Galleries T5 Lounge access

[Princess Fiona]

Just trying to check opinion/ experience here :
Shrek and I ( both WP) landed in LHR yesterday having flown from SYD on BA 10 , QF 1 SYD-BKK-LHR to enter T5 Galleries First prior to connecting LHR-GLA connecting flight. Advised by Dragons not able to guest 4 children into lounge, only 2. We acknowledged that we were aware of rules and asked for discretionary access as we had been travelling for 24 hours and had previously been permitted access for us to FLounges throughout this trip and previous similar trips and were immediately ( and remotely at our request via a telephone supervisor )denied and advised that no discretionary access allowed.
This has not been my experience in the past and wonder if it is the new norm?

 

[ozmille]

Just trying to check opinion/ experience here :
Shrek and I ( both WP) landed in LHR yesterday having flown from SYD on BA 10 , QF 1 SYD-BKK-LHR to enter T5 Galleries First prior to connecting LHR-GLA connecting flight. Advised by Dragons not able to guest 4 children into lounge, only 2. We acknowledged that we were aware of rules and asked for discretionary access as we had been travelling for 24 hours and had previously been permitted access for us to FLounges throughout this trip and previous similar trips and were immediately ( and remotely at our request via a telephone supervisor )denied and advised that no discretionary access allowed.
This has not been my experience in the past and wonder if it is the new norm?

I have never found the BA dragons (or cabin crew) very warm and accommodating to be honest. Were you able to get into the J lounge at least?

 

[Pushka]

Anything to do with International Lounge access and FF/Club status is always discretionary unless you are travelling in the class that automatically grants you access. Maybe four children is just too much to ask in first class? There is the rider "subject to availability".

 

[GCC]

I have never found the BA dragons (or cabin crew) very warm and accommodating to be honest

Agree when it comes to lounges.

 

[el_rooto]

Thats rather unfortunate, they've always shown my family discretion when I was flying as a kid and my dad was WP. However we didn't fly through heathrow.

 

[Pushka]

Thats rather unfortunate, they've always shown my family discretion when I was flying as a kid and my dad was WP. However we didn't fly through heathrow.

I think maybe one or two children would be ok, but four is probably a big ask for first class, especially when they arent particularly accommodating to people who fit all the rules.

 

[el_rooto]

I think maybe one or two children would be ok, but four is probably a big ask for first class, especially when they arent particularly accommodating to people who fit all the rules.

I'm curious as to weather The Fiona/Shrek family was allowed into the J Lounge at least.

 

[BAM1748]

I have never found the BA dragons (or cabin crew) very warm and accommodating to be honest. Were you able to get into the J lounge at least?

Yeah tend to agree, must be the overcast weather that keeps the smiles at bay. :mrgreen:

 

[serfty]

I found as the the mini(s) get bigger, the less likely such discretion may be applied.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I'm curious as to weather The Fiona/Shrek family was allowed into the J Lounge at least.

Alas no, were advised we would be unable to have discretionary access with two guests each at any lounge.
FWIW after settling family into the terminal, I did go into the F Lounge for a wander and to use the facilities. It was pretty empty.
The two illegal extra guests are aged 8 and 6, were previously allowed into BA lounges at 6 and 4 ( and of course were in the F Lounges at SYD and BKK during this trip without any dramas).
I fully understand that we were trying to bend the rules, but it would be nice if BA weren't so intransigent.
She did offer that Qantas CL card would be OK, so at least I know I have something to aim for :shock:

 

[el_rooto]

Alas no, were advised we would be unable to have discretionary access with two guests each at any lounge.
FWIW after settling family into the terminal, I did go into the F Lounge for a wander and to use the facilities. It was pretty empty.
The two illegal extra guests are aged 8 and 6, were previously allowed into BA lounges at 6 and 4 ( and of course were in the F Lounges at SYD and BKK during this trip without any dramas).
I fully understand that we were trying to bend the rules, but it would be nice if BA weren't so intransigent.
She did offer that Qantas CL card would be OK, so at least I know I have something to aim for :shock:

Maybe there should be a childcare place outside the lounges, could be a good business idea....

 

[Aus ATC]

They seem to be very much "by the book" there. Tried to access Galleries F lounge in June: Self (WP), Mrs Aus ATC (PG), and 2 kids. Sorry sir - no access, but you can use the J lounge (Mrs and I each guesting a child). I'll admit I knew this to be the case according to the rules, but if you don't try, you'll never know. Same on the way home at LHR T3 (only 1 child now) - tried the F Lounge, directed to the J lounge.

Contrast this with HKG on the way home. Couldn't find an F Lounge, so went to the QFA J lounge near gate 15. On arrival was politely not admitted to the J lounge but sent off to find the F lounge upstairs (after getting directions!). No trouble accessing this lounge, though there seemed to be some sort of override on the access to allow the extra guest.