FAQs
All your questions about the Qantas Emirates Partnership answered
Do you want to know exactly how the Qantas Emirates Partnership will affect you? From information about status credits to our complimentary Chauffeur Drive service, you'll find the answers to your questions right here. Remember that other general enquiries will be answered in our FAQ database.
Network and Ticketing
1. When will the partnership commence?
The Qantas and Emirates partnership is due to commence on 31 March 2013.
On 17 January 2013, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) granted interim authorisation for the proposed Qantas and Emirates partnership. Interim authorisation means that Qantas and Emirates can now coordinate on pricing, sales and capacity on certain routes (excluding services to/from destinations such as New Zealand, where regulatory approval is still pending).
The partnership still remains subject to final authorisation from the ACCC, a decision which is expected in March.
2. When will tickets be available for sale on the Qantas-Emirates network?
Tickets for Qantas codeshare services on most parts of the combined Qantas and Emirates network, for travel from 31 March 2013, are now available for sale (subject to regulatory approvals). Customers can book these flights with either carrier, via the Qantas or Emirates websites, or through their Travel Agent.
3. Why are Emirates destinations in New Zealand and some other places not yet available for sale by Qantas?
The ACCC's interim authorisation did not extend to Trans-Tasman services, and Qantas is also waiting for regulatory approvals in other jurisdictions, including New Zealand. Until those approvals are obtained, Qantas is not able to coordinate with Emirates on sales, pricing and capacity for these markets.
4. If I buy a ticket on qantas.com how will I know who I'll ultimately be flying with?
The airline that you will be flying with will be confirmed during the booking process as currently occurs.
5. Where can I fly now?
Qantas will fly daily from both Sydney and Melbourne to London via the global gateway of Dubai (subject to regulatory approvals).
From 31 March 2013, the new partnership will also allow Qantas to codeshare on flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth directly to Dubai, and then onward to 65 destinations in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Options will also be available for customers who would still like to travel via Asia.
If you are flying to North or South America, South Africa, Japan, as well as New Zealand, The Philippines, Jakarta, Hawaii, China or other Qantas codeshare destinations you are not affected at all by Qantas' partnership with Emirates.
6. Will Qantas still fly to Asia?
Yes. Previously our services to Asia were timed to optimise travel through to Europe. We have retimed our existing services to Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong, offering an improved schedule dedicated to better meet the needs of the Asia market. Customers will benefit by arriving earlier in Asia, rather than late at night, and in some cases, will be able to make same-day connections to their final destination.
The joint Qantas-Emirates network into Asia gives provides a fresh set of options, including double daily services to Singapore from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.
All Qantas customers with existing bookings for travel from 31 March 2013 and who are impacted by the Asia schedule changes will be contacted progressively from 4 February 2013 by Qantas or their Travel Agent and appropriately reaccommodated onto suitable alternate services. This includes those travelling on Qantas Frequent Flyer Classic or Any Seat Award tickets.
Frequent Flyer
Visit Qantas Frequent Flyer FAQs for further details in relation to Qantas Frequent Flyer aspects of the partnership (subject to regulatory approvals).
1. When can I book a Qantas Classic Award to travel on an Emirates (EK) flight using my Qantas Frequent Flyer points?
Qantas Classic Award bookings may be booked on Emirates (EK) operated flights from 31 March 2013.
2. Will I earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points and Status credits when I travel on Qantas (QF) flights operated by Emirates (EK)?
For travel on/after 31 March 2013, Qantas Frequent Flyer Members can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points on eligible fares on all Qantas (QF) marketed flights that are operated by Emirates (EK) irrespective of when the booking was created. To earn both Points and Status credits, your flights must be booked and ticketed with a Qantas (QF) flight number.
| Qantas Frequent Flyer Earn | Booked &Ticketed on Qantas (QF) Flight Number | Booked &Ticketed on Emirates (EK) Flight Number |
|---|
| Points |  | |
| Status Bonus Points | | |
| Cabin Bonus Points | | |
| Status Credits | | |
| Minimum Points Guarantee | | |
Note: Applicable to Qantas (QF) and Emirates (EK) operated flights.
3. Will I earn Qantas Frequent Flyer points when I travel on Emirates (EK) flights?
For travel on/after 31 March 2013, Qantas Frequent Flyer Members can earn Qantas Frequent Flyer Points when travelling on eligible fares classes on all Emirates (EK) marketed and operated flights globally, irrespective of when the booking was created. To earn Points on Emirates (EK) your flight must be booked and ticketed with an Emirates (EK) flight number.
4. Will I earn Qantas Status credits when I travel on Qantas (QF) flights operated by Emirates (EK)?
For travel on/after 31 March 2013, Qantas Frequent Flyer Members booked on eligible fares can earn Status credits on all Qantas marketed flights operated by Emirates (EK), irrespective of when the booking was created. To earn Qantas Status credits you must be booked and ticketed on a Qantas (QF) flight number.
5. Can I use my Qantas Frequent Flyer points for a Qantas Classic Award on a flight with an Emirates (EK) flight number?
From 31 March 2013, Qantas Frequent Flyer Members can use Qantas Frequent Flyer Points to book Qantas Classic Awards for travel on all Emirates (EK) marketed and operated flights worldwide with an EK flight number.
Qantas Classic Awards are subject to availability and additional taxes, fees and carrier charges are payable at the time of booking.
6. How many points will I need to book a Classic Award on Emirates (EK)?
The number of Qantas Frequent Flyer Points required for a Qantas Classic Award on Emirates (EK) varies depending on class of travel and routing. The number Points required for a Classic Award on Emirates (EK) is based on the Qantas Classic Award table.
Qantas Classic Awards are subject to availability and additional taxes, fees and carrier charges are payable at the time of booking.
7. Can I combine my Qantas Frequent Flyer points with my Emirates Skywards miles?
No. Qantas Frequent Flyer program points and Emirates Skywards program miles cannot be combined and points/miles are not transferable.
Baggage
1. Will Qantas be changing its international baggage policies?
As a result of the partnership with Emirates, Qantas will align its international ticketed checked baggage allowances as well as the additional Frequent Flyer and Qantas Club allowances to that of Emirates for all international flights between and within Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Asia and Australia. Subject to regulatory approvals, regardless of whether you travel on Qantas or Emirates on these services, your overall baggage allowance will be the same (with the exception of sporting goods and infant allowances).
To enable a seamless customer experience, Qantas will be moving from a piece and weight system, to a weight system, for all international flights excluding those to/from the Americas. These allowances will apply for flights booked from 26 February 2013, for travel from 31 March 2013.
To find out how these changes may affect your journey, visit qantas.com/baggage.
2. Will frequent flyers be offered additional checked baggage allowances?
Yes. Qantas Frequent Flyers and Qantas Club Members will continue to benefit from extra allowances according to their membership status and cabin travelled when travelling on both Qantas and Emirates. For more information, visit qantas.com/baggage.
Dubai Airport Experience
1. What terminal will Qantas use in Dubai Airport?
Qantas flights through Dubai will use Emirates' Concourse A in Terminal 3, purposefully designed for A380 aircraft.
2. Where will Qantas codeshare customers travelling on Emirates operated services check-in in Dubai?
Qantas codeshare customers travelling on Emirates operated services will check-in at the Emirates counters in either the Economy or Premium check-in zones in Terminal 3.
3. Will there be dedicated Qantas check-in counters in Dubai?
Yes. There will be dedicated Qantas check-in counters in the Economy zone (for Economy and Premium Economy customers) as well as the in the Premium zone (for Business and First customers) for those travelling on Qantas operated services.
4. As a Qantas First or Business customer will I have access to priority check-in in Dubai?
Yes. Qantas First and Business customers, Platinum One, Platinum and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyer Members will have access to Emirates' dedicated premium check-in counters in Terminal 3 at Dubai Airport.
5. Are the visa requirements for stopover or transit in Dubai the same as for Singapore?
The requirements are different.
Some nationalities do not require advance visas to enter the United Arab Emirates (including those holding passports from Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom). Customers can proceed to Immigration, where their passport will be stamped with a 30-day visit visa free of charge.
Customers are advised to check with the relevant government agencies and can also refer to the Visa and Health section on qantas.com to check the requirements for the United Arab Emirates.
All customers can transit through Dubai without requiring a visa.
6. What if I have a long stopover in Dubai?
Qantas will introduce Dubai Connect, matching Emirates' courtesy stopover service in Dubai, which provides customers with complimentary hotel accommodation, transfers, meals and visa costs where they have a long stopover.
Dubai Connect will be available to customers with an itinerary that includes a long stopover where the connection time is:
a) Between 6 and 24 hours for First and Business Class customers;
b) Between 8 and 24 hours for Premium Economy and Economy Class passengers;and
c) There is no earlier scheduled connection available (on either Qantas or Emirates services)
7. Can I bring liquids. Aerosols and gels (LAGs) purchased duty-free in Dubai Airport onboard the aircraft?
Due to Australian Government regulations, if you are travelling on a service to Australia and have purchased LAGs in excess of 100ml duty free in Dubai Airport, your purchases will be packaged, taken from you at the departure gate and stowed in the aircraft hold for the duration of the flight. If you have purchased duty free LAGs at the start of your journey and are transiting through Dubai, your purchases will also be taken from you at the departure gate and stowed in the airport hold. You will need to collect your purchases upon arrival in Australia at the Oversize Baggage counter in the Arrivals Hall.
Lounge Access
1. As a Qantas Club member do I have access to all Emirates lounges?
For travel on/after 31 March 2013, Qantas Club members will be welcomed at the Emirates Business lounge in Dubai when their next onward flight that day is with Qantas (QF) or Emirates (EK) .
Qantas Club members will have access to Qantas International Business Lounges in Australia and to the American Airlines Admirals Lounge at London Heathrow T3 when their next onward flight is with Qantas (QF) or Emirates (EK) to Dubai or Australia. The current lounge benefits for Qantas Club members will remain unchanged when travelling on a Qantas marketed flight.
A valid Qantas Club card in the name of the member travelling must be presented to the lounge staff to access the lounge.
2. Will Qantas Frequent Flyer Chairmans Lounge, Platinum One, Platinum or Gold members have access to all Emirates lounges?
For travel on/after 31 March 2013 Chairmans Lounge, Platinum One, Platinum and Gold Qantas Frequent Flyers will have access to the Emirates lounges where available across Australia, Europe, North Africa, Asia and the Middle East. In Dubai, Chairmans Lounge, Platinum One and Platinum Qantas Frequent Flyers will have access to the Emirates First and Business Lounges and Gold Frequent Flyers will have access the Emirates Business Lounges.
Emirates lounge access is in addition to Qantas lounges, worldwide.
To access the relevant lounge, Chairmans Lounge, Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum One, Platinum and Gold Members must be departing that day on a Qantas (QF) or Emirates (EK) operated flight.
Chauffeur Service
1. Emirates currently offer a chauffeur service to its First and Business class travellers. Will Qantas be offering a similar service?
Yes. Qantas will introduce Chauffeur Drive, similar to the service already offered by Emirates. Passengers will be collected in a luxury vehicle and driven to the airport to meet their flight. On arrival at their destination, they will be met by another chauffeur service and driven to their hotel, office or home.
2. When will Chauffeur Drive commence?
From 31 March 2013 -for customers travelling between Australia and London and Dubai.
From 01 July 2013 -for customers travelling between Australia and Los Angeles, Dallas, New York, Santiago and Johannesburg.
3. Who is eligible for the complimentary Chauffeur Drive service?
The service will be available to Qantas passengers travelling in First and Business.
The offer extends to customers connecting via a Qantas domestic flight from Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Hobart, Perth, Sydney or Melbourne to an eligible Qantas international flight, as well as customers from Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington travelling to Australia to connect to an eligible Qantas international flight.
Subject to regulatory approvals, Qantas codeshare customers travelling on an Emirates operated service to/from Dubai will be eligible for the service in other Emirates codeshare destinations where Emirates offer Chauffeur Drive. Qantas codeshare customers travelling on other airlines will not be eligible.
4. What are the eligible international Qantas flights?
Customers travelling between Australia and London, Dubai, Los Angeles, Dallas Fort Worth, New York, Santiago and Johannesburg will have access to the Chauffeur Drive service.
5. How can I book the Chauffeur Drive service?
Log in to manage your booking and select the option to Customise Your Journey, which will appear if your flights are eligible for the service.
