Has anyone ever been let into a lounge by just asking

[marki]

ok thanks, good to know!

I have done it in the past, asked to walk through have a look

 

[JohnK]

And wouldn't use an untruth either.

Old-fashioned self-respect, JohnK

Would you go to a hotel and ask for a free room? Would you go to a restaurant and ask for a free meal?

 

[Ausbt]

Would you go to a hotel and ask for a free room? Would you go to a restaurant and ask for a free meal?

Invalid analogies John. "Would you seek access to the Exec Lounge of a hotel you were staying at?". My answer: "Yes". "Would you like fries with that?". My answer: "Yes, with extra Chicken Salt and mayo-on-the-side as well please".

 

[Buzzard]

Flying QF AKL - SYD - ADL in J a couple of years back our flight was delayed by about 5 hours.
Another bird and crew had to be flown in from MEL.
We were both given access to the F lounge when asked if we could see what it was like. In AKL not much different to the J lounge.

 

[DavBlayn]

Would you go to a hotel and ask for a free room? Would you go to a restaurant and ask for a free meal?

I wouldn't say that's a fair comparison. If you go to a hotel and ask for a room, the hotel is losing the money they could have gained from someone rocking up and asking for a room and actually paying for one. Qantas and Virgin don't provide entry passes at the door, so they're not exactly losing a potential sale by letting someone in the one time. Although I will concede that if they let anyone in who just asked, there'd be no point in selling memberships at all.

 

[TomVexille]

I wouldn't say that's a fair comparison. If you go to a hotel and ask for a room, the hotel is losing the money they could have gained from someone rocking up and asking for a room and actually paying for one. Qantas and Virgin don't provide entry passes at the door, so they're not exactly losing a potential sale by letting someone in the one time. Although I will concede that if they let anyone in who just asked, there'd be no point in selling memberships at all.

Actually VA do sell single visit passes.

 

[Boof1]

I had a colleague who used to walk into the VA lounge and use it. When I asked him once what status he held he told me "no it comes with the fare we pay through work as I don't have status". It wasn't the case and I've no idea to this day how he got away with it, but he eventually got questioned and stopped.

I know some military fares do have access to lounges with the fare purchased but our company was as far from defence as one could imagine!

 

[aussiel]

I had a colleague who used to walk into the VA lounge and use it. When I asked him once what status he held he told me "no it comes with the fare we pay through work as I don't have status". It wasn't the case and I've no idea to this day how he got away with it, but he eventually got questioned and stopped.

Not saying it was the case here, but Virgin did previously sell a 'Corporate Plus' fare, which included lounge access to non-status economy passengers. My VA lounge trips always involved strict Dragons that would scan boarding passes, although this was some years ago.

 

[straitman]

Not quite the same but I have asked a hotel to mind my bags when not staying there. I got a few funny looks but they eventually did based on my status.

It was Auckland and we got off a cruise ship and had a few hours to kill prior to heading to the Airport. The cruise ship was right beside the Hilton so I went and asked.

 

[blu]

In NRT QF lounge - young woman (possibly a uni student) presented a JQ Business Class ticket, without the Max bundle of extras included (said her mum had paid for the ticket). After much asserting that it was still a BC ticket (she wasn't going anywhere), the lounge clerk did eventually let her in as the rest of her group (of 3 or 4) did have access. Possibly if travelling solo, the refusal would have remained.

 

[JohnK]

I wouldn't say that's a fair comparison. If you go to a hotel and ask for a room, the hotel is losing the money they could have gained from someone rocking up and asking for a room and actually paying for one. Qantas and Virgin don't provide entry passes at the door, so they're not exactly losing a potential sale by letting someone in the one time. Although I will concede that if they let anyone in who just asked, there'd be no point in selling memberships at all.

Perhaps not a fair comparison but you are still asking to get something for nothing.

I wouldn't ask just like I wouldn't ask "Is there any chance of a free upgrade to business class today?". Some people ask.

 

[moa999]

In NRT QF lounge - young woman (possibly a uni student) presented a JQ Business Class ticket, without the Max bundle of extras included (said her mum had paid for the ticket). After much asserting that it was still a BC ticket (she wasn't going anywhere), the lounge clerk did eventually let her in as the rest of her group (of 3 or 4) did have access. Possibly if travelling solo, the refusal would have remained.

I suspect one of group may have had guesting rights. In any event no longer possible at NRT with JQs move to T4