Emirates business lounge access denied?
 

I am looking to book a flight with emirates that has a 4 hour stopover in dubai. I have upgraded the first leg of the flight to business as ive always wanted to experience it and the second leg in economy to save some money. Im only 16 though and while im allowed to travel on my own it says on the emirates page that people under 18 or 21 are not allowed in the business lounge. Its really dissapointed me as that is one of the reasons i wanted to book the flight. Does anyone have any experience on the enforcement of this? I realise it may be as they have an open bar with alcohol but i wont be drinking any. Has anyone flown before and been denied access to the lounge?

Welcome to FT. I'm going to request a MOD move this to the EK forum for better attention. Sadly this is a common problem with lounges. I was denied a few times when I was in my teens and it was rather annoying but an understandable legal problem as they don't want to be held responsible if someone were to drink underage. This can be a rather sticky situation depending on the location of the lounge.

One workaround is to ask someone to "guest" you in even though you already qualify as a business passenger. This can be done at both your origin and and connection point. Just be tactful about it and explain that because of your age you need an adult to enter and don't expect them to watch over you.

Unfortunately i dont know anyone that could do that but i will have to ask random people! I dont know if my height helps but i do look over 18 just wondering if they will ask for id?

I'm not sure it's a good idea for a teenager traveling alone (no matter how tall!) to approach a stranger, especially to request a favor.

OTOH, many responsible adults would refuse to serve in the host role to a random underage person as it could be misinterpreted or the adult could have trouble if the teen were involved in any incidents (even if the teen did not cause the issue). In fact, I won't even guest adult strangers into a lounge because if something happens, it could be tied to me and my FF account (with not only miles and status but also credit card information on file).

Maybe a little cash might convince some people? As you can tell im just desperate to get into a lounge ive paid for! Im not going to drink or cause trouble just a few snacks and sit down and relax

The staff won't need to ask for ID. Your travel info will pop up when they scan your boarding pass for entry.
It may be awkward to ask a random person but if you do so politely someone may agree. If they decline don't try to push it.

Would the info of my age be on there as in would they check the age or would it come up in warning or just if an employee notices?

Your date of birth is stored as part of the API (Advance Passenger Information) and thus in the EK System.

There's a lounge meet up thread on here where you can post a request for guesting.

There's a second issue here. If you only booked business for the first leg, and are in economy on the way out of DXB, you'll only have access to the outstation lounge and not in DXB. My understanding is that lounge access is always based on your departing flight class.

There are two parallel discussions on this and in the other thread OP clarified leg= segment i.e. the entire outbound incl ex DXB

In the other thread OP clarified that he is flying LHR-DXB-XXX in J and then XXX-DXB-LHR in Y. In LHR he has a better chance. OP also has the option of a 4 hr or 1 hr layover in DXB which I'd go with the 1 hour in this instance.

I've been to many lounges alone under the age of 18, I'm not so sure how much attention the lounge agents give to your age (probably more at DXB though). I would just confidently hand over your boarding pass at the lounge. I don't think it will be such an issue at LHR. If they deny access, you could then try to get someone to guest you, but i reccomend the OP at least try to get access by himself first. I'm sure the LHR attendants will be sympathetic.

I also never had an issue as a kid with SAA and LH, but EK are known and have been reported here before to have denied access. in fact we've got an occasional contributor that famously last year turned 18 and was happy to be allowed into the lounge now, Ahmed, not sure if the exact username.

Your idea of giving out cash proves that you are not yet an adult, no matter how developed is your body.
This kind of lack of judgment is the exact reason why underage kids are not allowed in some places.

That's the kind of patronising that makes mature kids hate certain adults. Cash isn't the brightest idea but it's a lot brighter than most of the stuff posted on FT

I think you underestimate how hurtful such comments can be to kids, even if sometimes true. In this case I don't think it is.

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

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

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

thanks!!!:D

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).

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

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.

​​​​​​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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Don't give out cash. It's weird and tacky, and completely unnecessary. You should simply hand over your BP and expect to be let in. If you are not permitted access you can ask nicely and if you are still refused just live with that. The rules are the rules. Your passion for aviation should not be affected by whether you are allowed to sit in a lounge or a restaurant for 30 minutes.

Yes indeed, you are not required to know the person you are guesting. For example, you may not know very well a colleague you are travelling with.

But the huge difference is this one : the guy is an adult, fully entitled to get into the lounge. If anything happens, you have no responsibility.

In the current case, OP is a minor. He is legally not responsible for himself, the guardian is. For EK, the guardian is anyone who accompanied the minor into the lounge.
If anything happens, the adult may be held accountable, even if it may not be illegal to guest an unknown minor.
At the end, you may get away with nothing, but, you'll get into a lot of trouble and loss of time, and maybe missed flight.

Moreover, some parents won't hesitate suing you for putting a vulnerable person in danger.

As a parent myself, I would be extremely worried if my underage child offers money to strangers in order to circumvent rules - whatever they are -. And I would like to know if this happens. (My kids are all grown-up, so, it is no more relevant for me)

Guesting an unknown adult : yes.
Guesting an unknown minor : never

(Legal age may differ from a country to another, but, you got the general idea.)

In many countries (if not most), paying for a prostitute is illegal.
Where it is not, it is indeed paying for a service.

In the present case, you are receiving money in exchange for a service. But, you'll never be able to convince that you didn't know that it was to break the rules. As such, you clearly accepted money to break the rules.
It is indeed not a bribe (as you don't have the power to decide).
It is an association (in deception).

Absolutely, but you aren't a minor who isn't allowed in unaccompanied.

Doesn't the guest also need to be on the same flight as the person who is guesting?

The guest in this case is already entitled to lounge access, the term guesting is wrong as then only Gold and Plats would be suitable and try picking those out of a line-up (ok, maybe not that hard, but still). The OP just needs to appear to be accompanied by an adult, whether they're on the same flight should be irrelevant.

A father and son might be flying ex DXB to different destinations at similar times, surely then the son could visit the lounge with the father if both are eligible, regardless of any status.

My son is 17 and often travels via DXB , he looks 18+ and hardly anyone would think he is still under 18. However in DXB they are on the ball and while he never has problems getting into any lounge he has ever visited including EK outstation lounges , he always gets denied in DXB. I reckon they have something on the computer now that alerts to age as they always request to see the passport. He was not happy when he got told to beat it when he had a 19 hour stop over ! haha :D

I believe the OP is departing LHR , you will not have a problem getting into the lounge in LHR if you are under 18. Secondly be very careful what you do and say in the UAE regarding trying to enter a location that serves alcohol it could easily open a huge can of worms for you and EK if something did happen.I think it was last year my son said they made a good point on why they can not let him in , the duty supervisor said if he fell over in the dining area or even in the shower and he broke something then a full internal investigation would happen and EK would be in huge trouble as it was a unaccompanied child involved , EK would lose their alcohol license and not to mention the possible legal actions and staff involved ramifications. My son did manage to get into the F lounge in concourse A once under a full escort after all staff had been informed no alcohol , a type of eat something and get out in under a hour type of deal. Interestingly to note the crew on his next flight were alerted to him being unaccompanied and he was told immediately without even asking or trying to take anything alcohol based that he will not be served anything with alcohol.


I would give it shot , who knows , i would be doubtful thou. Just act mature , calm and be polite and wear something adult would wear :D , so leave the onesie at home ! Plenty of fast food joints in the concourse anyway if worse comes to worse.

So you really like to try in the UAE to bribe someone to bring a minor in a lounge where they serve alcohol during Ramadan? Good luck with that if you guys get reported. Also I hope that no one who can access a frequent traveler lounge legally is required to get 10 bucks from a 16 year old.

Additionally I am wondering how users encourage a minor to do something which is against the rules by using a bribe.

You are in an islamic country and you are not allowed in. Full stop.

Btw, please note that bribery is an 'unforgivable sin' under Sharia law - any further explanation needed?

Perfect advice + perspective offered here by LondonElite ^

I too am struggling to see any link between a 'passion for aviation' and the notion of bribing one's way into what are, essentially, glorified cafes !

I don't know for sure but would imagine that lounge staff may very well want to check that both a minor and any accompanying adult are indeed on the same flight - specifically to prevent a situation whereby the adult exits the lounge after perhaps 30 mins with the minor (whose own flight happens to be say another 2 or 3 hours from departure) being left in the lounge, but now UNaccompanied.

Certainly "off the street", for example someone approaching me at the lounge entrance and asking me to guest them in, whatever the age, I don't guest in, and I have been asked.

Firstly I don't want to bear any responsibility for their behaviour, and secondly I don't want to encourage the activity which, in the case of adults, amounts to begging.

Being approached through an offer you've made yourself through FT is a different matter, you have a reference point and can check through the individual's online behaviour as to whether you'd want to guest them.

An interesting facet that this thread does raise, though, is if I became aware that the individual was a minor at any time I would not be at all keen on guesting them: although unlikely, it does open you up to so many potential problems. In that case, regretfully I would decline.