VA Gold lounge access when flying Air Canada

[albatross710]

Just wanted to provided some hints regarding lounge access if travelling on Air Canada. My itin was BNE/YVR/LAS and return.

BNE
No lounge access provided as I was a Y pax.

YVR Transborder
After passing through the various stages of connection security, baggage alignment and immigration I was easily granted access to the Maple Leaf lounge. Staff were familiar with VA partner access. Shower was available without a queue on the morning I visited. I found the boiled egg buffet offering was unusual but tasty. Anything 'packaged' seemed to disappear quickly with the pax grabbing their snacks for their departing flights consider AC has paid inflight food.




The Transborder Maple Leaf lounge has possibly the largest airport shower room I have used. The finishing and presentation rival Singapore's Private Room.


LAS on return
Lounge access was again easily provided. Although the staff were familiar with VA partner access there was some kind of complication with the entry of my VA membership and boarding pass. I think in the end they knew I qualified and just waved me through. Was a nice place to wait out my boarding time and avoid the ubiquitous poker machines.





YVR International
This one is located to the left immediately after security. Collect your scanned bag and turn left. Reception staff were again familiar with VA access. Access is to scan the VA Gold QR code first, then the AC boarding pass. Worked perfectly.

The lounge is very relaxing. Shower facility is lovely and well presented with a shaving gear and toiletries.

Meals and snacks were delicious. On these late night flights I eat a full meal before boarding with the plan to skip the initial onboard 'evening' meal.

On the day I visited the lounge was peaceful and a wonderful escape. My flight departed from the gate immediately adjacent.





Travel AC and VA Gold with confidence.

Other forum members feel free to update and add to this information.

 

[PuravidaTC]

BNE
No lounge access provided as I was a Y pax.

Is that because neither VA or AC operate a lounge within BNE international terminal? I thought being Gold or Plat get's you lounge access even in Y?

 

[Must...Fly!]

Is that because neither VA or AC operate a lounge within BNE international terminal?

Yes you are correct

 

[albatross710]

Is that because neither VA or AC operate a lounge within BNE international terminal? I thought being Gold or Plat get's you lounge access even in Y?

It's a common thing for partner - partner type relationships to break the chain. AC provided access in their lounges but in Brisbane I was VA as a partner to AC and AC are using partner lounge. Presumably AC pay a cash component for their pax access.

 

[Bagpuss]

It's a common thing for partner - partner type relationships to break the chain. AC provided access in their lounges but in Brisbane I was VA as a partner to AC and AC are using partner lounge. Presumably AC pay a cash component for their pax access.

Yes, when you travel on a partner network and access a lounge they will charge back. So there's an agreement between the two. You can't "daisy chain" so the rule of thumb is when traveling with a partner airline you will get access to the partner owned lounges if your frequent flyer tier allows you to do so.

 

[antycbr]

Yes, when you travel on a partner network and access a lounge they will charge back. So there's an agreement between the two. You can't "daisy chain" so the rule of thumb is when traveling with a partner airline you will get access to the partner owned lounges if your frequent flyer tier allows you to do so.

Unusually, there was the exception of EY when travelling with VA status which provided access to all lounges that EY uses for their own elites incl 3rd party lounges, also reflecting the very limited lounge network that EY has.