Is it OK for a Gold or Platinum FF to take their partner or travelling companion with them down the priority boarding lane? I had always assumed that was OK , and have done so for years, unchallenged, with Qantas, Virgin and various partner airlines around the world.
However on a recent VA flight, my wife was told off for coming with me, and only relucantly allowed through. Is this a new Virgin policy or is it just enforcing a pre-existing rule? I can't recall ever seeing anything in writing.
I'd be interested in members' experiences and any definitive advice on the question!
Yes, it's totally normal if you're travelling as a group (as an unwritten perk) and I've never been challenged. It could be a new employee or for some other reason.
Singapore Airlines always without question, except for a grumpy Menzies Aviation Perth agent who refused priority baggage tagging and priority boarding.
Never had an issue before but would be interesting to know how QFs new boarding process handles it if they're not on the same booking as you? Would they be auto rejected by the scanner and no chance to get through? Because this would be common surely e.g. for me I would have booked my work trips as paid ticket with the company and brought my wife on separate booking as points or separately paid.
Never had an issue before but would be interesting to know how QFs new boarding process handles it if they're not on the same booking as you? Would they be auto rejected by the scanner and no chance to get through? Because this would be common surely e.g. for me I would have booked my work trips as paid ticket with the company and brought my wife on separate booking as points or separately paid.
If not on the same booking they would be subject to the boarding number of their booking according to status etc.
Never had an issue before but would be interesting to know how QFs new boarding process handles it if they're not on the same booking as you? Would they be auto rejected by the scanner and no chance to get through? Because this would be common surely e.g. for me I would have booked my work trips as paid ticket with the company and brought my wife on separate booking as points or separately paid.
If not on the same booking they would be subject to the boarding number of their booking according to status etc.
Not necessarily. Amadeus (the GDS used by Qantas not only for bookings, but also for all ground/airport operations) handles linked bookings very well. You can link two different bookings (which can be on a completely separate PNR, fare, travel class, etc. Provided they are for the same flights). Once linked, the status benefits flow to both passengers.
As an example, I was on a short holiday flight last week with my partner. I booked using points, because I needed the flexibility. My partner booked revenue, wanting to have the lowest fare and not requiring flexibility. We linked our bookings on Amadeus, and I could check in both of us via my Qantas App. Both our boarding passes were allocated to Group 1, even though only I am a Platinum member.
Linking also offers the benefit of being allocated together if any disruptions hit.
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Companion access to priority boarding
wheatbeltflyer
wheatbeltflyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 11 Jul 2017
Total posts 1
Is it OK for a Gold or Platinum FF to take their partner or travelling companion with them down the priority boarding lane? I had always assumed that was OK , and have done so for years, unchallenged, with Qantas, Virgin and various partner airlines around the world.
However on a recent VA flight, my wife was told off for coming with me, and only relucantly allowed through. Is this a new Virgin policy or is it just enforcing a pre-existing rule? I can't recall ever seeing anything in writing.
I'd be interested in members' experiences and any definitive advice on the question!
sid
sid
Member since 07 Jan 2011
Total posts 208
Yes, it's totally normal if you're travelling as a group (as an unwritten perk) and I've never been challenged. It could be a new employee or for some other reason.
Grannular
Grannular
Member since 31 Mar 2014
Total posts 283
Was she on the same booking as you? If so, generally priority boarding applies to everyone on that same booking
F8.1
F8.1
Member since 02 Oct 2016
Total posts 8
Singapore Airlines always without question, except for a grumpy Menzies Aviation Perth agent who refused priority baggage tagging and priority boarding.
MKS11
MKS11
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 05 Oct 2016
Total posts 71
Never had an issue before but would be interesting to know how QFs new boarding process handles it if they're not on the same booking as you? Would they be auto rejected by the scanner and no chance to get through? Because this would be common surely e.g. for me I would have booked my work trips as paid ticket with the company and brought my wife on separate booking as points or separately paid.
russell
russell
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 04 Nov 2011
Total posts 236
Originally Posted by MKS11
Never had an issue before but would be interesting to know how QFs new boarding process handles it if they're not on the same booking as you? Would they be auto rejected by the scanner and no chance to get through? Because this would be common surely e.g. for me I would have booked my work trips as paid ticket with the company and brought my wife on separate booking as points or separately paid.
FmD
FmD
Member since 25 Jun 2019
Total posts 24
Originally Posted by russell
Originally Posted by MKS11
Never had an issue before but would be interesting to know how QFs new boarding process handles it if they're not on the same booking as you? Would they be auto rejected by the scanner and no chance to get through? Because this would be common surely e.g. for me I would have booked my work trips as paid ticket with the company and brought my wife on separate booking as points or separately paid.
As an example, I was on a short holiday flight last week with my partner. I booked using points, because I needed the flexibility. My partner booked revenue, wanting to have the lowest fare and not requiring flexibility. We linked our bookings on Amadeus, and I could check in both of us via my Qantas App. Both our boarding passes were allocated to Group 1, even though only I am a Platinum member.
Linking also offers the benefit of being allocated together if any disruptions hit.