Emirates business lounge access denied?
Jun 9, 2017, 10:06 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 14
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?
Last edited by karim787; Jun 9, 2017 at 10:07 am Reason: spelling error
Jun 9, 2017, 10:21 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2009
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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.
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.
Jun 9, 2017, 11:44 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 14
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.
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.
Jun 9, 2017, 11:53 am
#4
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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).
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).
Jun 9, 2017, 12:03 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 14
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).
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).
Jun 9, 2017, 12:06 pm
#6
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
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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.
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.
Jun 9, 2017, 12:09 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2017
Posts: 14
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?
Jun 9, 2017, 12:23 pm
#8
Join Date: Oct 2015
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There's a lounge meet up thread on here where you can post a request for guesting.
Jun 9, 2017, 12:24 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2016
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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.
Jun 9, 2017, 12:25 pm
#10
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
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There are two parallel discussions on this and in the other thread OP clarified leg= segment i.e. the entire outbound incl ex DXB
Jun 9, 2017, 12:41 pm
#11
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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.
Jun 9, 2017, 12:56 pm
#12
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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.
Jun 9, 2017, 1:07 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
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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.
Jun 9, 2017, 1:40 pm
#14
Join Date: Oct 2014
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This kind of lack of judgment is the exact reason why underage kids are not allowed in some places.
Jun 9, 2017, 1:42 pm
#15
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Economy, mostly :(
Programs: Skywards Gold
Posts: 7,801
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.