BA Lounge access 16 year old
Apr 20, 2017, 10:29 am
#31
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,596
I am young, and to add insult to injury (in terms of going to bars and accessing other places for those "of age"), I look young (I hear "are you 16" a lot). However, nobody has ever asked me to see any sort of credentials at LHR or otherwise in Europe. I usually dress nice when flying (even when flying Y), approach with a smile, and get nothing more than a "welcome in." This would work for me when I was not "of age," but I was close (~17).
Of course, if you're in the USA, it is much different...
+1. Sharp kid. You should be a proud parent.
Of course, if you're in the USA, it is much different...
+1. Sharp kid. You should be a proud parent.
I was asked to produce ID before they would serve me a drink in New York a while ago.Just the way the rules and public opinion are.
Apr 20, 2017, 11:26 am
#33
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In the sticks
Programs: VS FC Gold, BA EC Gold, Amex Centurion, EK Gold, ex-G-ATVK driver
Posts: 1,831
Apr 20, 2017, 11:34 am
#34
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold; Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 3,228
The main difference between BA lounges and AA ones is the self-serve alcohol. That is the primary consideration, I think, in terms of why BA has an age limit.
On the flip side, my 16 year old step-daughter was flying on her own from FAT - PHX - LAS recently and had no issues being admitted to the AA lounge in PHX nor being offered premium drinks vouchers. Now admittedly these can also be redeemed for smoothies and bottled water so that doesn't imply she was perceived as being of age to drink.
Different situations, different countries, different rules
On the flip side, my 16 year old step-daughter was flying on her own from FAT - PHX - LAS recently and had no issues being admitted to the AA lounge in PHX nor being offered premium drinks vouchers. Now admittedly these can also be redeemed for smoothies and bottled water so that doesn't imply she was perceived as being of age to drink.
Different situations, different countries, different rules
Apr 20, 2017, 11:53 am
#35
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,455
Apr 20, 2017, 3:02 pm
#36
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 84
No biggie, as she wouldn't touch it anyway, but we thought at the time that was a bit strange.... maybe cabin crew was just on auto-pilot
Apr 20, 2017, 3:55 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Dublin/UK/SPAIN
Programs: BA Gold. EI GoldCircle
Posts: 784
When I was about 14 i got into the Aerlingus lounge in Dublin with my 7 year nephew.
I use to fly a lot as a kid DUB - Spain without any issues using the EI lounge in Dublinand IB lounges in MAD/BCN/AGP.
I use to fly a lot as a kid DUB - Spain without any issues using the EI lounge in Dublinand IB lounges in MAD/BCN/AGP.
Apr 20, 2017, 7:15 pm
#39
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: LAX
Programs: AA EP, MUCCI, Proudly BA Blue,.
Posts: 887
Plenty of places to grab a bite in the terminal if they're hungry.
Apr 20, 2017, 7:21 pm
#40
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
Posts: 14,197
It might be a supper or a quick service but there is 100% a meal in CW.
Last edited by UKtravelbear; Apr 21, 2017 at 4:58 am Reason: typos! must clean glasses!
Apr 21, 2017, 1:12 am
#41
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,662
I only once had a problem getting into a lounge when I was under 18, this was at LGW with an absolute dragon of a staff member who spoke to me in an awful manner- with one of those 'all teenagers are yobs' kind of attitudes.
However, this was only one occasion out of many, almost monthly lounge visits for me (between about 15-18) in a whole host of airports, mostly when I was Silver travelling in Y. In hindsight I'd now consider asking someone near the entrance who looks relatively approachable if no one is available on the FT meet up thread!
However, this was only one occasion out of many, almost monthly lounge visits for me (between about 15-18) in a whole host of airports, mostly when I was Silver travelling in Y. In hindsight I'd now consider asking someone near the entrance who looks relatively approachable if no one is available on the FT meet up thread!
Apr 21, 2017, 9:41 am
#42
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Cape Town
Programs: BA Exec Gold , Qatar Priviledge Club Plat
Posts: 1,584
My son will be re-attempting to gain entry without denied access again in June at the Emirates Lounge in Dubai , EK are like the CIA of ensuring under 18's don't get into the lounge at DXB, even thou drinking age is 21 in Dubai. He is late 17 and soon to be 18 in a few months , will let you know how it goes. Only ever denied access to the BA slow lounge in Cape Town when he was 16.
Don't worry he wouldn't touch the Dom at that ages in the lounge , unlike his father !
Don't worry he wouldn't touch the Dom at that ages in the lounge , unlike his father !
Apr 21, 2017, 10:50 am
#43
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New Orleans (MSY)
Programs: AA EXP, IHG PLT, Hilton Gold, Hyatt Explorist, Amtrak, WN
Posts: 2,617
So it goes with our customs and laws, I guess.
I know certain cities require that these placards be posted in male and female restrooms. New Orleans requires it, and you'll certainly see it in hotel restrooms there.
Apr 21, 2017, 11:10 am
#44
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Bristol
Programs: BA GGL, UA Plat, DL Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 2,380
I'm still chuckling at the thought of what might befall my strapping 17 3/4 year-old son if he dares to speak to anyone at T5...
He did pull an 18 year-old on the plane a few months ago, so the sky's the limit I guess
He did pull an 18 year-old on the plane a few months ago, so the sky's the limit I guess
Jun 12, 2019, 3:57 pm
#45
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: Hilton Honors Gold, Marriott Gold, BA Silver, Hertz President's Club
Posts: 485
Bringing up this old thread. I’m 19, at JFK at the moment - denied access due to age and was offered a $19 voucher for use in the terminal.