Lounge chancers
Jan 17, 2019, 11:48 pm
#16
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,374
I was at a domestic outstation not too long ago and the staff were helping me change flights. In the few mins they were doing this, Gold, Silver and CE passengers tried to guest more than 1 guest in, passengers flying on different airlinies and guests flying on other airlines. All (I’d say 6-10) were allowed. The lounge wasn’t busy and it didn’t detract on the experience so no harm done in my mind..
I’ll admit to blagging into one lounge, the Admirals Club in Miami en route to Cancun in J but was only Bronze at the time, I did feel very guilty and only had some coffee, white chocolate pretzels and a bottle of water and I left quickly..
I’ll admit to blagging into one lounge, the Admirals Club in Miami en route to Cancun in J but was only Bronze at the time, I did feel very guilty and only had some coffee, white chocolate pretzels and a bottle of water and I left quickly..
Jan 18, 2019, 12:24 am
#17
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,398
Jan 18, 2019, 1:02 am
#18
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
Recently flew AKL-HKG on CX as part of a LH ticket. I'm *G and of course I don't expect any lounge access since I'm flying Y on a non*A metal service.
The check-in agent starts putting all sorts of priority tags on my bags and tells me "the system doesn't let me print a lounge invitation but you're on a Lufthansa ticket so just go to the lounge and show your card".
So I went and of course the lounge dragon denied access. I guess the check-in agent assumed that *A would have rules similar to OW, and since both NZ and LH have specific arrangements with CX it *could* have been possible that a *G would have access to the lounge. But, alas, no luck.
The check-in agent starts putting all sorts of priority tags on my bags and tells me "the system doesn't let me print a lounge invitation but you're on a Lufthansa ticket so just go to the lounge and show your card".
So I went and of course the lounge dragon denied access. I guess the check-in agent assumed that *A would have rules similar to OW, and since both NZ and LH have specific arrangements with CX it *could* have been possible that a *G would have access to the lounge. But, alas, no luck.
Jan 18, 2019, 1:50 am
#19
Join Date: May 2012
Programs: BA Gold, HHonors Diamond, IHG Platinum, Senior Railcard & Bus Pass
Posts: 983
Or they may have read this thread: Sweet Talking Your Way Into The CCR.
Jan 18, 2019, 2:20 am
#20
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: London, England
Programs: OW Emerald (BA), UA*G, Marriott Plat, IC RA, Various others
Posts: 1,009
Someone last year bandied the idea that BA loses Ł3-4 million per annum to 'guests' in the BA lounge network that should not really be there. One would like to think with tighter rules, that money would be ploughed back into the lounge product. But then again...
Jan 18, 2019, 2:21 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: AMS/RTM
Posts: 2,827
Jan 18, 2019, 2:24 am
#22
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club, easyJet and Ryanair
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: UK/Las Vegas
Programs: BA Gold (GGL/CCR)
Posts: 15,922
Jan 18, 2019, 3:04 am
#24
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 323
I was in the AMS lounge on Monday. In the short time I spent in there, there were 3 people looking for the Aspire lounge. There was 1 guy trying to get in the lounge because he had a BA Amex card, oddly he was flying business class with Delta so had access to the KLM lounge. The final mention goes to the loud American who was claiming that he originally booked business but then changed flights to economy and was refused entry. He hung around for a good 10 minutes, moaning at the staff, demanding to see a manager and threatening to call BA and complain. That shows he is not a BA regular, he would know how fruitless complaining to BA is 
After a flurry of chancers and people in the wrong place, the lounge staff member looked over to me and smiled. I think you have to find it amusing to get through the working day.
After a flurry of chancers and people in the wrong place, the lounge staff member looked over to me and smiled. I think you have to find it amusing to get through the working day.
Jan 18, 2019, 3:23 am
#25
Join Date: Jan 2013
Programs: BAEC GfL
Posts: 335
Had a couple trying to gain entry at AMS mid December, they were there for a good 5 mins trying to argue their case with others waiting, as per other comments I am sure they would have been disappointed with the food and beverage offerings had they gained access
Jan 18, 2019, 3:45 am
#26
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,398
In the book of ‘BA lounges worth the effort of blagging your way in’, you would think AMS must come a fair way down the list.
But then again ..... the perennial attraction of some free food & drink can never be under-estimated
But then again ..... the perennial attraction of some free food & drink can never be under-estimated
Jan 18, 2019, 4:02 am
#27
Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK
Posts: 10,140
I once saw a passenger at GC North who was a little bit angry because the lounge staff wouldn't let her in with a Priority Pass and she was insisting she was entitled to access. She was of course rightly refused.
Lounge Angels, whether that's BA/oneworld or in fact any alliance must get so tired of hearing chancers/DYKWIA at the desk EVERY day especially the ones wanting multiple guests in.
An occupational hazard in a public customer facing role I suppose but not a very pleasant one for them on some occasions and it goes without saying verbal abuse, passive aggressiveness is completely ignorant in my book.
Lounge Angels, whether that's BA/oneworld or in fact any alliance must get so tired of hearing chancers/DYKWIA at the desk EVERY day especially the ones wanting multiple guests in.
An occupational hazard in a public customer facing role I suppose but not a very pleasant one for them on some occasions and it goes without saying verbal abuse, passive aggressiveness is completely ignorant in my book.
Jan 18, 2019, 5:04 am
#29
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: BAEC Gold, EK Skywards (enhanced Blue !), Oman Air Sindbad Gold
Posts: 6,398
Jan 18, 2019, 5:12 am
#30
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: UK
Programs: IC Hotels Spire, BA Gold
Posts: 8,667
Me too, it is very bright and airy and loads of natural night. Plus a nice view across the apron and airfield too. Food and drink is more than OK - I don't go into the lounge for a full meal anyway, more of a light snack. So the AMS lounge gets a big ^^ from me.
