Why do Centurion lounges require boarding pass for entry?
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
Why do Centurion lounges require boarding pass for entry?
I'm not clear on why they require you to show a boarding pass to enter the lounge. Surely virtually everyone who is inside security would have had to show a boarding pass to get there in the first place, right? Neither the Admirals Club nor United Club make me show a boarding pass. It's not a huge deal, but I agree with JAGMAP that having to show three things is a minor hassle and I'm not sure what it's buying them.
#2
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#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
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I'm not clear on why they require you to show a boarding pass to enter the lounge. Surely virtually everyone who is inside security would have had to show a boarding pass to get there in the first place, right? Neither the Admirals Club nor United Club make me show a boarding pass. It's not a huge deal, but I agree with JAGMAP that having to show three things is a minor hassle and I'm not sure what it's buying them.
I did use the DFW Centurion Lounge on arrival, and the attendant said they just look for same day travel leaving or arriving at DFW on any airline.
I do agree card + ID + boarding pass is a bit of a hassle, but it's no different than status/membership card + passport + boarding pass when trying to access an partner lounge overseas (although lounge access information may be encapsulated on your boarding pass already).
#4
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Location: SNA
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Maybe, but is that really such a large problem for them? The intersection of airport employees who don't wear a recognizable uniform and who have an Amex Platinum or Centurion card (or who are willing to pay $50 to get into the lounge) seems like it would be vanishingly small. Maybe I'm wrong, though.
#5
Join Date: May 2005
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I would imagine its a way to keep track of statistics--i.e. X number of AA flyers are using the club vs. Y number of UA flyers, what flight times bring in the most passengers, etc. That data can then be used for club improvements or marketing purposes.
#6
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That is understandable, though the need to show ID in addition to BP & PLT/CENT seems silly. I could see them wanting to verify that you didn't find the Amex card on the ground, but if the card and BP match, why is ID necessary?
#7
I don't have this problem, but my roomate is a III, so he has the same name as his father and grandfather. I would think it's to stop Sr. or Jr. giving his plat or cent to others with the same name.
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: SNA
Posts: 410
As mentioned by someone else upthread, the Admirals Club prevents this by keeping your picture in the system. They snapped my picture one time, and now whenever they swipe my card, my picture comes up on the screen. Positive identification, with no ID required.
Obviously in the scheme of things this is an incredibly minor nit to pick. But I also feel like it would be a pretty easy thing for them to improve.
Obviously in the scheme of things this is an incredibly minor nit to pick. But I also feel like it would be a pretty easy thing for them to improve.
#9
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As mentioned by someone else upthread, the Admirals Club prevents this by keeping your picture in the system. They snapped my picture one time, and now whenever they swipe my card, my picture comes up on the screen. Positive identification, with no ID required.
Obviously in the scheme of things this is an incredibly minor nit to pick. But I also feel like it would be a pretty easy thing for them to improve.
Obviously in the scheme of things this is an incredibly minor nit to pick. But I also feel like it would be a pretty easy thing for them to improve.
#10
Join Date: Jun 2014
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Posts: 1,139
A couple of points.
First, and as suggested above, the Centurion Clubs absolutely do keep usage statistics, including recording the arrival/departure airline and the origin/destination. I had an entire little dialogue about this at the LGA club when I was last there this past weekend since I was curious about what the agent was furiously typing. We were flying Spirit, and I finally said, "I'll bet you don't see many boarding passes like this." I was surprised when the counter agent answered that she actually saw quite a few Spirit BPs. (The LGA club is right next to Pier B with all the Spirit gates, which may have something to do with this.)
Second, and I guess I'm just old-school, but at the Admirals Clubs I've always shown both my club card/credit card and my drivers license without being asked. I'm pulling out my wallet anyway, after all, so who cares?
First, and as suggested above, the Centurion Clubs absolutely do keep usage statistics, including recording the arrival/departure airline and the origin/destination. I had an entire little dialogue about this at the LGA club when I was last there this past weekend since I was curious about what the agent was furiously typing. We were flying Spirit, and I finally said, "I'll bet you don't see many boarding passes like this." I was surprised when the counter agent answered that she actually saw quite a few Spirit BPs. (The LGA club is right next to Pier B with all the Spirit gates, which may have something to do with this.)
Second, and I guess I'm just old-school, but at the Admirals Clubs I've always shown both my club card/credit card and my drivers license without being asked. I'm pulling out my wallet anyway, after all, so who cares?
#11
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I'm sure a big part of it right now is tracking where people are flying to, to help target new club locations. Possibly also tracking mix of airlines to use in considering how valuable the DL relationship is to them, how much it might be worth if Admirals Club access were ever on the table again, etc.
And I could see the airport employee thing being potentially a big problem, given how generous the food offer at the lounges is. It would easily justify a Platinum card if you could eat your lunch there every day (or as often as you could without getting sick of it, at least).
And I could see the airport employee thing being potentially a big problem, given how generous the food offer at the lounges is. It would easily justify a Platinum card if you could eat your lunch there every day (or as often as you could without getting sick of it, at least).
#13
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I think its for tracking purposes to know when people arrive and from what flights.
I think its for tracking purposes to know when people arrive and from what flights.
#14
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#15
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But in the case of AmEX - you have a credit card. And entry to Centurion Lounge is a benefit of that card. You are not getting a membership to the Centurion Lounge - you are being granted access by benefit. Priority Pass is another benefit you get for free with AmEx Plat - but you get a restricted version (call PP Select).
I think that by requiring same day travel, AmEx might assume you bought you ticket and charged to your AmEx card. Hence AmEx is getting revenue from the purchase of that ticket.
I think the "benefit" applies the same for *G and OW Sapphire/Emerald lounge access. This requires same day international travel and is a benefit of the elite status - not a paid membership.