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Old Sep 21, 2011, 6:57 am
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jlisi984
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: YYC - not the centre of the universe
Programs: AC*S100K 1MM, LH FTL, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat
Posts: 4,768
Exclamation Lounge access for minor with status

Hey all,

Some of you know about my recurring problems with lounge access due to my age.

Yesterday was the final straw, I was denied entry to the AC YYZ MLL Domestic for the umpteenth time.

So I wrote a letter to Calin.

Now we'll see if I get any reply.

Cheers!

Dear Mr. Rovinescu,

My name is jlisi984, I am 16 years old, and this is my second year as Super Elite, third with status since I was Elite the first year.

I have been told by many an Air Canada agent that I am your youngest Super Elite.

I travel not for leisure or to accompany family, but to perform - I am a concert pianist with engagements all around the world.

Recently I have been frustrated by problems with the simplest of privileges which even the famous and wonderful concierges haven't been able to help me with - getting into lounges.

Every time I try to frequent an Air Canada lounge after 11:00 am (and sometimes even before), I am turned around.

From what I understand, this is due to the liquor laws in effect. While I completely understand this law and abide to it, what I am flummoxed by is the lack of compassion or help by any Air Canada agent. A year ago, I would be let into the lounge as long as I sat near the desk - my main reasons to access a lounge are to use the fast WiFi, eat some soup or hot food offering, and of course sit in a nice and peaceful environment. No longer am I even let into the lounge. Or I would be given a meal voucher of $10 as an apology. Now I am looked upon as if I was trying to bend the rules, trying to scam the lounge agents. While here I am, a true Super Elite with over 150,000 miles a year who signed up for the same privileges as all other Super Elites, lounge access being one of the front and foremost of these.

I can't understand at all why a concierge can't accompany me into the lounge for 15 minutes, or why, in the domestic Toronto lounge, I can't go to the business centre, where there is a large placard "no alcoholic beverages permitted".

I am writing to you after the latest occurrence, today, in Toronto, at the domestic lounge. I once again called the concierge, and she kindly recommended that I write to you.

I understand that this situation is unique, and therefore I hope we can come to an agreeable arrangement until I am 18; something that would let me retain at least a partial imprint of the services offered to all Super Elites, and would reward me for my continued loyalty.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

jlisi984
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