You might notice Qantas’ lounges become a bit quieter from July 2026. The airline is making significant cuts to the lounge invite list. On the chopping board: the ability to transfer complimentary lounge invitations to anyone, as well as access before Jetstar international flights.
Here are all the upcoming changes that you need to know.
Qantas complimentary lounge passes will no longer be as versatile
Starting 1 July 2026, Qantas’ popular complimentary lounge passes will only be transferable to other members travelling with you. The days of sending them out as gifts to family and friends – ahead of their own trips – are numbered.
Specifically, this change will affect Domestic and General complimentary lounge invitations, which are the majority of passes. Platinum One invitations can still be transferred to anyone, while Titanium lounge invitations were never transferable in the first place.
Qantas has yet to clarify whether the guests travelling with you must be on the same booking or can be booked separately.
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Lounge access before Jetstar international flights scrapped
As part of a broader policy change, Qantas will also remove access to its lounges for most passengers on international Jetstar flights from 1 July 2026. This not only affects those with complimentary lounge passes, but also paid Qantas Club members, as well as high-flying Gold and Platinum frequent flyers.
Some exceptions still apply. For example, international Jetstar flights booked as a Qantas codeshare (i.e., with a QF flight number) will still be eligible, as will anyone booked on a Business Max fare. The wording on the Qantas website also seems to exclude Platinum One members from these changes. There are no changes to domestic Jetstar flights.
Summing up
Qantas has been making major changes to its program this year. One focus is on reducing the number of people in its lounges, along with tackling the secondary ‘black market’ where people trade, sell, and gift lounge passes.
The complimentary lounge passes are a great gift for friends and family. It’s a pity to see their use restricted to people travelling with you only. Cutting access before Jetstar international flights is also a significant reduction in benefits for regular Jetstar travellers who have come to rely on lounge access as part of their journey.
Qantas have just reduced my incentive to apply for particular credit cards that give lounge passes. I gave these to family and friends. I would never need them myself as we already have lounge access via Qantas Club. A very disappointing change to Qantas policy. No needs for my young rellies to be FF members now.