Have you ever seen a struggling family, with a long delay at the airport after their flight was cancelled, so you guested them into a lounge? Of someone that was running late, worried about missing their flight and facing a long check-in line, so you brought them along with you in the priority check-in queue?
Or perhaps you’ve spotted someone across a crowded gate area on a full flight, they were traveling alone and you thought they were cute, so you strike up a conversation – and offer that they can board with you in group one to ensure there’s space in the overhead bin? If it’s Southwest you might even wind up snagging seats together. People find love quickly on an airplane!
World record inflight hookup: 2B helps 2A her stow her bag in Austin. She tells him about her kids and shows him her Priority Pass and Amex Platinum. They held hands for descent into Houston. A new couple is @United. #love #upintheair
— gary leff (@garyleff) May 6, 2018
Here’s how to think about extending your elite benefits to others,
- Check-in. Priority here seems intending for your own traveling party, usually on the same flights and ideally even in the same reservation, but if someone is traveling with you and they accompany you in the priority check-in queue they shouldn’t have difficulty in getting helped on most U.S. carriers.
- Lounge. Check lounge access rules first to ensure that your guesting privileges aren’t limited to passengers on the same flight, and in recent times U.S. airline lounges have generally required passengers to be on eligible flights (either on a flight operated by the lounge’s airline, or at least one of their partners). But you can frequently guest someone into the lounge, especially if your lounge access is based on status or membership rather than flying business class.
Capital One’s Priority Pass isn’t limiting the number of people you can bring, at least as of December 2022. Maybe you’re traveling with a spouse and you both have memberships (a Delta Executive membership, an airline spouse membership, or an American Citi Executive card where no annual fee authorized users can access the lounge plus two guests as well). It may be possible not just to guest in that potential someone special, but an entire family in need.
- Upgrades. Complimentary upgrades are often available not just for the member but also a companion, and the companion usually doesn’t have to be on the same reservation. You may be able to add someone to the upgrade list in the lounge or at the gate. Don’t offer false hope! If you aren’t a top elite and at the top of the upgrade list yourself this probably won’t be super helpful (then again, waiting out the upgrade together could create connection). On the other hand if you’re a top elite you might be able to gift someone an upgrade – which frequently trades off with someone else sitting up front who would have otherwise cleared.
- Boarding. Each passenger is supposed to board based on their own boarding order, but this is rarely enforced. At the very beginning of boarding someone might be sent away if it isn’t their turn to board, but there’s usually not much enforcement by U.S. airlines between say group 4 versus 6. However if someone with a lower boarding number accompanies you you’re likely to be good. For instance when my wife or daughter have had lower boarding groups than I have, they’ve boarded with me without difficulty. This isn’t guaranteed, however, so if you’re making an offer just bear in mind that the person you’re helping could get turned away (whether by following or by not following airline policy, as the case may be).
You have elite benefits, or credit card benefits, and those are often designed to make travel easier not just for yourself but travel companions as well. Nowhere is it written that you had to know someone traveling alongside you before you got to the airport. Have you ever befriended a fellow traveler and let them piggyback off of your benefits? Would you?
I have indeed shared benefits with friendly travelers I met on flights. 🙂
It’s nice when you can help someone have a free meal or just some space to relax between flights, for example, by bringing them into the lounge.
I will say, this is a lot less common now that most of my travel is leisure and with my wife. Less time spent talking to strangers means making fewer bite-sized friendships.
I was at the Centurion Lounge at LHR and there was someone who was denied entry because it was too many hours prior to his flight. I tried to let him be my guest and I got scolded. Even when I left the lounge, the staff scolded me for being willing to share my guest benefit with a stranger. There was barely anyone in the lounge at the time (I think I counted three other people), so it was not like it was packed or they were turning people away.
Yes: I have extended my ‘guest’ lounge access to strangers. I’m an older female solo traveler, and when I’m not in a rush I will extend an invite to another solo woman–usually an older woman like myself, or a worn-out, stressed college student type, overburdened with backpacks and a totebag, usually stuffed with books (this is really noticeable over holidays). In any event, I explain it’s no obligation, no need to socialize with me, I’m just returning the favor that was done to me, years ago, and I encourage them to enjoy the lounge at their leisure.
When I was traveling for business I frequently provided benefits to those around me that seemed to be in need. I have upgraded military travelers, older couples and others. On several occasions I have invited folks to join me in the lounge due to delays. Traveling over the years (about forty weeks a year) it was a little token to my fellow mankind (traveler). I remember getting on a flight from Iowa through Denver that there was this just great older couple that reminded me of the Whistler’s painting. They were going to Portland so I checked with gate agent to see if I could upgrade them to First Class. The gate agent thought that was a good idea and I upgraded one and the agent comped the other. A real win-win.
@Gary – Just to clarify, as an AA EXP I can upgrade a companion who is on an entirely different PNR? If so, that’s amazing.
@Christian – yes
No I don’t. I don’t get involved with other people or their drama at the airport. No good deed goes unpunished.
I’ve tried several times and people look at me like I have 2 heads so I just stopeed.
Don’t have any to extend. But if I did I would as I know the feeling of wanting to experience these benefits
I try…I do try…but it’s not always easy either. Just to level set…I have (6) Delta Sky Club passes which will expire end of Jan. 23. I would LOVE to give them away before they expire.
But, at some airports it’s just plain hard to even try. Imagine: you’re talking to someone who seems nice while waiting for security at T4 in JFK? Well, even if they say yes…now you have to walk with them forever and a day to get to the Sky Club (and then there might be a line and now they feel obligated to wait…well, you get the picture).
Some airports are easy because the Sky Club is close (thinking BOS, EWR and BNA to name a few).
My last try? I met a real nice young couple on the line in EWR. They were clearly not experienced travelers and were a bit overwhelmed by the whole process. I thought to myself…I am going to make their trip and get them both in the Sky Club which is literally steps from security.
I don’t think they even knew what the Sky Club was but when I explained it they were quite excited. And I told them…no obligation to hang with me once you’re in.
So, what happened? No go…they were flying Luftansa!
Like I said…I do try!
I am always on the lookout for military or parents traveling with young kids solo to invite into the lounge. I do it at the gates close to the lounge where I see they have awhile until boarding begins. But I’ll also invite solo travelers, older people for families if I have the ability to bring in unlimited guests, and off duty flight attendants or pilots I meet on the flight that are going to be on a layover. They love it, they don’t get access!
I give them the same pitch. I just hate letting my benefits go to waste. No need to hang out with me. In fact, let’s both do our own thing when we get in there and I laugh.
But the best was when I had been upgraded to first class as a silver on one leg which was on a short two hour flight.
Once everybody boarding, the flight attendant made a special announcement that a woman who was probably 70 was accompanying her 93 year old mother on her first ever flight.
The flight attendant said that the woman had always wanted to fly on a plane before she died, and had us all give her a round of applause, which was cool.
I asked the flight attendant if I could trade seats with the lady and I would go sit in coach so that she could experience first class. She got very choked up, wiped tears away from her face and said of course and did I want her to make the offer.
I did it myself and went back and told the two ladies my plan and that unfortunately there was only one seat for one person so the older lady could take it for the takeoff and enjoy a preflight drink, etc. and then come back to the seat so she could be with her daughter, or she could stay there the whole time and I would be happy to keep her daughter company, which is what my vote was for.
The daughter started tearing up and told her mother to do it, and do it for the whole flight, and her mom got up almost proudly, with a big smile said thank you and took her first class seat.
The part that really made it special though was that they were a black family and I am a white guy and as her daughter and I talked, she told me that she and her mother both grew up in the segregated south and she knew that her mother had to be very happy about that specifically coming from a white person in Houston. It didn’t even cross my mind, but then that made me get teary-eyed. It was a pretty awesome experience to be able to do that.
I have…. many times. And I would again. Being kind to others is what we’re SUPPOSED to do.
@Zack: Thank you very much for sharing this wonderful story!
Yes – if the person sitting next to me is talking to me I’ll usually buy them a drink or two. I’ve also shared my SW dunk coupons with others.
“For instance when my wife or daughter have had lower boarding groups than I have, they’ve boarded with me without difficulty. ”
From the same guy who saves seats on Southwest. Too cheap to pay for the service, but entitled enough to ruin it for others.
If I have an all day transit pass still valid when I arrive at an airport, I try to give it to someone leaving the airport in line to buy transit tickets. As @michael says above, they look at me like I have 2 heads.
@Zack
My wife watched that Hallmark Christmas movie the other night too!
Hmm, the Capital One Priority Pass does not allow unlimited guests, but PP for free authorized users on the Venture X. Am I missing something?
I had a time when I extended kindness and I was shocked by how I was repaid. This was in January, 2022. I was in a mid-sized city, smallish airport (ie, not very busy). I saw an older couple – he was clearly struggling with something on his iPhone. I had two hours until my flight so I asked if I could help. He told me his problem and it took me about 10 minutes, but I got everything fixed and handed him back his iPhone. He asked me, “Are you a Christian?” I told him I was not. He then told me, “Well, then you are going to hell.” I said to him, “You know, I saw an older stranger, struggling, and I thought I could help and I did. You didn’t even say thank you, but you then asked me if I was a Christian and insulted me. I can tell you that you just did the least Christian thing I can possibly imagine. Good day.” And I walked away. I was saddened by the whole event, and it made an impression on me since I can recount what happened virtually word for word almost a year later.
I’ve never done this kind of thing except once after getting to know a guy over a long delay … but as Michael noted, I think it’s an odd thing to do and would make people feel uncomfortable. Unless you establish a ‘relationship’ … even half an hour’s conversation, I don’t know exactly how you’d make the offer gracefully. But I’m weird at airports and on planes. I once exchanged a few words with a woman next to me and she never took a breath for 6 hours to New York. No matter what I tried; book, laptop, sleep … she rattled on. It was truly torture. So for the last ten years, I tend to ignore most everyone.
I’ve helped a few people bring in family members or friends into the Admiral’s Club if they didn’t have enough passes to get everyone in. In turn, I’ve had a few club members also help me get in family/friends once I’ve hit my two extra limit.
But I love what @KimmieA does— and I’ll be keeping an eye out to see if I can help out some folks. Thanks for the idea!
No, I’ve never done this, nor would I ever. Any benefits I have are mine. If someone else wants my benefits, they can do whatever I did to get them.
Yes, I have. Many years ago I met a group of 4 people at O’Hare returning home to Hawaii who had a delayed flight with a very LONG layover and wanted to visit the United Red Carpet Club. Unfortunately they were not members and couldn’t get in . I luckily had a lifetime membership I bought in 1979 and invited them in with me. They wanted to give me money but I said it wasn’t necessary. They insisted on giving me something and gave me a beautiful handmade Hawaiian lei made with tiny shells. I still have it today.
Have done this on numerous occasions. I once got a family of six in the lounge at BCN. I have the CSR and the Hilton Surpass and used 6 of my 10 passes from the Hilton for them and entered on my CSR. It felt great.
How cute that this blog piece comes out right after a discussion of this topic popped up on Flyertalk.com.
I used to sign away my AA systemwide upgrades back when they were in paper form and would come across people whom I thought needed the space and comfort more than I would.
@Christian – You absolutely can upgrade people on separate PNRs / record locators. My fiancé and I do it all the time. There are essentially 4 upgrade types on American: complimentary based on status (formerly involving 500-mile upgrades / “stickers,” depending on who is being upgraded, gone since the transition to loyalty points), systemwide upgrades, mileage upgrades, and business extra upgrades. Complimentary upgrades can be extended to companions on a separate reservation at your priority level by cross-referencing the two PNRs with each other, and can even be marked as “no-split,” i.e. both must clear together. The latter 3 types will only apply your priority level to your companion, and “no-split” is only possible, when in the same reservation. Business Extra upgrades can only be applied to a single individual in isolation, and applying/waitlisting them necessarily involves splitting two travelers on the same PNR into separate PNRs, although if they don’t clear in advance, you can remove & redeposit them and then set up complimentary upgrades at your priority level, with “no-split” if you prefer, a week out from the flight. My experience with that strategy in practice has been hit-or-miss, and I’m about to convert all my outstanding business extra points into AAdvantage miles because they’re not really worth the hassle and increased redemption requirements going into 2023, but I digress. Put simply, definitely stay on the same reservation if you plan to mess with mileage or systemwide upgrades, otherwise with complimentary, they obviously won’t clear until the week of, but they’re way more flexible in how you can apply them to friends, family, or in this case, deserving strangers. 🙂
Yes. Last time was in the Iberia lounge in Madrid. Elderly American couple who had bought AA lounge membership were confused about why they couldn’t get into the Iberia lounge for their AA codeshare.
They had a minder with them up to the security checkpoint who had directed them to the lounge (which is visible from security), but they were now on their own and seemed stressed and confused.
Partner and I are both OW Emerald and guested them each into the lounge. They were very appreciative. Lounge dragon and the queuing guests all seemed relieved by our being able to bring an end to what had become a very long conversation at the desk. They met other people in the lounge who were on the same flight and cruise, and they all seemed to look after each other until they all left to their gate together.
Yes, years ago. Delay out of STL to ORD on UA. Chatting to a US Army servicewoman, who had been traveling from Baghdad to get to ORD for what seemed like days. As I recollect, her route was BGW IST FRA STL. I was already in F as a 1K so I asked the gate agent to switch our seats.
As a 1k on United, I’ve given away my free alcoholic drink on United to the guy next to me. I don’t drink, so why not.
Offering benefits to strangers is fine if it’s an organic thing that feels right in isolated circumstances. Looking for people at the airport to share your status is kind of creepy and can be easily misinterpreted or worse put you at risk for your kindness
That being said I once offered free breakfast vouchers at Palace Hotel in San Francisco to a family because i was leaving very early Saturday morning and gave them to vouchers Friday night. They proceeded to charge alcoholic beverages to my account and ordered mimosas and bloody mary’s at Saturday brunch and charged them to my room and gave the guy a big tip on MY ROOM
Don’t do it, you could be associating yourself to a criminal and out of kindness you end up on a rabit hole. Even an old lady could be trying to smuggle you shouldn’t even touch anyone belongings good forbid extend in your travel
Never use your benefits to check in someone else’s bags to save them baggage fees.
YOU will be held accountable for contents of THEIR luggage.
I’ve not shared benefits but have shown a confused traveler to their terminal/ gate in ATL a time or two. I usually schedule a long layover and since ATL is so familiar to me, easy enough to navigate and I’m happy to help.
My husband and I (seniors) were flying back to US with United/Swiss. At the 24th hour of traveling, we were denied access to United lounge in Denver … I asked several folks if we could go in with them. Nope, nope, and nope.
We hardly looked like criminals. United wrote a letter and gave us points after their SNAFU. A kind frequent traveler would have been preferred.
All of our lives, we have give passes, coupons, and certificates to anyone who could use them.
Rather sad really.
Yes and we love it. As self funded travellers we have earnt our privileges and will use them as stated and as we please.
I will agree with others that the offer is often met with either confused or wary looks despite my going to pains to politely approach who ever we’ve picked as people to share the love with & I always make clear that once guested in to the lounge they have no need to sit with us and are welcome to go sit where they please and enjoy the time alone ( though we’re happy to get to know any who feel the same and have actually made some friends doing so).
We’ll normally look for young people to give them a taste of something they’re less likely to have experienced and are, typically, less cash rich. Service personnel of course top the list if seen.
We’ve varying levels across multiple one world carriers and only with Finnair have we gone to guest people in & be told we can’t as we don’t have that status despite our BAEC Silver being on the boarding card but a polite but firm pointing out that ‘No. You can only use the status of the airline you’re flying is NOT a rule’
As no doubt someone will ask….. …. During COVID we hedged our bets at times
@Luke
Thanks for the detailed explanation!
If I had priority benefits I would totally share! I’m a May 2022 breast cancer survivor, former special ed teacher, single mom, and cringe sitting in the terminal when I fly every 8 weeks to see doctors in SLC, Utah & UCLA. I drool looking at the Delta lounge, wishing I could get in.
As a Delta crew member for many decades I’ve seen some good, alot of bad and much ugly. What would I do in this situation? Not a damn thing. They’re on their own. And, the less they talk to me the better.