HIDDY

That is a good point - I wonder how many poor souls have been refused entry when they shouldn't have.
In the OPs friends shoes I would give it a go but just accept the decision if it went against me.

Greg66

There are two distinct questions here:

(a) should the rules be enforced?
(b) should the rules be changed (and if so, why, and to what)?

The answer to the first is relatively simple. It's the second question that's rather more interesting IMHO.

DYKWIA

Hmmm, shuffles uncomfortably

srbrenna

The trouble with that is there is a long "walk of shame" that the unsuccessful have to tread

If I were the OP I would have advised that a well written letter to Customer Service is the best option. They have got better over the years

TravellinHusker

You know, it's very easy for BA to fall into line with other FF programs that allow (1 guest or immediate family.. ie. wife, son, daughter) when travelling on the same flight/same day.. It's a family friendly approach to reward those that frequently travel enough to be Gold. I don't see a problem with that solution.

DKI

So how will it work next week when I and my wife (both Gold) fly Club to SFO with our 2 month old twins (infant fare so no seat) and a nanny (no status) flying in WT?

Will we be excluded from taking the nanny into the lounge- even though she will be key to helping maintaining peace and quiet for th eduration of our stay?

aristoph

Is this for real?

Sounds like the OP's boss got off lightly.

NickB

Max 1 guest is pretty standard across the industry. So I am not sure whom the OP boss is planning to fly with that will grant him guaranteed access for 2 guests.

Besides, if he is used to flying in CW (and apart from the loss of time if he needs to add a transfer via elsewhere as a result of his decision not to fly BA), he is likely to be rather disappointed with the J/C class of quite a few carriers.

Flying LH or AF in C just to avoid BA? Cutting your face to spite your nose, if you ask me.

BAAZ

Part of the issue at LHR is the fact that someone who has a Gold card and who spends £50k a year is really not that unusual.

Galleries First at LHR is the Gold card lounge, and most people (OK, most non-FTers ) would probably have spent at least £20k-£30k to have earned enough points to get the card in the first place. So the OP couldn't really expect special treatment.

At outstations it's different; I remember once flying from (I think) MXP to LHR on AZ with wife (also BA Gold) and 6-year-old son, and asking at the BA lounge whether they would waive the no-guest-if-flying-another-airline rule and let us all in. The dragon waved us straight in saying "of course; wow, two gold cards".

If the rumours of paid lounge access for guests from next year are to be believed, then problem solved (as long as it's done properly).

OPebble

The twins don't count as PAX!

KyRoamer

Poor Familyfox is trying hard to defend his immature boss. If I were him, I'd be looking for a new job before I made a minor slip and was canned.

To walk away from a fine airline over that is just bad business. If that carries through to his other decisions, too bad for the business.

Cap'n Benj

As would most people I suspect. Unless the agent was actually rude to the OP's boss, when denying him access, he can have no complaints whatsoever. If the agent was rude, he should make an official complaint, not just grab his ball and go home like a petulant 3 year old himself!

ajax

I'm amazed that the OP's boss would even consider shifting £50,000 of revenue over such a minor issue.

Sounds like he's got a major entitlement problem to me.

sunrisegirl

Although I appreciate I wasn't there, I'd be utterly amazed if these were the exact words used.

Paralytic

I've been reading this thread with interest, and whilst i fall in the "them's the rules" category, i do think BA could improve two things in such scenarios:

• Better publicize the rules for accepting children into the lounges. I'd say accepting children under 2 (perhaps with a max of two?) would be acceptable, in additional to one other guest. Perhaps they allow this in the Galleries only, and leave the Flounge and CCR as it is?
• Recognise the oft-mentioned statement here that there are many Silver/Gold members who never bring a guest into the lounge in their regular travels and would, just once or twice a year, like to bring in 2 guests. Surely something can be worked out here.

However, familyfox, i have one request for you. Could you commit to posting back here in, say, 2 or 3 months, a let us know if you boss did go through with his assertions?

I personally think its a over-reaction and, upon reflection, and on perusing the products of other airlines, is it possible that your boss may choose to reconsider?