IAN-UK

the problem is that human nature being what it is, folk tend to accept that the have no entitlement only when they are receiving the privilege on a regular basis.

I'm pretty sure that "sorry not today" would often be met with the suggestion that the lounge was not quite so busy as all that, and after all an extra guest had bee allowed in last week etc etc

Colnic2011

What about adapting a current lounge and implementing a family area?

I know some lounges have a kids zone but I mean an actual area for a family to sit and relax.

Surely this would be win win if it was adhered to, the families have their area and business travelers have their area.

I take maybe 1 or 2 family vacations per year and the rest of my flights are for business and I would not be apposed to this proposal.

Interested to hear your thoughts.

adrianlondon

I wonder how much BA think lounge access is worth? They could split entitlement up so that only some people get lounge access, and some get a £20 (or equiv.) amount to spend in the airport. No doubt deals can be made such that BA only have to pay £15 for each voucher they issue or something.

IAN-UK

I'm still puzzled by the "better model" reference.

After all, what the OP seeks is simply a guesting policy which operates in his favour.

aceman

Or (and I know its a novel thought for some) those desperate to feed and water their little darlings could just spend £20 at Giraffe instead of asking for exceptions preferential to themselves?

I'm constantly amazed at the amount of supposedly successful people swanning around the world in business and first all the time who apparently lack the wherewithal to rub two 10p pieces together.

"Please Sir, can I have some more??"

"Can I have a bowl of gruel to feed my little Tarquin dressed in rags?"

The amount of times I end up in a lounge and just have a bottle of water, because I've eaten a meal I actually want to eat in the terminal is considerable, I guess some people genuinely love lounge food, but I'd rather pay for a meal I'd enjoy then just nosh down some free grub.

RobDBA

PUCCI GALORE

I know that we are skirting the "kids on planes/ in Lounges" issue and this is fraught with danger. There is no one who will ever admit here that their children can be odious on occasion. Their children would sit still and be quiet - and it is true many would. I say this taking no sides as the two are implacable and I have to be honest and say that more children are well behaved than tiresome. Yet only the other day in the FLounge some young man of four or five was running amok and started an argument with his Mother at the top of his voice. Father sat engrossed in his screen. Ultimately, I was so glad that they were not on our flight. The problem is that these situations prejudice everyone to the presence of families - and it is unfair to the majority. Yet given that space is at a premium, I doubt that were the members of the Executive Club asked as they were many years ago about such an issue, the majority would not be in favour. Why sitting in a Lounge has become such a must-have is incomprehensible to me compared to traveling on holiday with one's family. It's about having fun all together. One thing is certain there is as much fun to be had in any of the Lounges as there is to be had at a dentists. They often remind me of a cross taxiderist's parlour and a telephone exchange.I actually think that it is not a great kindness to the children as they are bound to be excited and exuberant.

Maybe I should come out of retirement and we should open a corner of the Lounge where Auntie Pucci can entertain the children whilst Mama and Papa quaff as much Champagne as they like. Payment by the hour and No, American Express will not do nicely thank you. I do not come come cheap.

c1223

It'd be awful to let this happen because the majority of the family guesting would happen during school holidays/half-term. As others have said, the benefits for a GCH are one guest. If you want more lounge access either go to a paying lounge or buy business tickets.

HIDDY

Kids in lounges don't bother me. My mind if far too concentrated on stuffing my face with the complimentary food and drink on offer.
Isn't that what most folk are there for?

T8191

hahahaha ... OK, I see where you are. ^

For me, somewhere comfortable and quiet ... which sort of puts me in the ‘no kids’ corner. But I do have a twinge of un-natural sympathy for those travelling with family on the relatively rare occasions they do it. A separate “Parents with Kids” zone would solve my issues.

AmaaiZeg

Flying Lawyer

Be careful, my 2 1/2 year old holds Gold status and will be in the Concorde room on Saturday evening before flying First. And this fortunately keeps us separate from all snobby Emeralds flying Eco but complaining about kids in a F/C lounge

A different model: LH allows all your own kids under the age of 18 in and this is certainly not the end of the world. I have experienced very annoying passengers not knowing how to behave themselves in public and I have experienced noisy kids. I prefer the kids.

Mike P

You can easily do this under the current system by becoming GGL. Worth the additional loyalty?

ratechaser

CloudGazer

I believe this is only the case for Qantas Club members, and doesn't apply for oneworld partner members.