mre5765

Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry8310/4.2.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/102)

The GA might complain if you board on the red or non red lane either way, so you might as well all use the red lane. Fwiw, the last couple times I've traveled w/ my family, we've used the red carpet lane without incident.

todorovic

If you were entering the lounge based on your *G status (not RCC membership) then they were correct in trying not to let you in with 2 companions as the benefit for *Gs is for one guest (either wife or a child). Trust me, LHR folks are not alone in this - try getting into one of LH lounges with more than 1 guest.

exerda

I travel with my currently-3P wife frequently on the same PNR. My BP says "1K," and hers has "Seating 1" on it as a 3P. Never had a problem boarding us via red carpet together; I simply hand both BPs to the GA to avoid any question of whether we're traveling together or not.

We did have the check-in moat dragon in IAD deny her entry to the domestic F / 1K check-in, even though she was traveling with me. I didn't feel like arguing with the agent, and as my wife wasn't checking a bag, I printed her BP from Mr. Chicken while the counter agent took care of my bag.

cordelli

You should not have any problems all boarding together though the Red Carpet.

As long as there is space, there whould also not be any problems getting into the RCC's.

PHLGovFlyer

Curious about when this happened. Recently? Because it has never happened to me at PHL and I've done this with basically every GA that works there.

bosbiz

+1 this is my general rule of thumb as well. I usually hand in the boarding cards together. (Two of us.)

TechnoPagan

This past January (1/7/2010 to be exact). This was actually my first flight out of PHL (relocated from IAD) - and the first time flying with this many family members on different PNRs (although the GA did not know that, she just looked at the boarding passes and said they could not board with me and we all stepped to the side).

It really wasn't a big deal, I just wanted to know if I was right or wrong (still not really sure ). Seems we were more of a PITA standing off to the side of the red carpet until general boarding was allowed, at which time the rest of my party boarded while I talked to the 1K desk and waited for the SD.

I was really impressed with him (the SD), he listened to my concern, explained what the GAs are told, I apologized for being a PITA, he apologized, we shook hands and parted at the aircraft door. Then came on about 5 minutes later and informed me that an apology email was forthcoming (wasn't necessary, but certainly appreciated).

N1120A

1) RCC allows unlimited guests if they are spouse or minor children.
2) You can board over the red carpet. Highest boarding position controls.

I'm in the same boat as madnes and others. I have only ever heard to board with the lowest number in the group.

TerryK

Only true if you are a UA RCC member accessing UA RCC. Not if you are *G accessing UA RCC, or UA RCC members accessing non-UA lounges.@:-)

They were just following the *A rules.

http://www.staralliance.com/en/benef...access-policy/

Silver Fox

Yes, it would be nice if the rules were updated to allow family members to accompany you in the lounge though.

DarF2001

I think this hits the nail on the head - while United doesn't officially allow the "transfer of benefits" they recognize that a zero-status friend or family member of a 1K would be flying Southwest otherwise. I've been treated very well both times I used my "1Kness" to assist family members during irrops.

Once was earlier this year when my sister and I traveled together from BWI to ORD to my grandfathers funeral. Even with the "discount", the last-minute tickets were $20 more on United on Southwest, but told my sister I'd pay the extra $40. The big snow storm (Snow-bama) hit while were out there, but as soon as it cleared, they scored us both stand-by tickets and when they switched our 320 for a 757, we scored upgrades.

When my mother-in-law had a situation flying back from Australia where a mechanical in SFO caused her to get in late to ORD and then weather prevented from getting her to TPA that night, they could have easily blamed weather and had her sleep in the terminal. But I really think the fact the tickets ran across my credit card and she had 3P status gifted from my wife (also a 1K) had a lot to do with them picking up the hotel. If not for that 3P benefit and E+, she would have been flying Qantas which has a MUCH better basic economy product at the same price.

So there's about $2000 in tickets sold they'd never sell if they didn't allow "bending" of status to family. And two customers that would NEVER fly United again if not for that treatment (my sister would be stuck in the snow and my mother-in-law sleeping in an ORD terminal). It's good business sense and why they identify "elites".

I think AA does the same. Flying back and forth from PTY (no good *A carriers to Panama), our father-in-law gets us through the elite line every time, even though he wasn't flying with us. But he's on a first-name basis with all the employees there and does paid international F about 8-10 times a year from there.

If AA and QF didn't do that 50% miles on reasonably priced tickets BS, we'd have some status with them. (I refuse to acknowledge the term "discount" economy cause I'm still paying the "full" fare someone has to pay.

emanon256

I to have only heard it this way, but not very frequently.

I do the exact same, and only once has it not worked. A GA in LAX separated out our passes, and said, "No only you can board, she can not board with you, she has to wait for her zone." My PB says 1K, her's Prem Exec.

It was an A319, I was the only 1K, she boarded a few seconds later. That was an odd one. And quite funny.

e20

Traveling often on UA with wife (in C) and 2 teenagers (in Y), I (1K) never had a single problem to use 'elite' check-in line on UA & *A.

Access to RCC was always OK but *A lounges are more difficult, you can kindly ask but this all you can do (not even think to try on SQ BTW, inflexible).

Boarding all at the same time, I simply say 'they travel with me, may we board together?' Always get a positive answer.

I understand that this is not within the rule but all agents are smart enough to understand the principle anyway :-)

-éric

honmani2

I'll be going from HNL-MCO with 11 of us later this year. All related (kids and grandkids) but it does feel a bit weird to be able to board early because I'm a 1K but, hey, beats having to fight the crowd on the grey carpet.

Wonder if the RCC will permit me coming in with five grandkids. Shall I just say I had kids in my fifties?

WineCountryUA

Grandkids would not get access as a immediate family member. And neither would their parents (since they would not be considered dependents -- regardless of the reality ). Beleive the policy is immedaite family - spouse and dependent minor childern. (realize the posting was half joking)

Personnally I would not try to bring such a large family group for earlier boarding as the guest of a single elite.