Charge for Lounge Access...Would you pay to be someone's guest?

[awilcockson]

Nothing to suggest they are a guy in the posts by the OP

I was using "guy" in a non gender specific sense

 

[ozmille]

no way! As Gran from Catherine Tate would say...

"What a cough***** liberty!"

 

[nlagalle]

Thanks for your posts. It was not a priority pass. This friend was a member of a frequent flyer programme and had gained Lounge access through flight status points so it did not cost them anything to invite me in. In the friend's mind it had cost them money because they had taken more flights then me which lead them to gaining lounge access status.
This happenend in Australia and I do not consider this a friend anymore.

That is unbelievable!

out of interest did they attach a $ value as to what you should have paid?

 

[ozmille]

out of interest did they attach a $ value as to what you should have paid?

Would be interesting to know yes, I am taking my parents into the Flounge in Feb so want to know what to charge them

 

[notzac]

Wow ... this guy has some cheek asking for cash, even more so if it hasn't cost them anything to guest you in in the first instance..

 

[Julesmac]

If you are travelling in business class lounge access is part of the deal. No need to buy lounge access.

Great! Thank you dajop

 

[Julesmac]

Thanks for your posts. It was not a priority pass. This friend was a member of a frequent flyer programme and had gained Lounge access through flight status points so it did not cost them anything to invite me in. In the friend's mind it had cost them money because they had taken more flights then me which lead them to gaining lounge access status.
This happenend in Australia and I do not consider this a friend anymore.

Golly gosh what a champ your ex pal is. Lounge is soooo much nicer than on the other side of the doors; been OS a couple of times with a girlfriend and she is always so thrilled to be taken in.Why not share the luuurve

 

[dfcatch]

I was using "guy" in a non gender specific sense

Hey it's the new millennium..... Anything goes apparently

 

[Stephen65]

I'm glad to hear this person is now an ex-friend.

 

[straitman]

What do other members think of this: Recently I was travelling with a friend who has access to an airport lounge. The friend invited me to come in and I accepted. About a week later that friend asked that I pay them money for using the lounge as their guest because it had "cost them money".

katee283,

In addition to all the other comments made here, maybe you should point your ex friend to all the answers in this thread. Let them see for themselves how big an cough they have made of themselves.

Their request for payment was just plain bloody rude IMHO.

 

[tuapekastar]

I can only echo the thoughts of all other posters. The ex-friend is now most certainly a fiend.

OTOH I did take my old mum into the MEL F lounge last week...how much should I charge her?

 

[straitman]

OTOH I did take my old mum into the MEL F lounge last week...how much should I charge her?

You could make it her Christmas present :!:

 

[Sprucegoose]

What do other members think of this: Recently I was travelling with a friend who has access to an airport lounge. The friend invited me to come in and I accepted. About a week later that friend asked that I pay them money for using the lounge as their guest because it had "cost them money".

How did you deal with it Katee?

It would take me about 20 seconds I reckon.

 

[simongr]

Actually one of my greatest joys traveling is sharing the lounge experience with people who haven't had the chance before. I do a lot of solo travel so once in a while being able to guest someone I know is a benefit for me personally. In fact I should be paying them

I assume your ex friend was a self funded traveller on their own self paid ticket and hadn't earned status through work travel?

 

[QF WP]

I'm gobsmacked as to their reasoning....

Any invitation should include caveats or T&C's upfront so that you could have made an informed decision before the point of entry, not subsequently.

They have a warped sense of reality, let them go off spinning into infinity...and beyond.

Next time tell us when you're flying and I'm sure one of us will guest you in for a smile and for the pleasure of having met another AFF'er.

 

[Heleigh]

OTOH I did take my old mum into the MEL F lounge last week...how much should I charge her?

My response would be a slap to the back of your head while saying you have a long way to go in repaying in me.


katee283 you should have asked what your friendship is worth or better still ask for a written bill with their name on invoice (don't pay) - then enlarged, frame with notation saying "this is what friendship cost on an invitation (assumed free billed later)" and leave in an area where this person and others will see. When people ask, laugh and tell and tale in a jovial way - he/she will get the message. Having said that if they are your boss no need to create tension.

Helen

 

[katee283]

In response to all of your queries the ex friend was female. I understand that she is a self funded traveller on her own self paid ticket - I guess the adventure that comes with the self funded ticket isn't enough of a reward for her.

The price was $20. I was shocked that she had asked and I just handed the cash over. I was gobsmacked that she asked let alone took my money. But then I wasn't sure if this was common practice so hence I asked you all.

Thank you all for all of your responses. I wasn't sure if I was overreacting and that this was common practice. I'm glad to see it isn't and that there are so many friendly travellers out there who are willing to share their expereinces!

 

[nlagalle]

The price was $20. I was shocked that she had asked and I just handed the cash over. I was gobsmacked that she asked let alone took my money. But then I wasn't sure if this was common practice so hence I asked you all.

Well it certainly isn't common practice!! I don't know anyone here that would even dream of asking for money.

THe "closest" i ever got to that was telling my mate in the QP one day that it was his shout at the bar (he didn't realise it was for free!) :mrgreen: I only said it because i couldn't be bothered getting up myself to get the drinks.

 

[Mal]

Wow. What a prat.

I don't value my guest spots. In fact I can't even give them away at times.

My status costs me significant money out of my back pocket, but I see that as a sunk cost not something I can on charge.

This behaviour both amazes me and makes me abhor at the gall of it.

 

[Flashback]

Well it certainly isn't common practice!! I don't know anyone here that would even dream of asking for money.

THe "closest" i ever got to that was telling my mate in the QP one day that it was his shout at the bar (he didn't realise it was for free!) :mrgreen: I only said it because i couldn't be bothered getting up myself to get the drinks.

I was just about to say .. the only payment I ever ask for is that they get up and get the first round of drinks :mrgreen: