Traveling United biz class With friend in Economy?
 

i will be traveling from SFO to Lima, Peru soon on an upgrade to Business class coupon. My friend opted to fly economy. A couple of questions:
1) I'm cleared for business class on my international legs. My domestic trip legs have not cleared yet and may not until I am at the airport (or at all). Can I check in at SFO in the Business class line since I am waitlisted? I think I have done this before but can't remember.
2) Can I bring my friend into the check in line with me ( both at SFO and LIMA) since we are traveling together but on separate tickets? I had a friend do this for me once when I was in Economy and she was in Busines on a Bangkok flight and it was no problem but maybe that was just the individual service rep. who allowed it.
3) can I bring my friend into the Red Carpet lounge in Houston (our layover city before the international leg) and in Lima on our return? I have been able to do this in Narita with an Economy ticket and Business class friend but it was a long time ago.
Thanks!

I have read and reread your post several times. It has been years since I've flown United on an international route, so I can't give definitive answers. I do, however, have a couple of questions. You ask if your friend can check-in the business class line along with you. This is probably is something left up to the representative working. It might be easier for them to go ahead and check-in your friend rather than create a possible problem by telling them they can't, but is this fair? As someone who has traveled either Business or First Class for a number of years, I should point out that checking in through special lines is one of the perks we pay for. Arguably not an important one but, nonetheless, I asked myself if I would be bothered if someone's friend checked-in ahead of me? The answer is, I wouldn't get mad but might find it a bit frustrating especially if there was a bit of a line. You never know, they may well make your find go back to economy line. When purchasing a ticket, I pay a lot more for all those perks including access to the lounge, so having someone who has not paid for them enjoy the same opportunities does seem unfair. Essentially you are asking for your friend to be an exception to the rules and guidelines provided by the airlines. Have you thought about the possibility of everyone in your situation doing the same? Instead of asking if you can do it, ask if you should do it. Is it fair to other passengers not only those that have paid for B.C. but those in Economy that don't have a friend to provide these perks for them? You and your friend are not an exception. I can certainly understand your desire to make it easier for your friend but have to say I'm not inclined to think it a good idea. I did wonder what I would do in your situation, and I think I would check-in by myself and wait for friend until she as checked-in. A note here. Most airports have drop baggage kiosks where if you print your boarding pass before you get to the airport, you simply go the one of many kiosks and fill in a few questions and drop your baggage.This usually takes a few minutes and is quite a bit quicker than standing in line yo check-in.

Regarding access to the airport lounge I seriously doubt if they will allow your friend admittance. You should check with United. I know with BA it would be impossible. Again, this is something that Business and First Class passengers have paid for so why should they admit someone who hasn't? If traveling with a friend that did not have access to the lounge, I'd stay with them and find a comfortable spot for drinks, coffee whatever in the terminal.

Perhaps by making check-in easier for your friend ( see printed boarding pass/drop bag ) and just staying with them in terminal is the best answer. I have to say that having spent a lot of time in airport lounges, I kind of like and often prefer the terminal. More options available.

You really should contact United to get your answers.

Not addressing the ethics -- and not having flown United in Years . . . but if United runs the Lounges similar to AA's Admirals Clubs - International First Class passengers can bring one guest, Business Class passengers cannot.

You friend might be able to purchase a “day pass” for the United Lounge, not sure the current price but probably around $50. Call United to see if that’s available.

If you are not cleared for Business Class on your first flight you are not allowed to use the Business Class check-in line.

Do as suggested and check-in and print your boarding passes online. Have your friend do the same. If checking luggage you can both use the “luggage drop off kiosks” as suggested above. Another suggestion is to use “curb side” check-in - lines are usually short and move quickly.

I don't see why the airline would allow your friend to have Business Class level services on an Economy ticket, just because you happen to be traveling together?? Sorry but I can't follow any logic why they should be able to to that.

Do you have Premier status with United by chance? If so, you can take one guest into the lounge on the international legs. I've done it many times.

Thanks for your replies. I was actually trying to find out what the rules are, not trying to skirt the rules. Online, it appears that you can take a guest into the red carpet lounge in Lima, but not sure if it really works that way. They all seem to have different rules. When I was in Narita airport years ago, my friend told me that she could bring one friend into the United.lounge.
So fair or not, I was really looking for what the "rules" are without having to call the airline and wait in the often long phone cue.
and I always check in online and do a bag check online if I can, but have found for international flights that you usually have to show the gate agent your passport to check through your luggage to the international destination, but maybe that has changed recently. The flights I've taken out of the country in the last year of two have all been international on the first leg so maybe that is why I am recalling it that way.

I think the rules are fairly clear. They do not want economy passengers checking in the Business Classine. There is a reason for seperate lines for the various classes. Apparently you may be able to bring yourfrirnd into the lounge if you have Premierstatus or pzy the $50 for a day pass. Some years ago we were flying First Class on United to Alaska. butthey wanted $50 each to access their lounge. We passed. Never dreamed that 1st class passengers would also have to pay for lounge access.

One thing about Lima -t he Lounges cater to multiple airlines, and can exceed capacity. I think United uses the Sumaq Lounge (but check that - I'm not sure). When I was there in Aug last year people were being turned away from Sumaq and sent to another, smaller lounge

Apparently on domestic United flights the only first class/business passengers that are eligible for lounge access at their departing airport are the ones on non-stop flights between LAX/SFO and EWR. I've read that the rules are similar for American and Delta.

I've never been one to frequently use the airport lounges, so I don't know if in the past they used to allow all first class/business class passengers (even domestic) access to them and this is a restriction brought about by overcrowding caused by selling access as a perk (e.g. through credit cards).

Yes, I have had business class tickets for domestic flights and was not able to use the United Lounge. They told me only if going on an international flight unless you had a Lounge membership or wanted to buy a day pass. I did not know about the SFO/EWR option. The desk clerk in the lounge said that they could not possibly accommodate all business class passengers.

All I can tell you is that the lounge in Lima will be a partner lounge, airside in the international half of the terminal. There is an ongoing renovation and expansion program so things will have changed since most here have visited. Some of my old favorites in the mezzanine may be gone (eg 4-D Gelateria). The mezzanine has public access (landside upstairs) and is just before passport control. Starbucks used to have reliable wifi there.

If the Priority Pass website is correct, the VIP lounge is now called HANAQ. Hopefully this means it has been remodeled.

https://www.prioritypass.com/en/loun...e-f29f57076297

If you don't get free access, the Lima airport has a lot of other options for food, I note there is a branch of Pikeo which I like (but haven't been to the airport branch). If you get bumped from the VIP lounge, or can't get your guest in, I'd probably head there. Check the airport map to be sure you can find it

Be sure to select "show all"
https://www.lima-airport.com/eng/for...-services/food

Another option is to go to the Costa del Sol hotel.. there is a spa there. kja used it recently, see her very detailed trip report in the South American forum (if you haven't).

And have a GREAT time in Peru!

If you will be in Lima between 9/25 and 11/4, I'd recommend visting Cas Cor Peru (a design house). This year it is in the San Isidro neighborhood. (closed Mondays).

Details
https://www.casacorperu.com/

PS I have not been able to do online checkin for many recent international flights to and from the US. Not sure how this will play out for you, but don't assume it's possible. You'll find out soon enough!

We had this situation on a RT AA flight to Asia. We bought a club lounge pass for them for $50. and said we were compted for it.

MLGB: Thanks for the great info and links. The design house looks great! We only be in Lima for a short time but I would love to fit this in!
Happytrvl: that was a thoughtful thing to do for your friends!

Better a short time than none at all, ellenbw...

If you need transfers, especially to and from the airport, I'd recommend prearranging them with https://taxidatum.com/

Super reliable.

At the end of the trip to Asia, our friend who traveled economy class said “Never again.” It is somewhat awkward when a traveling companion sits in a different airline class.

OH yes, those 'Cinderella Seats' can be pretty awful for long flights !

Thanks for reporting back, ellen! BTW there are no more Red Carpet Clubs. They are all now called United Clubs.