Qatar Airways removes lounge access on QMiles upgrades

Qatar Airways passengers upgrading their flight using Privilege Club QMiles will no longer receive the lounge access associated with the upgraded cabin, under a new rule announced by the carrier.

The QMiles redemption section of the airline’s website confirms that “baggage allowance and lounge access will be provided as per originally ticketed cabin” — a condition that was made effective on February 5.

It means that, unless the customer is eligible for lounge access through their loyalty tier status, an economy passenger upgrading to business class will no longer receive access to Qatar Airways’ business class lounges worldwide.

Equally a traveller upgrading from business to first class will no longer gain access to the carrier’s first class lounges, including the exclusive Al Safwa facility in Doha.

This new restriction is being applied to upgrades made at any point after ticketing, whether redeemed via QMiles or QCredits.

Last year Qatar Airways and other Gulf carriers including Emirates began allowing economy passengers to pay for lounge access at selected facilities.