Most people dread a long layover before a flight, but with lounge access, waiting at the airport can be one of the most enjoyable parts of air travel. Qantas operates the largest lounge network in Australia, plus a reputable offering overseas. This beginners guide covers Qantas’ six lounge types, what they offer and how to gain access.
New to Qantas Frequent Flyer? Check out our Qantas Classic Flight Reward guide!
In this post:
What do Qantas Lounges Offer?
As Qantas operates six types of airport lounges, the benefits on offer differ with each type. However, there are some base-level features that you can expect to enjoy:
- Food: A must at an airport lounge, food is offered at all locations. The quality and setting can vary depending on the lounge, with a la carte dining at the top end in International First Lounges, and a limited buffet at Qantas Clubs.
- Drinks: All locations offer self-serve drinks of some description, such as tea and coffee, soft drinks and alcohol. Most larger lounges offer barista coffee and bar services.
- WiFi: Complimentary WiFi is provided at all locations, with the speed depending on the location of the lounge.
Bathrooms and showers: Each lounge provides bathroom facilities, with some offering shower facilities. - Newspapers and magazines: A wind variety of reading material is offered at all lounges, generally including local newspapers and a selection of magazines.
- Business facilities: All lounges offer space for business travellers to work, although at some locations the offering is very minimal.
- Family zones: Many lounges offer play zones for children, with a TV, play mat and toys often provided.
Qantas’ Six Lounge Tiers
Qantas operates over 50 lounges worldwide, across six different categories:
- Domestic Qantas Club: The base-level Qantas lounge; located in all capital cities and a number of regional locations like Mackay, Karratha and Devonport. There are many ways to gain access to Qantas Club lounges, including via a paid membership, therefore these lounges often become crowded at peak times.
- Domestic Business Lounge: A cut above the Qantas Club, Qantas Domestic business lounges offer improved food and beverage, and are often more modern and spacious. There are five Domestic Business Lounges in the network: Brisbane Canberra, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.
- International Business Lounge: Passengers travelling internationally from a number of locations across Australia and a number of overseas locations like Hong Kong, Singapore, Auckland and Los Angeles may wish to visit a Qantas International Business Lounge.
- International Lounge: These ultra-premium combined business and first lounges are located at just five airports: Hong Kong, Singapore, London Heathrow Perth and Brisbane. These lounges offer a la carte dining and premium beverage options, plus a range of impressive facilities.
- International First Lounge: Elite frequent flyers and first class passengers can access Qantas’s amazing International First Lounges when departing Melbourne, Sydney, Los Angeles, Auckland or Singapore.
- Chairman’s Lounge: These exclusive invite-only lounges are located at Qantas’ airports and are reserved for celebrities, politicians, CEOs and High Court judges
You can find the full list of Qantas lounges here.
How to access Qantas Lounges
Qantas Lounge access is reserved for high tier Qantas, Oneworld and partner airline frequent flyers, as well as those travelling in business or first class. Qantas Club members and travellers with a single entry lounge pass can access selected lounges.
| Lounge Pass | Qantas Club Members | Gold* | Platinum & Platinum One* | Business Class | First Class | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Qantas Club | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| Domestic Business Lounge | N | N | N | Y | Y | Y |
| International Business Lounge | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| International Lounge | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y | Y |
| International First Lounge | N | N | N | N | N | Y |
*Plus equivalent Oneworld and partner airline members
Qantas Club Membership
A good option for those frequent travellers without status is joining the Qantas Club. This gives you lounge access for yourself and one companion at domestic lounges and affiliated international lounges. Qantas Club members also receive other benefits including an additional checked baggage allowance when travelling in Economy or Premium Economy and priority check-in on Qantas flights.
Joining the Qantas Club will set you back $399 as a one-off join fee, plus an annual fee:
- 1 year: $540 or 78,000 Qantas Points
- 2 years: $980 or 155,000 Qantas Points
- 4 years: $1,850 or 285,000 Qantas Points
Credit Card Access
There are also a few credit cards that each offer up to two single entry passes per year to Qantas Clubs or International Business Lounges. These digital passes do expire and can be transferred to another Qantas Frequent Flyer member. Here are some of our favourite credit cards that offer lounge passes:
ANZ Frequent Flyer Black
Earn 120,000 bonus Qantas Frequent Flyer Points and $275 back to your new card when you spend $4,000 or more on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of card approval
Lounge Pass: 2 Qantas Club lounge passes per year
Earn Rate: Earn 1 Qantas Frequent Flyer Point per $1 spent on eligible purchases, capped at $7,500 after which the earn rate reduces to 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent
Qantas AMEX Ultimate
Receive 100,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply online by 14 April 2020, are approved and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months. New Card Members only.
Lounge Pass: 2 Qantas Club lounge passes per year
Earn Rate: 1.25 pts per $1 spent uncapped
Top Qantas Lounges
Qantas First Class Lounge Singapore
The relatively new Qantas First Class lounge in Singapore is simply phenomenal. Qantas has knocked it out of the park with the design and aesthetic of the lounge, with classic Qantas marble and perforated wooden panels. Most of the lounge is dedicated to dining, with an extensive a-la-carte menu, and an excellent selection of beverages.
Want to know more? Read our full review here!
Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney
Qantas’s International First Lounge at Sydney Airport is deservedly ranked among the world’s best airport lounges. An awesome view, Neil Perry inspired à la carte dining, bar service, barista coffee, complimentary spa treatments and marble-lined shower suites are a few of the perks that this lounge has to offer.
Want to know more? Read our full review here!
Qantas Domestic Business Lounge Brisbane
With premium entry, plenty of seating and excellent food and drink offerings, there is a lot to like about Brisbane airport’s Qantas Domestic Business Lounge. Available to elite frequent flyers and business-class guests, Qantas’s premium lounge entry offers a dedicated check-in area, bag drop and security screening with direct access to the Qantas lounge precinct.
The lounge is divided into a variety of zones for dining, working and relaxing. As well as a relatively extensive buffet, Qantas’s signature dining concept at Brisbane is ‘The Cantina’ which serves freshly made Mexican dishes. Barista coffee is made to order and the main bar serves drinks including beer, wine, spirits and soft drink.
Qantas Domestic Business Lounge Melbourne
Qantas’s stylish Melbourne Domestic Business Lounge is a fantastic renovated space, featuring dark tones and sophisticated finishes. Apron-facing windows span the length of the lounge, giving the space a light and open feeling. The bar stocks a generous selection of beers, wines and spirits, as well as all-day barista coffee and signature cocktails.
As well as the standard buffet that offers several Asian-focused dishes, Qantas has introduced an Asian Spice Bar to its signature dining concept. Inspired by Neil Perry’s Spice Temple restaurant, the Spice Bar offers a range of fresh dishes prepared to order, with two options available at any one time.
