Hmmm, thanks cws. I don't think it's a crowding issue. The agent flat-out said you must be Emerald or Sapphire, so if she were, presumably she would be let in. That would explain why you were let in though, as an Emerald, right?

If Emeralds/Sapphires are let in, then it must be a oneworld lounge, so J pax on oneworld flights must also be let in. I can't see any flaw in my reasoning here. Does anyone else?

I think it is a local issue with the agents being improperly trained, or not trained at all.