Can you buy one-day lounge access?
#16
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Programs: Mucci, BA silver
Posts: 562
As *G you can enter LH Senator Lounges, though, which do have better food. There aren't many, though, and all of them are in the international departure areas. About as useful as Open Doors on BA to me... Most of their lounges are either in the non-Schengen area, third-party lounges, or closed when I fly another airline than BA.
#17
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: ATL
Programs: DL Diamond, AA Plat Exec, Hilton Gold, IHG Spire Ambassador & Marriott Plat
Posts: 756
Argument for third party lounges: By giving greater choice for those with access or willing to pay for third party lounge access travellers may possibly choose BA rather than looking at other carriers in another terminal/airport.
I think that the argument for far out weighs the against but there again I am not BA/BAA!
I for one would have considered airlines on the basis of which terminal/airport they fly from and the availability of lounge access. There are those out there who will scoff at this. However given the amount of time I spend in airports and as I invariably transit through one to reach my final destination this is important.
I have BA Silver and BD Gold (although I did in days gone by also have AF/KLM Platinum and Priority Pass). I gave up flying Skyteam and when I realised I could buy lounge access to most PP lounges when needed (very seldom) I gave up on PP too.
#18
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM MM SC; GE; Bonvoy Titanium; IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,310
There's just one that has a departure time around the same time as my afternoon LHR-JFK flight. Is that considered appropriate on the BA board? I've guested plenty of DL people into SkyClubs but wasn't sure if it was okay here to PM someone to beg for lounge access.
#19
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SJC
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 1,628
As *G you can enter LH Senator Lounges, though, which do have better food. There aren't many, though, and all of them are in the international departure areas. About as useful as Open Doors on BA to me... Most of their lounges are either in the non-Schengen area, third-party lounges, or closed when I fly another airline than BA.
There's also the problem that LH Senator lounges sometimes refuse entry to anyone but LH business or first passengers, again despite the rules. This happened to me at EWR with an int'l ticket, because the lounge is small.
One membership advantage (if you can call it that) of UA/US/CO's "clubs" is that you don't have to be flying them, or their alliance, or really anyone. You can be admitted even if you're meeting an assisted passenger airside.
In any case, if I ever decided to use Oneworld for domestic flights, I'd probably be better off with gold status from BA than AA.
#20
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Seniors Bus Pass
Posts: 5,529
... There's just one that has a departure time around the same time as my afternoon LHR-JFK flight. Is that considered appropriate on the BA board? I've guested plenty of DL people into SkyClubs but wasn't sure if it was okay here to PM someone to beg for lounge access.
Logengula has said both are regular posters here, so you can take it that they are well familiar with this scenario.
#21
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London WC2/W1
Programs: BAEC Silver; Muccis du Monde des Peluches
Posts: 6,627
Yes, but as has been discussed on here before, not everyone posts on ba97.com with the same intention. I used to use ba97.com to see if there was a chance of being around at the same time as an FTer I'd like to meet in person, not as a way of getting access to a lounge. I would consider offering lounge access to someone I felt I knew somewhat from their posts on here, but not to someone I'd never heard of; nor would I ask it from anyone. Obviously some feel differently, but other threads about this show that I'm not the only one to feel this way.
#22
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London WC2/W1
Programs: BAEC Silver; Muccis du Monde des Peluches
Posts: 6,627
Isn't this a bit like asking why an economy pax can't pay for a glass of PJ Belle Epoque? I'd be surprised if it's the top priority for someone contorted into their middle seat at the back on their SIN-LHR flight.
#23
Join Date: May 2009
Location: London
Programs: BA
Posts: 1,408
A large number of economy passengers don't fly regularly, but when do they wish to escape the 'mayhem' of the airport for a quiet lounge with snacks and drinks (at least according to threads on other forums, trip advice websites etc).
Of course, they are also unlikely to chose an airline / airport based on lounge availability - I'd assume they'd chose whomever was closest or cheapest.
T5 really isn't a bad airport to relax in before a flight.
Of course, they are also unlikely to chose an airline / airport based on lounge availability - I'd assume they'd chose whomever was closest or cheapest.
T5 really isn't a bad airport to relax in before a flight.
#24
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ARN
Programs: Mucci Entry Level, BA Gold, EK Pleb, SK Pleb, QR Pleb
Posts: 3,585
Yes, but as has been discussed on here before, not everyone posts on ba97.com with the same intention. I used to use ba97.com to see if there was a chance of being around at the same time as an FTer I'd like to meet in person, not as a way of getting access to a lounge. I would consider offering lounge access to someone I felt I knew somewhat from their posts on here, but not to someone I'd never heard of; nor would I ask it from anyone. Obviously some feel differently, but other threads about this show that I'm not the only one to feel this way.
Last edited by Lobengula; Jan 5, 2011 at 8:41 am Reason: typo
#25
Join Date: May 2007
Location: London WC2/W1
Programs: BAEC Silver; Muccis du Monde des Peluches
Posts: 6,627
#26
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: ARN
Programs: Mucci Entry Level, BA Gold, EK Pleb, SK Pleb, QR Pleb
Posts: 3,585
Yes we're all different. I don't mind a polite question if it's an FT member. Maybe ba97 should have an additional field: "accepts lounge guesting questions yes/no"?
#27
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: DL PM MM SC; GE; Bonvoy Titanium; IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,310
As a SkyClub member, I have guested many people into lounges and quite a few were complete strangers. I have no issue with whether it's a request or an invitation - most of my travel is solo, so I almost feel like I'm getting better value if I guest in a companion. There's a sticky thread in the DL forum regarding SC meetings and I scan it before each trip to see if I can help out someone seeking access.
Regarding what one's entitled to, as I indicated, I would have been happy to pay for lounge access if single-visit passes were available for purchase. I also did not have the option to upgrade my ticket to a class of service that would have included lounge access.
I know I can easily kill the few hours between my flights in T5, but I own a travel business and am often asked by clients regarding whether or not lounges are worth it. Since almost all of my flights are on SkyTeam airlines, I can only comment on their lounges. Since I now have a rare flight that's not SkyTeam, I thought it would be good for me to check out another airline's lounge, if I could.
However, in light of some of the posts here, I'll just let it go. Although I've met many FTers at DOs, I'm not a regular on this forum and don't know any of the posters here personally. There will be plenty for me to do in the terminal (if there's a Boots, I can probably spend an hour there!).
Thank you all for your advice.