantas First Lounge Sydney (image source: Qantas)
Different airlines and alliances have different rules about lounge access, and in some airports there are exceptions to the normal rules, so you really need to do your research ahead of time. The easiest way is to use google. Unfortunately some airlines don’t publish lounge access rules very prominently on their websites.
At some airports, there are also lounges that you can access by paying a fee or flashing a high-end credit card at the door. For example, my American Express Platinum Card includes access to Priority Pass, the world’s biggest independent lounge network. When flying out of Bangkok recently with Etihad in business class, I didn’t like the third-party lounge Etihad guests were directed to, so instead enjoyed the gorgeous Oman Air business and first class lounge nearby, which is a Priority Pass lounge.
The beautiful Oman Air lounge in Bangkok
The bottom line is this: since the airport lounge is such an important part of the travel experience, research your lounge options ahead of time so you can enjoy the best possible holiday or work trip.
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I’m flying from syd to kl via sg on one qf booking. The qantas flight to sg is the following morning after I arrive late into sg at around 11pm. The morning flight while qf ticketed is on jq metal. Can I still access a lounge in sg before my flight (I’m qff plat)? I note only cathay has a lounge open starting at 4am. Also, on a side note, what happens to my bags during this layover?
You can access the Qantas lounge (if open) but I’m not sure whether you can enter any of the other oneworld airline lounges. Your bags should be looked after by the airline, but check with them.
What about lounge options for velocity gold members?
Hi Angela, there’s some info on the Velocity website: https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/
Great info thanks Kris.
I’m flying on Qantas business out of Sydney on QF tickets. Does the same apply in Syd as Melb- will we have access to Emirates lounge in Sydney? I think it’s a superior choice. Also flying home on Qatar business out of Milan, I’ve checked out the Qatar lounge there and am not that impressed by the look of it – any tips?
Hi, yes you’ll be able to access the Emirates lounge in Syd. As for Milan, I’m not sure which oneworld lounges are located there, but you can access any of them. I’m sure there will be reviews you can check out online from people who’ve visited them before. Enjoy 🙂
flying on Cathay to Japan for Rugby World cup out of Sydney via HK, (QF freq Flyer tkt), which lounge would you suggest in those 3 cities please
There will be several oneworld lounge options in each airport. Best thing to do is google some reviews to see which you want to visit 🙂
Is there a lounge for Thai airways? I fly out of Melbourne to Stockholm in October.
I don’t think Thai operates a lounge in Melbourne but eligible passengers will definitely have access to a lounge – you can google to find out which one.
I’m flying business class with Qatar from Mel – Warsaw in Sept. Am I able to use the Emirates Lounge at Tullamarine Airport, as Qatar Airlines has no lounge in Melbourne, but is a member of Oneworld Alliance. I’m quite sure I’m entitled to use the Qantas Business Lounge. Thanks
No you can’t use the EK lounge, just Qantas or any other oneworld lounge (QF is the best).
Thanks for the tips – really useful info!