Jeedos

Hi All,

Apologies for the newbie question; What is BA (and by extension, OneWorld's policy) for access to lounges - specifically if I am NOT flying on BA/IB or a OneWorld carrier:

e.g. I'm due to fly to South Korea in June, but on LOT (a Star Alliance) carrier, what would be the policy as a BAEC Silver for me and my plus one when trying to get into a OneWorld lounge in Warsaw (our connection) or in Seoul itself. I'm aware there are no OW lounges in LHR Terminal 2.

Additionally, I'm due to fly to Morocco for Christmas this year, but on EasyJet from LGW: Again, if I'm BAEC Silver could I use the Galleries Lounge there with me and my plus one even though we're flying on an Easyjet Flight?

And a final point; What lounges would people recommend in Seoul (ICH) Terminal 1 or in Warsaw (WAW)?

Globaliser

The answer will be "no", in all cases.

More here: BA lounge access guidelines - in short, you need to be flying oneworld.

NickB

A very long time ago, BAEC Gold members were admitted to BA-operated lounges when flying non-OW airlines. This was discontinued many moons ago and you are now required to fly OW to have access to lounges.

Even in those halcyon days, that privilege was not extended to Silver members.

Jeedos

What about across the wider OW Alliance - is there reports of people getting lucky or are lounges fairly tight on accessing lounges?

dougzz

I can’t ever remember getting in a lounge without a BP. If that’s not a OW alliance BP then forget.

Why would you expect lounge access from an airline you’re not flying? Are there any airlines that allow status holders lounge access on flights from other airlines?

KARFA

I think lounges whether airline run or third party are usually fairly strict on applying the rules, so basically there is no chance of access in the scenarios you mentioned.

krispy84

They’ll look at or scan your boarding pass and see that you’re not on an eligible flight. I wouldn’t bother trying. This isn’t a grey area, it’s v clearly not permitted.

EDIT: If you fly to South Korea in business class then lack of Star Alliance status doesn’t matter.

Ldnn1

It's highly unlikely, to the extent that it's not worth trying. That said, I suppose you've got nothing to lose (except a smidgen of pride).

Where it would perhaps be more likely is where there is already some non-alliance access involved, e.g. Aer Lingus (has access on London routes anyway), or CX/NZ codeshares, that could confuse a lounge agent into letting you in where not supposed to.

In LGW, your chance is absolutely zero if you're talking about a North terminal departure and the BA lounge in South terminal!

DorsetKnob

Find a way to get a Dragon or Priority Pass. Most banks offer them for "free" with certain accounts.

dougzz

At least then you’re turned away for capacity issues rather than a non-qualifying flight 😏

NickB

Believe or not, this was not regarded as so outlandish in the distant past and there were major discussions on this board when BA discontinued for GCHs. Can't remember exactly but this must have been some 15 years ago. These days, however, are long gone and there is not a hope in hell of entering a OW lounge if not flying OW. Among non-OW airlines, t would seem that ITA does give access to its own lounges regardless of airline flown to its super-duper GGL-for-life equivalent but they are an outlier.

corporate-wage-slave

20 May 2011 to be precise. The BA lounge in NCL had leaflets out about this event - to sway off the maddened hoardes - until its pandemic led closure in 2021.

PETER01

I remember that thread.

new lounge rules for gold? [End of Open Doors for Golds]

Globaliser

Sadly, panflation has done for this, particularly that stoked by alliances. Once upon a time, BA Gold really meant something, and BA was prepared to be pretty generous to Golds. But now it's so easy to get Gold - if even I can be a BA Gold, that shows how much it's been devalued! - and it's inevitable that this has to be followed by deep cuts to what airlines can offer to higher-tier members.

There has been one outlier within the BA universe: the ZA domestic SLOW lounges. But even that benefit has now reportedly been removed. And it wouldn't have helped the OP anyway.

DorsetKnob

Fair comment! The joys of COVID travel, the AMS lounges to oneself as opposed to being turned away because they were full!