Lappe

Just to echo what everybody else is saying: I asked about the family policy at HEL Schengen lounge and was told that they allow all under 18 years old family members even though it is not a written policy.
I have never had an issue going through non-automated priority security with family or one or two fellow passengers whose BPs did not have Priority / Fast Track etc. Including places like LHR where you scan BP on a manned checkpoint.
No issues bringing a bunch of fellow non-status passengers to first/business check-in desks either.
All above with same or separate PNRs.

SPBanker

I've never had any problems taking my whole family (spouse and two kids) to HEL Schengen lounge and the normal non-Schengen lounge.

LoungeEnthusiast

No problems entering the premium lounge with same configuration either.

SPBanker

Important caveat: If traveling on BA ticket, you can't take the whole family to Premium Lounge.

FinOWE

I need to disagree this. BA ticket worked fine for me and my family (5 persons altogether) a few weeks back when entering to Finnair premium lounge.

SPBanker

Last February we were denied entry, after consultation with a supervisor. If rules have changed, nice.

niko

Was told that a 4 year old is considered as a guest at Schengen lounge when flying with family on CX tickets. The agent graciously made an exception after she told me that CX is not part of Oneworld to begin with.

Same thing happens at other Oneworld lounges, every second time we get the one guest policy comment when entering with family. Although every time an exception has been made...

WilcoRoger

OMFG! They have a nice laminated sheet showing all OW airlines and their different cards...

Ramitran

After arriving in Bangkok our group of 4 had a lady waiting for us with name tag after exiting the plane (ay silver member check-in). Unfortunately 3 of 4 of us had very acute need for the toilet so we headed for the toilets fast. What was this about if anyone know?

Purjelentaja

In BKK AY issue fast track immigration passes for business class passangers and AY (not sure of OW) elites when exiting the plane. Usually the priority immigration is very fast with no queues, very good service from AY, saves alot of time. The same on departures, you get the pass at check-in.

Ramitran

Ah, very nice service. Could've been very useful on that trip as we had to wait about 30-40min at the immigration line that trip. Other trips have been more lucky as there has been the "other place" open as well (officer guiding to walk past the first immigration line to the second one). Though have to walk back to gather luggage but will rather walk than stand in stressful line half hour with russians bumbing your back.

remymartin

Haha. You might have benefited 25-35 by going there, asking what it was about, grabbed the voucher they give you and then head to the loo.

log6just

^Nice approach and discussion with the purser this week...

The lady brought me the newspaper right after boarding and said:"Since you are a valued AY plat member, I am glad to present you this left over copy of HS from business class, I will come later and have a chat with you if you don't mind?". I was fine with that of course.

After takeoff she came back and told that they have been discussing in Finnair how to recognize better the AY Plats on board and asked my opinion whether I'd prefer a newspaper OR a free drink as a perk when traveling in Y. She explained that very often they are running out of newspapers already in J and that is the reason they don't offer them every time to AY+ elite members. Offering a free drink would be something they could cater most of the times, provided that Y class is not full with AY+ Plats, of course.

I appreciated the gesture and approach, replied I would actually enjoy a red wine more than a newspaper, mainly because I have the newspapers always on my iPad when I am traveling. She thanked for my "valuable opinion", asked my permission to report this with my name to the AY+, which I naturally granted. Then she served me my 8€ worth "value for money" Pinot Noir in Ultima Thule glass. She was also asking if I had booked AY359 flight already and actually she will be o/b as a purse on my maiden flight on the new bird on October 14th with AY703 to DUS (seat 1L), so I am sure our nice chit chat will continue.

IMHO Nice approach, very nice chat and made me feel a bit "special". There was another AY+ Plat onboard few rows behind me and based on what I saw, he received same treatment.

I'd actually appreciate a drink and/or sandwich as a soft perk much more than random newspaper. Hope this will change now.

BTW: Air Berlin is offering free drink(s) for OW Emeralds, I witnessed this few weeks back on HEL - TXL flight.

intuition

Very interesting!
And I agree a drink or snack would be a better soft perk. Especially since drinks does not have a designated language they must be enjoyed in!

Courmisch

Well, I'd surely prefer a drink over a Flemish language newspaper when flying BRU-HEL :-o But then again, I am only Gold at the moment.