Originally Posted by
Santander
It's undeniable that what the OP is suggesting is gaming the system. Strictly speaking though, even if OP is talking about bending the rules to their limits, he isn't breaking any. Anyway, how many *Gs out there do you think have done this? How many *Gs actually know the *A lounge access rules? I don't think the "problem" is widespread enough for it to matter too much to the airlines. I wouldn't do what OP is doing (partly because of what a waste of time it would be) and I don't think it's right, but it's not exactly wrong either.
This is FT, the land of MRs, F mini-RTWs, fast-track status and guesting "friends" who you've never met before into lounges. This is pretty much typical FTer behaviour.
(I'm writing this from a $550/night suite which I am staying in for free thanks to a 2-night $500 stay last year)
I have benefited in similar way - mistake in booking system handed me seven nights stay in apartment that usually costs 1000Euro/night for 100Euro/night. Thanks to FT. However, I have never ever actively sought how to bend rules or even breach them...
If airlines want to tighten the rules for lounge access to limit "abuse", that's one thing. However, to "dump down" the lounge because pax are gaming the system, that's no excuse, IMHO.
LAX
But unfortunately, many airlines are using this as the explanation... Yes, they are not right, but the do so...