Jetstar flyers booted from Qantas lounge in rule change

Jetstar passengers travelling internationally 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.

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. The invites are often traded between Qantas frequent flyers who source them via Facebook groups.

Under the change, complimentary invites to lounges “will only be transferrable 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 said the change reflects a desire to preserve the Qantas lounge for Qantas passengers.

“The single lounge pass restrictions are the biggest story, as they impact almost anyone holding a Qantas-linked credit card.”

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.