karenkay

I don't understand it, but IME they really don't like it when you help a fellow traveler like that...it's like the lounge dragons get charged for the number of people they allow into the club and you were taking something out of her pocket. I've never understood it.

It's not just at ORD, either.

JetAway

It's a control issue with the agent. Think about it: sitting there all day doing nothing but swiping cards and checking boarding passes. Have to do something to make it seem worthwhile.

gobluetwo

Had a similar experience guesting in a couple of Germans once. A group of three, one had *G access, so the agent wouldn't allow all three in, let the rules. I said I'd happily use my guest privileges so they could all get in. She then accused them of soliciting me and said it was against club rules. I had to convince her it was of my own free will.

Bonehead

The lounges are crowded enough as it is. I think it's a bad idea to guest people in who are total strangers who otherwise would not have access.

If people keep doing this I wouldn't be surprised if UA changes the policy such that guests must be traveling with you in order to gain lounge access. After all, that IS the intent...

CMK10

I was there the whole time, she was very friendly and demur, actually apologized for being incorrect about having access. She said she flew a lot of international flights and rarely domestically.

Ah there it is, I was wondering when the first of these posts would show up. First of all, at 7:30 AM on a Saturday, the lounge was not anywhere near crowded. Secondly, if they have a problem with what I'm doing then they're more than welcome to change the rules. Until they do, I will obey the letter of the law and I don't think it's wrong to expect to not have to listen to be belittled for doing what I think is a favor.

JVPhoto

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...up-thread.html

Bonehead

I am on record as being opposed to that entire concept (guesting in strangers). I've been in the club too many times when I couldn't find a seat and had to walk out. It gets pretty old when something that you pay $400 (or whatever) for loses value like that.

Keep it up...I hope they do change the rules, and the sooner the better.

PHLGovFlyer

Not trying to apologize for the agent being rude, but a very large percentage of the times I enter a UC there's someone at the counter trying to get in that does not legitimately have access. If I were a UC agent I'd be more than bored, I'd be aggravated with all the [dunces, scammers, confused individuals, etc.] trying to get something they're not entitled to.

OTOH, once the OP offered to guest in the lady that should have been the end of the discussion.

Steve_19

Definitely wrong then for the Agent to be giving you the 6th degree.

My only other thought is that maybe the Agents are just burnt out from people trying, innocently or not, to get into the club.

When I first started going to the clubs a few years back I was surprised at the number of people I saw (and still see) getting denied access - and correctly denied I believe. Not an excuse for the Agent's behavior, but maybe a reason why having to deal with that all day long. I feel I also see a lot more people getting turned away from US lounges then lounges outside the US.

Steve_19

I think it may be more from the Chase-UA free UC pass promotion with credit card then the occasional FT'er guesting someone in.

jacobac00

If that is the case, time for some "coaching" for that employee. When I was young I started off working return desks at big box stores and spent a few years in call centers too. I wouldn't have kept my job long if I got visible annoyed with a challenging customer. Got to love the airline industry, where standards are only a dream in the US.

Steve_19

I agree! Not trying to justify the poor behavior, just root cause it.

Time traveller

United Clubs can get very crowded at certain times of the week/day and I find it difficult to find a place to sit or find a stall to use my laptop. United policy is that *G on a domestic flight does not have access to the UC. On the other hand, OW Emerald/Sapphire flying domestic flights have access to American's Admirals Club.

I am sure the Club agents hear complaints from Club members all the time that the Clubs get too crowded and people would rather relax outside the Club rather than be packed inside the Club just to get free snacks, drinks and wifi.

Sure it is nice to enter the Club as a guest if it is you who are being guested in. But this also leads to more crowding of the Club. So I think it is a catch 22 no matter which way you look at it.

AFAIK American's Admirals Club policy state that the guest has to be flying the same itinerary, although the rules are not always enforced. I wonder if UA will change the rules to make it United Club policy in the future...

PTahCha

(Emphasis added)

Perhaps there lies the crux of the issue - the agent has been there since 5am, and the caffeine had ran out.

But in theory, at least the agent was explaining the rules, as opposed to other dragons who would flatly denied entry. I guess with great powers comes great responsibilities.

fastair

I'd think at a call center "visual annoyance" wouldn't be disciplined. You know, face for radio...