Older Kids Means Time to Change Airline Alliance Strategy

[Baysider]

I've just returned from a 3 week trip across 4 countries with my partner and kids (teenagers). The OneWorld lounges ALL played hardball on the "one guest" rule which meant that most times we opted not to use the lounge. In the past this was never an issue, but this time it was ALWAYS an issue. I guess it's because the kids are older and taller now. I have been drawn to the following conclusion: It's pretty much pointless being a WP and paying a bit more to travel with your chosen alliance if you can't use the perks, so I'm now going to drop my focus on airline alliances, take out a full Priority Pass membership, and pick the best schedules and fares for future trips instead of trying stick to an alliance. That way we'll spend less on our flights, have schedules that work for us, and in future everyone will be able to use the lounge ! The lower fares will more than cancel the Priority Pass costs.

 

[trooper]

"can't use the perks"?

Yes, you can. What you can't do is take in several guests beyond the entitlement. How that is somehow a loss of perquisites escapes me....

 

[Baysider]

"can't use the perks"?

Yes, you can. What you can't do is take in several guests beyond the entitlement. How that is somehow a loss of perquisites escapes me....

Well, unless I abandon half of my companions, I "can't use the perks". As I won't abandon them, my statement is correct. The Priority Pass alternative allows me to guest everyone in my party into a lounge. Yes I have to pay for my guests, but even with 4 guests and say 4 lounge visits on a trip I only have to save ~$500 across 5 longhaul airfares (me + 4) and I'm in front.

 

[samh004]

Dependant on what airlines you're flying with your QFF membership,all it would take is a QC card for your partner and suddenly you can guest to all lounges again, or get to 2400 SC or just send your partner on an SC run to Gold. All come to about the same as Priority Pass, I'd have thought.

 

[simongr]

Hi baysider

Which lounges in particular could you not access?

Qantas has some clear guidance on lounge access here - Eligibility and Access to The Qantas Club Lounges | Qantas

In summary:

QF lounges - 1 guest + 2 kids up to 17

BA - sadly kids count as guests so not allowed over the limit

AA - 1 child in North America and 2 outside of the US

Other OW lounges - kids form part of the guest allowance.

So ok with QF lounges but no so good elsewhere.

I think though it is a good plan to look outside alliances as the kids get older- I however wouldn't be as confident about the value of priority pass.

 

[Baysider]

Dependant on what airlines you're flying with your QFF membership,all it would take is a QC card for your partner and suddenly you can guest to all lounges again, or get to 2400 SC or just send your partner on an SC run to Gold. All come to about the same as Priority Pass, I'd have thought.

Actually until January 31 Priority Pass is just USD 212 for standard membership including 10 free visits per year and guests at USD 27 per visit. Qantas Club is $485 for 1 year or $875 for 2 years !!

 

[samh004]

Actually until January 31 Priority Pass is just USD 212 for standard membership including 10 free visits per year and guests at USD 27 per visit. Qantas Club is $485 for 1 year or $875 for 2 years !!

Depends how often you travel and to where though.

But you've probably already done the math

 

[Baysider]

Hi baysider

Which lounges in particular could you not access?

Qantas has some clear guidance on lounge access here - Eligibility and Access to The Qantas Club Lounges | Qantas

In summary:

QF lounges - 1 guest + 2 kids up to 17

LAX Tom Bradley and the Hong Kong QANTAS lounge both enforced a policy of only one guest regardless of age (2 of the kids are under 17).

 

[samh004]

LAX Tom Bradley and the Hong Kong QANTAS lounge both enforced a policy of only one guest regardless of age (2 of the kids are under 17).

Per those rules I'd make a complaint based on the fact you should have received access. And in the future, print the rules and bring them with you.

 

[simongr]

Certainly make a complaint to QF re TBIT and HKG.

 

[oz_mark]

LAX Tom Bradley and the Hong Kong QANTAS lounge both enforced a policy of only one guest regardless of age (2 of the kids are under 17).

So there was you, your partner and 2 kids under 17. Was there anyone else (older kid?)?

 

[Baysider]

So there was you, your partner and 2 kids under 17. Was there anyone else (older kid?)?

Yes, the other one is 19, but nobody offered to accept even the 12 year old.

 

[samh004]

Yes, the other one is 19, but nobody offered to accept even the 12 year old.

But if you all turned up as one unit the blanket refusal would probably be because they weren't willing to bend the rules and let in the one additional person? If you'd (did you?) turned up with just 1 guest plus two under 17, they may have reacted differently?

 

[Baysider]

But if you all turned up as one unit the blanket refusal would probably be because they weren't willing to bend the rules and let in the one additional person? If you'd (did you?) turned up with just 1 guest plus two under 17, they may have reacted differently?

Possibly, but I made of point of actually asking how many they would let me bring in.

 

[samh004]

Possibly, but I made of point of actually asking how many they would let me bring in.

Worth a complaint then.

Might be worth telling them you're thinking of dropping your status and heading to Priority Pass because of how it was handled.

 

[drron]

Or you can get a Diners Club card.Quite an extensive selection of lounges.Everyone must have their own DC card but supplementary cards on your account are acceptable.We had our son as a supplementary card holder when he went to boarding school so the 12 year old doesn't have to miss out.
Always wise to check out offers before you go.For example until the end of Feb you can get 15% off at Bloomingdales by showing your aussie DC.

Downside is their rewards accounting can be pathetic.Problem resolution skills are non existent.
On the plus side you can redeem for airline miles-AA,NZ,SQ,Velocity,TG,AC,SAA,virgin atlantic,Korean and southwest.But most are 2points to 1 mile so always best to transfer via SPG which is also 2:1 but get a 25% bonus if transferring from SPG to airlines.

 

[trooper]

So regardless of the treatment of "kids" (bet the 17 year old would object to THAT designation in any other situation!) as non-guests by other lounges the OP STILL had one more adult guest than any entitlement allowed.

And they see grounds for complaint? Still don't get it. Sorry.

 

[Baysider]

... the OP STILL had one more adult guest than any entitlement allowed.

And they see grounds for complaint? Still don't get it. Sorry.

My OP was not a complaint. I never expected to get everyone in, but more than 2 would have been nice especially when they expect you to leave a 12 year old outside. As I said earlier "unless I abandon half of my companions, I "can't use the perks"".

However I will make a complaint as suggested because QC have broken the rules by excluding the 12 and 16 year olds at LAX and HKG.

 

[trooper]

I suppose my objections are based on being a single guy. I have no kids... so I am strictly subject to the lounge guesting rules.
A 16 year old will use as much of the lounge "facility" (other than alcohol..but I don't necessarily drink in the lounge either) as I will.. in fact will likely eat more than me.... and take up as much room...yet the OP (amongst many others and I am talking in general here) expects them not to "count" as a guest.

Child? Prior to my 17th birthday I was serving in the Navy.... so I am unlikely to agree a 16 year old is a fragile little thing that can't be on their own...

If the rule was 12 and under I would actually support it...

So.. I'm expected to meet the rules... but if there is a bunch of teenage boys in the lounge - as "uncounted" guests of their parents.. I still have to think it fair that the 3rd person in MY travelling party simply can not come in?

That sounds really fair.......

 

[Jack_OC]

Hi Baysider - if you want PP membership, one of the high end credit cards might be worth considering. eg based on advice here, I recently took out a Citi Select card, which among other things gets me free Prestige PP membership - unlimited lounge access for me plus one guest. The annual fee for the card is $700, but there are a lot of benefits, in particular a great rewards programme, so in my case at least the fee is worth it.

Not sure how much I'll actually use PP membership though - partly because I already get lounge access most of the time, but also there doesn't seem to be an eligible lounge at every major airport. So depending on where you go, you might not necessarily be able to use it prior to every flight.