Man uses first-class ticket to get free meals for almost a year

Relax.com ^ | Jan 24 2014

[Gamecock]

A man bought a first-class ticket and used it to have free meals and drinks at the airport's VIP lounge almost every day for nearly a year, Kwong Wah Yit Poh reported.

The itinerary for the ticket was found to have been changed more than 300 times within a year, and the owner of the ticket used it to enjoy the facilities at the airport's VIP lounge in Xi'an in Shaanxi, China.

The rare case was discovered by a China Eastern Airlines staff member, who then decided to investigate.

When the ticket's validity was almost up, the passenger cancelled it for a refund.

An airlines spokesman said there were no means to stop this act, even if it was done on purpose. However, many netizens lauded the passenger for being smart, rather than condemning him.

[Gaffer]

That man would positively THRIVE in our entitlement system here.

[Gamecock]

Does the Diplomat Club even have food?
_____________________________________________

This wouldn't be worth it in most US airport clubs as the food is terrible. Plus I wouldn't want to deal with the TSA every day.

Personally I could almost live in the British Airways Lounges at London Heathrow or the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt.

[TexasCajun]

The term Netizen is a portmanteau of the English words Internet and citizen. It is defined as an entity or person actively involved in online communities and a user of the Internet, especially an avid one.

I just have a green card!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Years ago, the little airports in Wisconsin were the places to go for Sunday diner.

[DJ MacWoW]

2014 Is Tea Party Time!

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[GeronL]

Very enterprising of him.

Those who applauded him, don’t understand they will be the ones paying for those meals and drinks when they fly.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Quite brilliant, actually. If no signs are posted that you can’t do this, or it doesn’t say so on the ticket, then it’s the airport’s fault.

Everything needs to be idiot/scam-proofed these days. Lots of TAKERS out there!

[Spirochete]

However, many netizens lauded the passenger for being smart, rather than condemning him.

Chinese netizens, most likely. Other FR posters have said that a successful scam is considered praiseworthy in Chinese culture.

[Alex Murphy]

A man bought a first-class ticket and used it to have free meals and drinks at the airport's VIP lounge almost every day for nearly a year, Kwong Wah Yit Poh reported. The itinerary for the ticket was found to have been changed more than 300 times within a year, and the owner of the ticket used it to enjoy the facilities at the airport's VIP lounge in Xi'an in Shaanxi, China....When the ticket's validity was almost up, the passenger cancelled it for a refund.

Clever man.

[ladyjane]

Yes - the domestic first class and club lounges are patterned on a different model. There’s no comparison.

[Hulka]

Emirates lounges are alos good.

American Airlines lounge. . .the worst.

[dfwgator]

Unless the scamee is a Communist Party Official, then you’re liable to get a bullet in the brain.

[proxy_user]

“Chinese netizens, most likely. Other FR posters have said that a successful scam is considered praiseworthy in Chinese culture.”

That is certainly true. Just imagine a huge country run by thousands of Bernie Madoff clones....

[madison10]

Years ago, the little airports in Wisconsin were the places to go for Sunday dinner.

The same was true of the Toledo Express Airport many years ago. (cannot place the time frame) One could enjoy a great dinner while watching the planes come in. Special experience as a child.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

It was a kinder, gentler time.

[csvset]

What was his name? Mr. Lun Chi Xiong Yu?

[Larry Lucido]

I don't know that there's a Seinfeld reference on point, but there is a Married with Children reference.

I give you, Axel Bundy, of Shoes and Socks!

[JohnnyP]

Sum Ting Wong?

[Gamecock]

George and Kramer go to the airport to pick up Jerry and they wait at the Diplomat Club. Kramer cons George into buying refundable tickets to collect the frequent flyer miles, but get nonrefundable ones because they are cheaper.