QF lounge access for unaccompanied 17 yr old

[calmelb]

A little bit different. I started travelling SYD > LAX solo in business class when I was 18. I was and still now checked for ID ALL the time in Aus lounges and aircraft. I accessed Sydney lounges which is allowed but I also accessed LAX, LAS and FLL lounges under 21 without even a thought until reading this thread it could have been an issue. No one checked ID outside of Australia.

In Dubai I can not only access the EK F lounge but also drink in the lounge. According to the staff there although the drinking age is 21 in the UAE the EK lounge is restricted to 18. Australia is far by the strictest country I've visited on drinking (Granted never been to North America)

 

[Jet L]

I don't know if this has been said as I have not followed this thread closely just seeing it come up on facebook earlier. I have had Velocity Status
(I know this is QFF) since I was 16 and have never had any problems entering a lounge alone also when flying a premium cabin with Qantas I have used the business lounge with no issue, I have always dressed 'smart-casual' and acted mature and like I was suppose the be there. I don't drink still so I never went near the bar. It can't hurt to try to use the lounge, I find Qantas has a lot less interaction because you can just show your boarding pass while walking where as with Virgin you need to line up and scan your boarding pass. (Sorry if this looks a little all over the place writing this in a cafe while eating breakfast)

 

[calmelb]

I don't know if this has been said as I have not followed this thread closely just seeing it come up on facebook earlier. I have had Velocity Status
(I know this is QFF) since I was 16 and have never had any problems entering a lounge alone also when flying a premium cabin with Qantas I have used the business lounge with no issue, I have always dressed 'smart-casual' and acted mature and like I was suppose the be there. I don't drink still so I never went near the bar. It can't hurt to try to use the lounge, I find Qantas has a lot less interaction because you can just show your boarding pass while walking where as with Virgin you need to line up and scan your boarding pass. (Sorry if this looks a little all over the place writing this in a cafe while eating breakfast)

You could get away with it when flying domestic as theres no specific ID check (unless they ask for it, which is hit and miss). Flying internationally which is what I mostly do means you cant get away. Before I turned 18 I had staff ringing ahead to the lounge to deny me access (even had CX once call ahead to the lounges in HK to deny me, even though they had no such law).

Back to the topic, she should try. Worst case she pleads ignorance when they ask for ID and finds she's underage. Confidence is everything! And then let us know how she goes

 

[Mattg]

A little bit different. I started travelling SYD > LAX solo in business class when I was 18. I was and still now checked for ID ALL the time in Aus lounges and aircraft. I accessed Sydney lounges which is allowed but I also accessed LAX, LAS and FLL lounges under 21 without even a thought until reading this thread it could have been an issue. No one checked ID outside of Australia.

I've also been using lounges in the USA since I was 18, including the QF/oneworld lounge at LAX. Not once was I asked for ID while under 21 and at the time it didn't occur to me that it might be an issue. Perhaps the difference with most US lounges is that there is no self-serve alcohol (and in fact, you usually have to pay to get a drink at the bar)?

FWIW I've been ID'ed at QF lounges in Australia and New Zealand but nowhere else.

 

[ICUDr]

Aussie teen the youngest ever to fly world's most luxurious airline class

Funny how on Photo #1 he’s standing up behind the bar

 

[Brissy1]

Qantas quite reasonably advised me that my 15yo daughter traveling business alone BNE-SYD couldn't invite her 15yo girlfriend into their business lounge... 2 x 15yo girls running riot in and open bar lounge. I got the "oh dad THAT'S NOT FAIR!"

 

[Kremmen]

while my daughter is under 18 I would not want her soliciting any adult to enter a lounge.

I don't see why not. We're talking about an airline lounge in one of the most secure places you can go, not a back alley

 

[Pushka]

I don't see why not. We're talking about an airline lounge in one of the most secure places you can go, not a back alley

But you have to solicit outside the Lounge.........

 

[calmelb]

But you have to solicit outside the Lounge.........

And you also have to think that maybe people might abuse the ability to enter (if you don’t get someone who already is entitled). Like they might trash the lounge and they’re your ‘guest’ (who knows what Qantas would do)

 

[Kremmen]

But you have to solicit outside the Lounge.........

So? They're inside an airport. If strangers inside an airport are a big deal, I suggest staying at home, forever, with the windows and doors locked.

 

[Pushka]

So? They're inside an airport. If strangers inside an airport are a big deal, I suggest staying at home, forever, with the windows and doors locked.

We are talking about a 15-17 year old female walking up to a random stranger in an airport and whose only commonality is that they are both flying and who have passed the weapons and explosives test. I've flown all over the world and like several others here, dont think this is a great idea. Your call but to then tell people that if concerned by doing that then they should stay at home is a little OTT.

 

[JohnK]

I don't see why not. We're talking about an airline lounge in one of the most secure places you can go, not a back alley

How do you judge a character without knowing someone? There are lots of people out there who have no manners and I'd be hesitant to invite them into the lounge let alone a 17 year old girl.

In any case these would be rare situations and the teenager can do without lounge access.

 

[Jules]

My daughter travels to USA regularly, is a platinum flyer at present and yet has not been allowed into the lounges in USA. On one occasion another traveller realised what was happening and pretended to be with her and she was allowed in only to be watched by the staff and then approached once they saw she did not stay with the person. She was 2 days off turning 21. Another daughter, aged 18, flew to USA to visit her and again not allowed entry into the lounge even though she is platinum and flying business (via point upgrade). I would have thought that the idea of airport lounges is to reward passengers (either for paid business/first class flyers or for those who fly regularly via reward programs) with a comfortable lounge away from the bustle of airports, which includes showers, bathrooms, seating, tv as well as food and beverages. I don't believe the liquor licensing laws should prevent these travellers from entry to the lounges, in the case of USA under 21 and Australia 18. It is a lounge and that is where I would like to know my children can go when connecting at airports around the world. It is for the airlines to acknowledge and assist these travellers and welcome them into the lounges. It is for the airline to abide by liquor licensing somehow eg having alcohol restricted areas such as I have seen at some concert venues. Airlines obviously are not interested in assisting this age group as they are not a large part of their business ... but they will become adults and they won't forget the humiliation of being told they can't access a lounge whilst holding a business class boarding pass and being platinum flyers by usually very patronising staff on the counters. We would move to an airline that accomodates this in an instant. Thinking Richard Branson might be the only one who has it in him. Who has his direct line?

 

[dajop]

Airlines obviously are not interested in assisting this age group as they are not a large part of their business ... ?

I am sure Royal Brunei would look after this age group at their hub in Brunei. With their dry lounge. Might be a couple of other airlines as well, based in Middle East ...

 

[PJF]

Hi all,

I ask this "simple" question here as no thread I looked up had a the answer, and I trust the opinions of members here than my own ability to discern facts from the QFF website.

I have a 17 year old daughter who is travelling solo BNE-CBR later this year, in business class. Can she access the BNE lounge?

I think you will find the answer is no. You have to be over 18 to gain entry on your own due to the Liquor Licence.

 

[Brissy1]

I put my daughter in business class when she flys alone, for her personal safety. Of course it's not risk elimination, but it is risk reduction with the closer attention of cabin crew. And am I profiling? You bet. Business lounge access therefore is not so important, but hey Juddles...if an adult is dropping her off at BNE airport he/she can accompany your daughter into the lounge even if he/she isn't flying. Maybe not officially but at least that's what we've found to be.

 

[Hvr]

I put my daughter in business class when she flys alone, for her personal safety.

How old is she? And what risks do you think she'd face while flying?

 

[mviy]

if an adult is dropping her off at BNE airport he/she can accompany your daughter into the lounge even if he/she isn't flying. Maybe not officially but at least that's what we've found to be.

It's official. It's a defined benefit: Lounge Locations | Australia | Brisbane Domestic

Of course you'd have to weigh up the cost of parking at the airport (if driving in) which can be quite expensive vs spending time in the lounge.

 

[Brissy1]

How old is she? And what risks do you think she'd face while flying?

15 now, but has been traveling alone since 11yo. Domestic. Risks...to be sitting next to, or between, unsavory characters. I've experienced a few sleazes. I even had an offer from a young lady who wanted to join the mile high club...I'm still a virgin there. So actually domestic business class is less private than economy as the cabin staff are ever-present and usually monitoring the passengers' for their needs/wants.

 

[Brissy1]

It's official. It's a defined benefit: Lounge Locations | Australia | Brisbane Domestic

Of course you'd have to weigh up the cost of parking at the airport (if driving in) which can be quite expensive vs spending time in the lounge.

Nice find link. Yes cost of parking and no "sober up" time before having to drive. (Qantas has told me they put the better wines in the Business lounge cf Qantas Club lounge.)
"defined benefit"...sounds like part of a superannuation benefit, if only