Travel with Children - Taking your kids into the airline lounge

I was wondering how your kids enjoy going with you to the airline lounge with your spouse or when its just the kids and you?

How do you explain to them about the lounge? Have you explained to them about the membership(especially to your teens).

Would you rather just go with your spouse if you had teens and were going on vacation and tell your kids to meet you at the gate while you go to the lounge or do you invite them with you?

I would love to hear any funny or embarrassing stories about your family times in the lounge. For instance did your son ask you if he could take snacks as he thought he had to pay for them like at a school cafeteria?

Please follow this Thread in the Travel With Children Forum.
Thanks..
Obscure2k
TravelBuzz Moderator

My two kids have always gone into the Admiral's Club with us, starting very young and now the oldest is nearly a teenager. We never really talked to them about it specifically, we just expected the same behaviour there that we do in any public place or restuarant and they met our expectations. We have two fairly naturally quiet girls who are happy to bury themselves in a book starting from about age 4, so we lucked out.

My kids are now 22, 21 and 17...but it wasn't that long ago when we'd spend many days in the Crown Room, waiting for our Delta flights. With 3 kids that close in age, they learned early on that entry to the CRC was a privilege and that they had to be on their best behavior once we entered the club. That meant no whining about the TV (which always seems to be on some financial news network), no roaming away from us, no getting food/drink unless accompanied by a parent, and only using the house computers if there was at least one more free for others to use.

We always made sure they had a game boy (am I dating myself?), books or headphones to keep them occupied.

They also did not 'spread out' and take more than the seats we were entitled to.

The kids knew from an early age that we took a lot more vacations compared to most people. My justification for that was that Daddy spent a LOT of time away from them every month, usually 20+ days per month on the road, and vacations were our way of reconnecting. Our trips (usually one every 3-4 months) were always seen as special family time and the kids knew that they were getting perks that their friends did not have.

The CRC attendants in LGA knew my kids by name and always greeted us warmly. (Sill do.) One attendant in ATL knew how much my kids loved the Biscoff cookies and she would always bring us a full sleeve of them when we passed through.

The kids always talk about how much they loved the MCO CRC, with it's special kid friendly area with huge pillows on the floor and assorted games, as well as a great view of the runway :)

We don't travel as a family that much anymore. Once they get to a certain age, they can't (school, work obligations) or don't want to go on vacation with you anymore. Time goes so fast.....

We travel frequently with our two kids and visit lounges once in a while. I just always tried to pick a corner away from other people as I truly feel that a lounge should be a place of escape and serenity. If my kids got a little noisy I would take them out for a lap around the airport. I also do like to explain that the lounge is a "very special treat" so as not to have them expecting it every time. Airline lounges....if you are listening.....the dedicated kids room is a winner for all parties.:)

http://pintsizepilot.com

I don't think a lounge is any different to any other public place (e.g members club, or restaurant etc) in terms of children, they are taught to behave regardless of the name given to the room or they leave / are otherwise admonished.

Well, my kids are much, much younger (preschoolers), so I take them only when there is a children's room available, which means I try to fly Continental as often as I can. I am not elite, so my lounge use with or without kids generally involves buying a day pass during a long layover, like when we head for Israel to see the in-laws.

I'd like to hope when my kids are a bit older that they could behave appropriately outside of the children's room, but for now, they just can't. They're too small.

When we travel, using the children's room in the lounge provide the kids an opportunity to blow off some steam or even nap during the layover, and my husband and I can take turns - one staying with the kids and minding them while the other goes into the main area of the lounge for a little quiet relaxation sans rugrats.

AA lounges with children's rooom usally have lots of glass, so parents can be right outside but still see everything happening inside.

We have a 2 year old and a 6 year old and travel quite a bit with the, including using Air Canada Lounges.

Like others have said, it's a public area, but I do keep a careful eye on them as I don't want to bother business travelers.

I think parents should use some common sense when bringing in kids into the lounge.

My two kids have always gone into the Admiral's Club with us, starting very young and now the oldest is nearly a teenager. We never really talked to them about it specifically, we just expected the same behaviour there that we do in any public place or restuarant and they met our expectations. We have two fairly naturally quiet girls who are happy to bury themselves in a book starting from about age 4, so we lucked out.

Same here. I never thought to "explain" anything to my children. I told them to behave as they would in a restaurant and they've always been fine.

I take my 22 month old son to the RCC (United Club now) all of the time (he probably flew 50k this year, albeit some on award tickets and a few early flights on lap so he has no status...)

Lately, my plan is to get near the window (nearly all RCCs have big windows with cool views) where he is mesmerized my planes and service trucks. Other than pointing out every catering/fuel truck and taxiing aircraft, he's better behaved than 99% of the people in the club.

Only time he was somewhat unruly was after he slept the whole way from ICN-SFO, went to the RCC totally wired and someone had a (smallish) dog that he really wanted to say hi to and pet it alot (owner was cool, but one visit wasnt enough for him and we werent exactly sitting nearby). In his defense, we lost our lab this year and he really loves dogs.

My kids love the clubs. Like paullevi's toddler, my preschooler loves to watch the airport business through the windows when possible. He acts like a preschooler--climbs on the chairs (in his stockingfeet), gets crumbs all over with his little plate of snacks, laughs loudly and impulsively--so no one would mistake him for a mini-adult, but he's reasonably well-behaved. Would love kid-friendly spaces in the lounges.

The KLM club in Amsterdam has been one of his favorites since he was small. During a long Christmas layover when he was quite small, he amused himself for hours rearranging the tables and chairs in a deserted section of the lounge.

The teens come with us too in the rare instances we're traveling together, though they come and go on their own more or less.

Before entering a United Club every time, we explain to our 12 & 8 year olds that it is a privilege, and that we expect them to be on their best behavior. They then plug in their Nintendo/psp to recharge, put on their headphones, and mellow out for the stay. My wife and I then get our free wine, she Facebooks, I catch up on Flyertalk. :)

At my kids current ages, 2 and 4, I would rather not bring them in as they would cause ME to stress out. That being said, they just aren't traveling yet. When they are older, I would love to bring them in on family vacations. I wouldn't make them stay in the terminal, but they would have to understand that this was a privilege.

I have always taken my 2 yr old into lounges w/ me. They are great for naps and AA lounge in JFK even got diapers, wipes and formula once when I left diaper bag on previous flight. ^

If we go in the lounge then our toddler of course comes with us. Many lounges have children's play areas, which are useful.

Plus Miss Boo Boo likes a sip of champagne when in Heathrow T5.

I like lounges, my kids don't care (they'd rather check out the shops), and my wife despises lounges. Trust me, it is not a privilege for everyone.

Loved the lounge in Amsterdam when stranded overnight while traveling with my 3-year-old. The agents at the desk weren't particularly helpful, but I could phone via free wifi to Delta and get rebooked rather than wait in line, fuel up with soup and snacks, and let the boy play in an underutilized area of the club while I got everything sqared away and found out where to go for hotel accommodations.

My 4 year old son always goes into the Delta SkyClub with me. I remind him of the rules before we walk in. He needs to use good manners, can only get food when I am with him, must sit in his chair and not run around, and of course, pretend that we are in a library and only whisper. This past summer he was talking too loudly and there was a business traveler trying to get some work done. I warned my son once, and when he talked real loud the second time, I asked him to put his cookie down and grab his stuff as we were leaving. My son was upset, but I got my point across and he has been very well behaved in the SkyClub ever since.

My children, ages two and nine, always go to the United Clubs with my spouse and me. The older one knows the rules and is very well-behaved to start with. The younger one is always warned to use an "indoor" voice and no running around. I think he's been to lounges enough that at times, he's now warning me to lower my voice!

Of course it was easier with the CO PC's that had a family room, but the UCs we've been to are large enough for us to sit a little farther from other guests. Daddy and mommy get to read, catch up on FT/MP and the kiddos get to snack. A lot more restful then watching the little one at the busy gate!

I'm the father of three daughhters and the lounges are a life-save just for the restrooms. My daughters are too old to go into the men's room with me and I clearly can't go into the ladies room. there are few to no family restrooms in airports. Many restrooms have two doors so I can't even stand just outside and be sure she can't gets past me.

A few weeks ago I took my 5-year old to Disneyland and we used the Sky Club in Atlanta, they have the nice big single seated restrooms so imcan go in with her and not be cramped.

This is really my only issue when I just have one of the girls with me and the lounge is a life-saver. If I didn't get access free with my credit card I might be willing to pay for it. And I don't even drink much.

We will take our 21 month old in with us. He's, I think, quite a good little guy for being a toddler. When available, we definitely use the kids' rooms. He loves them. Our local airport's Admiral's Club doesn't have one, but the business center in the back is rarely occupied during the times that we travel, so we'll usually block off part of it with our luggage, toss some toys on the floor, bring him a muffin for a treat, and let him get some wiggles out (quietly and without climbing on furniture or other inappropriate behavior). If anyone shows up to use the business center, we relocate or leave. Our alternative spot is the cell phone free alcove, which is also rarely occupied.

The lounges are great for diaper changes in a lower-traffic restroom and keeping little ones from getting overstimulated with all the action in the terminal. Plus, it's a lot easier to keep track of him. :)

That said, It's a trade-off. Some airports have excellent play areas in the main terminal, and family restrooms can be extremely convenient. The Admiral's Clubs are really hit-and-miss when it comes to having family restrooms.

Favorite kids' room in an admiral's club so far: LAX. They have a ton of toys for all ages, as well as a good setup with the computer games. It was roomy and clean -- and the waitstaff would bring food and drinks to us in there. Due to an enormous booking screwup by Business ExtrAA/Meeting Services, we ended up spending 6 hours in the LAX lounge, and my son really didn't get bored there. Each time we've gone there, my son has gotten wide-eyed and has said, "yeah!" when we entered the room. He clearly approves. :)

We probably have used the kids' rooms in DFW the most. I can't remember which terminals we liked best, but they do vary quite a bit. I believe it's Terminal A that is a smaller room without any toys. But there is a family restroom just across the hall from the kids' room. I want to say it's Terminal D that had the large room with some toys in it. All have computers and a television tuned into Nickelodeon or something similar.

I would say 2/3 of the time we are the only ones in the room. Sometimes we'll share with one other family. I have noticed that most people will go ahead and do diaper changes in the kids' rooms. I certainly don't mind and have done it myself. But some may frown upon this. I have also nursed my son there, which is really nice, since, even with the TV on, it's relatively quiet and private.

We definitely aren't as excited about going to a lounge with our toddler when there is not a kids' room available, as we are on edge to make sure that we do not disturb anyone and that our son behaves appropriately for the setting. If he were to not handle the setting (running around, being loud, making a mess), we would not hesitate to take him out right away. So far so good. I think preparation is key: having some fun, new toys on-hand, something to snack on, not overdue for a nap, two parents able to tag-team as needed/where needed, etc. We also acknowledge that we're going to the lounge to make it easier for managing our son, but this means that we may not get to enjoy the lounge ourselves as much as we might when traveling kidless. We probably won't be able to enjoy a drink and read the paper. ;)

Our hope is that by being attentive, teaching our son early about manners and appropriate behavior, and exposing him to environments where he must learn these skills, once he is a little older he will know how to carry himself in more formal settings, and we will see some payoff. :) Maybe we'll even be able to enjoy a cocktail and read the paper in the lounge again someday! One can dream! :)

I'm the father of three daughhters and the lounges are a life-save just for the restrooms. My daughters are too old to go into the men's room with me and I clearly can't go into the ladies room. there are few to no family restrooms in airports. Many restrooms have two doors so I can't even stand just outside and be sure she can't gets past me.

A few weeks ago I took my 5-year old to Disneyland and we used the Sky Club in Atlanta, they have the nice big single seated restrooms so imcan go in with her and not be cramped.

This is really my only issue when I just have one of the girls with me and the lounge is a life-saver. If I didn't get access free with my credit card I might be willing to pay for it. And I don't even drink much.
DTW has at least two, one under each out-side tram terminal. I suspect there's one under the main terminal.

Yea, they're a pain to find. Actually found one in the Field's Meseum, yet geez, did they hide it.

Our hope is that by being attentive, teaching our son early about manners and appropriate behavior, and exposing him to environments where he must learn these skills, once he is a little older he will know how to carry himself in more formal settings, and we will see some payoff. :) Maybe we'll even be able to enjoy a cocktail and read the paper in the lounge again someday! One can dream! :)

Just hang in there. Your situation is like ours a few years back. Now our kids are eight and twelve. And guess what! We can go to a lounge with them, they behave themselves, read or play with the iPad, and WE CAN ENJOY A COCKTAIL AND READ THE PAPER. :)

Just hang in there. Your situation is like ours a few years back. Now our kids are eight and twelve. And guess what! We can go to a lounge with them, they behave themselves, read or play with the iPad, and WE CAN ENJOY A COCKTAIL AND READ THE PAPER. :)

Ipads are great as are phones loaded with apps...in my case toddler apps downloaded from the Android store kept my toddler occupied...yes, I used the phone as a babysitter and it was worth it...sometimes bribery is okay when it comes to kids!

I like lounges, my kids don't care (they'd rather check out the shops), and my wife despises lounges. Trust me, it is not a privilege for everyone.

+1

When Mrs. Thomwithanh was still in my life, I could never get her into an airline lounge. I was (and still am) the frequent traveler in the family- I value the relative peace and quiet, free wi-fi and adult beverages, being in an airport was so uncommon for her, she actually enjoyed the bustle would rather check out the shops and go and sit at random gates, listening to the announcements for flights heading out to Europe and Asia.

Has anyone had any experience getting an infant into a United Club on a single-use club pass? UA's rules say "one person, one visit, one pass" but it's not clear if those rules anticipated infants. (DL's Sky Club day pass rules, conversely, explicitly state that children under 2 may be guested in on the adult's single-use pass.) The Flavorflav Family has a lengthy layover at EWR coming up and I'd like to surprise Mrs. Flavorflav with a club pass to allow her and the baby some quiet nursing time while the rest of the family hits the food court.

Also, any thoughts on which UC at EWR would be the most pleasant for a nursing mother looking for a bit of quiet and maybe even discreet privacy? We'll be there 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on a Friday on a mainline-to-RJ domestic connection.

Also, any thoughts on which UC at EWR would be the most pleasant for a nursing mother looking for a bit of quiet and maybe even discreet privacy? We'll be there 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on a Friday on a mainline-to-RJ domestic connection.

I haven't had any experience getting an infant in on a day pass, wish I could help. RE. the nursing, most of the women's restrooms in the clubs of most of the airlines I have visited have a changing/nursing/etc. room in the ladies room that you can use to change clothes/nurse whatever. The exception would be the tiny clubs with just one or two stalls. They generally also have a plug for breastpump. Usually there is a nice soft chair and it is separated from the rest of the restroom.

Personally, I would call the club you intend to visit, talk to one of the LLs and ask/confirm with them that you can use the day pass for an adult plus infant. Get a name from your call and you are all set when you visit.

Best of luck.

Has anyone had any experience getting an infant into a United Club on a single-use club pass? UA's rules say "one person, one visit, one pass" but it's not clear if those rules anticipated infants. (DL's Sky Club day pass rules, conversely, explicitly state that children under 2 may be guested in on the adult's single-use pass.) The Flavorflav Family has a lengthy layover at EWR coming up and I'd like to surprise Mrs. Flavorflav with a club pass to allow her and the baby some quiet nursing time while the rest of the family hits the food court.

Also, any thoughts on which UC at EWR would be the most pleasant for a nursing mother looking for a bit of quiet and maybe even discreet privacy? We'll be there 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on a Friday on a mainline-to-RJ domestic connection.

Couldn't she just fight the powers that be?

(sorry. couldn't resist.)

Has anyone had any experience getting an infant into a United Club on a single-use club pass? UA's rules say "one person, one visit, one pass" but it's not clear if those rules anticipated infants.
Also, any thoughts on which UC at EWR would be the most pleasant for a nursing mother looking for a bit of quiet and maybe even discreet privacy? We'll be there 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. on a Friday on a mainline-to-RJ domestic connection.

Cross posting isn't allowed. You asked this question already on this thread:

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileageplus-consolidated/1345572-questions-regarding-united-club-one-time-pass-10.html

Issue also discussed in this thread:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileageplus-consolidated/1244904-anyone-successfully-used-co-pres-club-day-pass-rcc.html

Cross posting isn't allowed. You asked this question already on this thread:

If we're splitting hairs, cross-posting precisely refers to creating an entirely new thread, not an individual post. link (http://www.flyertalk.com/help/rules.php#q64)

In any case, I would submit that the FT founders would look liberally at posting a relevant question in both a very busy forum (UA MP) and a very quiet forum (traveling with children).

Perhaps some would be happier with separate "moms traveling with children" and "dads traveling with children" forums....

Personally, I would call the club you intend to visit, talk to one of the LLs and ask/confirm with them that you can use the day pass for an adult plus infant. Get a name from your call and you are all set when you visit.

Best of luck.

mrsspike30, thanks for the on-point reply. I will check back in next week with the results of our visit.

Mrs. Flavorflav successfully took Baby Flavorflav (age 9 months) in with her at a United Club at IAD last week on a single one-use club pass. No issues from the club attendant.