Accompanying child access with a single use QP "Complimentary Invitation"

[Mick1969]

I'm disappointed to say my ex-wife was unable to take my 13 year old daughter in to the Sydney International Business Lounge using a complimentary pass I gave her. She was advised two passes were required. This was for QF17 SYD-LAX on 9 June Red Roo if you are curious.

 

[eminere]

Do complimentary passes come with child access?

 

[Steady]

Hi, subject to lounge capacity on the day, children aged between 2-17 years are not counted as guests. While the pass doesn't entitle you to take a guest, you may take two children into the lounge with you.

Do complimentary passes come with child access?

Yes but no......seems to still be grey and at the discretion of the lounge manager. I suggest you print off Red Roos post and take it with you to show them when they inevitably say no

 

[SpudOz]

Yes but no......seems to still be grey and at the discretion of the lounge manager. I suggest you print off Red Roos post and take it with you to show them when they inevitably say no

Unfortunately, it it the vagarities of the QP front desk staff (and associated lounges) that cause these type of problems.

Many years ago, high status Mr Spud and I attempted access to BA lounge in London when the lounge dragon cast a withering look at moi and declared that "she can not access the lounge". The issue had something to do with the buggering up of a certain new terminal and some F class pax might need to use the lounge. When my husband went into the lounge to use the loo and the WiFi (sensibly he did not leave me out there for too long), the lounge was occupied by 3 other people. Despite pleading with the dragon that she could chuck us out if it was busy, the answer was no.

While a bit OT, same problem in as much as it is an interpretation of the rules by the lounge staff.

Steady makes an excellent suggestion, print off relevant posts and rules from website to counter any argument.

 

[Sbv72]

I was denied access for my children earlier today at Sydney International Lounge on the basis that British Airways policy (which I am flying) doesn't cover child access.

That reminds me. Better go and check up on them at Krispy Kreme.

 

[andye]

I was denied access for my children earlier today at Sydney International Lounge on the basis that British Airways policy (which I am flying) doesn't cover child access.

That reminds me. Better go and check up on them at Krispy Kreme.

I was flying on a QF redemption flight this week and tried to access the Int J lounge with 3 children on my BA Silver (OWS). Told no child access with BA status so used 2 passes.
Situation doesnt seem to be covered on QF site. Not particularly unfair given BAs strict rules for their own lounges though. Reading thread and according to Red Roo's interpretation, I could have used 1 pass for Mstr andye1 to bring in Mstr andye2 as their child guest and saved myself one of the 2 passes but maybe that's pushing it.

 

[kevrosmith]

Who wants to play the “how many Lounge Passes will I need” game?

Travelling with a group of people: 5 adults + 3 children (ages range 5-9).

I’m Platinum, so I can take 1 adult guest and 2 children in my allowance



Maybe the third child too depending on the “Qantas Lounge manager”.



Does the Invite a Guest principle apply to Lounge Passes? Various reports here, and from my own experience, suggest this is variable on the day and up to the interpretation of the Lounge Angel/Dragon.



Eligibility and Access to The Qantas Club Lounges | Qantas

So at a minimum, I reckon I need 2 more passes (1 x 1 adult & 1 adult guest, 1 x 1 adult & 1 child), or realistically 3 passes (2 x 1 adult, 1 x 1 adult & child). Or at a maximum 4 passes (3 for 1 adult each and 1 for the third child).

Departing an Australian east-coast port. Everyone travelling in Y. Not worried about trying to get into any First Lounge, just the International Business lounge at that port. Then returning from NRT. Both flights QF metal and QF ticket. (NRT is a QF operated lounge, isn’t it?)

I plan on ringing some of the Australian International Business lounges to seek their advice, and see the range of responses I get. I'll report back as I hear. I'm expecting to hear different responses from different staff (would anyone else be surprised if they were consistent?)

Any other suggestions on strategies to achieve success (to get us all in)? Should we all rock up together, or will that overwhelm/scare the Lounge Dragons/Angels? Should we attempt to enter in dribs and drabs to ensure they don’t enforce an “over-crowded lounge” rule?

Various previous threads have reported different outcomes, as well as the info reported in this thread, so I really don't want this to be a stressful start to the family holiday.
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....mplimentary-qantas-club-invitation-41709.html
http://www.australianfrequentflyer..../using-qf-lounge-pass-accompanying-58512.html

 

[BAM1748]

Do complimentary passes come with child access?

If they don't they should.

 

[BAM1748]

You'd think the lounge staff would know the rules inside out, if in doubt pick up the phone and check with the boss.

I'm amazed at how many problems people have with lounge staff (I have never had an issue myself) but QF need to clean up the instruction to given to the doormen and women.

If they don't want to do that and want to allow staff to decide a simple memo to all lounge staff saying if in you are in doubt allow the passenger in.


Matt

 

[Steady]

I have always found QF to be generous with their child policy - I have 3 children and have always been able to enter as a family of 5 but YMMV - they don't have to.

I think you should print off RR's post (#11) confirming child access is an entitlement with the single use passes and take it with you just in case they only allow you 2 children as a WP.

My much better half has needed the print out 2/4 visits on these passes and would have been denied without it.

I think you will need 3 passes per group lounge visit.

 

[njba]

I've always thought to myself if I found myself in that situation, I'd highlight the ridiculousness of it by informing the children that the Lounge Dragon is not letting them in and they have to stay at the entrance... and then start to walk in. Would that make me a bad parent?
.

I think that would be perhaps the most amusing thing imaginable. The look on the gate keeper's face would be quite remarkable!

 

[medhead]

I've always thought to myself if I found myself in that situation, I'd highlight the ridiculousness of it by informing the children that the Lounge Dragon is not letting them in and they have to stay at the entrance... and then start to walk in. Would that make me a bad parent?

I gave my brother a single pass once, and BNE QP let both him and his wife in without question.

I think that would be perhaps the most amusing thing imaginable. The look on the gate keeper's face would be quite remarkable!

I copped a fair bit of flack for daring to suggest such an approach a few years ago. Apparently, if I did that I'd be forcing the lounge dragon to mind the child.
I still think it would be the best approach, especially if you knew the child would burst into tears when you walked in.

 

[juddles]

You'd think the lounge staff would know the rules inside out.


Matt

Although I would like to agree, we here seem to find endless ways to "stretch" the rules. I have observed many people trying to access lounges, using everything from some obscure foreign credit card to the simple begging/sob story.

In all fairness, I believe that the QF "lounge dragons" are far more compassionate than in any other airline.

Sorry if I offend, but a single frequent flyer at WP status, attempting to bring in 4 other adults and a swag of children, is really pushing it. Best of luck and great if it is managed, but please don't fault the airline if such outrageous expectations are not met (try that stunt with Emirates and see how far you get....)

 

[Steady]

Sorry if I offend, but a single frequent flyer at WP status, attempting to bring in 4 other adults and a swag of children, is really pushing it.

I read the OP entirely differently

 

[kevrosmith]

Sorry if I offend, but a single frequent flyer at WP status, attempting to bring in 4 other adults and a swag of children, is really pushing it. Best of luck and great if it is managed, but please don't fault the airline if such outrageous expectations are not met (try that stunt with Emirates and see how far you get....)

I'm not offended at all, as I'm not trying to bring more people in than my allowance allows. What I want to know is how many Lounge Passes the other people will need to gain access to the lounge. Whether we are in a large group or not is almost immaterial, which probably confirms my approach that we should each approach the entrance separately, rather than a large group altogether.

 

[feezable]

Hi, subject to lounge capacity on the day, children aged between 2-17 years are not counted as guests. While the pass doesn't entitle you to take a guest, you may take two children into the lounge with you.

We were denied access at BNE Int at 7am on a Saturday morning in January. We had 2 passes, 2 adults and 2 children. We were advised that we would need 4 passes.

 

[juddles]

I'm not offended at all, as I'm not trying to bring more people in than my allowance allows. ....

Understood - And as a display of remorse, if I get my hands on any passes in the future will know where to send them

 

[andye]

I got round this issue on a domestic flight by buying 1 J redemption. I called QF who said that the J passenger could have 1 guest + 2 children access. This complemented my BA OW Sapphire and a QC pass to get a party of 7 in. The lounge dragons raised eyebrows but relented

 

[Princess Fiona]

We were denied access at BNE Int at 7am on a Saturday morning in January. We had 2 passes, 2 adults and 2 children. We were advised that we would need 4 passes.

I can confirm that my colleague had a similar experience at SYD in January. She was in J to DFW, accompanied by two daughters under 18 (17, 13) and third daughter over 18 plus her boyfriend.
I gave her two QF passes. My thoughts were that the two under 18 could be admitted as child guests and the other two with the passes. Advised at lounge entry that they were a pass short. Staff took the two QF passes and the eldest daughter and boyfriend went back to the terminal.
The Family Lounge access policy on the website should be updated to reflect the details.

 

[marki]

At other times it when it has happened there have been opposite reactions but it all depends on Club capacity etc etc .....