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How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!?

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 11:09
by NYLON
I hate to see my CH guest access go to waste. I'm on the VS001 today, and nobody has claimed it (yet)!

What's the best way to approach someone at the airport to offer them my guest pass? I always feel terribly self conscious when I do it.

I'm doing DTCI today, which makes it a bit trickier.

Any tips!?

Cheers!

NYLON

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 12:27
by gumshoe
Virtually impossible if you use DTCI, short of physically approaching random people in the departure lounge, 95% of whom won't be on your flight anyway so won't be eligible. And as the gate won't be announced until about an hour before departure you can't go there first and invite someone back.

I'd say let it go. If you tried on here you did your best.

How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!?

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 13:47
by oldboy
I say let it go as well, I always add guest invites when flying VS, I have only ever had contact from one person & by the time I got back to them another v flyer had helped them out.

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 14:33
by riff-RAF
What, if any, suggestions would people have if the OP wasn't doing DTCI? I'm happy to guest some-one in when I fly to St Lucia on 7th Sep (it's in the Itinerary section) and it never even crossed my mind to approach a random stranger in the check in line.

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 15:13
by NYLON
I found someone!

Walking between Duty Free and the CH, I hunted eagle-like for solo individuals with the red '30 minute' hand luggage tags. Third time lucky, I found a nice old boy who just didn't believe me, until I showed him my boarding pass.

I think he's on his third round of Lanson already...

And I was rewarded with a $50 Bergdorf Goodman voucher in the CH (along with everyone else flying to NYC)!

:cool:

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 15:20
by 15isto2
Really pleased you found someone. I always hate "wasting" my guest pass.

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 15:30
by NYLON
The first person I asked got really suspicious, and wanted to know why I wanted to know the particular flight he was on.

I have to work out a better order of questioning.

Currently it's:

1) Are you flying alone?
2) Are you on the VS XYZ?

Maybe I should swap the order, so it doesn't sound like a REALLY BAD pick up line. :blush:

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 18:46
by dickydotcom
:D
NYLON wrote:The first person I asked got really suspicious, and wanted to know why I wanted to know the particular flight he was on.

I have to work out a better order of questioning.

Currently it's:

1) Are you flying alone?
2) Are you on the VS XYZ?

Maybe I should swap the order, so it doesn't sound like a REALLY BAD pick up line. :blush:


It's not something I would do, but if I was going to I would ask, "Excuse me do you know where VS XYZ is boarding?"
That way they if they are on it they'll probably tell you.

Alternatively, "hello little girl. Are you flying alone?" could work.

Dick D

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 18:59
by NYLON
dickydotcom wrote: It's not something I would do, but if I was going to I would ask, "Excuse me do you know where VS XYZ is boarding?"


Yes, smart. I'll try it next time.

dickydotcom wrote: Alternatively, "hello little girl. Are you flying alone?" could work.


:-O :-O :-O :-O :-O

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 19:06
by GILL77
Hi

I put a post on last week for anyone who wanted access today on the Dubai flight - no takers.

Currently sat in club lounge - feels a waste as would have been happy to guest 2 people in.

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 19:11
by Andie870
Thank you Nylon,

after a miserable, wet Monday at work this post literally has me crying with laughter. Really glad you found someone to use your guest pass without getting arrested in the process.

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 19:36
by tontybear
Did you not offer to show your etchings?

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 19:47
by NYLON
Andie870 wrote:Thank you Nylon,

after a miserable, wet Monday at work this post literally has me crying with laughter. Really glad you found someone to use your guest pass without getting arrested in the process.


I do my best!

And they even let me on the plane, after my harassing a bunch of people in T3!

I'm currently enjoying a lovely flight, with great service and terrific cabin crew...

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 19:54
by NYLON
tontybear wrote:Did you not offer to show your etchings?


Ok, ok, ok, my first attempt was a total fail. It went something like this:

ME: Are you by yourself?

HIM: [wtf]

ME: I mean, are you on a flight by yourself?

HIM: [wtf]

ME: With Virgin, right?

HIM: [wtf]

ME: on the VS1?

HIM: Why should I tell you what flight I'm on?

ME: DO YOU WANT TO SEE MY ETCHINGS???

HIM: Security! Er, SECURITY!

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 20:52
by Bretty
Roflmao. I have a dirty Mac you can borrow for added authenticity :cool:

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 21:19
by tontybear
Perhaps they remembered this ?

Charlie says ...

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 27 Jul 2015, 22:19
by ultreen1
Omg this is hilarious!!

Well done on using your guest pass, I would have loved to seen the attempts...I bet it's all down to the approach!

My requirements for me giving my guest pass would be...he has to be blond, 6ft, slim, blue eyes, big lips and wearing tight denims. Also he must sit with me in the clubhouse and listen to my ramblings about beekeeping.

I just told Simon about me stalking T3 departures for a suitable candidate...he said I'd be moved to economy with the newly found boy up front with him... >-(

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 28 Jul 2015, 02:42
by 2ruse
i'd go to ba97.com and check the calendar there

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 28 Jul 2015, 17:48
by PaulW
Personally I find this random guesting very very odd.

The number of times people moan on here that the clubhouse was busy, could not find a seat, the service was slow, the cloak of invisibility hit etc etc etc. Then we have this random guesting.

I probably have a guest 5% of the time and am very grateful that I have this opportunity as an Au. I would be disappointed if this was not a perk of Au status, but If this happens more and more will VS remove the privilege?

Sorry just my opinion. ......

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 28 Jul 2015, 18:21
by NYLON
PaulW wrote:Personally I find this random guesting very very odd.


I already knew I looked odd doing this ;-)

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 28 Jul 2015, 19:00
by marshy11
I've often wondered if it works in reverse, ie from the non UK airport back to the UK?

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 28 Jul 2015, 19:15
by NYLON
marshy11 wrote:I've often wondered if it works in reverse, ie from the non UK airport back to the UK?


It's easier in places like Newark, where everyone - essentially - goes through the same security channel; it's a small security area with not too many flights, so it's much easier to spot VS pax. I was once talking to a woman in the security queue (often when it's not too busy at EWR there is no fast track channel), and I realised we were on the same flight, so suggested it.

I have to say, it does always smack slightly of a chat-up line, but that could be my delivery. I'll work on it in the mirror: "You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me? You talkin' to me?" :cool:

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 28 Jul 2015, 21:13
by tontybear
PaulW wrote:Per
The number of times people moan on here that the clubhouse was busy, could not find a seat, the service was slow, the cloak of invisibility hit etc etc etc. Then we have this random guesting.



You should read some of the threads on the BA board on Flyer Talk about this.

The same people who complain about the busy lounges are often the ones who are against any suggestions for doing something about it e.g. guest on same flight only!

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 29 Jul 2015, 08:06
by fusionblue
Stand outside the LHR clubhouse singing lionel richie "hello, is it me you're looking for?"

Re: How to offer CH guest access at LHR without looking odd!

PostPosted: 04 Dec 2015, 00:44
by Bretty
I'm recurring this thread instead of posting new. Has anyone else tried to invite a stranger at the the airport to be their guest in the Clubhouse?
I ask because I'm thinking of doing the same on my flight out to JFK on 23/12. I just don't want to come off as a weirdo in the process!