For avoidance of doubt, this comes straight from CX's intranet:

thank you Doraemat and wkc. Indeed that is the response that I received after I emailed MPC.

Let's see how it really works out on the day itself!

Hi guys,

I just want to update you on how everything went.

When online check-in opened for CX695, I went online, checked myself in and then claimed the lounge pass. I just had to input my friend's PNR and the website confirmed with a code given. I gave this code to my friend for his documentation.

Fast forward at Check-in A at HKG, my friend tried to check-in at 2pm (flight is at 5pm) and check-in agent said it's still too early for him to check-in. Advised to come back at 3.30pm. So we hung around till 3.30pm and came back to Check-in A. Was told that my friend got a seat but he can't print the boarding pass for whatever reason. Finally got the boarding pass for my friend at 3.50pm but no lounge invitation was given.

Since it was already quite late, we just rushed to the Pier lounge (our flight was leaving from gate 67). Luckily both of us have e-channel registered passports so we were able to complete security and immigration in less than 10 mins. Took the train and arrived at The Pier around 4.15pm.

Gave our BPs to the lounge dragon and that's it. When I asked the lounge dragon, she said "your guest is traveling on staff ID, correct? And you claimed the lounge pass for him. I can see it here in the system. Please enjoy the lounge". We were both able to go in and enjoy a glass of champagne before leaving the lounge again because boarding already started.

So there you go. No problem at all redeeming lounge pass for guest on staff ID ticket. However, just like QRC3288 already mentioned, I suspected the check-in staff held the boarding pass for as long as he/she can. Hence, our experience at the lounge was not optimal.

They do not release seats for ID until the very last minute

that particular flight was not full as I saw some empty seats during the flight. we checked the load at 3PM and it showed Y >10. the check-in agent also said that my friend will get the seat. he just can't give him the boarding pass. I guess it's rule of the game at CX

nah, I'd say most often this actually isn't the case.

sometimes BPs are issued 24 hours in advance for ID passengers. Other times, guys can collect them at the A counter upon arrival. These two are definitely over 50% of the time.

It's route and timing dependent, but as a rough rule I'd say 25% of the time they get their BPs before arriving at the airport, another 25-40% of the time they have to get them at the A desk but well before the cutoff, and 35-50% of the time at the last minute.

I will add, ID passengers can have their boarding passes taken back from them even after early issuance. This happens most often in the case of unexpected flight cancellations or extended delays that have spillover effects onto otherwise empty flights.

Again, QRC3288 is correct - if the loading is quite light, ID pax would be able to check in up to 24 hours before the time of departure (ie: 24 hours after revenue passengers) - but this does not allow you to print your boarding pass as it would if you are a revenue pax.

You would then be able to collect your boarding pass at the airport.

Another vote for QRC3288 being 100% correct.

For total clarification, here is the actual CX lounge guide (noting this applies ONLY to CX owned and operated lounges).

https://www.markrs.co/images/cx_lounge_policy.jpg

So ID tickets holder can be guest in lounges
but cant enter lounge even if they have diamond member status?

What about priority pass?
Lots of credit cards provides prestige membership of priority pass,
can CX staff enter lounge with ID tickets?

This is wrong. If the ID ticket holder has their own status, they can enter the lounge.

I'm pretty sure if they have a priority pass, they can enter the lounge. PP doesn't really care about how you got your ticket, only that the lounge is going to charge them for the entry.

I know if a EK staff member who travels on EK ID tickets, and he definitely gets into priority pass lounges.

https://www.prioritypass.com/en/conditions-of-use

Heres a quote from the official site

18. Admittance to lounges is strictly subject to cardholders and any guests, if permitted, being in possession of a valid flight ticket and travel documents for the same day of travel. Airline, airport and other travel industry employees traveling on reduced-rate tickets may not be eligible for access.


I'm sure they have similar rules for CX lounges

Ha mate, you're just making stuff up! Can you just scroll up and read the thread you're posting to? CX does not have a "similar" rule; what you're "sure" of is, in fact, totally incorrect.

No offense here or anything...it's just the obvious posting of incorrect information is a detriment to the forum. At least read a few posts above where you're posting.

What you're inferring is blatantly contradicted by the remainder of this thread. Just read the thread!

yes i have always wondered why that is the case? jealousy? but jealous of what?

Sorry im not making stuff up, i start to use CX id tickets last year and i still have MPC gold status, i have enter the lounge for a few times already until my last travel the door man stops me and told me id tickets are not allowed.

What lounge? I am certain CX permits status holders on ID tickets to use their lounges. For all CX-operated lounges there shouldn't be a problem. Technically, you could run into a problem at a non-CX operated lounge, because some other airlines don't permit ID holders in. Was this possibly the case?