Gold Flying Through AUH, lounge?

[Milefest]

I'm a VA Gold flying through AUH tonight onwards to London in Y with Etihad. VA states I'll have access to a lounge but does not specify which one. I've heard Al Reem is permanently closed and the Etihad business lounge doesn't accept Gold pax, does anyone know which lounge I'd have access to?

 

[TMP]

You're going to have to try your luck at the Business Class Lounge (Terminal 3, near gate 36). I'd come armed with a print out or screenshot of the partner benefits from the VA website. Good luck (and let us know how you go!)

 

[odysseus]

The Al reem lounge is still showing on the Airport website so should be open. It also notes eligibility.

https://www.abudhabiairport.ae/en/shop-dine-and-unwind/unwind/al-reem-lounge

There's an email address on there if you want to try contacting them to clarify in advance.

 

[TMP]

The Al reem lounge is still showing on the Airport website so should be open. It also notes eligibility.

https://www.abudhabiairport.ae/en/shop-dine-and-unwind/unwind/al-reem-lounge

There's an email address on there if you want to try contacting them to clarify in advance.

Nice pick up! To be fair to the OP, the Etihad website has no mention of it whatsoever.

 

[henrus]

Following this thread as I'm interested in the outcome of this. I am under the impression that VA Gold's (matching EY Gold) get access to the Business Class lounge after the Al Reem lounge closed permanently in May 2021.

 

[odysseus]

Nice pick up! To be fair to the OP, the Etihad website has no mention of it whatsoever.

Yeah, it's odd how there's a variety of information out there, without much official about what has changed.

But there are three aspects supporting Al Reem being open:
1) Velocity site says Gold access is to that lounge
2) The airport website lists that lounge on its lounges page, and the access eligibility matches
3) The Etihad website talks about who is eligible to access the business lounge, and excludes Velocity and other members

Individually, one of the above could be out of date, but it's a bit odd if they all are, for so long. And there isn't anything to say other arrangements such as the Business lounge currently apply, aside from some unofficial comments (e.g. old reviews, and google) saying Al Reem is closed.

Hope the OP updates as it would be good to get some confirmation though!

 

[Danger]

Lounge Access Help Desk

Background to this thread We have noticed an increase in the posting of questions regarding what Airport Lounges are available at specific airports when travelling on specific airlines. While one can be assured of access at the airline lounge when travelling on that airline (provided you have...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Milefest]

Hi everyone, typing this in my 4 hour layover in AUH.

The information I was reading online was conflicting and the staff I asked didn't seem to have a clear answer. The good news is that there is a lounge Golds can access. Al Reem is definately still closed though.

Here's what you do: when you pass through security, you need to turn left and walk towards Al Dhabi lounge, go up the flight of stairs/elevator and hand the lounge staff your VA card and boarding pass, from there you should be good to go.

Hope this helps!

 

[henrus]

The good news is that there is a lounge Golds can access

Was it the Etihad business lounge or something else?

 

[TMP]

The Al Dhabi lounge (which is different). And in T1?

 

[SYD]

The Al Dhabi lounge (which is different). And in T1?

Is there still the hassle of double security screening going back and fourth between T3 and T1?

But that will be sorted when the mid-field terminal opens soon…

 

[TMP]

Is there still the hassle of double security screening going back and fourth between T3 and T1?

But that will be sorted when the mid-field terminal opens soon…

There was when I went through in May

 

[SYD]

There was when I went through in May

I got caught out by that once or twice and I never quite understood that arrangement. But something to factor in if arriving and departing from T3 but going to a T1 lounge. It pays to look at the security line back into T3 has you head to the lounge in T1.

 

[henrus]

t pays to look at the security line back into T3 has you head to the lounge in T1.

I was under the impression that there was an airside walkway between the two?

 

[SYD]

I was under the impression that there was an airside walkway between the two?

There is. But there is/was a weird one way system. Flights from Oz arrive at T3. You clear security immediately and can then make your way to the 1st/Biz lounges or T3/T1 departure gates and other lounges. But from T1 (the Planet of the Apes looking thing), if you need to go back to T3, there’s a security screening.

 

[Milefest]

Was it the Etihad business lounge or something else?

I was told that the Etihad business lounge doesn't accept VA partner gold but you could try your luck... As mentioned, it's the Al Dhabi lounge in T1 that golds have access to.