Originally Posted by
sbm12
There's a difference between buying it with the intention to travel but uncertainty in schedule and buying it to gain other benefits for free that otherwise come at a cost.
One is certainly unethical and, depending on jurisdiction, illegal.
Airlines may not differentiate though as evident in the case of the guy from Costa Rica whose MP account was closed for doing the former - buying refundable tickets with uncertain travel plans then (on several occasions but not always) cancelling them.
I doubt the airline is really that concerned about lounge access otherwise they would, for starters, start cracking down on all the guys who post on this forum for strangers to come into the lounge with them - that is obviously not illegal but is using the benefit in a way not intended by MP. The big issue is buying a ticket knowing you will likely not travel.