This is a question we hear quite often – you’ve just come off a flight at your final destination, but perhaps you’ve got some time to kill and want to try to access the nearest lounge on arrival. Can you get through the door? As you’d expect, the answer is ‘it depends’.
So to help clear the air, here are the official arrivals lounge policies in Australia.
Accessing Qantas lounges on arrival
| Summary: only for Platinum Frequent Flyers and higher |
Will flashing your Business Class ticket at the end of the flight will get you past the lounge doors? Nope, you’ll be sorely disappointed.
Qantas only permits its own Platinum and Platinum One frequent flyers entry to Qantas Clubs and Domestic Business Lounges on arrival. However, this doesn’t extend to international flights or to elite-status members of partner airlines.
Previously, Qantas Business Class passengers jetting on the overnight services from Perth could access the Domestic Business lounges on arrival in Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. But this has been quietly scrapped since sometime in 2023.
Qantas American Express Ultimate
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1.25 Qantas Points earned per $1 on eligible everyday purchases. 2.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on selected Qantas products and services in Australia. 0.5 Qantas Point per $1 at government bodies in Australia. After a total of 100,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday earn rate will change from 1.25 to 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent.
- Annual Fee:
- $450 p.a.
- Offer expires
- 5 May 2026
- Earn 70,000 bonus Qantas Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 3 months, plus an additional 30,000 Qantas Points when you spend a minimum of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card Fee¹. (Offer ends 5 May 2026. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) This card includes an annual $450 Qantas Travel Credit, two Qantas Club Complimentary Lounge Invitations after eligible Qantas spend each year, complimentary international travel insurance, and Qantas Wine Premium Membership (valued at $99). Earn 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 on everyday spend, 2.25 on Qantas purchases, and 0.5 on government payments. The annual fee is $450.
Accessing Virgin Australia lounges on arrival
| Summary: Business Class passengers, Velocity Platinum & Gold members and Virgin lounge members + eligible guests |
Virgin Australia is far more accommodating with on-arrival lounge access. Business Class passengers, along with Velocity Platinum and Velocity Gold cardholders, paid-up Virgin Lounge members, and guests, can usually access Virgin Australia lounges on arrival, subject to ensuring you access the lounge within 60 minutes after landing.
Virgin Atlantic’s Flying Club Gold and UNIQ members are eligible as well.
Preference is given to Business Class guests and Velocity Platinum members, whereas Velocity Gold and Lounge members are ‘subject to space availability’.
American Express Velocity Platinum
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 100,000 bonus Velocity Points¹
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1.25 Velocity Points earned per $1 on all eligible spend except for government bodies⁵. 2.25 Velocity Points per $1 spent on selected Virgin Australia purchases⁵. 0.5 Velocity Points per $1 on Government spend⁵
- Annual Fee:
- $440 p.a.
- Offer expires
- 30 April 2026
- The American Express Velocity Platinum Card has 70,000 bonus Velocity Points on offer for new American Express Card Members who apply, are approved and spend $5,000 on eligible purchases within the first 3 months of approval, plus an additional 30,000 Velocity Points when you spend a minimum of $1 on your Card within 90 days of paying your second year annual Card Fee¹. (Offer ends 30 April 2026. New Amex Card Members only. T&Cs apply.) Includes several perks such as Virgin Australia Lounge Access² every time you fly domestically with Virgin Australia, 2 VA Guest Lounge Passes³ each year and a Complimentary Domestic Return Virgin Australia Flight⁷.
Accessing Rex lounges on arrival
| Summary: may be possible through Priority Pass |
Rex currently has regional lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide. The airline’s lounges are available for arrival access for paid-up members, while everyone else can only access them on departure.
Rex Lounges are also part of the Priority Pass program, which is an independent lounge membership. There isn’t a clear policy on whether you can access lounges on arrival, as the Priority Pass Terms and Conditions simply state that you need a ‘valid boarding pass’ without specifying whether it is strictly for outbound travel or not.
So, if you’ve just come off a flight and there is a Rex lounge nearby, it won’t hurt to rock up and ask, as the decision will likely be made by the lounge attendant of the day.
Accessing international lounges on arrival
You can’t usually access international lounges on arrival because most airline departure lounges are located in a different area from arrivals. For example, Australia maintains sterile departures and arrivals areas, so it’s physically impossible to access a departures lounge if you’re an arriving passenger.
But there are some limited examples where this isn’t the case. For example, in Singapore, departures and arrivals can intermingle throughout the terminal, with security only done at the gate.
Singapore Airlines permits its own First Class/Suites passengers to freshen up in The Private Room after arriving, even if they don’t have an onward flight.
At major airports, airlines might also have dedicated lounges for arriving passengers. In London, British Airways, American Airlines and Virgin Atlantic all have arrivals lounges that are open until just after midday.
In Sydney, you can stop by the (paid) Plaza Premium Arrivals Lounge to freshen up, but American Express Platinum Card Members do enjoy complimentary access.
Summing up
While many travellers might just want to get to their final destination, lounge access after landing can be a useful perk to have. For example, if you’re waiting for someone to arrive on a different flight.
Lounge access after a flight is possible domestically, but the rules vary wildly between carriers. Virgin Australia has the most inclusive policy, while Qantas restricts on-arrival access to Platinum members and higher. If you’re eligible, just show your boarding pass at the reception for entry.
I use domestic arrivals access once in a while, usually if I want a quick drink or snack before heading off. It’s even possible with checked bags, though you’ll probably want to keep your visit brief so your bag doesn’t get carted off the belt later on.
With international travel, you’ll find that arrivals lounge access usually isn’t (or can’t) be offered. But there are exceptions, particularly at major airline hubs where you might find a dedicated arrivals lounge.
It’s pretty pathetic really, in that if I land in SYD after a 22 hour flight from LHR (via DXB) in the early morning and can’t check into a hotel for at least another 6 hours, that as a paid up QC member, I can’t even cloak my luggage, get a shower and some food, maybe even just work in the lounge – all because “I don’t have an onward flight that day with QF”. This applies to anywhere else, not just SYD. Might as well be MAN, JFK or LAX for that matter.
Lord knows I pay enough from my OWN pocket for QC membership. I don’t even live in SYD, so it’s not like I can “just go home”. Most of those others who whinge that they are in the same position as QF Gold etc. don’t even pay for their own tickets or QC membership; their company does, so are in no position to complain. I am.
Regarding AMEX Platinum and Plaza Premium “but”and “do” don’t make sense “and” and “do” or “but”and “don’t” both make more sense.
Can you clarify please
I suppose when you use a boarding pass and the fight is complete it would be no longer valid
I’m flying with Qantas Mel to Singapore arriving 10pm and have an onward Jetstar early morning flight the next day. I understand the rules of next day flight no access, though am interested as a Platinum member if anyone has had any luck accessing the First qantas lounge in Singapore on arrival to freshen up until qf1 leaves to London? Given it’s in the same area as mentioned in this article. Thanks.
Hi James, as you know, by the rules on-arrival access to international lounges is not permitted. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard of any cases where anyone was granted entry, though it doesn’t hurt to try.
If you do, carry a printed paper copy of the website access rules with you.
My personal experience over 20yrs with lounge staff is that many don’t know their own conditions / rules of entry to lounges (and other; e.g. priority luggage, check-in counter, boarding etc.), often turning away people who legitimately have access by virtue of their airline status and/or ticket.
Looking at using up some points with different airline which would allow me to fly Emirates into Dubai in First Class and out again on SIA Economy. Would I have access to the Emirates First class lounge between flights?
Thank you for the article Brandon!
So how does it work if you have checked luggage? Where does it go if you are in the lounge for an hour? Guess the lounge is great if you don’t have checked luggage
HIA at Doha has a great arrivals lounge for QR Business passengers. The added benefit of this lounge is fast track (concierge like) through immigration. It isn’t well signposted but as you head down the escalators after disembarking, it is on the left and is marked Premium Arrivals.
Etihad operates a nice arrivals (compact) lounge at AUH for F and Biz passengers which from memory is after you exit immigration/customs – great spot to freshen up with showers and refreshments and small food offerings.
Well Done, Brandon.
Australia could do better, or I should say, QF. Alas. I’ve been privileged to be a P1 and have called on the domestic lounges from time to time.
Internationally we’re a little luckier. SQ will help you, EY will & QR – EK? You’ve not got much hope here (even in First). AA? No hope, either. My go-to over recent years has been the QR Arrivals Lounge that, when stepping off the overnight flight, makes the morning a breeze. Here’s a handy write-up.
https://princeoftravel.com/reviews/qatar-airways-arrivals-lounge-doha/
Thanks for sharing Simon, I’ll be visiting the QR Arrivals lounge in a few weeks time so hopefully we’ll be able to share our first-hand experiences soon.
Good on you, Brandon. If you are coming in on QR909 (0500hrs) I’ve never found it busy. That said, always put the shower first and breakfast second. They do a good Omelette, but the coffee is from the machine (a Macchiato raised eyebrows), the business centre is great. I can relax, get everything done and be in town for morning meetings refreshed and ready to go. Enjoy!
I’m looking for clarification on whether you can get access to the business lounge on arrival, if you are on a business class flight – connecting with a qantas link flight which doesn’t offer business?
Hi James, unfortunately, arriving in domestic Business and connecting to Qantaslink usually means you don’t have lounge access before the next flight. The exception is if you’re Qantas Platinnum and higher and use on-arrival access. Connecting from international Business, you would normally get lounge access on the domestic leg regardless of travel class.
So really, the answer for VA I’d no. It has been unavailable for quite some time now and is being “looked at”