Updated: Qantas’ new lounge guesting rules explained

Good 

More watering down of service and benefits yet again by the flying kangaroo.

Whether Virgin or Qantas I usually only bring extra people in if they are travelling; only once ever (12 years ago) I brought a non-traveller into the lounge so what I'm saying is I really don't think this is a big issue UNLESS you're in the Beyond or Chairman lounge and you order a full course dinner with extra non-travellers with you.........

Never used this myself and I don't know any other airlines which let you bring a 'non-flying guest' into the lounge. But if enough people are using this rule then yes, it would add a bit to lounge crowding. Qantas will of course get caned for changing the rules but this doesn't seem a big deal to me.

Compare and contrast to Virgin who struggled to allow you to use the Platinum arrival benefit as a Platinum member that many times I lost count (OK, about three times) even though it was a hard, documented benefit.

I rarely wanted to use it (a couple of times, meeting colleagues or business associates when we were travelling on different airlines or different flights) but got knocked back every single time.  Not because they were busy, but because they claimed the benefit didn't actually exist.

Firstly, I note the article does not mention those flying in business - are J class guest privileges remaining unchanged?

It seems QF is aligning with the Oneworld guest rules which makes sense, however I'd be interested to know how much this would improve domestic capacity. Surely it would only be effective in airports with a single domestic terminal where multiple colleagues flying on different airlines could 'pool' their guest access. Personally I'm sad to see this go, I use this when visiting Adelaide where family members come into the lounge to spend extra time with me prior to my flight  (but the relatively reasonable cost of parking made this palatable too) I also semi-regularly catch up with a friend for a coffee when he transits through Sydney as that works for the pair of us (rather than meeting in the city) but I doubt many people would do this.

I found it useful to occasionally, repeat occasionally, come up from Melbourne and spend the day at the lounge having meetings with two of my Sydney-based colleagues. The office is a fair way out of town, so saved a lot of time, was very convenient and during the day, (10-3) tucked away in the lounge, no-one would have noticed. So, for mine, I'm disappointed it's being canned.

Back in the day Platinum members could bring 2 guest in even if not travelling, had some wonderful knock offs at the QPub

Australia is relatively unique in allowing non-travellers to clear domestic airport security, and I understand it’s been a unique thing here. But I’m disappointed by this change.

I can understand why the airline might be concerned lounges may fill with people who are flying with the competition, but on domestic departures, I’ve found this provision quite helpful. 

For example, I’ve used this rule to spend time with local family and friends during a prolonged transit who I otherwise wouldn’t have seen. Or spent quality time with family who’ve driven me to the airport and waited with me until I’ve boarded a flight home. These are usually quiet and reflective moments.

It’s not something I’ve used a lot - car parking fees scare most people from hanging around at the airport. But it does allow you to spend just a little more time with special people in your life. It’s a benefit I’ll miss.  

It's about time.

Since I first got lounge access in 2008, I think I've guested someone into a lounge a total of 2 times.

Was guested into the Qantas business class lounge in Brisbane a few years ago to catch up with a mate before his flight home, that was nice to do, had a meal and a few drinks. It completely surprised me this was a thing, so I can see why Qantas is ending it if it's being abused by too many people.

If you told someone outside Australia that as a top tier frequent flyer you could guest not one but TWO people into the lounge and that those people did not even have to be travelling they would not believe you.

I have used this a few times to catch up with clients at the airport but I can't say this is a 'deal-breaker' for me.

Wow! I've never used this perk -- but I'll rush to do so before the deadline.

This is an overdue rule change to alleviate the overcrowding in the Qantas Domestic Lounges. I still cannot believe that guests who are not flying or even flying with a different airline were allowed into the Qantas Domestic Lounges. I guess this could not happen for international lounges as only people with flight tickets can enter the airside areas in which the lounges are located.

Its good to see a rule change from Qantas that actually makes sense and is most probably agreeable to the majority of flyers.

The problem was you get those morons on Flyertalk arranging parties in the lounge and not even flying. They go to the trouble of buying fully refundable tickets, guesting in other Flyertalk morons and abusing the facility. I recvall several years ago they were openly arranging another party in the lounge and when they got there, a bunch of Qantas management were waiting for them and they were kicked out of the lounge and the FF programme. I found it funny reading them all bitching about this. So hardly a watering down of benefits when its open to such blatant abuse. You also find people in there who take every opportunity to annoy other users of the fact  they need to call every friend in their contacts list to say"I Am in the qantas lounge and everything is free ". On Flyertalk they also have an open calender where people post their schdules and a non status flyer can be guested in with them.

Good idea.  Airline clubs and lounges should be for travellers, not members wanting to shout friends a free meal and a drink.  

Hah!  Only just 3 hours ago I Guested my first guest into the Virgin Lounge in CBR, a colleague flying back to BNE.  First in 13 years and, as you'd expect, no problems with VA.

My other half, who travels often and internationally, uses this benefit approx. monthly so I can join him in the Business Lounge for a coffee when he’s returned from an extended international trip, or before he heads out on one. It’s always in CBR, and almost always on weekend mornings, when it’s quiet. We would likely avoid if it was full, but that’s the weekdays.  

Particularly for those who do a lot of travel, I think it’s nice to be with someone you know before heading out for an extended trip. And yes, of course, we could do this at an airport coffee shop. But why would we when we had this option?

I don’t see it as abuse; it’s a legitimate benefit (except of course the ‘parties’ mentioned).

I rarely bring guest, perhaps once every 10+ flights.

I wish Qantas recognizes this and award an extra pass for the rare occasion when I may need to guest an extra person.

This could encourage some to ration who they invite and reduce overcrowding.

Yes, about time.  This brings Qantas into line with most airlines and might stop the online advertising of having Q Lounge availability to take someone into the Lounge.  The new rule will stop the abuse of this perk and may help with the overcrowding.  Well done Qantas.

Good to hear. Once had the misfortune to arrive in a small regional unsupervised lounge after a party hosted by a departing passenger, where all their guests had completely cleaned the place out of drinks and food and left a mess everywhere.

LIke others who've used it I'm disappointed. For me it was the occasional professional meeting, but most commonly with my better half to spend some extra time together.

Reading about the organised parties makes me angry- but not at QF in this instance. 

Whilst this is welcome news to most frequent travellers trying to find a seat in the lounge. It does create a dilemma for children (under 18years of age) who have Gold or above status and fly to see their relatives. The issue arises before their departure the children now cannot be escorted by their relatives  into the lounge. First world problem I know, however their status allows then entry to the lounge. My opinion is that in these cases should be looked at on a case by case basis. 

Whilst this update may be welcome news, there is a category that this affects. It is those frequent flyers who have status of Gold and above and are under 18 years of age. The ability for them to use their status to visit the lounge and bring their non flying relative prior to departure resonated with them why is grown ups chase status. There’s U18’s enjoy the lounge as much as we do, and have been in the long cigar tube for the same amount of time. Whilst some will see this as a first word problem (and it is) keep in mind that this group of status members will now not be able to use the lounge if they don’t have a flying adult with them. 

In the past have used Qantas Meeting Rooms when I have day tripped to Sydney for 3 or 4 person meetings and a quiet corner in one of the lounges for 1:1s. With meeting rooms closed and the ability to bring in a non-flying guest now going, makes things a little more awkward. Was a handy perk and as a non-drinker, never abused.

I’m intrigued as to whether these policy changes will really tackle the issue of overcrowding. 

Do people really think that non-flying guests make up much of a proportion of the pax in the zoo like Melbourne or Sydney domestic Qantas lounges at 5:30pm on a weekday? I doubt it!

Some might recall the early days when Golden Wing members could use the lounge with guests without anyone flying.  My recent experiences of the Qantas Business lounge in Sydney fell a long way short.

I can totally understand the change, and I give it 12 months and only Platinum and J passengers will retain the perk, while Qantas Club and Gold needing to have their guest a member also, which will of course be no perk at all and a revenue raising upgrade for the QF group. It all comes down to space and revenue and putting lounge access in line with other major airlines. 

The future of air travel is now upon us!