Lounge access with family
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: London
Programs: Mucci Blue, BAEC Gold, Blockbuster Video card
Posts: 1,378
Frankly tbh the way flights with our oldest have gone in the past, even before no. 2 arrived, he's at times been such a jinx on our previously usually smooth arrangements that we've been lucky to make the flights at all, never mind grabbing a quick bite and vino in the lounge, so it might all be totally moot for us.
#18
Join Date: Dec 2016
Programs: BAEC GGL/CR; Hilton Diamond; Mucci des Puccis
Posts: 5,520
One of the nice things about LGW is there's a soft play area just outside the lounge entrance, so it is possible to take turns with the other child there. Even with lounge access (he has silver now) that's often preferable.
#20
Join Date: Oct 2018
Programs: British Airways Executive Club, Miles & Smiles, Skyteam, Marriot Bonvoy
Posts: 122
No problem in getting them all into GF at LGW. To be honest though, we left and went next door to the club lounge as so much more spacious. Recommend the mezzanine bit.
#21
Join Date: May 2017
Location: San Francisco
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 368
I've transited LHR solo and visited the F lounge four times in the past month and vaguely recall seeing more than a few families of four. It's of course possible they're all eligible (Gold/Emerald or long-haul F), but curious if anyone on the BA forum has heard about one-off relaxing of the one guest policy during the pandemic? I'm traveling with my immediate family (2x oneworld Sapphire, 1x no status, and me as oneworld Emerald) and would love to be able to bring them with me.
#22
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: London
Programs: Sir Ratechaser Seigneur de la Patience d'un Saint (Mucci), BA Silver, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 2,514
I've transited LHR solo and visited the F lounge four times in the past month and vaguely recall seeing more than a few families of four. It's of course possible they're all eligible (Gold/Emerald or long-haul F), but curious if anyone on the BA forum has heard about one-off relaxing of the one guest policy during the pandemic? I'm traveling with my immediate family (2x oneworld Sapphire, 1x no status, and me as oneworld Emerald) and would love to be able to bring them with me.
Anyway, I have the opposite problem, finally enough status between us to all get in the lounge, and yet every attempt at a holiday this year has been thwarted...
#23
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,166
Is the BA lounge(s) even open in LGW - if so happy days. I had all my LGW-FAO flights cancelled and changed to LHR-FAO... but if the lounge is open hopefully more LGW flights will be running soon!
Let us know how you get on, but as others have said there is little harm in asking nicely and hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised, if you plan on the answer being a polite NO then you wont be disappointed if that's the result you get.
Good luck!
Let us know how you get on, but as others have said there is little harm in asking nicely and hopefully you will be pleasantly surprised, if you plan on the answer being a polite NO then you wont be disappointed if that's the result you get.
Good luck!
#24
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: London Stratford, E7
Programs: BAEC Gold! Thanks to FT
Posts: 3,338
I've transited LHR solo and visited the F lounge four times in the past month and vaguely recall seeing more than a few families of four. It's of course possible they're all eligible (Gold/Emerald or long-haul F), but curious if anyone on the BA forum has heard about one-off relaxing of the one guest policy during the pandemic? I'm traveling with my immediate family (2x oneworld Sapphire, 1x no status, and me as oneworld Emerald) and would love to be able to bring them with me.
You can check in at The First Wing (if its open) and ask if its possible but Ive seen pretty much 100% no Im afraid. You can of course all go to the Club Lounge which isnt that bad. Also depending on the time of day, the Club Lounge closes late afternoon/early evening and passengers are invited to go to Galleries First.
#25
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: West Sussex
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 895
Recently checking in for a family holiday (5 of us in total) to Spain, in the F check in zone. We were all flying Club Europe.
The check in agent even reminded me before I even finished checking in that lounge access through the F Wing wasnt possible.
Basically I dont even think its worth trying these days.
The check in agent even reminded me before I even finished checking in that lounge access through the F Wing wasnt possible.
Basically I dont even think its worth trying these days.
#26
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,126
On 7 August when I was flying from T5, there were families asking if they could all use the First Wing at the entrance to the F Wing. All of them were ever so politely told it was not possible.
#27
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC: Silver
Posts: 90
I am brining up an old thread, but my situation has got me thinking more about this. I am Silver and my partner is Gold and we have three kids. The youngest is about to turn two. So I know the rules, this is one guest too many once the little one turns two. We fly to the US a lot due to family being based their and we are happy to pay for CW. The issue we have is that with a two year old I do not think we can travel CW as certainly would not feel comfortable with a two year old in a CS (as covered in many threads). therefore it will be WTP for the next few years. Not expecting any sympathy, but just noting that due to having three kids we cannot get the benefit of status and I cannot pay for the benefit as I do not think the product is suitable. First world problem I know and I suspect only an issue for a couple of years but a part of me does think discretion could be applied in this situation but I am not the type to ask at the entrance.
#28
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond *, IHG, Couples Romance Rewards
Posts: 2,318
I am brining up an old thread, but my situation has got me thinking more about this. I am Silver and my partner is Gold and we have three kids. The youngest is about to turn two. So I know the rules, this is one guest too many once the little one turns two. We fly to the US a lot due to family being based their and we are happy to pay for CW. The issue we have is that with a two year old I do not think we can travel CW as certainly would not feel comfortable with a two year old in a CS (as covered in many threads). therefore it will be WTP for the next few years. Not expecting any sympathy, but just noting that due to having three kids we cannot get the benefit of status and I cannot pay for the benefit as I do not think the product is suitable. First world problem I know and I suspect only an issue for a couple of years but a part of me does think discretion could be applied in this situation but I am not the type to ask at the entrance.
There are options for bringing in a larger family but only unfortunately if you or your partner have GGL status which requires a lot more flying
#29
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 77
I can't say for British Airways, but I know that the Centurion Lounges (for Amex black card and certain platinum card holders) allow children under 2 in free of charge and do not count them against your "person" total. I would not be surprised if British Airways did not have a similar rule. You might try calling the telephone line for BA gold members and asking.
#30
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: UK
Programs: BA GGL/CCR, BA Amex Prem, BA Amex Business, Amex Platinum, Coutts Silk, Hilton Diamond etc.
Posts: 4,331
I am brining up an old thread, but my situation has got me thinking more about this. I am Silver and my partner is Gold and we have three kids. The youngest is about to turn two. So I know the rules, this is one guest too many once the little one turns two. We fly to the US a lot due to family being based their and we are happy to pay for CW. The issue we have is that with a two year old I do not think we can travel CW as certainly would not feel comfortable with a two year old in a CS (as covered in many threads). therefore it will be WTP for the next few years. Not expecting any sympathy, but just noting that due to having three kids we cannot get the benefit of status and I cannot pay for the benefit as I do not think the product is suitable. First world problem I know and I suspect only an issue for a couple of years but a part of me does think discretion could be applied in this situation but I am not the type to ask at the entrance.
1. There are still old CW seats on all of the A380s which are unlikely to be subject to airframe substitution so if that can work for you then you can also get the benefit of the nice contained area created by the 2 middle seats on the lower deck.
2. There most likely wouldn't be a specific problem with you and your partner guesting the 2 children into a GC lounge (1 each) and then (assuming they aren't able to let the 2 year old in) 1 of you staying outside with the 3rd child who perhaps wants to do something else in the terminal. My children would like nothing better than to be "left alone to do whatever we want to do on our own because you are both embarrassing idiots".... but that is clearly slightly age-dependent...!
3. If you are in T3 at LHR then the QF lounge has a little-discussed, discretionary rule which allows complimentary access for any children up to the age of 3 and then up to 2 guest children each up to the age of 17. So that would cover your family fully. Explained here under "Qantas Owned and Operated Lounge". The QF door staff are absolutely lovely. You could book on AA and use MCE instead of WTP.