Lounge Access Ethics
Jan 25, 2018, 5:39 pm
#1
Original Poster
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Lounge Access Ethics
Delta recently announced that SkyClub members will have to fly Delta (or a Delta-coded WestJet flight) for lounge access starting early 2019. UA also recently started limiting access to members flying any airline that day. (Previously members had access pretty much whenever.) AA still allows members Admirals Club access when they feel like it, albeit with a declared business purpose like meeting a colleague or customer flying that day.
Now I know that as members of this community we all want to maximize the value of what we have paid for...but should we have any ethical consideration for whether we use a lounge when not flying that airline? Yesterday I flew WN PHX-OAK, and spent an hour at an airline club beforehand. Yes I followed the rules as a member, and was granted access. Delta clearly seems to think not, while United and American are more accommodating. The question is: Did I do the right thing?
Now I know that as members of this community we all want to maximize the value of what we have paid for...but should we have any ethical consideration for whether we use a lounge when not flying that airline? Yesterday I flew WN PHX-OAK, and spent an hour at an airline club beforehand. Yes I followed the rules as a member, and was granted access. Delta clearly seems to think not, while United and American are more accommodating. The question is: Did I do the right thing?
Jan 25, 2018, 7:28 pm
#2
Join Date: Apr 2015
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Lounges are there for a reason: to be used.
If you enter to a lounge, means that you either paid for it, or you belong to a program that gives you a benefit that both parties agreed to, and you are entitled, and deserve it as frequent flyer. You did nothing wrong.
If you enter to a lounge, means that you either paid for it, or you belong to a program that gives you a benefit that both parties agreed to, and you are entitled, and deserve it as frequent flyer. You did nothing wrong.
Jan 25, 2018, 10:43 pm
#3
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Similar to the OP, I used the United Club at LAX a few days ago while flying AA. I had valid access and a same day boarding pass, so I'm in compliance with their rules. No guilt as both the lounge and I were within the posted rules.
Jan 26, 2018, 2:05 pm
#4
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I agree that nothing the OP contemplates here is ethically dubious. One practice that is questionable, though, is guesting in strangers with these lounge meet-up boards. That's not really your guest. If that practice becomes prevalent enough, it might requiring a scaling back of guest privileges, which would impact cardholders and their actual travel companions.
Jan 26, 2018, 4:56 pm
#5
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There is nothing unlawful, unethical or immoral about using a service which you are entitled to use. That is all a lounge is. If the rules permit you access, you should go ahead and access it to the extent that it meets your needs.
Air carriers are slowly restricting access because overuse means something has to go. But, that is at some point later. Now is now.
Air carriers are slowly restricting access because overuse means something has to go. But, that is at some point later. Now is now.
Jan 26, 2018, 6:30 pm
#6
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It would be unethical to purchase and refund a Delta ticket for the purpose of entering a Skyclub when not flying Delta.
Jan 26, 2018, 8:08 pm
#7
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I have no problem using a Delta Skyclub with the membership that I have paid for or earn by giving them my business even if I am not flying with them on that specific day.
My sore backside is a reminder of this!
My sore backside is a reminder of this!
Jan 27, 2018, 10:15 pm
#8
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Concur with the crowd. The only lounge antics that I find to be ethically dubious are:
(1) The guy who was arrested for printing fake boarding passes and basically lived in SIN? lounges for 21 days.
(2) The **** who guested 27 people into a lounge on her PP membership (there have been a few of these dolts). While this may not violate the T&Cs it is the type of abuse that will ruin the program for those of us who like to guest our family members a few times a year.
(1) The guy who was arrested for printing fake boarding passes and basically lived in SIN? lounges for 21 days.
(2) The **** who guested 27 people into a lounge on her PP membership (there have been a few of these dolts). While this may not violate the T&Cs it is the type of abuse that will ruin the program for those of us who like to guest our family members a few times a year.
Jan 29, 2018, 8:47 am
#9
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Concur with the crowd. The only lounge antics that I find to be ethically dubious are:
(1) The guy who was arrested for printing fake boarding passes and basically lived in SIN? lounges for 21 days.
(2) The **** who guested 27 people into a lounge on her PP membership (there have been a few of these dolts). While this may not violate the T&Cs it is the type of abuse that will ruin the program for those of us who like to guest our family members a few times a year.
(1) The guy who was arrested for printing fake boarding passes and basically lived in SIN? lounges for 21 days.
(2) The **** who guested 27 people into a lounge on her PP membership (there have been a few of these dolts). While this may not violate the T&Cs it is the type of abuse that will ruin the program for those of us who like to guest our family members a few times a year.
Feb 4, 2018, 7:56 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Concur with the crowd. The only lounge antics that I find to be ethically dubious are:
(1) The guy who was arrested for printing fake boarding passes and basically lived in SIN? lounges for 21 days.
(2) The **** who guested 27 people into a lounge on her PP membership (there have been a few of these dolts). While this may not violate the T&Cs it is the type of abuse that will ruin the program for those of us who like to guest our family members a few times a year.
(1) The guy who was arrested for printing fake boarding passes and basically lived in SIN? lounges for 21 days.
(2) The **** who guested 27 people into a lounge on her PP membership (there have been a few of these dolts). While this may not violate the T&Cs it is the type of abuse that will ruin the program for those of us who like to guest our family members a few times a year.
Feb 4, 2018, 10:10 pm
#11
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Feb 6, 2018, 8:20 am
#12
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Only the US sells airline club memberships or attaches it to high-fee credit cards. Most non-US airlines have clubs for those flying first or business (including on domestic flights – I've always thought it odd that US airlines do not give lounge access to domestic first) and elites.Limiting club visits to flying on Delta makes a Delta club membership much less valuable.I can get that through Amex Plat.But maybe that is what Delta is aiming for.And if other US airlines followed suit, I think you'd just see fewer club memberships sold, and more demand for Priority Pass and Centurion.
Feb 6, 2018, 8:38 am
#13
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Designed primarily for business travelers, the clubs date from the 1930's, one of the first being American Airlines' Admirals Club, founded in 1938. The clubs remained relatively exclusive until the mid-70's when, after a series of anti-discrimination cases, the Civil Aeronautics Board issued rules governing them.
In an order dated Feb. 12, 1974, the board decreed that the carriers had the choice of opening the clubs to all people, or of opening them to all passengers or all passengers traveling in a particular class, such as first class, or of opening them to members of a club, provided that anyone who requested membership in the club and paid the membership fee, if any, could join. Certain exceptions were permitted: The lounges could be used by handicapped, elderly, ill or delayed passengers who were not club members and by eminent people and public figures whose appearance in a main waiting area might create a disturbance or by groups needing an assembly point.
In an order dated Feb. 12, 1974, the board decreed that the carriers had the choice of opening the clubs to all people, or of opening them to all passengers or all passengers traveling in a particular class, such as first class, or of opening them to members of a club, provided that anyone who requested membership in the club and paid the membership fee, if any, could join. Certain exceptions were permitted: The lounges could be used by handicapped, elderly, ill or delayed passengers who were not club members and by eminent people and public figures whose appearance in a main waiting area might create a disturbance or by groups needing an assembly point.