Travellers on Jetstar international flights are being booted from Qantas lounges under a rule change that brings an end to the era of easy lounge access for customers of the low-cost carrier.
While customers flying on Qantas-operated flights, Qantas codeshare flights operated by Jetstar, and Jetstar domestic flights will still have access to lounges with their complimentary invitations “where available”, travellers on Jetstar international flights are now locked out.
Complimentary lounge invitations are “single-visit” digital “lounge invites” provided as a benefit of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program or through a partner credit card program.
The main pass beneficiaries via the Qantas Frequent Flyer program are Silver tier members, who get two passes per year.
In a move that may prove consequential for frequent flyer enthusiasts, the rule change will also block Qantas customers from transferring complimentary lounge invites to others. People who don’t travel often choose to “gift” passes with imminent expiry through lounge swaps groups on Facebook.
Under the change, complimentary invites to lounges “will only be transferable to someone travelling on the same flight as you”.
Typically, these lounge passes are bought, gifted, or included as perks from a credit card’s sign-up bonus. A thriving subculture of fellow travellers exists to sell or trade access, often consisting of members who have more passes than they need, who then offload them to lower-tier flyers.
These passes are an easy way for passengers to eat, drink, or refresh themselves in lounges before flights and during layovers.
Notably, neither of the changes will affect Platinum One Frequent Flyers or holders of Platinum One passes.
Adele Eliseo of The Champagne Mile website said the change reflects a desire to preserve the Qantas lounge for Qantas passengers.
“If you’re flying on a budget fare, Qantas is making it clear the lounge may no longer be part of your journey. But if Jetstar fares are out of the lounge, Jetstar-level food and beverages should be too,” she said.
“The single lounge pass restrictions are the biggest story, as they impact almost anyone holding a Qantas linked credit card that offers single entry invites as a benefit.”
Qantas-linked card spending accounts for over 35 per cent of Australian credit card spend, the company revealed in its half-year results. Consequently, “the lounge pass restriction is a material erosion of a key rewards card benefit”, Eliseo noted.
This latest rule change from Qantas is “happening under the shadow of looming Reserve Bank interchange cuts expected at the end of this month”, she said.
The RBA plans to lower interchange fee caps on card transactions, limiting merchant costs and potentially banning consumer surcharging. This, in turn, may force airlines to devalue the points they sell to banks.
Qantas last month announced a major change in the way frequent flyers could accrue status credits, allowing them to earn status credits by spending money on the ground rather than strictly through flight bookings.
Brandon Loo, writing in Point Hacks, which tracks frequent flyer programmes, said: “Qantas has been making major changes to its program this year. One focus is on reducing the number of people in its lounges, along with tackling the secondary ‘black market’ where people trade, sell, and gift lounge passes.”
The complimentary lounge passes are a great gift for friends and family, Loo wrote.
“It’s a pity to see their use restricted to people travelling with you only. Cutting access before Jetstar international flights is also a significant reduction in benefits for regular Jetstar travellers who have come to rely on lounge access as part of their journey.”
Qantas said the changes are driven by customer feedback, as well as the airline’s desire to ensure complimentary invitations are used as intended.
