Guesting strangers into the lounge

[SFSC]

Have not done it much until recently, apart from a time in 2007 I posted about in a similar thread ( http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-guest-total-stranger-25382-4.html#post356474 ).

However, we have now done similar three times over the last year.

Last May we travelled to the airport by shuttle rather than by our usual public transport. The shuttle stopped at an old folk's hostel on the way to the airport and picked up a lady who is older than us. When the shuttle stopped for a "refreshment stop" at the M1 twin service stations we got talking and found she was also travelling on our flight to CNS so we invited her to join us in the J lounge. (We were going paid J because it was my first trip after a back operation and I didn't want to shuffle too far down the aircraft.) She was quite impressed with the lounge and soon put the little sandwich snack she had brought to eat at the gate back in her bag.

Then in December we were in J again (burning off points) on the way to MEL when we ran into another couple who had been in the train with us when we were doing the bag drop. I noticed they had SG tags on their bags and asked them if they had access to the J lounge. They said that their SG access had expired and they didn't even have access to the QP so we invited them to join us. On reflection, I wonder if they thought we may have been angling for an invite to the QP because we have always just retained the first electronic tags (PS) we received on our bags - as it happens, we are now back at PS anyway

Last month we caught the J2 bus out to ADL. I'm still a bit limited with my mobility and a young couple kindly assisted us to wheel our bags off the bus. They were going to SYD on Tiger and we invited them to the QP so they joined us for a while but had to leave for their flight before the bar opened. Still, they enjoyed the coffee and a snack.

 

[PaulST]

Last month we caught the J2 bus out to ADL. I'm still a bit limited with my mobility and a young couple kindly assisted us to wheel our bags off the bus. They were going to SYD on Tiger and we invited them to the QP so they joined us for a while but had to leave for their flight before the bar opened. Still, they enjoyed the coffee and a snack.

I thought the guest had to be on a QF/JQ/OW flight?

 

[mannej]

I thought the guest had to be on a QF/JQ/OW flight?

Domestically no

 

[JessicaTam]

I got talking to a fellow across the aisle on a TG BKK-SYD flight. Turns out he was a FTer and had a fairly long layover before his JQ flight so I guested him into the SYD QF J lounge. I had no concerns guesting him, but doubt I would approach someone cold.

 

[Milboo]

Never crossed my mind to offer to guest in a stranger but did help out someone earlier this month.

Heading to NZ so at Air NZ lounge in Sydney (as VA Gold), 2 guys ahead of me, one had access but no right to have a guest and the other didn't qualify (was J on a Delta flight I believe). I jumped in and said I'd guest him in and attendant hesitated and questioned my flight again. I told them I was also Star Alliance Gold if it helped and she waved him in.

My comment was was that anyone choosing to fly Delta needed all the help they could get!

They were very grateful and later saw them huddled around a laptop talking business.

 

[slc767338]

Once at MEL, I was checking into the Lounge when a mother and daughter were 'negotiating' for access, rather unsuccessfully. I turned to the lounge-bouncer and said "I"ll sign them in". Copped the stare-of-death from the dragon over that little effort.

Ive done similar at a slightly busy peak hour CBR, where I was changing flights at the desk as someone travelling in J (no status I assume so only 1 guest allowed) tried to get into the lounge with 2 guests - Lounge dragon politely turned him down, so I said I'd guest his +2 in. No death stares in my case though, only some very thankful strangers ð

 

[slc767338]

I think that is very different to guesting in people 'off the street'. JohnK has met quite a few people here, myself included.

I once bumped into JohnK impromptu at the toastie bar of SYD JCL. A common occurrence it seems!

 

[TomVexille]

I thought the guest had to be on a QF/JQ/OW flight?

Domestically the guest doesn't even need to be flying

 

[MickC32]

Got to the gate in Adelaide once and we were advised of a delay. There was a young bloke standing in front of me who was not a happy camper. Took him with me into the QP and he was happy as a pig in the proverbial. He couldn't comprehend that we could all drink for free every time we fly, certainly made his delay less of an inconvenience!

I have often thought of asking strangers but I'm scared I'll look like I'm asking for date or the like!

 

[immumo]

So happy to see so many generous offers to take fellow passengers as lounge guests!

Here's a question from the other perspective:
In a situation where I'm travelling and am looking to gain lounge access, whats the best/most elegant way to let you know I'm interested in taking up your offer? How do I find you? Standing with a board in front of the lounge seems a bit out of place (though it could definitely work as a last option)

 

[drewbles]

So happy to see so many generous offers to take fellow passengers as lounge guests!

Here's a question from the other perspective:
In a situation where I'm travelling and am looking to gain lounge access, whats the best/most elegant way to let you know I'm interested in taking up your offer? How do I find you? Standing with a board in front of the lounge seems a bit out of place (though it could definitely work as a last option)

Welcome to AFF immumo (although you've obviously a long time lurker!).

Try viewing/posting in here: Lounge Meetups

It's the place to arrange meets or ask for access

 

[immumo]

Thank you drewbles! Theres so much travel related knowledge and experience hidden in these forums.

Didnt know about the section for Lounge Meetups... Didnt think regular fliers would bother to check and offer others for every flight they took (wouldnt that be too much work for them?)

Whats my best bet to scoring guest access without prearranging it? Ask a business class passenger for it? Now that would be like asking someone out for a drink!

 

[juddles]

Thank you drewbles! Theres so much travel related knowledge and experience hidden in these forums.

Didnt know about the section for Lounge Meetups... Didnt think regular fliers would bother to check and offer others for every flight they took (wouldnt that be too much work for them?)

Whats my best bet to scoring guest access without prearranging it? Ask a business class passenger for it? Now that would be like asking someone out for a drink!

Not wishing to offend, but I am not from the school that wish to guest strangers in. If someone approached me and in some way asked me to take them into MY lounge, I would tell them to sod off.

Just letting you know gently that not everyone heading into the lounge wants to guest strangers. There is a school of thought that we who have entry rights have paid for it, and free guesting reduces the value of what we have earned.

Having said that, I would certainly not hesitate to invite in a fellow AFF member - because I see them as a fellow air-travel enthusiast and not just a free-loader.

 

[drewbles]

Thank you drewbles! Theres so much travel related knowledge and experience hidden in these forums.

Didnt know about the section for Lounge Meetups... Didnt think regular fliers would bother to check and offer others for every flight they took (wouldnt that be too much work for them?)

Whats my best bet to scoring guest access without prearranging it? Ask a business class passenger for it? Now that would be like asking someone out for a drink!

You could always post from the airport saying you're there. If you have booked travel, just post in the thread. Many people may check the thread if they're in the lounge already and haven't posted.

As so many people are frequent flyers, in the actual sense of the word, along with being interested in the programs, they will post their monthly plans in advance. We're not your average travellers here!

 

[Milefest]

Ask a business class passenger for it?

I̶ ̶d̶o̶n̶'̶t̶ ̶t̶h̶i̶n̶k̶ ̶b̶u̶s̶i̶n̶e̶s̶s̶ ̶c̶l̶a̶s̶s̶ ̶p̶a̶x̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶a̶ ̶g̶u̶e̶s̶t̶ ̶a̶l̶l̶o̶w̶a̶n̶c̶e̶.̶ ̶I̶t̶ ̶w̶o̶u̶l̶d̶ ̶d̶e̶p̶e̶n̶d̶ ̶e̶n̶t̶i̶r̶e̶l̶y̶ ̶o̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶i̶r̶ ̶F̶F̶ ̶s̶t̶a̶t̶u̶s̶.̶

 

[harvyk]

I don't think business class pax have a guest allowance. It would depend entirely on their FF status.

Depends on the airline, but on QF you certainly have a guest allowance. Speaking from experience.

 

[Milefest]

Depends on the airline, but on QF you certainly have a guest allowance. Speaking from experience.

Ah yes, forgot QF J had a one guest allowance. But yes depends on the airline, thanks for the correction.

 

[JohnK]

I once bumped into JohnK impromptu at the toastie bar of SYD JCL. A common occurrence it seems!

Think you were travelling more than me at the time? Think you still do?

 

[Ausbt]

In a situation where I'm travelling and am looking to gain lounge access, whats the best/most elegant way to let you know I'm interested in taking up your offer?

I would say posting in the Lounge Meetups 2016 thread and request access. Whoops: Edit - already answered about three times. Ok then, how about standing along the drop-off zone close to the SYD or BNE premium entry with your thumb out and a 'VA Lounge or Bust' sign ?

 

[medhead]

Agreed, I've paid for my lounge access including guest allowance. Given the massive numbers of paid guests I don't use per year, it'd take a long time to reduce the value. Do guest spots that can't be used have any value, at all?

Not wishing to offend, but I am not from the school that wish to guest strangers in. If someone approached me and in some way asked me to take them into MY lounge, I would tell them to sod off.

Just letting you know gently that not everyone heading into the lounge wants to guest strangers. There is a school of thought that we who have entry rights have paid for it, and free guesting reduces the value of what we have earned.

Having said that, I would certainly not hesitate to invite in a fellow AFF member - because I see them as a fellow air-travel enthusiast and not just a free-loader.