Disappointing lounge access, Etihad departing Sydney

[anat0l]

Good to see VeloCity members being looked after. Good to also see that Ethiad have a strong understanding of their partner members programs (including important aspects like capital letters)

Dart meeting board... instead of 'twang' it's 'whoosh'....

 

[serfty]

Perhaps these restrictions are while renovations are under way at AUH along changes closing the SYD first section.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

must be pretty small if they are struggling to support even their own members.

It's very tiny. When we visited, I found myself wandering down the corridor to the toilets thinking there must be another section to it! There wasn't.

Please be advised that the VeloCity members are invited to use Al Reem lounge while transit in Abu Dhabi. Guests travelled with Etihad flights on Business and First will be entitled to use the Premium Lounge in T3. Thanks. *JS

I found this confusing. When we were there, the lounge we were directed to was signed First/Business and was nice, but nothing exceptional. I have no idea whether it was the Al Reem lounge or not or whether there was another better lounge we could use, but apparently the "really good" lounge was under renovation.

are the VA lounge access rules this fluid, i.e. VA members can access, amongst other lounges, Etihad lounges, Singapore lounges and Air New Zealand lounges.

I found the int lounge access to be confusing (I admit, I confuse easily ). In SIN the only lounge I could find (which we did gain access to) was the communal lounge for multiple airlines. It was fairly basic and certainly nothing to spruik about (we were on a VA ticket on EY metal).

We hear so much about these "fabulous" lounges but to date, they're certainly no great attraction for me. I had heard the EY first in AUH had complementary massages, which I was looking forward to, but the lounge we were in looked like it was pay to use style. Perhaps I just expect too much but I'm also unimpressed with VAs partnership arrangement where lounge access is refused due to the lounge being a third party deal with the VA partner only and conveniently forgets about VA. Case in point for me was CMB. The SQ flight we were on was a VA codeshare, even the flight information screens were alternating between the SQ flight number and the VA flight number, but lounge access is only for SQ status, not VA status due to the lounge deal done between SQ and the CMB airport. What's the point for VA elites (given we were also refused priority check in and priority boarding and were given really coughpy seats in row 365 middle)?

 

[lobo76]

Dear lewis.d.chris,

Please be advised that the VeloCity members are invited to use Al Reem lounge while transit in Abu Dhabi. Guests travelled with Etihad flights on Business and First will be entitled to use the Premium Lounge in T3. Thanks. *JS

It used to be (less than 2 years ago) that Velocity Platinum members had access to the First Lounge at Abu Dhabi, has this changed?

 

[Deleted member 29185]

It used to be (less than 2 years ago) that Velocity Platinum members had access to the First Lounge at Abu Dhabi, has this changed?

That's the lounge that's currently being renovated (I think). From what was written, it would appear when it reopens, Velocity elites not flying F will not be welcome. Another indication the stitched together partnerships may be problematic for status holders.

 

[clarkkent]

As at a few days ago at AUH, flying economy, Velocity Gold has access to the Al Reem lounge near the transit security (far from the gate) while Platinum has access to the Premium Lounge.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

As at a few days ago at AUH, flying economy, Velocity Gold has access to the Al Reem lounge near the transit security (far from the gate) while Platinum has access to the Premium Lounge.

Isn't that the way it always used to be? So the renos are finished in the premium lounge (F Lounge?) or is that another lounge?

 

[smit0847]

EY seem to constantly be renovating lounges at AUH!

 

[clarkkent]

Isn't that the way it always used to be? So the renos are finished in the premium lounge (F Lounge?) or is that another lounge?

That's my first time transiting there so I don't know how long it's been the way it is, was just clarifying that the Etihad rep did not give the complete picture above (i.e., Velocity Platinum flying economy has access to more than just the Al Reem lounge).

 

[Deleted member 29185]

was just clarifying that the Etihad rep did not give the complete picture above (i.e., Velocity Platinum flying economy has access to more than just the Al Reem lounge).

Yes and thanks very much for that as I was indeed wondering (as I guess others were too). I have the feeling the Etihad rep has missed the gist of this thread as he wrote that post about AUH in reply to the OP who was questioning access rights at the SYD lounge not AUH!

 

[jpk]

If you've ever had to call the EY contact centre then you won't be surprised by the etihad reps confusing/incomplete response!

 

[Deleted member 29185]

If you've ever had to call the EY contact centre then you won't be surprised by the etihad reps confusing/incomplete response!

Yep. I've only experienced that treat once (which was enough). I'm unsure if it was an Emirati accent or an outsourced call to somewhere with an operator attempting to speak English with an Emirates accent which actually bore little resemblance to English at all! I think it says volumes when I can't recall what the call was about, but I clearly recall the feeling of utter confusion with a touch of amusement I had after the call was terminated! :shock:

 

[TomVexille]

Yep. I've only experienced that treat once (which was enough). I'm unsure if it was an Emirati accent or an outsourced call to somewhere with an operator attempting to speak English with an Emirates accent which actually bore little resemblance to English at all! I think it says volumes when I can't recall what the call was about, but I clearly recall the feeling of utter confusion with a touch of amusement I had after the call was terminated! :shock:

Yes. Thankfully my only call to EY was to select a seat. Which they could manage.

 

[lobo76]

When I called them I got through to the Birmingham (I think) center. They were also quite useless and unhelpful.

 

[EUROPA]

That's my first time transiting there so I don't know how long it's been the way it is, was just clarifying that the Etihad rep did not give the complete picture above (i.e., Velocity Platinum flying economy has access to more than just the Al Reem lounge).

To clarify, in AUH up until approx 6 months ago, there was a First Class lounge, Business Class lounge and Al Reem lounge. Velocity Platinum (any class of travel) had access to the First Class lounge. This was a genuine benefit for velocity platinum as although small, this lounge was great, not busy, very attentive service, extensive a la carte menu, spa with complimentary massages etc. Velocity Gold had access to the Al Reem lounge which is not so good, crowded, buffet etc...

The First and Business Lounges have now closed and are under renovation which I believe is to create an even larger first class lounge. Whilst renovations are under way, a new lounge has opened in their place called the 'Premium Lounge' which accommodates first, business and velocity plat. Gold are still directed to the Al Reem Lounge. Once in the 'Premium Lounge' there is a roped off area for first class. This area is also accessible to Velocity Plat by flashing your plat card at the attendant although not really that different from the rest of the lounge.

A couple of weeks back, as a plat flying J on EY from SYD, I enquired about having some non-status friends who were also on my flight have access to the EY SYD lounge. The answer I received was along the lines of, 'you have access to the EY lounge by virtue of your J ticket and no guests allowed, If you are gold or plat flying economy on EY you do not have access to the EY lounge but are re-directed the AirNZ lounge where you can guest another passenger...'...

 

[Deleted member 29185]

To clarify,

Thanks for the clarification. I knew AUH had a number of lounges but in Jan when we were there we had access to only one, which I assume was the Premium lounge.

Seems like there may have been a change at SYD EY lounge. In January, my party consisted of myself, my wife and my daughter. They would not budge on our (13YO) daughter being given access just off my platinum, but when I also said my wife had VA gold, they said that was OK as she could enter as gold and as Plat, I could guest my red daughter in.

So from two reports, EY SYD lounge is refusing access to status, even when flying on EY. I believe that's different to what the Velocity benefits page states.

 

[bullerdude]

So from two reports, EY SYD lounge is refusing access to status, even when flying on EY. I believe that's different to what the Velocity benefits page states.

Seems VA needs to get onto this one as there still advertising that Plat/Gold gets access to EY lounge in SYD.

 

[EUROPA]

Seems VA needs to get onto this one as there still advertising that Plat/Gold gets access to EY lounge in SYD.

Yes they do. I believe the 'in practice' change started once the a380 kicked off on 1st June. Honestly, it's for the best, as once the lounge fills up with A380 F and J alone it is absolutely packed. They do need to change the website.

 

[andrewlorien]

A live update from the Al Reem lounge :
Virgin SG + partner, travelling SYD-AUH-CDG
Leaving Sydney, we had no problem getting into the Etihad first/business class lounge, which was fantastic and not crowded at all (there were a few empty seats on the plane too)
At Abu Dhabi we arrive and depart from terminal 3, so we took the 15 minute walk through a very relaxed security Xray to the Al Reem lounge in terminal 1. The lounge isn't nearly as big as it looks in the pictures but right now (midnight), it's not crowded, with a similar level of service and amenities to the Virgin lounges in australia. The lady at the desk promised us it's only 15 minutes back to our gate, although my previous experiences at this airport have been really bad (a friend missed their connecting flight last year). It doesn't look very crowded out there, so we're going to believe her. I guess I'll be back here in a couple of hours if she was wrong.

So i'm also optimistic about the CDG lounge when we leave Paris.

PS thanks to everyone who's contributed to these threads, it helps.