Guesting strangers into the lounge

[get me outta here]

I am very surprised that strangers seemingly don't feel confident enough to take people up if they were to kindly offer an entrée to a lounge. No one has ever offered it to me sadly. I guess if a person is looking wistfully into the lounge it may be a clue. If I still had any status, I'd definitely offer someone of the same sex who looked like an experienced traveller to come in.

as others have said, have tried many times and always a no, so stopped trying

 

[amaroo]

I got chatting to a random who was on the same flight, attending the same conference in Vegas ... ended up guesting her into the QF SYD F and AA LA Flagship lounge. She had never been in any lounge before - so a very happy camper.

I've been guested in whist looking for a non-existent AA lounge in Vegas.

 

[Hvr]

I got chatting to a random who was on the same flight, attending the same conference in Vegas ... ended up guesting her into the QF SYD F and AA LA Flagship lounge. She had never been in any lounge before - so a very happy camper.

I've been guested in whist looking for a non-existent AA lounge in Vegas.

Looks like your cards came up. :mrgreen:

 

[Milefest]

It's a pity people are so skeptical to this

Slightly o/t but I've met a lot of people that think being in a frequent flyer program is a scam. They're really skeptical that you get a lounge with free food/drinks along with the variety of other benefits.

 

[albatross710]

I got chatting to a random who was on the same flight, attending the same conference in Vegas ... ended up guesting her into the QF SYD F and AA LA Flagship lounge. She had never been in any lounge before - so a very happy camper.

I've been guested in whilst looking for a non-existent AA lounge in Vegas.

Seems to be quite a few things happening in Vegas.

 

[Turbo-g]

I too have invited various people into the lounge. Whilst at Perth International QF lounge a lady with laptop and books etc trying to get organised was offered the opportunity but she looked me up and down and said "Maybe next time.." Well i had to chuckle as i thought to myself good luck! Another lady well presented leaned over and asked "do you mind if i come in?". After clarifying she was under no obligation to chat or talk with me and as she was my guest to remember the rules of the lounge we entered the lounge but didn't interact in any other way. I did overhear her talking on her phone saying "you'll never guess where i am" so i was feeling pretty happy i made the start to her trip enjoyable.

Recently on a trip to LHR via DXB i was talking to another lady at check in she explained her story- amazingly she is 65 years old from Austria and had just completed a solo drive around Australia! so as we continued to move through past immigration i just walked through to the lounge and she just followed having no idea where she was, so another pleasant surprise to her, the first time in the any business lounge. Of course the dream didn't continue on our arrival into DXB as she was heading to Munich, so no access for her unfortunately.

I wont allow anyone who randomly asks for me to come in, maybe if at reception someone is in excess of numbers like a family etc One guy in Perth was asking to come into QC because his "mate was in there and he couldn't get a hold of him" a very dodgy story so i said "come up". At reception i entered but told him to wait with the desk angels and had them page his mate. True to form the guy had provided a false name so they refused him entry and they also knew his face now, so no chance of getting in any more. Whilst politely asking might get a result definitely spinning a story wont help you out.

 

[mannej]

Slightly o/t but I've met a lot of people that think being in a frequent flyer program is a scam. They're really skeptical that you get a lounge with free food/drinks along with the variety of other benefits.

There are enough of those people on here who can be very cynical about certain FFP's (or shopping loyalty programs for that matter).

 

[smithy]

I have guested friends and work colleagues but I would not guest a stranger into the lounge.
The place gets crowded enough...

 

[get me outta here]

It doesn't matter if that person going in with you is a friend or a work colleague, or a stranger, they all take up an equal amount of 'space'.

I have guested friends and work colleagues but I would not guest a stranger into the lounge.
The place gets crowded enough...

 

[v1nce007]

Totally agree. Lounges should be for those who are entitled to be there, and their genuine guests (families, friends, colleagues).

QP gets busy enough without a bunch of random strangers in there. However I guess exceptions can be made for the very attractive

NO NO NO! That guest spot is not "going to waste"!!

Unless you actually know the person, or at least have chatted to them long enough to know something about them, I really feel that guesting strangers is a bad idea.

And call me selfish or whatever, but it takes me a lot of cold hard cash, and millions of km flown, to earn and keep my status. And that my lounge experience would involve sharing that with people you just plucked out of the terminal at random?? Not happy :/

 

[Milefest]

Totally agree. Lounges should be for those who are entitled to be there, and their genuine guests (families, friends, colleagues).

QP gets busy enough without a bunch of random strangers in there. However I guess exceptions can be made for the very attractive

Isn't it QF's duty to ensure that each lounge caters to one's guest allowance?

 

[awkwardpaws]

Isn't it QF's duty to ensure that each lounge caters to one's guest allowance?

Agreed - there needs to be some accountability by QF - if they keep selling more QC memberships / more premium cabin, they need to adjust and expand (I dont know whether they are actually selling more than previously)

 

[cmon0005]

A no from me, only friends, family and (colleagues) although the latter can be difficult when travelling with multiple colleagues ' who to guest in?'

 

[albatross710]

Sat next to an older woman in PE all the way from LHR - SIN - SYD where she had a 4 hour wait to get onto her regional NSW flight. Happy to guest her into the QP. I guess after the 24 hour flight we weren't really technically strangers.

 

[Pushka]

It's a pity people are so skeptical to this - it's really a form of paying it forward isn't it?

No. I think it is a bit creepy to be honest. Approaching random strangers with a 'gift' is not a good thing. I know better of course but most people have no idea and are (rightfully?) suspicious.

 

[Quickstatus]

Nope would not guest randoms. Ex-randoms such as randoms met via checkin queue or inflight might get a guesting but they must be properly attired, well mannered and otherwise meet the guest criteria of proposed lounge.

Ive never seem people loitering at the entrance fishing for a guesting. How many have been asked by randoms at the lounge entrance?

 

[Himeno]

The only times I've had a guest in a lounge thus far has been people I didn't know.

In 2011, I posted on FT that I had a planned flight on QF93. Another forum member was also flying on QF93 that day and asked if they could get guested. MEL F lounge.
In 2013, I was heading to HND on the train when winds from typhoon wipha picked up and stopped most ground transport. I found some people on the train who were also headed to the same flight. After it became clear that the train wasn't leaving anytime soon, I left to seek other transport options. I checked the line for the taxis (and being a minor station with around a hundred people looking for transport, that wasn't happening). When I got back to the station gates, I ran into the others I'd noted where on my flight and started talking to them. We managed to get a local bus the rest of the way and got CX to rebook. Then once check in opened for the new flight, we went to the JL F lounge.

 

[Quickstatus]

Looking forward to JohnK's views on this as he is frequently in the "Im in the xx lounge" thread

 

[Pushka]

Looking forward to JohnK's views on this as he is frequently in the "Im in the xx lounge" thread

I think that is very different to guesting in people 'off the street'. JohnK has met quite a few people here, myself included.

 

[Quickstatus]

I think that is very different to guesting in people 'off the street'.

Yes, I also would not usually guest in otherwise ineligible randoms at the lounge desk trying to get past lounge dragons nor semi-eligibles who are above their guest allowance as this would raise the ire of said lounge dragon who may otherwise have an upgrade for me.