Originally Posted by
esledo
Alright, what next? BA is perfectly able to do that as per oneworld rules as ”lounge may get busy at peak times”.
If your flight was significantly before any BA flight that day was this good custom and service towards the customer (you)? Maybe not.
But were they allowed to do that without breaking any (oneworld) lounge access rules? Definitely.
What is the point of having an alliance and general lounge access rules, when the exception becomes the rule?
Maybe the marketing people of oneworld need to rewrite the policy text:
"If your oneworld frequent flyer tier status is Emerald or Sapphire, or you are traveling in a First or Business Class cabin on any oneworld member airline, you can might occasionally be able to access some of the 650 airport lounges throughout the world. Access to lounge is subject to arbitrary decisions by local lounge staff."
IMHO you (and BA) have a way to liberal interpretation of the exception. Being able to "restrict access at peak times" sounds more like "when the lounge is full we can turn away people". Not to claim an empty lounge is reserved for BA-travellers. If BA does not want to offer lounge access to OW members they should either get a specific exemption for a specific lounge (like QR has) or simply quit the alliance. But big dog doesn't wanna play by the rules.