The first time I ever visited a United Airlines lounge in the United States, I snuck in. I was flying business class from Sydney to Los Angeles and on to Washington Dulles airport. I didn’t realize that my business class ticket entitled me to lounge access in Los Angeles, so I walked into the club – saw a long line with agents busy – and just sauntered past like I belonged. Little did I know twenty four years ago that I was actually allowed to be there!
I see people getting turned away from airport lounges all the time, looking confused. Sometimes they show their boarding pass and wonder if they have access. Other times they show a premium credit card.
Often, though, people know they aren’t allowed to be there. They aren’t going to go up to the employee checking credentials, only to get turned away. They try to bypass that person completely.
According to a manager at Virgin Atlantic’s Clubhouse at London Heathrow airport, people are trying to sneak in “all the time.” One recently fellow “ran in and locked himself in the toilet.”
We had to wait and wait. Eventually, he came out. We asked to see his boarding pass. Surprise surprise, he wasn’t entitled to lounge access. Then he said he was looking for his mother. We checked his booking; he was travelling by himself. Then he said that his mum was on a separate booking. We asked for her name… Finally, he said he’d leave.
Often though they just try to talk their way in, trying to barter recent bad flight experiences for access. They also forge emails from Virgin staff inviting them to use the lounge. If you make it look like a real company email, including corporate logo in the signature block, that actually seems like a pretty good play (along with a good story for why they’d be extending you access).
Celebrities have pulled the “don’t you know who I am card” when they’re flying coach. That one doesn’t work.
Once inside the lounge, though, behavior isn’t always the best. Apparently people do try to frequently join the “Mile Low Club” in the lounge – both in the shower rooms and also the toilets.
I haven’t tried sneaking into a lounge in 24 years. And leave it to me to do it when I could have just shown my boarding pass for access. I do wonder if any of you have tried this trick? And does it ever work?
At the PHL Admirals Club, someone tried to breeze past the front desk. I know because I’m getting a drink and hear a loud “SIR! SIR!”. Agent is following a guy who ignored her and tried to blend in at the buffet and takes off his hat when there’s a column between them. She still finds, him, he insists he is okay to be there, she makes him go back and scan his BP. I keep an eye and see him scowl a few seconds later as he turns back towards the elevator.
Why anyone would try to sneak into the PHL AC is beyond me.
Never did that. Normally all my boarding passes have access. In the rare case they do not I know they do not MOSTLY!
For example Dusseldorf, Anadujet (subsidiary of Turkish) gives access to the lounge. But to the *A lounge. Non-schengen there is not. The staff at checkin told me you cannot go to lounge. I said yes. Showed the terms of condition. Once i arrived at the lounge non-schengen they said aorry you have to go to schengen. Of course to late to pass immigration twice.
This is the other way around staff keeping you out but you are allowed. The checkin should have said go to schengen but allow enough time to get to non schengen.
One of the more recent tactics that I’ve seen with Nigerian and Chinese passengers in recent years is the “strength in numbers” model. Around 15-20 people gather at the lounge entrance and just rush in all together shouting and intentionally knocking over furniture and generally creating chaos. They attack the buffet and the bar grabbing entire serving dishes and bottles and then run back out within a few minutes before the staff can summon security. It leaves the entire lounge looking like a tornado just struck it (and sometimes causing minor injuries to passengers or staff who get in their way) and generally spoils the experience.
I’ve been on the receiving end of one of these in Addis Ababa by Nigerian passengers and it was really overwhelming while it was happening. And I’ve seen (from outside the lounge) a smaller scale one in Nairobi by Chinese passengers which seemed really well coordinated and planned as every person in the group had an assigned target and responsibility.
I ahve never nusck into any club. Not my thing. However I have been turned away a few times when I had the proper credentials and flights to get in. I remember one time flying into Heathrow (I think) trying to use the BA arrival lounge and there was somebody outside oat a podium who told me I coujld not. I think I flew in with a First class tix from BA or AA. Cant remember. But I knew in advance I should have access. She stood firm. I had to go to a BA desk I think on another floor and get them to help me. THey called down to her and all wasgood. This rookie employee was turning away others like myself who had the proper credentials. In the past few yrs I have seen many people turned away from lounges who didnt have the proper card/ticket etc. I have seen AMEX lounges turn away people who get there 10 mins outside the 3 hour window. Once I came 5 mins and they told me to stand for 5 mins and they would check me in. When AMEX lounges opened they were welcoming. Now the stress etc, they are not welcoming. I expect them to continue restrictions on use and raise annual card fees at the same time.
At a LAX club, celebrities (and some d-list spouses) would come into the clubs demanding entrance. While never saying, no – we’d offer a day pass – most would pass on that offer, as they were escorted by a travel rep – that was allowed into the airport – that same rep would sponsor several guests on the same day – a studio would pay for this service.
When I was in my 20’s, a few times when I traveled without lounge access I would sneak in. I didn’t do it often, but my tactic, which I think nearly always worked, was to wait for a crowd to develop and agents to be distracted, and then walk in with a group of people that had just been scanned in. I guess I’d watched too many spy movies. LOL
Why not just let everyone in the lounges? My observation is 80% of the people in there dress like they’re from the ghetto, pajamas, slippers, shorts showing their fat hairy legs, and that’s just the women! Most of the men look like they are straight off skid row, unshaven, body odor, picking the nose… Food is mediocre and the drinks are off brand swill trying to pass as premium liquor. The lounges no longer hold the status they once did, just a hangout for everyone who has a 600 credit score and pays a credit card fee these days. Americans,,, ain’t they grand??
Disgusting attitudes. It is time these ppl. get banned from flying or be criminalised and have to pay a hefty fine or both!
No, though I remember decades ago the first time I flew domestic US F and was surprised to learn that didn’t get you into the lounge. I have only seen others try it a few times, though every time I am entering the Polaris lounge at IAD, someone is trying to talk their way in or talk them into allowing a guest.
Decades ago, my one and only experience, Continental Airlines lounge in San jose Costa Rica. Heading back to the states, with a stop in Houston.
My buddy handled the airfare, and I covered accomodations. I was so excited about getting free food and liquor at an airport!
And I took advantage, stuffing myself silly and drinking like a fish. At that time in my life, I didn’t care about quality, only quantity. And it was FREE!
.
Unfortunately, near the end of my stay in Costa Rica, I had experienced my first, at the time undiagnosed, gout attack.
All the booze, sandwiches, and other garbage I devoured at the lounge were the very last thing I needed.
Contributed to a much longer lasting, more.painful gout episode. Live and learn.
Airline employees, even if traveling on company business in a premium cabin, typically do not have access. But there are exceptions. One time, some colleagues from Emirates and I were traveling HGK-DOH-DXB on QR J class. I went to the J class lounge and was pleasantly surprised to be let in. My colleagues were several minutes behind me, and when they arrived they were denied. They used the fact that I had been let in as a reason to let them in, but that resulted in me being paged over the intercom to report to the front desk. So I instead ignored the announcement and snuck into the F class lounge (in those days they were next to each other) so that they wouldn’t be able to find me. I spent the rest of the time in the F class lounge in peace, but when I boarded the plane, my colleagues said that the QR staff had been looking all over to find me – presumably to kick me out of the J class lounge. But I was in the F class lounge. LOL.
2000 – before I ever had the lounge – I did actually smell in the Presidents Club…thru the kitchen!
Sneak in…damn phone!
@Sean M: “in Nairobi by Chinese passengers which seemed really well coordinated and planned as every person in the group had an assigned target and responsibility.”
Thank you for that. I had a solid 60 second complete laugh over this one at my keyboard just now because you know it is 100% true. I can’t not hate it… I mean… well done? lol
What about the guy who had dinner everyday for a year in a lounge by buying a refundable business class ticket?
The best method I’ve found is to be honest, respectful, and personable. Come in with the expectation of them saying no, and if you get in, then it’s a bonus.
I “snuck in” into a BA F lounge last week. My arriving ticket was a BA-operated flight and I was connecting on Aer Lingus. Came to the desk and said “I know I don’t have access, but I was wondering if you’d be willing to make an exception because BA sold me this ticket and I’m a oneworld emerald”. To my surprise, I was let in (though the agent said she was not going to scan my ticket for obvious reasons). Just ask nicely.
I bet Tim Dunn once sneeked into a lounge too. But, so far, he’s not saying!!
What about the person who manipulated his boarding pass QR code for entry? And this is why some lounges like United Club ORD C have entry gates requiring scanning.
I think the closest I’ve been to “sneaking” into a lounge is presenting my Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card and getting access to the MSP Amex Escape lounge. That card does have Priority Pass but I don’t think it is supposed to have Escape lounge access. I only tried out of boredom because the lounge opened at 4 AM while the United lounge didn’t open until 5:15, was pleasantly surprised when I asked the lounge dragon if my card granted access and he said yes.
Or maybe I’m correct and the card does give access?
Incorrect*
@Robert Tirelli:
Are you referring to the AMEX Centurion Lounges at DFW, LAX, or PHL?
You wrote, “Why not just let everyone in the lounges? My observation is 80% of the people in there dress like they’re from the ghetto, pajamas, slippers, shorts showing their fat hairy legs, and that’s just the women! Most of the men look like they are straight off skid row, unshaven, body odor, picking the nose… Food is mediocre and the drinks are off brand swill trying to pass as premium liquor. The lounges no longer hold the status they once did, just a hangout for everyone who has a 600 credit score and pays a credit card fee these days. Americans,,, ain’t they grand??”
We were in the Air France lounge in Paris last week and they had signs specifically letting people know that Amex / Delta credit cards (the Reserve I assume) do NOT give access to these lounges. I assume they have had plenty of people try to get in with them.
There was one gentleman in the lobby loudly on the phone with either Amex or Delta complaining about how he paid all this money and could never get into any lounges
Shake hands with the gatekeeper with a $20 in your hand. Works like a charm!
I’m not sure this would qualify as sneaking into lounge, but in the 90’s when I traveled on business a lot (like every week), we would split the cost of the Delta Crown Room fee (about $100 or so, per year), and pass the card to the traveling employee. Crown Room attendants didn’t check the names so it was easy-peasy.
We would also purchase Crown room membership in the beginning of the month, and thus extend it for an extra month or two, since it took about a month for the plastic card to arrive, meanwhile we used the printed receipt. And the new card would be valid beginning the month following its issue.
In 2008 I walked into the Marhaba lounge in Dubai during an overnight layover. I didn’t know what it was; I thought maybe it was a bar or just a quiet seating area. I figured someone would stop me if I wasn’t supposed to be there.
No one did, so I went in and took a seat. After a few minutes I realized what it was, and I just kept a low profile for a few hours and didn’t overdo it on the snacks and drinks.
Seth
I tried to get into the Southwest Airlines Club at Dallas Love Field by saying I was Gary Leff. The staff fell about laughing.
At the Milan Malpensa Airport a few years back my Platinum card at that point had lounge privileges. But the obstinate lady at the front desk said no, one had to be gold! Yes. She was Italian and while I was conversant in Italian I was traveling with my non Italian speaking wife so I was speaking in English. I asked her to call her boss. She did and I could understand the conversation in Italian. Her boss was explaining that Platinum was higher than Gold. We were allowed in. But no apology whatsoever. At that point I pulled my final card and said, in Italian, you see, Platinum is better than gold. As my wife later said, what woman doesn’t know that. Exactly.
The last time I flew Delta with my husband to Germany, Business Class, ATL – MUC, they would not let us into the Crown Room, even though the website clearly stated that business class ticket was eligible. A nice man who overheard us, took us in as his guests. I am still mad about that, and the broken seats on the last flight.
Clearly Delta is no longer the premier airline it has been in the past.
Well, yes, this all came from an article that was published in The Times (UK) yesterday or Sunday, as I recall. I read it and thought it was a great example of a PR Agency-placed puff piece for Virgin Atlantic. @Gary, it might be nice to acknowledge the original publication.
FWIW, I was in this very lounge on Sunday morning before enduring a geriatric A330-200 business flight on Delta back to the US. Won’t do that again. Worn out seats and no storage space. However, John Kerry did sit next to me in the VA Club restaurant. I chose to respect his privacy rather than asking him “..who amongst us does not love NASCAR?” 🙂
@Gary, I take it back. You linked to the article which was from the Telegraph.
Sean M – You’re a disgusting racist.
I must be getting old. I dearly miss the Presidents Club and the Northwest World Club
and the America West Club. My card got me in to all three and the free Booze was top shelf not the
crap they serve today.
I have the united club infinite all my buddys book refundables to go get free beer
Personally don’t get why people get so mad if they can’t come into a lounge. The airline is not obligated to have all this to cater to a bunch of rich people who have never been told no in their lives. The airline’s legal job is to get you from point a to point b no matter how. Its in the contract of carriage. And belittling the staff and make their lives harder because you were told no is just plain rude. Grow up its a lounge…
That’s a helluva lot of effort and risk for some gross hummus and stale chips. Airport lounges aren’t worth getting caught.
Not myself, but my son. I have AA Platinum status for a trip from SFO to DEL with a stop in HND. The most annoying thing was that HND has no Priority Pass lounge, and SFO priority pass lounges are perpetually full.
In any event, if you don’t know, Oneworld Sapphire has 1 guest, but my family has my wife and 1 kid (plus an infant, but that doesn’t count). Anyway, we just walked up to the lounges and were like, oh, I have access, and my wife is my guest; can the little kids come with? Turned out, it worked 3/4. Only the inbound HND Japan Airlines lounge refused (they were ok during 1st stop). Unfortunately for Mommy, my son really liked the food there (again, they allowed us all in during outbound), so he sent her down the airport whole us boys partying it up (not really, but the boy really loves that lounge).
Now banned from any access to Delta’s lounges, after decades of being a Delta AMEX Platinum cardholder and Delta Platinum Medallion status, I’ve been wondering what to do. A Delta agent’s flippant response was “upgrade to reserve ($650 fee) or get a regular, non-Delta AMEX card.” I think with the card, status, and putting $100K/year on the card, that should be enough to at least be allowed to pay to get in, right? I’m told Venture X might be the way to go. Of course, upgrading to the Reserve card is an option, but the way that it was handled has me questioning my loyalty to Delta (since 1988). In any case, I would never sneak in. Already too many bizarrely entitled people in this world trying to get something for nothing or trying to get away with bad behavior.
Delta’s new lounge policy has me going strictly from Delta.com to Google Flights. First flight in over 30 years not on Delta.
I had a young lady come up to me while I was going into the lounge, which required her to take an elevator and walk down a long hallway. She asked me if the lounge was baggage claim. “No”, I said, and then she asked if she could come in to the “area” and look around. So I said, “I don’t know, I don’t work here, but good luck”. That was the first time I encountered someone clearly trying to get into the lounge who didn’t have access. It made me feel slightly bad for her, but that I was “in the club” lol. Literally.
I’m dating myself but sneaking into the TWA Ambassador Club at STL (the one halfway down the concourse) was a piece of cake and something I took advantage of probably a couple of dozen times. The entrance was such a stupid design allowing you to effectively bypass the check in desk by feigning you were storing your carry-on luggage in an area designated for such. I was a TWA gold member for years, so it never got on my conscience!
At Boston’s admirals club, someone standing outside asked me to bring him in as my guest. I said no and he said it was ok because I can bring in two guests and I was traveling alone. I just kept it moving. On another occasion, also at Boston’s AC, someone asked for a tour and proceeded to have his way with the buffet. The attendant told him he had to pay for a day pass. The kicker – he wasn’t even flying American.
In the early ’80s, I was in the Ionosphere Club in FLL and Jessica Tandy and Hume Cronyn walked in. They were not members, and they did *not* pull the “don’t you know who I am” card. But as they were sadly leaving, I jumped out of my seat and ran up to the desk and said, “They are my guests!”. Was my good deed for the day.
At DTW SkyClub, my husband and I walked in at the same time. We each went to a different agent to check in because each of us had our own access. My husband was done with his agent and proceeded to take the escalator up. The agent that was checking me looked up, saw my husband on the escalator, and told me that she would charge me because she claimed that my husband had gone up without checking in. I asked her how she knew that my husband and I were related > Her answer: because you both walked in at the same time. I told her to go after him if she wanted to charge him. In the end, the agent that checked in my husband told the woman to chill.