Velocity Platinum members can now access EY Diamond First Class lounges

[LiamPG]

I was lucky enough to escape the busy AUH business lounge and enjoy the peace and quiet of the First lounge at Christmas due to over crowding. It may not possess the pizazz of the Virgin Atlantic lounge at LHR but was a tranquil escape with good dining options and table service. The Etihad lounge at CDG impressed me more with table service , friendly professional staff and good wifi access. Both these lounges highlighted the poor offer of the NZ Kuoro lounge at Melbourne

 

[EuroFlyer]

No problems using my plat card to access F lounge this morning!

brilliant, look forward to checking it out in the coming months

 

[PDog]

I was lucky enough to escape the busy AUH business lounge and enjoy the peace and quiet of the First lounge at Christmas due to over crowding. It may not possess the pizazz of the Virgin Atlantic lounge at LHR but was a tranquil escape with good dining options and table service. The Etihad lounge at CDG impressed me more with table service , friendly professional staff and good wifi access. Both these lounges highlighted the poor offer of the NZ Kuoro lounge at Melbourne

Very true, the Kuro lounge is a world appart. Not being a spirit drinker, I possibly prefer the Velocity lounge over Koru....

 

[lcc76]

Have any other members actually gained entry to the First lounge in AUH with their platinum card? I planned my flight deliberately with this access in mind, and on checkin at Etihad's Australian counter was told they know nothing of the arrangement and that I would get into the overcrowded business lounge only. This is pretty much the final straw for me with Virgin Australia's service (or lack thereof).

 

[cssaus]

Have any other members actually gained entry to the First lounge in AUH with their platinum card? I planned my flight deliberately with this access in mind, and on checkin at Etihad's Australian counter was told they know nothing of the arrangement and that I would get into the overcrowded business lounge only. This is pretty much the final straw for me with Virgin Australia's service (or lack thereof).

I flew through AUH in May travelling in business class and when I entered the lounge and flashed my Platinum card I was then ushered into the First lounge.

My daughter recently flew back from Paris travelling in economy and when she entered the lounge at AUH and flashed her Platinum card she too got ushered into the First lounge.

 

[VRC]

The advice provided at check-in is incorrect.

Accessed the first lounge in September this year when flying ecconomy (on VA points) with EY. Enjoyed the breakfast with some nice bubbles, unfortunately could not secure a spa treatment before our departure. The check-in person at AUH was well aware that I was entitled to access the first class lounge.

 

[bullerdude]

The checkin counter would probably not be aware but report on this form indicate that the actual lounge staff are aware of the arrangement and Plats have successfully entered the first lounge.

 

[lcc76]

The advice provided at check-in is incorrect.

Accessed the first lounge in September this year when flying ecconomy (on VA points) with EY. Enjoyed the breakfast with some nice bubbles, unfortunately could not secure a spa treatment before our departure. The check-in person at AUH was well aware that I was entitled to access the first class lounge.

Wonderful, thanks for these replies, I am much more optimistic now! The thought of 11 hours in transit without the promised lounge was getting rather infuriating.

 

[rtyuiop]

Confirmed here too - 4/4 staff I spoke to at AUH on a recent all knew about the plat access to the first lounge, even without any prompting from me.

 

[ywwol]

I was in there 10th, 22nd October and will be doing it again today. Escorted without prompting. Jennifer has been at the First class lounge desk all the times I've been there, she's seen enough Velocity Platinum cards.

 

[777]

Yes, no problem accessing the 1st class lounge on multiple occasions here.

 

[PDog]

I was there on the 24th Oct, no access issues at all.
I've never been able to access the wifi on my phone there, that's my only minor quibble!

 

[lcc76]

Just a quick update - after the initial kerfuffle at Brisbane airport, just as the forum members predicted here, I had absolutely no problems in Abu Dhabi. On presentation of my card, I was whisked passed the very busy-looking business lounge into the first class lounge and had a wonderful stopover. Incidentally, all three Etihad flights I took (SIN, AUH, GVA) were at around 50% capacity in Y, so it was just like the days of my backpacking youth where everyone had multiple seats to stretch out on! Is that typical of the Etihad experience? I was truly amazed.

 

[maninblack]

"lounges" ? Etihad only has one dedicated First Class lounge :?:

 

[lcc76]

I didn't go into both, but there certainly seem to be a First Class Lounge in each of Terminal 1 & 3. Terminal 3 was tucked away behind a very plain entrance near the transit hotel, separate from the regular lounge and marked 'premium', whereas in terminal 1 the entrance is with the business lounge and you're just ushered further down the hall.

 

[maninblack]

I see, 2 lounges in one airport :!: Very good

 

[ywwol]

Just a quick update - after the initial kerfuffle at Brisbane airport, just as the forum members predicted here, I had absolutely no problems in Abu Dhabi. On presentation of my card, I was whisked passed the very busy-looking business lounge into the first class lounge and had a wonderful stopover. Incidentally, all three Etihad flights I took (SIN, AUH, GVA) were at around 50% capacity in Y, so it was just like the days of my backpacking youth where everyone had multiple seats to stretch out on! Is that typical of the Etihad experience? I was truly amazed.

Of the 6 flights I took in the last 30 days, 5 of them were nearly 100% loading across economy, business and first.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I see the EY Flounge access is for plat +1 guest.

When we go through here it will be 1 x plat, 1 x gold, 1 x 13YO red.

Any experience with a child being ignored with the entry requirements?

 

[tommo59]

We went through on Sunday on my platinum with wife and 13yo daughter in tow, no issues. Wife had the complimentary massage and bubbles plus a lovely cooked breakfast, couldn't fault this lounge.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

We went through on Sunday on my platinum with wife and 13yo daughter in tow, no issues. Wife had the complimentary massage and bubbles plus a lovely cooked breakfast, couldn't fault this lounge.

I appreciate the reply.......an exact match! Hopefully they won't change their outlook on life before Jan 2015!