Diner's Club Lounge Access

[clifford]

Will be using my DC card to access the First Class lounge in T1 DXB next week. It's a really nice lounge and costs nothing with DC. Then I'll be ditching the card. The DC call centre staff in India have a bad attitude IMHO and that's the main reason I'm leaving.

 

[stryker]

Now here's the real value of the Diner's card.

I'm currently in Singapore and just walked into the Qantas business lounge in T1. Well, what a crush, I've seen much smaller crowds at major sporting events. There was no way i was going to stay in there, so I went next door to the relatively quiet SATS Premier Lounge, showed my Diners card, and hey presto. Better food/drink than the QF lounge and in a much nicer environment.

That's the value of today's Diners Club membership. I won't be cancelling mine.

 

[drmikki]

Stryker, do the SATS Premier lounge just look at the Diners card, or do they scan it through a credit card scanner thingy? Diners cancelled my card for lack of use... but had sent me a new card about a month prior.

 

[whughes3]

In my experience of using the DC card for lounge access, they have always swiped the card, presumably to ensure it is current.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

For $125 a year, l think it is a great card to have (I don't at the moment...) for lounge access.

 

[Isochronous]

Stryker, do the SATS Premier lounge just look at the Diners card, or do they scan it through a credit card scanner thingy? Diners cancelled my card for lack of use... but had sent me a new card about a month prior.

Really? I know someone who hasn't used it for years and tried to cancel but the call centre basically wouldn't let him, just waived the annual fee instead. Probably want to inflate the membership numbers.

 

[stryker]

Stryker, do the SATS Premier lounge just look at the Diners card, or do they scan it through a credit card scanner thingy? Diners cancelled my card for lack of use... but had sent me a new card about a month prior.

Yes, lounges always swipe/imprint the card, as it's their way of charging Diners for the service.

Someone's got to pay for the lounge visit!

 

[NM]

Yes, lounges always swipe/imprint the card, as it's their way of charging Diners for the service.

Someone's got to pay for the lounge visit!

The swipe is not for charging purposes. I have the EFTOS receipt from my loiunge access via DC card last weekend. Its a "Validation" only swipe to check that the card is valid. They then manually record your details on a sheet of paper and get you to sign the sheet. That is what is used for charging to DC. Your card number is included on the sheet.

 

[clifford]

The swipe is not for charging purposes. I have the EFTOS receipt from my loiunge access via DC card last weekend. Its a "Validation" only swipe to check that the card is valid. They then manually record your details on a sheet of paper and get you to sign the sheet. That is what is used for charging to DC. Your card number is included on the sheet.

In my experience this varies from club to club. In many cases, they just "swipe" in the old fashioned way and imprint a multy-copy authorisation form, and thats that. No signing of sheets, etc, as I have just signed the imprinted authorisation form.

 

[MH_fan]

A couple of years ago, I got billed for using the Diners Club lounge in Japan. I thought it was complimentary. anyway, haven't used one since then because of that experience.

 

[kpc]

coughet International Airport – coughet, Thailand
Lounge Name: The Coral Executive Lounge coughet Airport
Lounge Location: Near (international) departure gate 7
Telephone: Hot Line +66(0)8 0521 9333 Coral Lounge no. +66(0)7635 1700-01 Fax: +66(0)7632 7717
Hours Open
Languages Spoken: English and Thai
Entry Conditions:Cardmembers must present their valid Diners Club card. The duration of lounge visit is 2 and a half hours. For every delay more than 1 hour, the additional charge of THB 250 or USD 8 will be applied to customer. Any delay exceeding 15 minutes; will result in a 1 hour rate charge to credit card.
Amenities Offered:iPad, laptop, Wi-Fi internet, telephone, fax facility, television, international newspapers; magazines, kids books and toys, food, beverages, flight information services, disabled access, neck and shoulder massage services (at an additional cost) .
Fees: Cardmembers please check with your issuer for terms and conditions of lounge access. Children under 2 years are admitted for free. Guest fee: $25 USD.

I visited this lounge last w/e; it is tucked away in a little corner but if you look for departure gate 7, you will find it easily; small but adequate lounge with reasonable hot / cold food and drinks incl alcoholic beverages altho. I can't comment on the range as I'm avoiding alcohol at the moment Free WiFi but slow, reasonable views of tarmac. Nice ambience. Friendly, attentive staff. Only negative is that there is no bathroom facilities and you have to go out to the main departure terminal to use the bathroom.

Definitely much better than sitting at the gates waiting for your flight....note check in at coughet only opens 2 hours before the flight so don't arrive 3 hours prior like I did....

 

[michaely]

I used the DC affiliated Lounge at DXB Airport, several years ago. It was fine compared with the mad crowds in the General Terminal. I also on another trip used the independent lounges (Priority Pass)US$299 pa for unlimited use evenwhen flying various airlines in Y class. They were okay too, but resent paying the $$$ if flying J class.