Qantas announces another huge rule change for Frequent Flyers using complimentary lounge passes

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Qantas has announced yet another change for Frequent Flyers - this time regarding lounge access and complimentary invitations. 

As of 1 July, the complimentary lounge passes often used between friends and family members travelling separately will only be accepted if the person is with you. 

This will affect both domestic and general lounge passes, and guests must be on the same flight to gain access using them. 

The airline will also remove access to lounges for those on international Jetstar flights unless they're travelling on a Qantas codeshare flight. 

This will apply even for Qantas Club, Gold and Platinum Frequent Flyer members. Platinum One members, however, can still use the lounges when flying with Jetstar.

The reaction to the news has been mixed so far, with many vowing to 'forfeit' their membership due to the inconvenience. 

'You get more value flying with Virgin, especially if you have family. You can pool their points and status credits to you. I stopped flying with Qantas... and I'm a lifetime member too,' one said.

'Direct flights to Asia (excluding Singapore) are only available on JQ and there is no QF codeshare available, bit of a rort really,' another said. 

Qantas has announced yet another change for Frequent Flyers - this time regarding lounge access and complimentary invitations

As of 1 July, the complimentary lounge passes often used between friends and family members travelling separately will only be accepted if the person is with you

'I am LT Gold. So when my wife travels with me, she gets lounge access. But in the past when she travels solo for work, she has been able to use my passes. Now she can't. That is cruel and nuts,' one more added. 

On the other hand, some regular flyers were pleased to hear of the change. 

'Fair enough. The last time I was in the first lounge in Melbourne it was far too busy with Jetstar passengers,' one traveller said.

'Bravo,' wrote another.

This is the latest in a string of major changes for the airline, including the biggest overhaul of its Frequent Flyer program in history last month. 

Members will soon be able to earn Status Credits through everyday spending on the ground, as they can with Qantas Points. This will be via select credit cards and program partners. 

Status Credits are the only way a new tier (Silver, Gold, Platinum) can be achieved, and could previously only be earned from flying. 

The changes, which follow 'extensive feedback' from thousands of frequent flyers and loyalty experts, will be introduced progressively from later this year and will impact the 41 per cent of Aussies who currently collect Qantas Points. 

On the other hand, some regular flyers were pleased to hear of the change 

Among them will be the ability for members to roll over up to 50 per cent of their excess Status Credits, which currently reset from one membership year to the next. This will be capped by tier.

Unsurprisingly, this means the amount of credits needed to keep status level is rising.

In news deemed less positive by many Qantas customers, the airline has also announced the retirement of the popular Green Tier and Points Club Plus schemes.

The removal of the former means members will no longer be able to earn an annual bonus of 50 Status Credits or 10,000 Qantas Points by completing five 'sustainable' activities like offsetting a flight, doing a quiz or buying eco-wine.

The retirement of Points Club Plus means no more complimentary Qantas Club membership (worth $700+) for those who earned over 350,000 points on the ground. 

Qantas says these schemes were canned due to 'program complexity'; the team wanted to remove any 'over-lapping sub-programs in favour of one core recognition pathway'.

Qantas Group announced an Underlying Profit before tax of $1.46 billion and a 19 per cent spike in Qantas Loyalty revenue last month

Other changes to roll out throughout the year include greater recognition for Lifetime Gold members, including the ability to earn and 'bank' up to five complimentary years of Platinum Status.

An additional lounge invitation each membership year will also be included for Silver members, alongside new on-the-ground vouchers and discounts for all higher tiers.

Finally, a new search tool will be implemented on the Qantas website to help members find international Classic Reward seats on Qantas and partner airlines in seconds. 

The news comes as Qantas Group announced an underlying profit before tax of $1.46 billion on Thursday and a 19 per cent spike in Qantas Loyalty revenue.

Qantas Group CEO Vanessa Hudson said the overhaul will deliver greater flexibility, faster recognition and more pathways to status.

'With more than 18 million members and nearly 40 years rewarding loyalty, this represents a new era for the Frequent Flyer program in the face of a changing loyalty landscape,' she said.

'Our members have an incredible appetite for earning points, but we know they also place immense value on their status. Our most frequent flyers tell us that status retention is the single most important milestone as a member, with thousands achieving or retaining their tier every day. 

'These changes are about creating more opportunities for members to unlock status, while ensuring the program remains as relevant and rewarding in the future as it has been for the past four decades.'