EY AUH First Class Lounge reopened- Do Platinums have access?

[vmile]

As per the title, there are reports that Platinums do not currently have access to the reopened First Class lounge (as they did in the past).

We fly through AUH next week, could someone confirm what the situation is?

Thanks.

 

[Mondo]

As per the title, there are reports that Platinums do not currently have access to the reopened First Class lounge (as they did in the past).

We fly through AUH next week, could someone confirm what the situation is?

Thanks.

The VA website only states Premium Lounge (Terminal 1 & 3), so I would presume you can't.

 

[moa999]

Per a post on another forum - No

 

[vmile]

Thanks, Mondo, that has been the situation on the VA website since the AUH first class lounge was closed for a refit.

Now the lounge has been reopened, I was hoping VA Plats would resume having access as they did before.

I was also hoping for a response from a VA rep, (either way, it would be nice to know) but their silence is probably an answer in itself.

 

[Danger]

This information suggests, to me at least, that VA Platinums do have access.

Etihad New First Class Lounge, Abu Dhabi Now Open | TravelSort

Who Has Access to the Etihad Abu Dhabi First Class Lounge?
The following passengers have access to the new Etihad First Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi:

• The Residence passengers
• Etihad First Class passengers
• Etihad Guest Exclusive frequent flyer members
• Etihad Guest Platinum frequent flyer members (+1 guest)
• Etihad Airways partner airline First Class passengers
• Etihad Airways partner airline "invitation only" members (+2 guests)
• Etihad Airways partner airline Platinum equivalent frequent flyer members (+1 guest)

 

[DavidFlynn]

I've been advised that at this time, Virgin Australia Platinums do not have access to the newly opened Etihad F lounge. That may change - we hope for some clarity very soon - but for now, it's off to the J lounge.

With regard to post above: the reference to Etihad Airways Partner airlines speaks to the formal EAP alliance which includes Air Berlin, Alitalia etc, of which Virgin Australia is not a part.

 

[im.daniel]

Edit: See post above

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Thanks for clarifying, David. Hopefully VA realises how important this is to remain competitive with top-tier QF status.

I note that WPs could previously access the roped-off F area in the J lounge while this lounge was being refurbished.

If it remains the case that WPs are not allowed access, it represents a huge shortcoming of the VFF program. I know everyone says this at some point in their AFF life, but I'm now moving all my travel over to CX (and QF domestically) primarily because I spend too much time in an international hub (i.e. SIN) with very poor lounge offerings. Had I have been flying QF instead, that would not be the case. I know it's a OW thing, but that's what VA is up against.

 

[moa999]

VA may realise.. whether they can do anything about it is another matter.

And it's not like QR provide much in terms of lounge access at DOH for oneworld elites

 

[Cryptarcadian]

But EY own a significant stake in VA, they must be able to do a deal. Surely they realise how important it is for VA to stay competitive with QF and EK connecting in DXB? What's the point of VA platinum otherwise?

I expect business sense to prevail, just like in SIN with VA's other shareholder… oh wait.

 

[DavidFlynn]

You seem to believe this is Etihad's doing...

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Not really, I expect this to be VA's attempt to save some cash. Like most of their recent attempts, I expect this to backfire. Maybe they'll relent after copping an earful from their customers, like they did with removing meal choices in domestic J?

I kid about any similarities to the issue with SQ in SIN – I don't actually think the situations are the same, given EY allow their other partners' plats access. I'm actually hoping EY may convince VA otherwise.

 

[vmile]

Currently sitting in the (very nice) AUH J lounge.

Absolutely no access to the F lounge for VA plats. Staff here cannot understand it, and pleaded us to complain to VA/EY.

Apparently Jet Airways are the same situation.

As an aside, the opened this week, Casa Alitalia lounge at Malpensa, Milano, is really good. A total suprise. Must be the EY influence kicking in.

And thank you so much for the VA reps not providing answers; Australians are a very tolarent bunch, providing you do not treat us as mushrooms. VA you need to let your people do their jobs.

O, and Velocity, I paid for this flight, structured so my wife would requalify for Plat. Things like this make you wonder, why bother with plat over gold?

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Currently sitting in the (very nice) AUH J lounge.

Absolutely no access to the F lounge for VA plats. Staff here cannot understand it, and pleaded us to complain to VA/EY.

Apparently Jet Airways are the same situation.

As an aside, the opened this week, Casa Alitalia lounge at Malpensa, Milano, is really good. A total suprise. Must be the EY influence kicking in.

And thank you so much for the VA reps not providing answers; Australians are a very tolarent bunch, providing you do not treat us as mushrooms. VA you need to let your people do their jobs.

O, and Velocity, I paid for this flight, structured so my wife would requalify for Plat. Things like this make you wonder, why bother with plat over gold?

Totally agree with all of that. Thanks VA for keeping us (your most frequent pax, in case it has to be said) in the loop on this one.

Just thinking out loud – perhaps they're trying to get VA to join EY's makeshift alliance formally and this is a way to pressure JB into it?

 

[PDog]

O, and Velocity, I paid for this flight, structured so my wife would requalify for Plat. Things like this make you wonder, why bother with plat over gold?

Absolutely: I said on another thread, the EY F lounge was one of the few perks that make plat better than gold for me. Disappointing!

 

[Danger]

First Class Lounge & Spa

 

[cssaus]

First Class Lounge & Spa

View attachment 74025

Good to see that they've finally cleared up any ambiguity regarding VFF Platinum members:



We invite the following guests to enjoy the facilities:

Guests of The Residence
First Class guests
Etihad Guest Platinum member with one guest
Eithad Airways Partner airlines platinum members with one guest
Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum members with one guest

Can someone confirm the exact location of the lounge?

 

[Cryptarcadian]

Great news! VA still haven't updated their site yet, but this is pretty clear cut.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Great news! VA still haven't updated their site yet, but this is pretty clear cut.

Definitely. Awesome news.

And is much easier to argue (not that you'd need to) if it's on the EY site, rather than VA's.

 

[MH_fan]

Great news! Looking forward to visiting that lounge when I pass through there next year.