Refundable ticket just for lounges hopping?
Sep 19, 2017, 10:54 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 288
Refundable ticket just for lounges hopping?
Hi experts,
Is it illegal to buy refundable J ticket just to enjoy the premium lounges for a few hours and then cancel the ticket and go home? Will airline ban or blacklist flyer just for this? Thanks!
Is it illegal to buy refundable J ticket just to enjoy the premium lounges for a few hours and then cancel the ticket and go home? Will airline ban or blacklist flyer just for this? Thanks!
Sep 19, 2017, 10:56 am
#2
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It's not "illegal", but it violates the contract of carriage. Buying a J ticket with intent not to fly may prevent someone who actually needs to travel from buying one. Pretty selfish.
Sep 19, 2017, 11:00 am
#3
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Buying one on a light flight that is several months out won't cause that problem, but of course it still violates the CoC.
Sep 19, 2017, 11:05 am
#4
Join Date: Feb 2010
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A refundable J fare is a lot of money to charge to your card - even if you're planning to get a refund. I'm assuming you have a high unused credit limit on your card.
I'm also assuming you're referring to a US domestic airport. Just curious which lounge you were thinking of that would be worth it. If you do this in another country (where the better lounges are) where you essentially clear border controls to get airside, you'll have to clear passport and customs to get out. Could be viewed as suspicious. Finally the "cry wolf" issue - if you do this enough to get noticed, what happens when you really do need to cancel a trip just before boarding?
I'm also assuming you're referring to a US domestic airport. Just curious which lounge you were thinking of that would be worth it. If you do this in another country (where the better lounges are) where you essentially clear border controls to get airside, you'll have to clear passport and customs to get out. Could be viewed as suspicious. Finally the "cry wolf" issue - if you do this enough to get noticed, what happens when you really do need to cancel a trip just before boarding?
Sep 19, 2017, 11:09 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
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OP: If you get caught, you risk forfeiting your MileagePlus account and status and getting banned from the program. UA will take this very seriously, as they will consider it a lost revenue opportunity.
Sep 19, 2017, 11:09 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
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It's possible.
Sep 19, 2017, 11:11 am
#7
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Additionally, the airline may bill you for the lounge access if they catch on to what you're doing.
Man Hit With 2000 Euro Bill for Scamming Lufthansa Lounge Access.
Man Hit With 2000 Euro Bill for Scamming Lufthansa Lounge Access.
Sep 19, 2017, 11:13 am
#8
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You could probably get away with this twice before United would wise up. 3rd time would surely get you blacklisted.
However, I'd say don't even do it once. In my mind, it's theft, plain and simple. You're using/consuming a product that is part of something you're buying with no intent on using/paying for. Justify it in you own mind however you want, but it's stealing to me.
However, I'd say don't even do it once. In my mind, it's theft, plain and simple. You're using/consuming a product that is part of something you're buying with no intent on using/paying for. Justify it in you own mind however you want, but it's stealing to me.
Sep 19, 2017, 11:24 am
#9
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+1
Sep 19, 2017, 11:40 am
#11
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: London, United Kingdom
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Posts: 2,636
Frankly, what's the point!? A business class lounge is just a room with chairs and some crappy food in, a place to make waiting for a flight slightly less bad. It's not a premium experience in absolute terms, only relative to the alternative.
Sep 19, 2017, 11:45 am
#12
Join Date: Oct 2008
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I would not suggest doing this. It almost feels like theft. Also you’d be occupying a seat that is potentially very profitable to the airline. And even in a light load situation the seat being removed from inventory hurts standby passengers including non-rev employees who are commuting. Also my understanding is UA is developing applications that track this conduct. There was some news on that front tied to the announcement of the Polaris lounges.
Now I think the access rules to the Polaris lounges are overly punitive to Star Gold in economy (at least offer it to 1K/GS?). But that’s a different topic.
Now I think the access rules to the Polaris lounges are overly punitive to Star Gold in economy (at least offer it to 1K/GS?). But that’s a different topic.
Sep 19, 2017, 12:15 pm
#13
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I'm not saying I'm for it or I would do it, but that's the counter-argument.
Sep 19, 2017, 12:32 pm
#14
Join Date: Nov 2013
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A refundable J fare is a lot of money to charge to your card - even if you're planning to get a refund. I'm assuming you have a high unused credit limit on your card.
I'm also assuming you're referring to a US domestic airport. Just curious which lounge you were thinking of that would be worth it. If you do this in another country (where the better lounges are) where you essentially clear border controls to get airside, you'll have to clear passport and customs to get out. Could be viewed as suspicious. Finally the "cry wolf" issue - if you do this enough to get noticed, what happens when you really do need to cancel a trip just before boarding?
I'm also assuming you're referring to a US domestic airport. Just curious which lounge you were thinking of that would be worth it. If you do this in another country (where the better lounges are) where you essentially clear border controls to get airside, you'll have to clear passport and customs to get out. Could be viewed as suspicious. Finally the "cry wolf" issue - if you do this enough to get noticed, what happens when you really do need to cancel a trip just before boarding?
And "free" doesn't count the cost of the transit to/from the airport, or airport parking if you drive your own car.
Sep 19, 2017, 12:51 pm
#15
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 553
The issue of this being theft aside, buying and canceling tickets is not free for United. Most merchants have to pay a fee to refund money, so they end up losing a little money even if you don't. That just drives up United's costs, which ultimately get passed on to the rest us.
I wouldn't advise doing this at all. Highly unethical, in my opinion.
I wouldn't advise doing this at all. Highly unethical, in my opinion.