I am in Platinum lounge in BUD where I got on my Gold A3 card flying Budapest to Athens on A3. Since we are positioning to ADB for our Qatar J to DPS, we have checked bag and needed to get to counter upon arrival to airport. I will not mention that the agent was rude, arrogant and everything but not perfect, at the end she assigned as our preferred 12 Alfa and Charlie, but things got weird at the end. I understand they must tag your carry on for whatever reason, but we were told we should check my carry on now for free because of the full flight or they will collect 50€ at the gate if I dont board with first 50 people.

I would absolutely understand this behaviour if my carry on was oversized, even I would find it surprising to "punish" the top tier airline member, but what If I did not visit counter and then was surprised at the gate to check my carry on (involuntarily) and to pay 50€. Is not this against rules? Is not this against common sense?

I just denied to check my carry on as I already checked on bag after years of and hundred of flights and simply told her that I board first as gold member. Now I will just stay behind the beep to see what they doing.

One more note, at least agent handling entrance to fast track let my girlfriend to go with me even she is just blue, which was nice.