Paying to visit the La Premiere lounge at CDG on an award ticket

Old Dec 12, 2015, 10:00 am
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Paying to visit the La Premiere lounge at CDG on an award ticket

I'm considering either paying or using miles for a visit to the La Premiere lounge at CDG. I have been very impressed by the lounge in the past and now I have a trip planned going on holiday with a rather long layover. It would be a perfect opportunity for a new visit as it's a special occasion and I will have plenty of time, but unfortunately I am only flying in C this time.

Does anyone know if there are any rules saying you need to be on a revenue ticket to make use of the lounge offer? I will be travelling on an award ticket.

I'm reading the general conditions of sale on the AF webpage. I can't find any info about any particular type of ticket needed so I presume it should be OK, but maybe someone here knows for sure?
http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common...a-premiere.htm
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Old Dec 12, 2015, 11:52 am
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I don't believe that you need to be on a paid ticket, however, if my memory serves me right, you need to be on a flight that does not have an F cabin.
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Old Dec 12, 2015, 12:18 pm
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Original post removed by me.

Totally misread the postings.

Sorry

Last edited by NoStressHere; Dec 13, 2015 at 6:57 am
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Old Dec 12, 2015, 12:33 pm
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Originally Posted by orbitmic
I don't believe that you need to be on a paid ticket, however, if my memory serves me right, you need to be on a flight that does not have an F cabin.
That's interesting. Nothing is mentioned about it in the document. Is that still the case?

I'm going to South Africa so I can choose to go to either JNB (A380, with F onboard though) or to CPT (no F but with older C cabin). A380 is the easy choice, but too bad if the F cabin makes me ineligible for the offer.

Originally Posted by NoStressHere
Huh?

What does this have to do with "buying" entry into the lounge?

Confused.

Looks like you can pay for entry. Check out this page http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common..._airfrance.htm

If you are a Flying Blue Ivory (low level), it says:
FLYING BLUE IVORY
You can benefit from the privileged comfort of AIR FRANCE, KLM and Delta Airlines lounges in a growing number of destinations around the world*. Lounge entrance fees vary by airport location:
25 and 45 € in Europe, Asia, Pacific, the Middle East, Africa,
35 and 50 USD in the United States and South America,
30 and 50 CAD in Canada.

(The earlier link appears to be for "Premier Ground Services" which is higher end VIP treatment - not just lounge.
It's the same ground service you get when flying in AF F, with personal assistant, limo service and access to the F lounge. It's one of the best lounges and ground services around!

I'm Platinum in Flying Blue so access to the regular lounge is not an issue.
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Old Dec 12, 2015, 3:03 pm
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Originally Posted by NoStressHere
Huh?

What does this have to do with "buying" entry into the lounge?

Confused.

Looks like you can pay for entry. Check out this page http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common..._airfrance.htm

If you are a Flying Blue Ivory (low level), it says:
FLYING BLUE IVORY
You can benefit from the privileged comfort of AIR FRANCE, KLM and Delta Airlines lounges in a growing number of destinations around the world*. Lounge entrance fees vary by airport location:
25 and 45 € in Europe, Asia, Pacific, the Middle East, Africa,
35 and 50 USD in the United States and South America,
30 and 50 CAD in Canada.

(The earlier link appears to be for "Premier Ground Services" which is higher end VIP treatment - not just lounge.
The P lounge is not like any other lounge and AF does not treat it as such. AF is keen to keep it extremely exclusive and till recently it was strictly only for people flying AF P+ 1 guest. It is only recently that they experimented with selling the P experience for a fee to some customers. They started only making it available to FB elite plus and then I think that they extended the offer to others (at a different price). The price was quite expensive (I believe €500 for one person?) and it was only available for people flying on flights without a P cabin hence my comment.

In fact, I just found a link to the original policy: at the time the cost was €800/pax and the conditions were 1) to fly in the J cabin 2) on a flight without P 3) and no more than 10 people per day. http://voyageforum.com/discussion/ai...cdg2-d4867181/

I have absolutely no idea whether that condition has been withdrawn or not. Some others may know from experience.

Last edited by orbitmic; Dec 12, 2015 at 10:52 pm
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Old Dec 12, 2015, 7:08 pm
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Originally Posted by NoStressHere
Quote:





Originally Posted by orbitmic


I don't believe that you need to be on a paid ticket, however, if my memory serves me right, you need to be on a flight that does not have an F cabin.





Huh?

What does this have to do with "buying" entry into the lounge?

Confused.

Looks like you can pay for entry. Check out this page http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common..._airfrance.htm

If you are a Flying Blue Ivory (low level), it says:
FLYING BLUE IVORY
You can benefit from the privileged comfort of AIR FRANCE, KLM and Delta Airlines lounges in a growing number of destinations around the world*. Lounge entrance fees vary by airport location:
25 and 45 € in Europe, Asia, Pacific, the Middle East, Africa,
35 and 50 USD in the United States and South America,
30 and 50 CAD in Canada.

(The earlier link appears to be for "Premier Ground Services" which is higher end VIP treatment - not just lounge.
The OP is asking about entry in the La Premiere lounge. Your information is about the standard lounge.
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Old Dec 12, 2015, 10:39 pm
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Originally Posted by orbitmic
I don't believe that you need to be on a paid ticket, however, if my memory serves me right, you need to be on a flight that does not have an F cabin.
I remember reading a thread here indicating that this requirement has been dropped quite a while ago.

What is interesting is that the document linked does not even require that the pax travel in business class longhaul. It gives the definition in the terminology, but I did not find it in the 3. Conditions for reserving..". Or I missed it
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Old Dec 12, 2015, 10:50 pm
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Originally Posted by brunos
I remember reading a thread here indicating that this requirement has been dropped quite a while ago.

What is interesting is that the document linked does not even require that the pax travel in business class longhaul. It gives the definition in the terminology, but I did not find it in the 3. Conditions for reserving..". Or I missed it
If you mean in the announcement, you missed it :

"Cette option sadresse aux clients voyageant en cabine Affaires sur des vols LC au dpart ou en correspondance Paris-CDG2."

and later: "Les agences de voyages pourront acheter ce service pour le compte de leur client Affaires "

and also before: "Pour rpondre lattente des clients La Premire lorsquils voyagent sur des vols noffrant pas de cabine La Premire et pour faire dcouvrir aux clients Affaires un service dexception, Air France leur proposera compter du 12 mars 2012, une nouvelle option payante permettant dacheter le service au sol La Premire Paris-CDG2."

(emphasis mine).

You may very well be right about the "no P" requirement being dropped I have no idea! I have never made use of this offer (I personally find it too expensive for a lounge experience, even a great one - I'd rather keep my money, use the normal lounge, and get two nights in a lovely hotel for that price!) but hopefully someone else who has can confirm that this went smoothly for them!
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Old Dec 13, 2015, 3:15 am
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Originally Posted by orbitmic
You may very well be right about the "no P" requirement being dropped I have no idea! I have never made use of this offer (I personally find it too expensive for a lounge experience, even a great one - I'd rather keep my money, use the normal lounge, and get two nights in a lovely hotel for that price!) but hopefully someone else who has can confirm that this went smoothly for them!
I just sent a message to AF to see what they say.

I personally would never pay 800 euro for the service (the initial price) but 300 isn't that bad for a special occasion when you have the time to enjoy it.

Last year they had a special three courses christmas dgustation menu on top of the regular menu with selected wines for each dish and it was incredible. Each passenger also got a christmas gift. Adding to that massage, limo transfers and good personalised service I don't think it's that bad.
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Old Dec 13, 2015, 3:24 am
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Originally Posted by jacob_m
I just sent a message to AF to see what they say.

I personally would never pay 800 euro for the service (the initial price) but 300 isn't that bad for a special occasion when you have the time to enjoy it.

Last year they had a special three courses christmas dgustation menu on top of the regular menu with selected wines for each dish and it was incredible. Each passenger also got a christmas gift. Adding to that massage, limo transfers and good personalised service I don't think it's that bad.
Please do let us know what they say!
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Old Dec 13, 2015, 3:50 am
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You should have called me guys
You can buy the P ground services in CDG (which includes the lounge access) for 300/pax. The condition is that you are flying in J on an AF-operated flight* with no P on this specific flight (this condition has not been dropped). It can be an award or a paid J ticket (no difference). If you are starting your trip in CDG, you can go directly to the special area/lounge for P pax at T2E and, after checking you in, they will escort you through passport control and security (skipping all the lines) to the fabulous P lounge and then they will drive you to your plane by limo. If you are connecting, they will pick you up at your plane with the limo and drive you to the lounge.
It is subject to availability, as AF wants to keep this lounge exclusive. About a week before your flight (max 10 days), you have to call the La Premire special line to book the service and they will tell you if it is possible or not (depending on the P bookings and expected occupancy of the lounge).
It's a great service. I'm using it once or twice a year and just love it and the restaurant is so good.
So coming back to OP's case : if you fly to JNB, you'll not be eligible as there is P on this flight. But if you fly to CPT, yes !


*I don't know if a DL flight to the US booked under AF code is eligible, might be because of the JV but not 100% sure.
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Old Dec 13, 2015, 3:53 am
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Originally Posted by NoStressHere
Huh?

What does this have to do with "buying" entry into the lounge?

Confused.

Looks like you can pay for entry. Check out this page http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common..._airfrance.htm

If you are a Flying Blue Ivory (low level), it says:
FLYING BLUE IVORY
You can benefit from the privileged comfort of AIR FRANCE, KLM and Delta Airlines lounges in a growing number of destinations around the world*. Lounge entrance fees vary by airport location:
25 and 45 in Europe, Asia, Pacific, the Middle East, Africa,
35 and 50 USD in the United States and South America,
30 and 50 CAD in Canada.

(The earlier link appears to be for "Premier Ground Services" which is higher end VIP treatment - not just lounge.
Do you seriously believe you can go to the La Premire lounge for just 45 ?
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Old Dec 13, 2015, 3:58 am
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Originally Posted by orbitmic
If you mean in the announcement, you missed it :

"Cette option sadresse aux clients voyageant en cabine Affaires sur des vols LC au dpart ou en correspondance Paris-CDG2."

and later: "Les agences de voyages pourront acheter ce service pour le compte de leur client Affaires "

and also before: "Pour rpondre lattente des clients La Premire lorsquils voyagent sur des vols noffrant pas de cabine La Premire et pour faire dcouvrir aux clients Affaires un service dexception, Air France leur proposera compter du 12 mars 2012, une nouvelle option payante permettant dacheter le service au sol La Premire Paris-CDG2."

(emphasis mine).

You may very well be right about the "no P" requirement being dropped I have no idea! I have never made use of this offer (I personally find it too expensive for a lounge experience, even a great one - I'd rather keep my money, use the normal lounge, and get two nights in a lovely hotel for that price!) but hopefully someone else who has can confirm that this went smoothly for them!
I did not mean the French announcement, I meant the document linked in the first post (I thought that I was clear):
http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common...a-premiere.htm

This is a typical US document with a lot of legalese.
I see nowhere that the pax must be on a longhaul flight that has no F. Actually, I do not see that the longhaul flight has to be in business class.
It could be omissions, but the text is quite precise.
Note that it is also available on other national websites, such as the Dutch one:
http://www.airfrance.nl/NL/en/common...a-premiere.htm

If anyone has a conflicting current document (not q 2012 one), that would be interesting.
This would clearly bind AF.

Last edited by brunos; Dec 13, 2015 at 4:17 am
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Old Dec 13, 2015, 4:13 am
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Originally Posted by brunos
I did not mean the French announcement, I meant the document linked in the first post (I thought that I was clear):
http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common...a-premiere.htm

This is a typical US document with a lot of legalese.
I see nowhere that the pax must be on a longhaul flight that has no F. Actually, I do not see that the longhaul flight has to be in business class.
It could be omissions, but the text is quite precise.
This would clearly bind AF.
Indeed, this US text is very imprecise. Business class is discretely mentioned in section 5.2 only and it is nowhere mentioned that its's flight with no F. Very surprising.
But, unless they just changed the rules, I can guarantee you that the eligibility criteria is flying in J in a flight with no F.
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Old Dec 13, 2015, 4:36 am
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Originally Posted by Goldorak
Indeed, this US text is very imprecise. Business class is discretely mentioned in section 5.2 only and it is nowhere mentioned that its's flight with no F. Very surprising.
But, unless they just changed the rules, I can guarantee you that the eligibility criteria is flying in J in a flight with no F.
I guess that you have access to inside information

The same text appears on European websites, such as NL, DE, etc...
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