Originally Posted by DMPHL

As long as people want to argue about something that has no definitive answer (read: forever), there will be more to squeeze.

The two sides both have a point. OP should enjoy the hobby, the status, all that s/he earned as much as s/he can. And OP is 16, and it's not worth their time to let this incident or policy bother them, because there is so much more that's ahead of them and so many ways for a young person to enjoy life and travel that are often more fun and fulfilling than sitting in a lounge. Both are valid. So, enjoy all that you've earned, OP. And know that there is also a lot more to get concerned about re: travel than lounge access, especially when you're 16 and have the imagination and creativity to discover the world in ways you won't when you're older.