Lounge Access Help Desk

[admin]

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 Lounge membership), thing start to get complex when travelling on a codeshare or partner airline.

Posting Guidelines
Please post your questions about Lounge access in this thread. Be sure to include the airline you are travelling on, the airport (and terminal, if known), and any Airline Status or Airport Lounge membership programs you have.

When answering questions, please include the original question. This will assist in readability and management of the thread.

(Special thanks to Princess Fiona for suggesting this new thread.)

 

[TripleB]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

No chain pulling I promise.

I just thought the EK DXB F lounge was really strange. I was also a bit put off by the staff cruising for tips - one guy basically pushed me out of the way to open the main entrance door to the loo for me (I wasn't carrying a bag or anything) so he could cruise for a tip.

 

[defurax]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

No chain pulling I promise.

I just thought the EK DXB F lounge was really strange. I was also a bit put off by the staff cruising for tips - one guy basically pushed me out of the way to open the main entrance door to the loo for me (I wasn't carrying a bag or anything) so he could cruise for a tip.

No need to tip. At some time of the day there is about 100 staff per PAX ratio...they are bored.

 

[pagingjoan]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

No chain pulling I promise.

I just thought the EK DXB F lounge was really strange. I was also a bit put off by the staff cruising for tips - one guy basically pushed me out of the way to open the main entrance door to the loo for me (I wasn't carrying a bag or anything) so he could cruise for a tip.

Maybe it's a cultural clash? Different behaviour or body language, that potentially leads to misunderstanding?

I've been through the EK F Lounge in DXB many times, and I find the staff there to be way ahead of almost any other Lounge I've ever visited - and I've been to quite a few.

Perhaps the staff in TPR are up there with them, but that's a niche area.

There is an army of staff at DXB and, in my view, they are a credit to their management and training programs. I am always particularly impressed by the way that staff members greet you, as they pass, or as you pass them, no matter what their employment category.

The only staff I've ever tipped there have been spa staff, and even then, there was not the slightest sign that a tip was expected.

In my experience, the range of food and beverage offerings, the lack of crowds, the service, the availability of rest areas, the spa and so on, all make for a relaxing break. I hope you can re-visit before too long and that you have a more positive experience.

 

[bertflyer]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

Hi all,
I'm planning to connect from MEL to Chongqing via HKG using CX in early April.
The onward flight to Chongqing is on Air China metal but has a CX flight number (code share) and all booked as a CX ticket.
Would I have access to the CX lounges in HKG? It's a five hour layover so access would be nice.
I am QFF SG/OWS.
The CX website states only flying on CX or OW flights gives access but I'm not sure if code shares apply as well.

 

[defurax]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

Hi all,
I'm planning to connect from MEL to Chongqing via HKG using CX in early April.
The onward flight to Chongqing is on Air China metal but has a CX flight number (code share) and all booked as a CX ticket.
Would I have access to the CX lounges in HKG? It's a five hour layover so access would be nice.
I am QFF SG/OWS.
The CX website states only flying on CX or OW flights gives access but I'm not sure if code shares apply as well.

Are you flying in J ? Access to CX lounge would be based on CX rules related to class of travel, not OneWorld. If you are in Y I don't think your QF status will get you in the CX lounge.

But it's also possible that you will receive the CX lounge invitation card for HKG at checkin in MEL.

 

[bertflyer]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

Are you flying in J ? Access to CX lounge would be based on CX rules related to class of travel, not OneWorld. If you are in Y I don't think your QF status will get you in the CX lounge.

But it's also possible that you will receive the CX lounge invitation card for HKG at checkin in MEL.

Flying in Y unfortunately, have to see if I get the invite at checkin at MEL

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

Flying in Y unfortunately, have to see if I get the invite at checkin at MEL

AFAIK CX Y codeshares on Air China metal are an issue as there is no lounge access for them, even with status in the CX program. I think there is an exception for CX pax on Air New Zealand flights to AKL though.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

No need to tip. At some time of the day there is about 100 staff per PAX ratio...they are bored.

? No tips are required. It's called service,

 

[bertflyer]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

AFAIK CX Y codeshares on Air China metal are an issue as there is no lounge access for them, even with status in the CX program. I think there is an exception for CX pax on Air New Zealand flights to AKL though.

Just checked the QF lounge rules for HKG, seems I'll be able to use that as the onward flight is a OW flight number, no mention of metal.

 

[defurax]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

Just checked the QF lounge rules for HKG, seems I'll be able to use that as the onward flight is a OW flight number, no mention of metal.

You are right! You might need to show a screenshot to the lounge Dragon though.

QF lounge access rules are getting more and more lounge specific. The J lounge at LAX for example specifies OW marketed AND operated.

 

[Danger]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

Just checked the QF lounge rules for HKG, seems I'll be able to use that as the onward flight is a OW flight number, no mention of metal.

Very interesting. I would definitely have thought it would needed to have been oneworld (or JQ) marketed and operated. Please report back how you get on.

QF lounge access rules are getting more and more lounge specific. The J lounge at LAX for example specifies OW marketed AND operated.

I couldn't agree more. It's only getting more complicated

 

[ChasingDaylight]

Re: Singapore lounges - Qantas or Emirates?

Looking at travelling AKL - SYD - DRW later on this year with QF. AKL - SYD in Y, then SYD - DRW in J. As the DRW leg is the longer leg, would I get lounge access in AKL?

 

[serfty]

No, at its most basic, the longer leg needs to be "international" and of 5 hours or more ...

http://www.oneworld.com/ffp/lounge-access/-/loungeaccess/SYD

 

[1022]

Hello Brainstrust. I'm heading to LHR tomorrow on TG in first class and very much looking forward to the SYD SQ First lounge (armed with the *A rules in case the dragons try to send me to the NZ lounge) and even more looking forward to the golf-cart-and-massage extravaganza during the BKK layover. (Not to mention 20+ hours in the air with Dom on tap!!!)

What I can't find an answer to though is whether or not the UA-operated arrival lounge at LHR T2 admits premium cabin pax from all Star Alliance partners or only a few. I've seen AC and SAA indicate on their websites that their premium passengers can use the arrival lounge, but nothing at all for Thai. With a 6am arrival and then having a fairly long train commute to my destination outside of London, a shower, a coffee, and a catch up on email would all be most welcome upon arrival...IF access is granted.

Does anyone know??

PS I don't have any *A status and this flight is on an award ticket.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hello Brainstrust. I'm heading to LHR tomorrow on TG in first class and very much looking forward to the SYD SQ First lounge (armed with the *A rules in case the dragons try to send me to the NZ lounge) and even more looking forward to the golf-cart-and-massage extravaganza during the BKK layover. (Not to mention 20+ hours in the air with Dom on tap!!!)

What I can't find an answer to though is whether or not the UA-operated arrival lounge at LHR T2 admits premium cabin pax from all Star Alliance partners or only a few. I've seen AC and SAA indicate on their websites that their premium passengers can use the arrival lounge, but nothing at all for Thai. With a 6am arrival and then having a fairly long train commute to my destination outside of London, a shower, a coffee, and a catch up on email would all be most welcome upon arrival...IF access is granted.

Does anyone know??

PS I don't have any *A status and this flight is on an award ticket.

I can't seem to find the answer either! However I note there is a plaza premium arrivals lounge... so if all else fails you can buy access into that... cost of GBP25 for a one hour block.

As far as I understand, Arrivals Lounges are not considered part of the standard star alliance lounge offering. So it may be that the UA arrivals lounge only caters for arriving pax from designated airlines (which I think as you point out include UA/SA/AC)

 

[pagingjoan]

I can't seem to find the answer either! However I note there is a plaza premium arrivals lounge... so if all else fails you can buy access into that... cost of GBP25 for a one hour block.

As far as I understand, Arrivals Lounges are not considered part of the standard star alliance lounge offering. So it may be that the UA arrivals lounge only caters for arriving pax from designated airlines (which I think as you point out include UA/SA/AC)

I've had a search, too - also without success.
The following link seems to suggest that it's only their own pax:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/united_international_first.aspx

But the OP does say that some other carriers claim access. Nothing that I could find on Thai's website to suggest their pax do, though.

The paid lounge may be the way to go.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've had a search, too - also without success.
The following link seems to suggest that it's only their own pax:
https://www.united.com/web/en-US/content/travel/airport/lounge/united_international_first.aspx

But the OP does say that some other carriers claim access. Nothing that I could find on Thai's website to suggest their pax do, though.

The paid lounge may be the way to go.

I've seen a picture of the arrivals lounge entrance, the sign shows the logos of UA/AC/SA only.

 

[stusxr5]

I've seen a picture of the arrivals lounge entrance, the sign shows the logos of UA/AC/SA only.

Yep, here is a blog with a graphic of it (very first picture).

United Arrivals Lounge London Heathrow - Live and Let's Fly

 

[1022]

Thanks all for your responses (albeit not what I wanted to hear). I raise my glass from the SQ F lounge - to which I was granted admission without any suggestion or hit whatsoever that I should really be in the NZ lounge for a Thai flight.

 

[nutwood]

Mine is a simple, domestic question.
I often travel between Launceston and various domestic destinations, flying Qantas. Depending on circumstance and inclination, I often upgrade my flight home to business class. Now, Qantas does not offer business across Bass Strait so I fly business into Melbourne and economy for the next leg. Regardless of this, I generally walk into the Qantas lounge whilst I'm stopping over in Melbourne and always get waved in. Reading the rules, it seems that business class passengers are only welcome in the lounge if the next leg of their journey complies.
Am I just being lucky waltzing in when the next leg of my journey is economy or are the guarding dragons aware that no-one can fly business into Launceston with Qantas?