Lounge access RANT
 

Just flew in DXB-CDG, in F. I normally fly BA, but for the last 3 flights to DXB, I flew EK. Was very happy with service etc etc. Used the lounge since the airport is a mall and full of perfume smells that give me headaches.

While at the airport today, I went to the F lounge and was with my 20 something son who was traveling Business, they wouldn't allow him into the F lounge, claiming I couldn't take a guest it. He wasn't a guest, he is my SON, family... it has never happened to me with BA in the CCR, ever, and I would bring in my 2 kids and friends. Was and am really angry with EK, that I am re-evaluating my flying with them and considering going back to BA. I complained to several people and fired a letter to the cs. am sure they don't need my and my family's business or loyalty.

End of rant and goodbye EK, there are lots of other airlines that serve the area.

Why should they change the rules just for you? if everyone decided they wanted to take a guest, the place would be overrun. As for him not being a guest 'but your son', purlease... We should all try that one next time.

As for BA, you are allowed to take a guest in if traveling in F.

Cheers,
Rick

If they stop spraying all those perfumes in the main halls I won't be needing to sit in the lounge. I have gone to the lounge to escape the smells.

And yes he is my son, so their policy is to divide families depending on where are seated?

And believe me I do take my kids and others to the CCR.

Are you a training exercise? :rolleyes:

Your sense of special privilege is clearly strong, but alas, none of the facts are on your side.

Perhaps you should chill out a bit, or, alternatively, wear a peg on your nose around DXB. I have been in some smelly airports in my time - but DXB is one of the better ones.

Or is it that you are "just asking for a bit of flexibility"? :-)

I can and do sympathise with you. Can I ask a question? The last 3 trips between CDG and DXB on EK - have they all been in F? If so, you would have accrued 45,000 tier miles (so not far away from Gold).

I'm a big believer that lounge access (for the most part) is all about how you ask.

I'm sure you would have been polite - but I always say when I take my wife + 2 kids, that I am aware of the 1 guest only policy but was hoping for permission this one time. I've never been refused. Now the caveat is that I am using airports which I fly out of regularly (ie SIN and MEL).

I know EK can be tough re lounge access. Don't write them off just yet...

Look, EK's rules are pretty clear and they don't have reason to make an exception for you. If you ask nicely, maybe. But the rules are simple. F pax only. No guests, even if you're Gold, unless perhaps your uncle is the sheikh.

You could have easily gone to the J lounge with your son. For the purposes of your ticket, he is a guest. And don't compare having no status on EK to being a Gold or above on BA. You're going to get little sympathy on here, I'm afraid.

You could've easily gone in the business lounge without any hassles, it's only a few steps across the F lounge.

[Mod Comment]

You know, the reason I dislike some other boards on FT is because there are many who are quick to jump down the throat of the OP - no matter what their stance. Sometimes, it's quite hostile. I simply don't waste my time.

Frankly, a couple of comments/responses to the OP are a little surprising. I see nothing wrong with the OP expressing her opinion and disappointment about her lounge access issue.

And nothing wrong with any of you disagreeing with her viewpoint. But the "tone" of the responses are a little harsh if you ask me.

I'm hardly wanting the EK forum to be all cotton wool and candy, but I also don't want it to be a place where members feel unwelcome. I know if I was on the end of the comments that the OP was, I would have been pissed off. Completely.

[Mod Comment End]

I *think* that you can take a guest into the first class lounge at DXB IF you are travelling first AND have a Gold card.

That is the impression I had when my colleague (the B***ard) booked himself first and me biz and I went to the first lounge to meet him; they checked if he had a gold card and refused me entry as he did not (I did have gold).
As already mentioned, you can both use the Biz lounge anyway and you should be Gold Card now (or very close) with that number of first class trips on EK.

Of course, 'guest' refers to anyone you want to take into the lounge whether son, husband, mother, business colleague whatever.
Hope you enjoyed your flight regardless.

Actually, F lounge access in DXB is for F passengers only. Gold members cannot enter, unless they are ticketed in F. And no guest benefits.

Ah, well, I stand corrected!
They must have been trying to be helpful....

Just curious whether they also denied you entry to the Business Lounge? It seems that both of you would have been permitted entry there (and also the Gate 122 Lounge). If you were not denied entry, then it was you that made the choice to "divide the family" and not them.

Just sayin'

I am one of the most flexible and undemanding people, and yes I am always on a training regime, but mostly I do have a very sensitive nose and some smells bother me quite a bit, they make me sneeze. That is why in Dubai I use the lounge immediately.

We went there, it was way to busy and ended up going to the hotel, I have no problem paying for what I want.

I could be the SHEIKA as well, and I didn't expect any sympathies from anyone, I was just ranting.

No I wasn't denied entry to the B lounge, but as I mentioned above, it was way to busy so we went to the hotel. And I don't know the Gate 122 lounge. You have to be from the gulf to understand the nuisance of the "divide the family" comment.

[QUOTE=Yahillwe;16003298]I am one of the most flexible and undemanding people, and yes I am always on a training regime, but mostly I do have a very sensitive nose and some smells bother me quite a bit, they make me sneeze. That is why in Dubai I use the lounge immediately.

Nicely put and touche :-)

I think you are the victim of the fact that the T3 business class lounge is just a zoo, as you yourself noticed. Whereas the F lounge is a glorious oasis of calm. The only way they can preserve that F oasis is by severely restricting who may enter, as you found, and that means following the rules to the letter.

MrSoft I really do not like malls, can take, as an example, Gallerie Lafayette in Paris for only a few minutes before I get sensory overload from the smells and sounds. That is why i don't appreciate having that thrust on me in an airport where there is no safe refuge from it. If there was, then I wouldn't bother going to the lounges, as I love people watching. I have been to Dubai's airport only 6 times so I really don't know it at all. All I wanted was a peaceful place. Wasn't doing the DUKWIA, or anything like that. If I ever go again, then I won't bother and would go directly to the hotel. Don't need to beg to be admitted.