Getting children into EK lounge?

[Rourke]

I've got a family holiday in a few weeks, flying EK A380 both ways but booked through Emirates out and Qantas return. I will have Gold status with each airline separately. Is there any chance of getting my two children (4 & 6) into the Emirates lounge as well as my wife?

 

[greenfish]

From the QF website, it appears you'll need to be WP to guest in the kids, though it never hurts to ask at the lounge. Leaving Australia you'll be able to access the QF lounge with your children.

Eligibility and Access to The Qantas Club Lounges | Qantas

Emirates lounge

0 to 17 years

2 (Platinum members and above only)

 

[gaz0303]

Doesn't answer your question, but on my QF code share flight on EK with infant, 2 children and wife, I had access to QF lounge in Sydney and partner lounge in Christchurch. At Sydney, I was invited to the EK lounge at check-in, but kids needed food ASAP so went to QF lounge as I didn't want to risk not getting into the EK lounge. At the QF lounge, they asked why I wasn't using the EK lounge which would be closer to my gate. Also found that if you book the infant as travelling with the gold status holder, the infant also gets an EK lounge invite, allowing 4 people in the lounge, not 2.

Would like to know how you get on as I may be in similar position one day. I reckon it will depend on the gatekeeper's day.

 

[Sprucegoose]

You will be right...there are no rules,

 

[mushez]

I also plan to try to do this on EK434 (28/12) & EK435 (24/01).

I am EK Gold, and flying myself, Wife, and my Three Sons who are 10, 7, & 1 (infant) all in Y.

So will be following with interest, as well as report back what I was able to do. I will be a little pissed if I can't, as I did do a bit of extra flying to get to Gold, just so I could guest my wife on this upcoming flight.

 

[clifford]

I also plan to try to do this on EK434 (28/12) & EK435 (24/01).

I am EK Gold, and flying myself, Wife, and my Three Sons who are 10, 7, & 1 (infant) all in Y.

So will be following with interest, as well as report back what I was able to do. I will be a little pissed if I can't, as I did do a bit of extra flying to get to Gold, just so I could guest my wife on this upcoming flight.

In my experience (Skywards gold for several years), EK tend to be sticklers for the rules and will attempt to apply them.

Hope everyone's kids are really good and don't cry loudly or scream or run around madly on the aircraft.

 

[Rourke]

Despite an upbeat assessment about the likelihood of kids' entry with the check-in woman, we got a flat "no" at the lounge, followed by a recommendation to mosey over to the Qantas lounge. At which point Qantas happily bills Emirates for 4×$170, as I mentioned to the mild disinterest of the EK staff.

 

[mushez]

Ok, as mentioned today I was ok EK434 and was going to give it a go to get myself (EK Gold, zero status with QF) into the EK lounge with my wife, and three sons, two children, one infant.

I am on a separate booking to my wife and kids, as I fly the Tasman on an almost monthly basis between my NZ and AU (BNE) offices - as such it is way cheaper to have all my bookings AKL-BNE return. My wife and kids tag along to come back home on holiday now and again, once every 9-18 months.

So I am EK Gold, flying today in Y, on a EK booked ticket, flying EK metal.

So went to the EK Lounge at gate 75, only to be very politely told that I can only guest in one PAX, and that really I should go back to the Qantas lounge, where I can get in and not only that, take in all my family. Anyone who knows BNE, will know how much of a killer this is.

So after the 7-10 minutes back to the Qantas Lounge, and after being asked why we were not going direct to the EK Lounge, we were welcomed in without too much further hesitation and enjoyed the lounge.

While the EK lounge in BNE kicks the pants off the QF one, I cannot say how much stress it took of my shoulders today.

I would say to anyone traveling with kids and wanting to get into the lounge - just try the QF option over the EK option any day, as your chances of getting into EK without the correct invitations and guest allowance will be very slim at best.

 

[mushez]

Today I returned with family on EK435, attempted EK lounge in AKL to be informed only one guest, but go to QF Lounge - and upon going to the QF lounge next door were allowed entry and got to sample the AKL QF Lounge. So you can - but only in the QF lounge.

 

[YQY]

I'm flying QF 1/2 with my wife, 2YO & 10YO. All flying Y.

What are my chances of getting them into the DXB EK F lounge?

 

[mushez]

They "should" let you being QF not EK flights and FF - however you may find it isn't that easy as EK are very strict on their one guest only - so pick your wife or one of your kids - or go use the QF Lounge in my experience. So you may take with you a print out of entitlements to have to argue your way in to get your entitlement.

I'm flying QF 1/2 with my wife, 2YO & 10YO. All flying Y.

What are my chances of getting them into the DXB EK F lounge?

 

[Princess Fiona]

They "should" let you being QF not EK flights and FF - however you may find it isn't that easy as EK are very strict on their one guest only - so pick your wife or one of your kids - or go use the QF Lounge in my experience. So you may take with you a print out of entitlements to have to argue your way in to get your entitlement.

There's no QF lounge in DXB
IME the OP should be allowed in, although the EK Lounge angel might phone a friend to confirm it.

 

[Colrad]

Hi there,

Family holiday to Europe in March. Both legs via DXB on EK tix. I am QFF WP and will be flying in J on forward leg with 3 sons (also in J), with Mrs Colrad in F on same flight. On return leg, I will in F and Mrs C and kids in J. Does anyone know if we will be able to access the F Lounge in DXB? Especially on the return leg where we have a five hour layover. Can I use my WP status and F ticket to 'double up' on guest allowance?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hi there,

Family holiday to Europe in March. Both legs via DXB on EK tix. I am QFF WP and will be flying in J on forward leg with 3 sons (also in J), with Mrs Colrad in F on same flight. On return leg, I will in F and Mrs C and kids in J. Does anyone know if we will be able to access the F Lounge in DXB? Especially on the return leg where we have a five hour layover. Can I use my WP status and F ticket to 'double up' on guest allowance?

How old are your sons?
IME as WP flying F was able to get my two girls (aged 9 and 11 and flying J on QF) into the EK Lounge at DXB.
I don't think you'll have a problem providing the kids aren't adults.

 

[mushez]

Hi there,

Family holiday to Europe in March. Both legs via DXB on EK tix. I am QFF WP and will be flying in J on forward leg with 3 sons (also in J), with Mrs Colrad in F on same flight. On return leg, I will in F and Mrs C and kids in J. Does anyone know if we will be able to access the F Lounge in DXB? Especially on the return leg where we have a five hour layover. Can I use my WP status and F ticket to 'double up' on guest allowance?

EK flight numbers on EK Booking:

Your QF stats gives you nothing other than your ability to earn QF miles for the trip, you will not get any QF stats credits. However if booked under QF flight numbers, that is different.

If you are all flying in J/F, you will have access to the business lounge on that basis. If some are in F, the person(s) in F can guest one person only into F - you can try to guest all it, but it is contrary to the rules, and EK is very strict on their rules as to guesting. You may choose to let the kids go wild in the J lounge while you and Mrs go into F Lounge, but I know that would not go down at all in my family.

In DXB the option to splitting between lounges isn't that bigger deal, as the F lounge is on its own floor with J above and both F & J lounges board directly onto the flight from their floors for most - but not all. But I would always go met up in the J lounge to make sure all board together.

 

[Colrad]

Thanks Princess Fiona,

Kids will be aged 12, 14 and 16 at time of travel. As a WP is it still possible to get two children PLUS one guest in to the F Lounge? Which would mean I then just need to try to convince them to let my third child in as my F guest?

 

[Colrad]

Thanks Mushez,

All flights and pax booked as QFF awards on EK metal, so no issue with points or SC's (i.e. there aren't any!). My WP status does get me access to the First Lounge in DXB, plus one guest, as stated on the QF website:

Next onward flight must be on a Qantas^ or Emirates^ flight number. (EK 354)
[FONT=ProximaNova-Regular, HelveticaNeue, Helvetica Neue, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif]One guest allowed and must be travelling with the member on the same flight.[/FONT]

Similarly, as an F passenger I am entitled to take one guest into the First Lounge. My question is whether I am able to double dip and get two guests in, plus my other two children. It's not a big deal if I can't. Having been in both the First and Business Lounges at DXB, both are pretty good!

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks Princess Fiona,

Kids will be aged 12, 14 and 16 at time of travel. As a WP is it still possible to get two children PLUS one guest in to the F Lounge? Which would mean I then just need to try to convince them to let my third child in as my F guest?

It will likely involve the EK Lounge staff asking a supervisor but I'm reasonably confident that you will get access to the F Lounge.
I don't think that travelling F will give you an extra guest over and above your status entitlement but I have found the EK staff at DXB to be reasonably accomodating with families.
Of note as a QF elite, one of the benefits they trumpet is their family friendly lounge access policy and one would assume that should extend to reciprocity across the EK Alliance.

We have had success so far in DXB and LHR guesting kids in excess of published guest access.

EDIT: I asked this exact question on the Skywards forum on FT prior to our travel and received positive answers there FWIW

 

[Colrad]

It will likely involve the EK Lounge staff asking a supervisor but I'm reasonably confident that you will get access to the F Lounge.
I don't think that travelling F will give you an extra guest over and above your status entitlement but I have found the EK staff at DXB to be reasonably accomodating with families.
Of note as a QF elite, one of the benefits they trumpet is their family friendly lounge access policy and one would assume that should extend to reciprocity across the EK Alliance.

We have had success so far in DXB and LHR guesting kids in excess of published guest access.

EDIT: I asked this exact question on the Skywards forum on FT prior to our travel and received positive answers there FWIW

Thanks PF (if I may call you that).

I really appreciate it. Will see how we go. Alternatively, I guess I could change the bookings to have Mrs C flying F on the way home and able to guest one and use my WP status to get myself and the other two kids in.

Thanks again.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Thanks PF (if I may call you that).

I really appreciate it. Will see how we go. Alternatively, I guess I could change the bookings to have Mrs C flying F on the way home and able to guest one and use my WP status to get myself and the other two kids in.

Thanks again.

You're very welcome
Please report back how it goes.
On our first pass through DXB I had no trouble whatsoever but on the second pass through Shrek had the kids by himself and it was then that a supervisor was called for and confirmed instantly that they all had access.
I also know several WP's outside AFF who have guested their kids in without fuss.