Qantas has announced some major updates to Qantas lounge access for customers. From 1 July 2026, Qantas Lounge access will no longer be available to Complimentary Lounge Invitation holders, or to Platinum, Gold and Qantas Club members travelling on international Jetstar flights.

What Are the Qantas Lounge Access Changes?

Several changes have been made to Qantas lounge access for travellers. Namely, Platinum, Gold and Qantas Club members travelling on international Jetstar flights. This rule change brings an end to the era of easy lounge access for customers of the budget 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 will not have access.

Lounge access will also no longer be available to Complimentary Lounge Invitation holders. This will mainly affect Qantas Frequent Flyers in the Silver tier, who get two passes per year. The rule change will also cut Qantas customers from transferring complimentary lounge invites to others. You will now only be able to transfer a complimentary lounge invite to someone travelling on the same flight as you…defeating the purpose of passing these on as a gift for those who don’t travel as often, which has proven to be quite popular over the years.

However, it's important to note that none of these changes will affect Platinum One Frequent Flyers or holders of Platinum One passes.

Our Thoughts

Preventing Jetstar travellers from entering Qantas lounges marks yet another major switch-up from the airline and its Frequent Flyer program.

It’s focused on limiting the number of people in its lounges, although it may prove popular with some Qantas passengers who thought they were too overcrowded and entry too easily obtained. Qantas is clearly defining the gap between the full-service airline and the low-cost carrier. Those frequent flyers on Jetstar-only routes where Qantas doesn’t operate, like Melbourne - Bangkok / Colombo, for example, will likely be disappointed by the changes.

Complimentary Lounge Invitation holders are also being shunned, proving Qantas are tightening the screws when it comes to loyalty. Say you’ve got Gold status and you get two lounge passes with your credit card; previously, you could have gifted these lounge passes to a Qantas Frequent Flyer friend to use during their own trip. However, this change means that now, you can only give them to someone travelling on the same flight as you.

What are your thoughts on the changes? Chat to an airfare specialist to discuss more.