Lounge Access for Wife / Kids

lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 09:41
Last edited 20/02/2025 - 13:04 by 1 other user

Hey All

Plan: We have a big Europe trip coming up in September Sydney to Europe with Singapore Airlines and random low-cost airlines around Europe, before finishing with Singapore air back to Sydney.

Question: I am trying to figure out the best option for lounge access if possible

Context: Travelling is me, wife and 2 kids (8 &10). I am Platinum Qantas, so normally can get a status match to Star Alliance pretty easily (have done before) to get me and one guest into the lounges there, BUT that will leave 2 people not being able to access the lounge, so trying to figure out options. Wife is part time and unlikely we will get credit card in her name atm and only my name. Was considering Citi Prestige for the unlimited Priority pass but seems it would likely still be in my name as CC holder, so doesn't help that much in keeping us together (outside of where we can go to restaurant and use $72 credit, if that is available at some airports).

Any ideas I should explore would be great to know?

Cheers

Travel Lounge Pass

Comments

  • jv on 20/02/2025 - 09:48
    +3

    not the kids please……………………

    • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:04
      +4

      Haha.. my kids are well behaved mate .. not sure on some of the other adults 🤣

      • Archi on 20/02/2025 - 11:53
        +4

        ohhh that's nice..

        some of the other adults behave worst than my kids.

        • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 14:22
          +1

          my experience too ..

    • HeWhoKnows on 21/02/2025 - 11:36
      +1

      100% Correct jv !

      "Exclusive" Lounges are not intended for kids

      Thats why they dont offer kids or family passes OP

      Nor do they have any entertainment for kids.

      Why do you need lounge access anyway??????

      • jv on 21/02/2025 - 12:01
        +1

        Why do you need lounge access anyway??????

        So they can release the kids…

        • LFO on 21/02/2025 - 19:47

          That was obvious … :-)

      • lickjimmy1 on 22/02/2025 - 10:05

        I cant tell if you are joking.. qantas literally have a section for kids in their exclusive lounge .. and i need the lounge access for the same reason anyone does..

  • djsweet on 20/02/2025 - 09:50
    +2

    Am I right in assuming the only times you will be able to get lounge access is before your Singapore airline flights - ie 2 - 4 times? If that is the case can't you pay for additional guests (particularly if they are your own children)?

    • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:05

      Yesh 4 times basicallly.. but then if we have 3-4 flights around europe on ryanair (or whatever) then figure that would be decent to have too

      • HeWhoKnows on 21/02/2025 - 11:39
        +1

        You want to save money by flying with "Budget" airlines but then want "Premium" lounge access for the kids???????????

        • lickjimmy1 on 21/02/2025 - 14:31

          sure, why not! wouldnt it be better to be in a good mind space with kids, before i get onto a ryan air flight

  • 87percent on 20/02/2025 - 09:51
    +2

    Can’t you pay extra for additional members using Priority Pass? We did it in HK early last year, think it was $40 per person

    • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:06

      Yep potentially .. so in theory (40 x 4 flights x 2 kids = $320)

      • Stewardo on 21/02/2025 - 09:56
        +2

        Pack swimmers and take them to the pool on the roof in Changi.
        Waste of money paying for children in the lounge. How long is the layover? check into an airside hotel or take them to a airside restaurant for a couple hours.
        It’s normally penne pasta, sandwiches, Bain Maries of food court slop and bottom shelf booze in the lounge. Not that aspirational.

        • caustic birch on 21/02/2025 - 11:32
          +2

          Have to agree with you for Changi. Plenty to do to kill time there and better food in the 'hawker' food court for 5-7 SGD than in the lounges.

  • Bargainitis on 20/02/2025 - 09:53

    just check again, I thought Platinum means you can bring in multiple guests. If you status match to Star alliance, I thought the reciprocal status would have similar perks?

    • JimmyF on 20/02/2025 - 09:59

      It'll depend on the ticket they have, if it is a QF flight, then they can take wifey and kids,

      https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/status-and-clubs…

    • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:07

      Yep qantas is no issue with that , if its a qantas lpunge, no good with other one world lounges as they restrict to only one guest too, but i dont think star alliance policy allows it, although apparently some people are more leniant, so occasionally might get lucky

      • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:08

        That even works with jetstar flights.. get whole family into first class lounge

      • Bargainitis on 20/02/2025 - 10:19

        If your wife had direct status i'm sure you could get both kids in. No cold hearted person would separate family but if its only you its a bit harder trying to round up 3 guests if that reciprocation doesn't exist.

        The only other thought would be Citi Prestige or Amex Plat card which would get you access to some of the lounges but not worth doing for just one trip.

        • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:21

          yep she doesnt have any unfortunately.. I still remember being at japan airlines lounge and them not letting the kids in.. but me and the wife could enter.. lucky japan is safe :)

          • Bargainitis on 20/02/2025 - 10:24

            @lickjimmy1: thats brutal.. and unexpected. I guess they follow the rules there.

            Ask your friends if they have Amex Plat. I have given my supplementary cards to friends for trips like this. Though technically you need 2 supplementary cards.

            • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:33

              @Bargainitis: ive tried it in other lounges too and they are pretty strict. yep, will see if i can find some loaded friends :)

  • JimmyF on 20/02/2025 - 09:57
    +7

    Any ideas I should explore would be great to know ?

    Its changi airport. Far more exciting to explore the airport than sit in a lounge eating crap food.

    Pop out and check the jewel out, have a look around at the fish, butterflies. Get some DECENT food.

    But that's just me.

    • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:09

      For sure and thats definitely an option we going down.. just been there heaps of times with the kids already and done most of the activities

      • JimmyF on 20/02/2025 - 10:14
        +1

        How long is your stop over?

        For me, I find lounges get pretty dull after an hour or so. Even worse if they are busy or have crap food. About the most exciting thing is a shower.

        Plus with kids you have to keep them entertained. So after sitting on the plane for hours, the last thing they'll want to do is sit still for hours in the lounge before getting on a plane again and sitting still.

        So for me, the plan would be burn some energy off, walking around even if you have seen it all before.

        Again that is just me. YMMV. Report back post trip if you got in to the lounge.

        • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:28

          yeah agree.. definitey will need to burn some energy off in some way. We have an overnight gap one way and then a 14 hour on the way back .. so we might end up just going to the pool at the airport before our flight. that will burn some energy off.. if we go down the unlimited priority pass route, we may be able to hang out some the restaurants together (using the credit), have a meal and then go in pairs into the lounge showers (assume only with me as the primary card holder)

          yep will report back what ends up happening - cheers Jimmy

          • kiitos on 21/02/2025 - 08:10

            @lickjimmy1:

            go in pairs into the lounge showers

            Can you do that? What would stop you from bringing everyone into the lounge one at a time then?

            • lickjimmy1 on 21/02/2025 - 14:30

              @kiitos: i would assume so if there is multiple lounges, like in singapore. As citi prestige is unlimited access for 2 people, so just keep switching lounges i guess

  • constipated on 20/02/2025 - 09:59
    +2

    I think the only way for free is Amex Platinum for 1 year. Expensive ($1450) but if you use referral links you can get up to 275,000 points which mostly covers the first year fees. Then you get unlimited Amex lounges and priority pass both for you and supp card holder with 1 guest so at least 4 people. Make sure you use all the other benefits e.g. Accor Plus membership 1 night free accommodation, $450 travel credit, $400 dining benefits, and Amazon prime membership for 1 year.

    • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:11

      Yep ok .. thanks for that mate , will look into it, but think i will be excluded as have qantas ultimate already 😬

  • ryefig on 20/02/2025 - 10:27
    -1

    was considering citi prestige for the unlimited Priority pass, but seems it would likely still be in my name as CC holder

    This would probably be the closest you would get. If you end up going down this route anyway, you could get an additional card for your wife and then try your luck to see if she can enrol into Priority Pass and have unlimited entry for her + 1. That would cover all 4 of you (on paper, this shouldn't work as the benefit is for the primary cardholder only).

    The upside of this is that you can use the $72 credit in airport food courts which might just cover a meal for all 4 of you (maybe not at inflated airport prices), but you will need to have a look through the Priority Pass website to see if any of the airports in Europe can receive this benefit.

    • lickjimmy1 on 20/02/2025 - 10:30

      yeah i think u are right… never thought of the additional card angle.. will do some digging.

  • heal on 21/02/2025 - 01:50
    +1

    me and one guest into the lounges

    Go into the lounge with a guest, leave your guest in the lounge, then go out and get another guest until everyone is in. You might have to space it out or wear disguises. Check out the Impractical Jokers episode where they put on disguises to get past the same security guard.

    • Ade99 on 21/02/2025 - 08:24

      …pity they register the card number so that they can counter charge the respective airline…..

      • heal on 21/02/2025 - 09:51

        Oh well it was a nice thought. I've never been in one of these lounges.

      • lickjimmy1 on 21/02/2025 - 14:19

        when you say they register the card, does it mean you can only have one entry into that lounge? ie. cant check in multiple times?

  • Lastchancetosee on 21/02/2025 - 07:42
    +2

    In Singapore we used to book one of the airport hotel rooms and pool for 4-6 hours travelling with three children. Plenty of room to stretch out (two queen beds), and have a shower. They now have food as well.

    (https://www.myaerotel.com/en-uk/find/asia-pacific/singapore/…)

    Not sure if similar options exist elsewhere.

    • lickjimmy1 on 21/02/2025 - 14:19

      thanks. just tried to check prices , site is down. Will check later. Appreciate it

  • hubs1982 on 21/02/2025 - 18:04
    +1

    I am allowed to bring 1 guest, so what we (2 adults + 2 kids) do is
    - Rock up to lounge A, sign in, Mrs and kid A go inside
    - Go to lounge B, sign in, kid B and myself go inside

    I know it's not ideal if it is a family holiday, but given that you are already spending 24 hours a day with the fam, I guess splitting for an hour or so won't do any harm.

    • lickjimmy1 on 22/02/2025 - 11:50

      Thanks.. Is this with the citi prestige? And if so, you are using the one priority pass unlimited account in your name (not your wifes) to get your wife and child in yeah?

      • hubs1982 on 22/02/2025 - 21:31

        Spot on, never bothered getting her a supplementary card and don't think supplementary card holders get PP anyway.

        Sometimes we just go and get $72 worth of food and share.

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join