Family access to British Airways Lounges Heathrow

[mcnul73]

This may have been highlighted already but I was very surprised to be turned away from the BA Galleries First lounge with my wife and young children yesterday. Apparently any child above 2 years old is counted as a 'guest' for the purposes of the additional guest clause. First time I have ever experienced this with any airline in over a decade of frequent travel. Pretty mean spirited - these things are what make a huge difference to those of us with young families at busy airports! Shame!

 

[eminere]

Apparently any child above 2 years old is counted as a 'guest' for the purposes of the additional guest clause. First time I have ever experienced this with any airline in over a decade of frequent travel.

Correct, see table at the bottom of this page. This is entirely a BA policy issue, not QF.

 

[defurax]

I guess BA assumes than anyone older than 2 years old should travel enough to secure their own status.

 

[offshore171]

Did you have a crack at the CX lounge?

 

[mcnul73]

I don't believe there is a CX lounge in T5. Its exclusively a BA terminal. I was flying to Belfast and previously these flights left from T1. There was a decent BA lounge there and we never had any issues getting in as a family. Now T1 is closed for refurb and all BA UK and Ireland flights are leaving from T5.

 

[offshore171]

I don't believe there is a CX lounge in T5.

Ah yeah ok, that little detail was missing from the first post. The (quite good) CX lounge is in T3.

Having said that, this time last year I got the mrs and two kids into the T5 BA lounge without any issues. Maybe they are tightening up their application of the rules?

 

[mannej]

It would seem that by posts from others, the strict BA guest interpretation is the norm and that any leniency is a bonus.

 

[moa999]

Definitely the norm for BA from what I have seen

 

[Sbv72]

Checkin agent went to great lengths to make it clear I wouldn't get wife and both kids into lounge at T5 earlier this year. Only allowed 1 guest with OWS status.

 

[Mal]

I guess BA assumes than anyone older than 2 years old should travel enough to secure their own status.

< 18s can't apply for Executive Club membership!
3.1. Individuals who are 18 years of age or over may apply for membership.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

< 18s can't apply for Executive Club membership!
3.1. Individuals who are 18 years of age or over may apply for membership.

Individuals under 18 can join the household account and accrue avios and status in the same way any other passenger would.

 

[Altair]

It has been known for many years with BA, IIRC their under 2 policy was only added in the last 3-4 years?
I believe BA wish access is based not on status but Cabin of Service but of course as part of OW they have status pax.

 

[Katie]

First time I have ever experienced this with any airline in over a decade of frequent travel.

I have experienced this with the LAX T4 Flagship Lounge - I was told downstairs that it was too busy to allow my 6yo to come in as a second guest, along with her father. We were allowed to go into the regular Admiral's club (I'm WP, husband is SG, daughter was then PS).
I was surprised that the three of us were able to get into the BA F Lounge in LHR T5 before flying to CPH last December. We were only given access to the regular BA lounge at T3 before QF10 home - though my husband and daughter entered 10+ mins before I did.

 

[serfty]

... - though my husband and daughter entered 10+ mins before I did.

Shopping were you? Admirably strategic it seems ...

In the later 90's we¹ were denied entry to a BA Terraces lounge at LHR with as back then BA did not permit people under the age of 18 access to Terraces lounges.

¹myself (Gold[=emerald]), SWMBO (then QP[=JSA recip.), M-I-L & 6YO mini serfty.

 

[TonyHancock]

I guess BA assumes than anyone older than 2 years old should travel enough to secure their own status.

...and quite rightly so, in my day two year olds were expected to be earning a living wage and help support the family. Youngsters today don't know they're born. What self respecting young 'un is not a BA GCH. Pfffft.

 

[andye]

Qantas lounges will not accept 'extra' children for BA Silver (=OWS) presumably in retaliation

 

[mannej]

Qantas lounges will not accept 'extra' children for BA Silver (=OWS) presumably in retaliation

Or BA don't want to pay extra for the extra children perhaps?

 

[JohnK]

Pretty mean spirited - these things are what make a huge difference to those of us with young families at busy airports! Shame!

Makes no sense to exclude young children.

Curious to know what would happen if you leave the 2 kids at reception and proceed through to the lounge as per your entitlement?

 

[Flying mermaid]

Shopping were you? Admirably strategic it seems ...

In the later 90's we¹ were denied entry to a BA Terraces lounge at LHR with as back then BA did not permit people under the age of 18 access to Terraces lounges.

¹myself (Gold[=emerald]), SWMBO (then QP[=JSA recip.), M-I-L & 6YO mini serfty.

maybe not for status travellers, but under class of service our kids entered F BA lounges at Heathrow in 1989, 1993 1998 and 1999. The only BA lounge I could not enter with children was in Paris.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Makes no sense to exclude young children.

Curious to know what would happen if you leave the 2 kids at reception and proceed through to the lounge as per your entitlement?

I appreciate parents may wish to take multiple children with them, but the amenity of the lounge for those without children also needs to be considered.

If multiple children children are riding on the status of the parents they aren't paying their way. Children can come in under class of service.

Passengers wouldn't be permitted to leave children unattended at the lounge entrance. Or outside the lounge depending on their age.

At the end of the day, it is more important for a family to have a happy holiday together rather than worry about an hour of lounge time.