tkelvin69

If you don’t mind being a jerk, thief, liar that could impact other passengers ( less inventory, upgrades, etc) go right ahead.

Steve in Olympia

Yes, indeed, theft is theft.

Kacee

It's inferred.

People have had their frequent flyer status revoked and even been sued by the airline for repeatedly engaging in this or similar conduct.
That's a stretch. The airlines assume some percentage of cancels - that's how overbooking occurs. And if the flight is full, the seat will go to a standby.

danielflyer

You should be able to do this and get away with it as long as you don't make it a habit. I personally would feel bad doing this as a) Alaska has always been very nice to me, b) it may harm other passengers who need the seat and c) the Alaska lounge isn't that nice.

As long you optimize your booking to have minimal disruption on others-- book an undersold flight and cancel as early as possible-- I wouldn't get as riled up as other members here. Yes "theft is theft" but there is very little food and beverage in the Alaska lounge worth stealing. I think the total cost to the airline would be under $10. It could possibly be nothing if it's the end of the day and the food would be thrown out anyway.

I personally would not do this but would not judge you negatively if you did so. Just don't make a habit of it.

Repooc17

Was getting on a plane not an option then? Personally, I have no desired interest in airports (including lounges) but being in a plane is my home away from home, so to speak.

I am not in the general demo, but I flew like crazy during the past few years, especially due to some really cheap fares in 2020/2021.

Eujeanie

I'm looking at the "no programs, so sad" under the OP's name. Maybe he's never been in an AS lounge before? We used to all the time when we had status and/or F tickets, but honestly I could care less now. I can buy a drink or food myself, if I want space and quiet, especially in PDX, there are often many unused at the moment gates where you can veg off by yourself. Of course if we ever got status back I'd be first at the door.

So even though I wouldn't do it, I do disagree that it would be taking a seat away from someone who needs it - on the contrary, I think it would elate the next person on the upgrade list.

BearX220

That is an inference, not a certainty, and in any event I see an ethical issue with "squatting" on resources you have no intention of actually using.

hsumh316

First class refundable tickets on a flight 2100 miles or more last minute can cost quite alot even though you get your money back. I hope that when you bought tickets to wander in the airport with your son it was on a different airline. If that was on AS, I hope that you have flown a few times on AS before you try this.

Eastbay1K

The twists and permutations some will make and take to save $50 or so is quite something, especially when the downside if something goes awry is not insubstantial. But back to the OP specifically? Kosher? No. Halal? Also no. Against the law? No. Against the T&C of the ticket you purchased and refunded along with the airline's general COC? Maybe.

On the the other hand, the opportunity to travel to, say, SFO, and pay a dollar every few minutes for parking, or no less than a near $20 BART fare in/out of the airport for the opportunity to eat on the finest of disposable china and drink out of the one-use crystal and eat a buffay of things so rare, you might only find them at Safeway, for "free," no less during a lounge visit, is priceless, or damn close to it!

Eujeanie

He's flying on the same day on another airline, and just wants lounge access before that flight. He's not just joyriding around an airport for a few hours.

Ragnarok

Not that I am supportive of the OP, but a small yet material difference here should be called out -

What you've mentioned, and some other comments have shared news stories on, is accessing the lounge "paid for" by a First Class ticket and subsequently cancelling the ticket for refund.
OP's question, is to access the AS lounge "paid for" by their Admirals Club membership (as a benefit of their Citi AAdvantage Executive card) - though with a condition attached that they also have boarding pass for same-day travel on an eligible flight.

I see this much more in the gray area. Purchasing a ticket with no intend of traveling is obviously frowned upon by the airlines, and I agree that a pattern of doing this will lead to adverse actions from the airlines. But I don't see this as stealing as alleged by other commenters.

jiburi

Technically, AA Admiral Club or Oneworld Elite members get access to AS lounge when flying any AS, no? I believe this is his/her access qualification, not the First Class access method.

With that said, I wouldn't attempt to do this, knowing what I know about amenities within AS lounges. I think OP should rethink this.

Jiburi

Eastbay1K

And that is why I had an "as to the OP specifically" clause, with the remainder of my babble spoken generally.

hsumh316

True, but then again if you had either AA Admirals club or one world elite, you wouldn't need to do all that work just to go a lounge that you have already been to and know what is in there.

nomiiiii

I'm sure a one-time thing per year would be fine.
But I'm also quite sure that Alaska like all other airlines has a process running to flag any account who has done this more than 2-3 times in the last 12 months.