Not quite sure, should I post my question to here or to BA EC section, but:

It appears, that AY Plus platinum opens all the lounge doors at HEL airport, regardless what airline you are using. Is it so?

BA EC gold does not open the lounge doors as often. Say, fly LHR-HEL-KUO using BA and AY, only the domestic lounge can be used? And no lounge at all if you choose BA and KF?

There appears to be a big difference, in how well the different emerald cards help in trying to access the BA or AY lounges, but is this really justified?

Being denied entry has began to occur more and more during this year. What might be the cause for that?

There appears to be a big difference, in how well the different emerald cards help in trying to access the BA or AY lounges, but is this really justified?Difficult to say if it is justified... However as another example, BA Gold will get you BA lounge (Terraces) access no matter what airline you fly on (with a few restrictions like same terminal, not with outsourced lounges etc.). I suppose AY Platinum gives something similar, but then to AY lounges? Only there are quite a few more BA lounges than AY lounges worldwide.

And in the (non-Schengen) long-haul lounge at HEL, AFAIK even AY Golds (OW Sapphire) get access to the right side of the lounge, no such thing for other OW Sapphires, only OW Emeralds qualify for that.

In the end lounges only have to follow the OW rules as a minimum, and they can add whatever they want for their own elites. If it is the same as in *A they can even restrict access for their own elites (my guess is that AA doesn't allow lounge access on intra-US trips to their own elites, but has to let other OW elites in due to the OW rules).

As you are AX Platinum member, sign up for PriorityPass and you will get access to lounge in Schengen area (named Tower lounge or something like that). It isn't domestic lounge but it is quite close to domestic gates. Unfortunately, PP doesn't have contract with domestic lounge (maybe we all should just start lobbying that with PP to get it in the list also).

Other possibility is to start collecting those Finnair points. :D

As you are AX Platinum member, sign up for PriorityPass and you will get access to lounge in Schengen area (named Tower lounge or something like that). Good point. Might help also elsewhere. Thanks!

Other possibility is to start collecting those Finnair points. :D Getting "status" takes a lot more effort that way...

Getting "status" takes a lot more effort that way...

The reason for :D ... I am in the same boat. I couldn't ever think about Finnair Plus. I barely manage to hit BA Silver (almost there ...).

Difficult to say if it is justified... However as another example, BA Gold will get you BA lounge (Terraces) access no matter what airline you fly on (with a few restrictions like same terminal, not with outsourced lounges etc.). I suppose AY Platinum gives something similar, but then to AY lounges? Only there are quite a few more BA lounges than AY lounges worldwide.

and for this reason I would swap my AY platinum with BA Gold anytime...
I rely on OW rules with lounge access so any special benefit at HEL is pretty negligible for me.

and for this reason I would swap my AY platinum with BA Gold anytime...Just think about the free upgrades on AY flights which you don't get as BA Gold ;)

Just think about the free upgrades on AY flights which you don't get as BA Gold ;)

not sure if you refer to the vouchers but they're OK. I would prefer the lounge option personally

you do get some upgrades with BA as well, not sure how easy it is to arrange those, I have never had an issue with getting an upgrade booked with AY

Gold Upgrade for Two
Once you have earned 2,500 Tier Points in your membership year, you and a companion will be able to enjoy a complimentary upgrade to the next cabin on the flight of your choice. And we’ll give you another Gold Upgrade for Two when you reach 3,500 Tier Points.

Gold Upgrade for Two
Once you have earned 2,500 Tier Points in your membership year, you and a companion will be able to enjoy a complimentary upgrade to the next cabin on the flight of your choice. And we’ll give you another Gold Upgrade for Two when you reach 3,500 Tier Points.


I'd say those are very tiny benefits compared to AY Plat level vouchers. Lounge access policy (=lounge availability around the world) is ofcourse much better than with AY.

Does BA have an extra gift when you reach Emerald level? Finnair gives a gift certificate. I've taken the gift certificate for taylor made shoes from Left, although I think the most popular gift is the Rimova aluminium suitcase.

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Does BA have an extra gift when you reach Emerald level? Finnair gives a gift certificate.No such thing. Even the tone of the letter isn't that great, considering you have spent a lot of money with BA in the past year :td:

BTW: indeed I referred to the AY Platinum upgrade vouchers, which would come in very handy for me flying LHR-HEL-LHR a lot, both in Y and C. The GUF2 is fairly unreachable for me, I'd be happy to reach over 1500 TPs but in no way I'll reach 2500 (or even 3500...). And I'd rather have single upgrade vouchers as those are more flexible - they could be used by 1 or 2 persons I assume. Another thing is that I would never make AY Platinum, even if I moved all my mile earning to them, as the TP structure of BA works in favour of my particular flight/fare patterns.

I think the most popular gift is the Rimova aluminium suitcase.


Surprise as it used to be the only gift... ;)

Not to mention they are among the most expensive ones in terms of market value...no use of course if one doesn't need a good trolley but many FFs do..