What do WP do with credit card free lounge passes

[tomasp]

Hi Guys,

Another question, what do WP members do with free lounge passes (usually received with credit cards)? I've tried calling virgin to transfer them to my partner but they said they cannot do that... It's usually either just me travelling or my partner and I, so with WP 3 guest lounge eligibility, lounge entry passes seem a complete waste?

 

[Cynicor]

Transfer to friends, family, deserving strangers on AFF or if relatively mercenary, sell them (against T+Cs). I prefer to give mine away.

 

[tomasp]

How do you give them away? I rang Virgin wanting to transfer them for free to my partner, but was advised that they are unable to do that (1 entry is from VirginMoney CC, and another 2 from AMEX CC)

Transfer to friends, family, deserving strangers on AFF or if relatively mercenary, sell them (against T+Cs). I prefer to give mine away.

 

[Cynicor]

Ah. On this app it doesn't say Virgin or QF unless you look harder, sorry. Don't think you can transfer with VA.
You can use them to guest above your normal limits maybe? Just invite randoms into the lounge?

 

[CJEMNMAC]

Ah. On this app it doesn't say Virgin or QF unless you look harder, sorry. Don't think you can transfer with VA.
You can use them to guest above your normal limits maybe? Just invite randoms into the lounge?

Indeed. They are just loaded " virtual " and attached to your FF card / membership...

I either invite people above my allowance or they just drop off the account..

I always look for someone traveling alone that may had had a rough check in experience or something like that..

A single mum or dad travelling with a baby or similar..

Pretty much anyone that needs a hand.

I think it is better then just letting them expire IMO

 

[CPMaverick]

Yes the only use is to invite above your allowance. Which WP has such a generous allowance you might never need them. But don't complain about the generous allowance please

 

[tomasp]

I would never... I was more thinking about the uselessness of the free lounge entries (if I can't transfer them)

Yes the only use is to invite above your allowance. Which WP has such a generous allowance you might never need them. But don't complain about the generous allowance please

 

[n7of9]

Indeed. They are just loaded " virtual " and attached to your FF card / membership...

I either invite people above my allowance or they just drop off the account..

I always look for someone traveling alone that may had had a rough check in experience or something like that..

A single mum or dad travelling with a baby or similar..

Pretty much anyone that needs a hand.

I think it is better then just letting them expire IMO

I would love to do this, but may I ask, do people think you're creepy for offering? That's what has always stopped me from doing it (and the mental image of chasing someone around the airport saying 'I'm not creepy, I promise, I was only trying to be nice...')

 

[Fantic125]

It's not just VA now that are doing virtual passes linked to your FF account.

I received notification from QF that they are changing to virtual passes, but they can be forwarded to someone else (providing they have a FF account, and you have to notify the actual flight).

 

[CJEMNMAC]

I would love to do this, but may I ask, do people think you're creepy for offering? That's what has always stopped me from doing it (and the mental image of chasing someone around the airport saying 'I'm not creepy, I promise, I was only trying to be nice...')

I am quite comfortable talking to people I don't know.. I also pick my moments and consider the appropriateness of the situation. This is purely an occasional thing, if I feel it is the right time.. I have offered 3 times in the past 18 months - 2 years........2 accepted and 1 did not

I am also 100% ok, if I offer and someone says no thanks... I don't keep asking them, I just move on.

I once met an elderly couple and they had some drama at check in. The husband was trying to sort it out and the wife was a little distressed ( or so it appeared )

When the check in agent had sorted whatever was wrong I just said in passing, are you guys ok ? this opened up a very short conversation and I did not go into any detail. ( not my business )

We were after each other in the security line in SYD and I said would you like a coffee before your flight ? they said yes and I said ok lets go. I did not sit with them in the lounge but I showed them where to order a coffee and left them in peace.

I don't know them or may never ever see them again ( that's not the point ), hopefully it made the day of their flight better

 

[Strategic Aviation]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ram/would-you-guest-total-stranger-25382.html

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....guesting-strangers-into-the-lounge-74316.html

 

[grubbidok]

I've told my mum and my g'ma that it's worth asking someone if they're on a long layover or delay (and I'm not there to guest them in) - the person can only say no which only leaves them in the same position they were before asking. I'd probably do it if someone flat out asked me.

They haven't taken the offer up yet (in fact, I think non-FFers don't actually care that much - I think it's horrid to think about going back to being without, esp if you're flying so often, but for casual flyers time out in the terminal isn't that bad).

But keep an eye out - one of you may get approached by them at some point!

 

[CPMaverick]

I don't think it is right to cold approach someone and ask for lounge entry. It puts them on the spot, not cool. I would almost certainly politely decline if someone did that to me, because I wouldn't want to encourage people to loiter and approach people entering the lounge. Might seem fine if you are the only person doing this, but imagine if everyone else was just as bold. It would not be a nice situation.

I have invited strangers into the lounge before, but it has been a few years. I should consider it more. But I would not want soliciting.

 

[tomasp]

Well walking to the lounge in BNE this morning, I thought I'd try it for the first time.... the story goes something like this....

Walking to the lounge I saw an elderly couple sitting at one of the gates. So I walked up to them and politely asked them if they would like to come to the lounge with me? That I can take them in as guests and it would be a lot more comfortable for them in there then waiting at the gate.

At first they seemed a little confused but then agreed to my offer. The gentleman was reading a terminal paper and getting up asked whether he could take it with him, whether it was free? I answered it was and we proceeded together toward the lounge.


Walking to the lounge we started talking and I found out that it's their first time flying in over 20 years, have never been to a lounge before and that they're flying to Adelaide as the elderly man's father has cancer and they weren't sure how long he will be around.

They were very greatful and very appreciative, thanking me numerous times, commenting how kind and generous it was of me to bring them in. It's moments like this that really pay it forward IMO and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Goes to show you never know what peoples situation is, and sometimes these little things that we take for granted can still be special for others

I don't think it is right to cold approach someone and ask for lounge entry. It puts them on the spot, not cool. I would almost certainly politely decline if someone did that to me, because I wouldn't want to encourage people to loiter and approach people entering the lounge. Might seem fine if you are the only person doing this, but imagine if everyone else was just as bold. It would not be a nice situation.

I have invited strangers into the lounge before, but it has been a few years. I should consider it more. But I would not want soliciting.

 

[SheikYerbouti]

How do you give them away?

I believe with the ANZ Travel Rewards card they post you out two physical lounge passes with 12 mths expiry.

 

[Steady]

I believe with the ANZ Travel Rewards card they post you out two physical lounge passes with 12 mths expiry.

They did for me back in ~Feb this year

 

[mrs.dr.ron]

I believe with the ANZ Travel Rewards card they post you out two physical lounge passes with 12 mths expiry.

So SheikYerbouti are you a big fan of KC and the Sunshine Band ???

 

[n7of9]

Well walking to the lounge in BNE this morning, I thought I'd try it for the first time.... the story goes something like this....

Walking to the lounge I saw an elderly couple sitting at one of the gates. So I walked up to them and politely asked them if they would like to come to the lounge with me? That I can take them in as guests and it would be a lot more comfortable for them in there then waiting at the gate.

At first they seemed a little confused but then agreed to my offer. The gentleman was reading a terminal paper and getting up asked whether he could take it with him, whether it was free? I answered it was and we proceeded together toward the lounge.


Walking to the lounge we started talking and I found out that it's their first time flying in over 20 years, have never been to a lounge before and that they're flying to Adelaide as the elderly man's father has cancer and they weren't sure how long he will be around.

They were very greatful and very appreciative, thanking me numerous times, commenting how kind and generous it was of me to bring them in. It's moments like this that really pay it forward IMO and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.

Goes to show you never know what peoples situation is, and sometimes these little things that we take for granted can still be special for others

That's it, I'm doing it next time, this is a great story! Thank you

 

[clipped_wings]

I would love to do this, but may I ask, do people think you're creepy for offering? That's what has always stopped me from doing it (and the mental image of chasing someone around the airport saying 'I'm not creepy, I promise, I was only trying to be nice...')

This is soooo true and funny! We tried to give away free tickets to a Sydney football game before we walked in ourselves. We're corporate sponsors so had a plethora of freebies. Not one person thought we were legit and we ended up throwing them in the trash.

I think the best place to gift your lounge passes would be the "I'm in the VA Lounge" thread...

 

[tomasp]

Np, it really was a good feeling and I'd highly recommend it.

I think it all comes down to your approach, if you come across as friendly and open then most people would respond in the same manner.

From now on, if I see any elderly couples sitting at the gate on the way to the lounge, and i'm travelling by myself I'll always stop to ask and offer.

That's it, I'm doing it next time, this is a great story! Thank you