I've been searching ba.com for an answer to this, but all i find is that "gold card holder and a guest"...

I'm at Delhi airport now (in a third party lounge) about to travel with BA in club and a friend (travelling on another airline) wanted to join me. I invited him, but the lounge staff here initially denied him access. I asked why and they said it was in their agreement with BA that guests need to travel on BA too in order ot be brought along to the lounge.

Is there such a policy?

After some convincing, I managed to bring my friend in with me and now we're both enjoying the world cup in the lounge, but i'd be curious to know... must the guest travel on BA too in order to have access to a third party lounge? (and what about BA operated lounges?)