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Qantas will reopen more of its international lounges next week, as broader overseas travel resume from Australia. The International Business Lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will be back in business from 27 March 2022. Meanwhile, the International First Lounges in Sydney and Melbourne will resume full service for First Class and Platinum-grade travellers from that date as well.
But that means it’s time for Qantas Club members, Qantas Gold, oneworld Sapphire and Business Class passengers flying the Red Roo to say goodbye to the much-loved First lounges, which temporarily hosted everyone while the Business lounges were shut.
Treat yourself to an overseas getaway with Qantas Points.
Qantas Money Platinum
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1 Qantas Point per whole AU$1 on Domestic Spend up to $10,000 per statement period and 0.5 thereafter. 1.5 Qantas Points per whole AU$1 equivalent on international spend plus 1 additional Qantas Point per whole AU$1 on selected Qantas spend
- Annual Fee:
- $349 for the first year, $399 p.a.
- Earn 60,000 Qantas Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 90 days, plus 40,000 bonus Qantas Points if you haven’t earned Qantas Points with a credit card in the last 24 months. Enjoy two Qantas Club lounge passes annually, complimentary international travel insurance, and 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months (3% fee applies). The annual fee is $349 in the first year, then $399 ongoing. Earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent and 1.5 Qantas Points per AU$1 spent overseas.
With lounges in major destinations locally and overseas, lounge access is a valuable perk to passengers. Travelling in Business or First Class? You’re definitely in. Hold elite frequent flyer status or Qantas Club membership? The doors will open for you. And if don’t usually have access, you could still earn single-entry passes from credit cards.
Here are the six different types of Qantas lounges, our picks on the best ones, and how to get in.
The six lounge types in Qantas’ lounge network
Qantas has six different types of lounges, which we have ranked in order of service quality and facilities:
- Domestic Qantas Club: the most common type and lowest-tiered Qantas lounge. There are 24 across the network, in all capital cities as well as far afield as Karratha, Devonport and Mackay.
- Domestic Business Lounge: a step up from a Qantas Club. It has better food and drink offerings, and is quieter and smaller. There are five Domestic Business Lounges, in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Canberra.
- International Business Lounge: for departing international flights from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Plus a number of overseas locations in Auckland,, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Singapore and Wellington.
- (Premium) International Lounge: there are currently two of these combined Business and First Class Lounges, in Brisbane and London Heathrow.
- International First Lounge: for First Class passengers and elite frequent flyers in Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Los Angeles and Singapore.
- Chairman’s Lounge: invitation-only domestic lounges in major Qantas hubs such as Sydney, Canberra and Brisbane. It’s for members including politicians, High Court judges, CEOs and celebrities.
You can see a full list of Qantas lounges here.
Eligible Qantas customers also have access to associated lounges run by partner airlines (such as Emirates and British Airways). These are in key airports where Qantas does not operate its own lounges, such as New York, Dubai, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, Johannesburg and Bangkok.
What to expect at Qantas lounges
With six different types of lounges, you’ll receive quite a different experience in each.
Starting at the bottom, at most Qantas Clubs, you can expect:
- Snacks, tea, machine-brewed coffee and alcoholic beverages
- Barista-made coffee at major regional airports and capital cities
- Toilets and shower facilities at most locations
- WiFi and computers
- Newspapers and magazines
- Family zone for children
However, note that smaller regional lounges such as the Qantas Club Launceston will lack shower facilities, computer access, barista-made coffee and more.
On the next step, Domestic and International Business Lounges will also tend to offer:
- Lounge dining including rotating a-la-carte menus
- Better bar options
- Better shower facilities
Moving up, the International Premium (mixed), International First and Chairman’s Lounges will have a more ’boutique’ interior design, enhanced personal service from staff, as well as wider food and drink offerings.
Also read: How to choose the best lounge before your flight
How do I get free Qantas lounge access with credit cards?
There is currently a small selection of credit cards that each offer two entries per calendar year to Qantas Clubs or International Business Lounges as a perk. All credit cards have transitioned to digital lounge passes.
You can view and transfer your digital invitations to any other Qantas Frequent Flyer member on the Qantas Complimentary Lounge Invitations website.
Note that you cannot use these passes for shared lounges (such as the one in Los Angeles) or associated partner lounges (such as Emirates lounges).
Whilst the annual fees differ, other perks such as sign-up bonuses, ongoing points earn through spending and trip protection do also, so it is worth clicking through to decide which offers the best value to your circumstances.
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.
American Express Qantas Business Rewards
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 170,000 bonus Qantas Points*
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- Earn 2 Qantas Points per $1 spent on Qantas products and services, 1.25 Qantas Points per $1 spent on everyday business purchases, and 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent on government charges.^. After a total of 500,000 Qantas Points is earned in a calendar year, the everyday business earn rate will change from 1.25 to 0.75 Qantas Points per $1 spent.^
- Annual Fee:
- $450 p.a. and up to 99 Employee Cards at no additional cost
- Offer expires
- 16 June 2026
- Earn 170,000 bonus Qantas Points when you apply, are approved and spend $6,000 on eligible purchases in the first 3 months. T&Cs apply. New American Express Card Members only. Ends 16 June 2026. Earn up to 2 Qantas Points per $1 on eligible business purchases, plus access to two domestic Qantas Club Complimentary Lounge Invitations each year and complimentary international travel insurance. The annual fee is $450.
Qantas Money Platinum
- Sign-up Bonus:
- Up to 100,000 bonus Qantas Points
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1 Qantas Point per whole AU$1 on Domestic Spend up to $10,000 per statement period and 0.5 thereafter. 1.5 Qantas Points per whole AU$1 equivalent on international spend plus 1 additional Qantas Point per whole AU$1 on selected Qantas spend
- Annual Fee:
- $349 for the first year, $399 p.a.
- Earn 60,000 Qantas Points when you spend $5,000 in the first 90 days, plus 40,000 bonus Qantas Points if you haven’t earned Qantas Points with a credit card in the last 24 months. Enjoy two Qantas Club lounge passes annually, complimentary international travel insurance, and 0% p.a. on balance transfers for 12 months (3% fee applies). The annual fee is $349 in the first year, then $399 ongoing. Earn 1 Qantas Point per $1 spent and 1.5 Qantas Points per AU$1 spent overseas.
Qantas American Express Premium
- Sign-up Bonus:
- 20,000 bonus Qantas Points
- Rewards Earn Rate:
- 1 Qantas Point earned per $1 spent on eligible purchases. 1 additional Qantas Point per $1 on selected Qantas products and services in Australia. 0.5 Qantas Points per $1 spent at government bodies in Australia
- Annual Fee:
- $249 p.a. annual fee
- The Qantas American Express Premium Card has 20,000 bonus Qantas Points on offer for new American Express Card Members who apply online, are approved, and spend $3,000 on your new Card within the first 3 months of approval date. The card comes with 2 Qantas Club Complimentary Lounge invitations after eligible Qantas spend each Card Member year and earns up to 2 Qantas Points per $ on eligible purchases.
*Note that with some of these cards, you will receive your passes after your first spend with Qantas
Got your passes? Next up, read our guide on how to use Qantas digital lounge passes.
Key Qantas Domestic and International lounges
Qantas Sydney lounges
Consistently ranked as one of the world’s top airport lounges, we give the International First Class lounge a five-star rating. This lounge goes above and beyond with table service either in the restaurant area or at your lounge seat. Add to that a good menu, spa offerings and a full bar.
The Sydney International Business Lounge is not as impressive and was due for an upgrade by late 2020. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has scuppered those plans indefinitely.
Sydney’s Domestic Business Lounge is well-regarded for its food, drink and comfort but is a little behind the curve when it comes to Qantas’ latest lounge design ethos.
Qantas Melbourne Lounges
The International First Lounge is like a mini clone of the Sydney lounge but has a bit less of a ‘wow’ factor.
Having said that, the Melbourne lounge is more intimate than Sydney’s and we find it a more relaxing, personal experience, with staff members really willing to interact and give decent personal service.
There is also a Qantas International Business Lounge in Melbourne. It’s a big workhorse lounge that caters for guests flying on Qantas, oneworld partner airlines (many Cathay Pacific guests prefer this lounge over the Cathay Pacific one) and non-alliance partners like China Eastern.
Both the Domestic Business Lounge and Qantas Club were renovated in 2018. The Qantas Club is the go-to lounge for many of Qantas’ frequent flyers and lounge members plus their guests, with well-utilised spaces, good distinct zones for relaxing and working/eating.
While the food options are certainly nothing to write home about, there is absolutely nothing to complain about either. The Domestic Business Lounge is an exclusive area that caters to Business Class guests, Platinum Frequent Flyers and higher. It boasts an Asian Noodle Bar which is a welcome break from the typical buffet fare.
Qantas Brisbane Lounges
The Domestic Business Lounge might just be one of the best in Qantas’ entire portfolio. It carries a common theme of promoting health and wellness in its spaces, lighting, and food and beverage offerings. The Qantas Club offers a welcome escape from the main terminal but, like the other Qantas Clubs, can get crowded.
We haven’t yet checked out the Brisbane International Premium Lounge, which welcomes all lounge-worthy passengers heading abroad from Brisbane.
Qantas Perth Lounges
The Qantas Club is the main lounge for the majority of Qantas’ frequent flyers and lounge members flying interstate from Western Australia, which means it can get quite full at times.
The combined Domestic/International Business Lounge has a relaxing ambience and ‘premium’ feel to it and is complete with high-quality furnishings and amenities.
If you are flying nonstop to London, then you may prefer the International Transit Lounge instead. Access to that lounge is granted both to those departing from Perth and those arriving in Perth from other cities and connecting onto the London flight.
Qantas Los Angeles Lounges
The airline runs an International First Lounge at LAX for its First Class and Platinum/Platinum One passengers flying to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.
It’s a great place to spend 1-2 hours enjoying fantastic food and drinks and freshening up with a hot shower before your long overnight flight back to Australia.
We give the International Business Lounge a solid four-star rating for its spaciousness, fast wifi and well-stocked bar, but it is let down by dark lighting, some disappointing food and no tarmac views.
It’s run by Qantas in partnership with oneworld partners British Airways and Cathay Pacific. As such, single-use complimentary passes cannot be used at this lounge, nor can Emirates Skywards frequent flyers gain access.
Passengers eligible for access include those travelling in Qantas Business Class, higher-tier Qantas and oneworld Frequent Flyers, and Qantas Club members.
Qantas Auckland Lounge
Whilst functional and conveniently located, the Auckland Business lounge is old and tired and one of the least impressive spaces in the Qantas network. Hopefully, it gets a much-needed upgrade soon!
Partner airline Emirates’ lounge is a good alternative in Auckland if you can gain access (and it is open).
Qantas Singapore Lounges
The Qantas Singapore International Business Lounge is once again one of the airline’s best spaces. It’s large with an industrial-like feel to it. There is plenty of seating and the food options are usually excellent.
Meanwhile, the airline’s newest First lounge in Singapore also ranks very highly in our books. The signature Neil Perry dining menu carries over from Australia, but not the spa treatments, unfortunately.
Qantas London Lounge
The Red Roo’s two-storey lounge in London Heathrow is another top pick. Featuring an unmatched selection of gins and a quaint afternoon tea service before the flight home, it’s not hard to see why this lounge is a favourite of travellers heading home from Europe.
How else can I get Qantas lounge access?
Your cabin class of travel and frequent flyer status dictates which lounges you have entry to. Obviously, Business and First Class Qantas and partner airline passengers have access to Qantas and partner lounges before eligible flights.
Members with Qantas Gold or oneworld Sapphire status and higher also get automatic access to Qantas Clubs and International Business Lounges. So does buying a Qantas Club membership.
Qantas Platinum and oneworld Emerald members get upgraded access to Domestic Business Lounges and International First Lounges, where available.
In addition to this, Qantas also offers some lower-tier frequent flyers the opportunity to buy a day pass for some other Qantas lounges in Australia and overseas from $49.
Summing up
With an extensive network across Australia and its overseas destinations, Qantas’ lounge offering vastly outshines Virgin Australia and Rex in this area. And with International Premium, Business and First Lounges, you’re in for a great experience before your next overseas flight.
There are so many ways for savvy Qantas Frequent Flyer members to get access before a flight. You could use your points for a Business or First Classic Reward seat, or perhaps an upgrade. You could buy Qantas Club access or get free passes with some credit cards.
If the lounge is comfortable, quiet and has coffee and shower facilities I am pretty happy.
@matt – OW emerald must be flying on OW to gain lounge access – I was J on SQ and was refused entry – correct??
Hi Matt,
Can complementary Qantas lounge invitations be used at the Air NZ lounge in Queenstown under the new partnership while the Manaia lounge remains closed?
I’ve got a club membership via qantas points plus club, and i have 6 lounge passes. If we’re flying to NZ in august, can i bring some co-travellers with me into the first class lounge?
Loading $5000 into Qantas travel card is a bad deal. They take 3% so you already lose $150 before you get on the plane. You can get Qantas Passes for $40 or less. Really bad deals.
Hi Matt,
Are the lounge passes from the “18 to 35 year old” promotion eligible to be saved for future trips or must they be used on the trip that earned the pass? Only asking because I am planning to upgrade to Business class with points therefore making the pass pointless for the trip.
I have registered for the lounge passes and received the same email you have Matt. I have also booked flights with Qantas, what’s the next step? I logged into my QFF account but there are no lounge invitations.
From the offer page:
I booked flights to LAX flying Qantas just a few weeks ago. Do you think if I registered, lounge passes would be given out retrospectively?
Cheers
No, you have to register first.
Without question the WORST Qantas lounge is Manila, Philippines. It is literally just a small sized room no bigger than a hotel bedroom with 2 bathrooms, no showers and very limited food/drinks. Being that the room is so small seating space is also a big issue. Every time I fly though Manila it is honestly not even worth going inside this Qantas lounge and it is well overdue for a major overhaul.
Thanks Matt. Very useful article. Can you advise if a Qantas Club member can use the Qantas/One World lounge in Los Angeles please?
Therese
Yes, Qantas Club members can access the LAX lounge, however, single-use passes do not work here.
Cant believe CBA is the only BIG 4 left out to be offering lounge access! How disappointing!!
Matt, did you hear about when they will/can bring it to their line of credit cards?
CommBank has a poor range of rewards cards. I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Perth his week? Which lounge? Seeking your advice…. travelling through PER this week, flying PER-SYD domestic in QF Business, I am Emerald / Platinum with QR, I think PER has a separate Domestic Terminal, so which QF lounge is superior quality? Would appreciate advice.
I’d highly recommend the free LoungeBuddy app for access information and traveller reviews!
If I’m flying on a Qantas business reward seat out if Sydney but I hold platinum status with Finnair /Oneworld Emerald will they let me into the First lounge or will I have to change ff account on the booking so it shows on the Boarding pass also??
The westpac website indicates that you get two complimentary passes to qantas lounges, but only if you register before making the requisite Qantas purchase that grants you the access.
I’ve bought two international flights with QF one week ago using my westpac altitude black CC, and only just realised this sneaky footnote. Is there any way to still gain the access to the Qantas club?
[http://info.westpac.com.au/creditcards/black/altitudeblack/travel/qantas-lounge-passes.aspx]
Matt, I have the black ANZ card that gave me 75,000 points. Can I just rock up at a lounge and on the system they will note I have two passes available?
Qantas passes issued by credit cards, such as from ANZ, are usually somewhat old-school paper things with an expiry date. You’ll need to ensure you have one on you when you enter the lounge. Virgin, by comparison, run a digital system with the passes attached to your frequent flyer account.
Thanks for the detailed review on the lounges Matt. I am changing current ANZ card to the Black QFF one, so I’m hoping I can use the 2 Qantas Club lounge passes at the Hong Kong airport next time I’m there.
Great overview. As you said the Auckland lounge is out-dated & compounded by surly staff especially at reception. The Emirates lounge next door to it is fantastic (as is the EK Sydney lounge). Even though I’m QF Gold I fly EK to from Auckland, to avoid the QF lounge, and across the Tasman the status credits are small beer anyway.
Departing from Sydney in Qatar first, customers would be able to access Qantas first lounge? Best regards,
Hmmm, a couple of scenarios. You’ll get access in these cases:
We’ve looked into it a bit more. The Qantas website is a bit confusing and makes it seem like it has to have a QF flight number for you to get in, but as Qatar is a oneworld member, you would have access as a First Class passenger on a Qatar flight.
Hi Matt, very good article to bring one up to speed on Qantas lounges.
Small correction needed though, I think you meant to write “Chairman’s Lounge” and not “Platinum One” members who can access Qantas’ Chairman’s Lounges. Platinum One’s don’t have that privilege, although as a P1, I wish it were so (we have to slum it in the Domestic Business Lounges – no choice from two meals to order for us, just the maybe and pretty ho-hum “Plate of the Day” offerings).
Hi Kieran, of course! Thanks for the heads up. Guide updated.
does Qantas have an international lounge in Adelaide? I thought they didn’t as they don’t have international flights from there?
Peter, that’s a bit misleading right?! Qantas lists them separately on their website, but indeed, you are correct. Here’s what it says: ‘The domestic and international lounges are combined. All eligible domestic and international departing customers are invited to use this lounge.’ Thanks for the spot!