karim787

Im giving cash to try and enter a business lounge that i paid for not to buy drugs or bribe someone. I have a passion for aviation and have managed to finally get an upgrade to business i do not think that by trying to have someone let me in is being irresponsible. The idea of giving out cash for people to hellp you is the basic principle of capitalism

karim787

Thanks! Could you perhaps post a link as im new to this website and cant find it.^

skywardhunter

Sure, Google is the best way to search this site btw, just Google for EK Lounge Meetup flyertalk:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/emirates-skywards/1810241-emirates-lounge-meetup-thread-2017-a.html

karim787

thanks!!!

Productivity

So maybe this will come across as patronising, but I'd council a little patience here. You hopefully have a lot of flying ahead of you as you are clearly passionate about it. If you've managed to get yourself to a point where you can upgrade an EK flight by your current age, you'll probably get there again so maybe wait for it.

You just need to ask someone can I bribe you to guest me in (this feels like a bribe to me), they say no then tell the lounge desk and then they end up reporting you. I'm not sure how EK feels about that, but I suspect they won't like it and it may lead to a bunch of questions and issues that you don't want to be answering. Emirates and the UAE isn't really a place I would want to be caught trying to break rules (no individual minors in the lounge).

skywardhunter

You're paying them for a service. A bribe would be paying the lounge attendant to let you in despite the rules.

Productivity

Paying someone to pretend they know you to evade a rule feels like a bribe, or if not a bribe, at least a suspect transaction. If a minor gives an adult money to buy alcohol, evading rules, it's still breaking the rules. Other than the relatively benign intent here, I'm not sure how there's much difference.

skywardhunter

​​​​​​I guess paying a prostitute for a girlfriend experience is also a bribe then, not paying for a service, but we're getting into OMNI territory here.

Productivity

Completely different example, but you're right we are digressing into theoretical realms.

That said, I stick by my advice. The UAE is not the place to play with breaking rules and it wouldn't surprise me if EK took that as rule breaking. Especially around entry to a place that is serving alcohol and you are a minor. OP can attempt it, but is it worth it for the lounge? I'd say no, but I'm more risk averse than you maybe.

skywardhunter

Yes I don't think OP should do it, I just don't think it's as unethical as you do.

Regardless I think asking someone and failing that just pretending like you belong and failing that asking nicely at the lounge are the best bets.

Otherwise just go get a milkshake at Burger King and enjoy the much improved free unlimited WiFi.

sydtogla

Ethical specifics aside, rules are rules and in this case they are there to protect both minors and adult patrons in the lounge. I'd turn up to see if they will let you in, if they don't then that is your answer I'm afraid.

Cat Man Do

Pretty sure guesting someone does not actually require knowing them, nor pretending to know them. I've had people whom I've never seen before offer to guest me in.

In fact, this may be a good way to go about it. Try to get into the lounge, preferably while someone else is in line behind you. If you are denied for whatever reason, and are obviously a polite young person despite having been denied, perhaps the next pax will offer to guest. If not, then decide whether to ask them to guest you in.

skywardhunter

Let's not forget that guesting requires Gold or above. Though OP has lounge access by virtue of class of travel, once he's been denied due to age the person behind him would basically have to lie about knowing him and taking responsibility. Better to show up already having found a host and simply hand over BPs together.

Perhaps another way but risky if they call you out on it is to lie and say you're meeting a parent inside who has originated from a different origin airport and hence you're not together yet and not on the same PNR.

Gig103

I've gotta be honest, I'd just walk up and hand over the BP and take the chance.

Regarding the idea of finding an escorting adult, if you're on the A380 on the way over, hang out at the in-flight bar - not drinking, but socializing. If you end up having a good conversation with someone, you can tell them about your situation and see if they'd vouch for you.

skywardhunter

Excellent idea! Only issue is potentially having to go to a lounge far from onward gate if they're going there, and worst case it's the C lounge