Diners Club Club Rewards - New Airport Lounges [2010-2011]

While browsing www.dinersclubinternational.com I found lounges accessible with the DC card in at least three new airports.

FRA: Sky Lounge
LAX: reLAX Lounge http://www.relaxloungelax.com/
PVG: VIP Lounges No 1, 37, 66 and 73

I also think that the Delmon lounge at BAH hasn't previously been accessible with a DC card.


OT: I think I have had quite a bit of bad luck with lounge access since I got my DC card a little over a year ago (I have no airline status). I traveled through AMS and BOM a few months to a year after DC lounge access was removed. Furthermore I have been to SIN, PVG, LAX and STN a few months to a year before there were DC accessible lounges at those airports.

Based on this, my travel history and future planned travel, expect lounge access to soon be removed from GVA & VIE, and in a year there will probably be DC lounges in SFO, MEM and BUD. ;)

Thanks for posting. Good to hear that DC is expanding their lounge network.

I just hope that they manage to resolve the confusion that appears to exist when attempting to access some of these lounges with the DC card.

TapioR's post got me curious, so I checked the DC website and there are also a bunch of lounges listed at various airports in Japan that I am pretty sure weren't there the last time I checked ( several months ago ).

http://www.dinersclubinternational.com/airport-lounge.html?countryList=Japan&x=15&y=13

The amenities offered at these lounges sound pretty minimal, but it probably beats hanging out in the food court.

There are only two places in the world where I have found DC lounges to be convenient: Santiago, on the domestic side (LAN has no domestic lounges in the whole country), and Santos Dumont local airport in Rio de Janeiro. The SCL lounge is one of those multiple facilities that have diverse means of access; it is comfortable and serves a reasonably complete line of drinks. The SDU airport lounge is only for Diners card holders and is VERY sparse, offering nothing other than coffee and water, but it is quite comfortable and modern. The AMEX lounge, opposite, has better food offerings, but still no wine or beer. If you have access to an airline lounger you will be much better off.

And 3 new lounges in Brussel as welll, why not be happy about what you can get on your DC instead of the oppesite?
Oh this is bad and this is wrong, which else card gives your acces to so many lounges. I love it not being gold in any alliances.

And 3 new lounges in Brussel as welll, why not be happy about what you can get on your DC instead of the oppesite?
Oh this is bad and this is wrong, which else card gives your acces to so many lounges. I love it not being gold in any alliances.

I agree bjerregaard. I am delighted to hear the lounges access network for DC card holders has expanded. I checked the DC website a few weeks ago and there was no lounge access in Brussles and now there is 2! http://www.dinersclubinternational.com/airport-lounge.html?countryList=Belgium&x=22&y=10
Also I am flying DUB-ATH-DUB via ZRH shortly and on this journey I will have access to 2 lounges in ZRH and 1 in ATH. I know lounge access for DC card holders can be limited depending on your location/routing but if you take into account the 2 new lounges in BRU and the 3 lounges on my routing it really is good.

And 3 new lounges in Brussel as welll, why not be happy about what you can get on your DC instead of the oppesite?
Oh this is bad and this is wrong, which else card gives your acces to so many lounges.I agree. Diners is a great card and with lounge access back in FRA and BRU it is like my most important wishlist coming true.

Still, what could be next? OSL and HEL? Or getting back lounges at HAM, TXL, MUC, DUS, FCO and AMS? Or RIX and CDG?

Still, what could be next? OSL and HEL? Or getting back lounges at HAM, TXL, MUC, DUS, FCO and AMS? Or RIX and CDG?

I am voting for DUB ! I spent many satisfied hours in the Anna Livia there back when it was part of the DC lounge network.

Agree completely with the previous posters. Any expansion of the DC lounge network has to be viewed as a good thing. Hopefully this is a long term strategy on the part of DC International to improve the brand.

Would anyone stopping in any of the new lounges kindly post a review.

Would anyone stopping in any of the new lounges kindly post a review.
The FRA Sky lounge is the same they were using a few years ago. It is a smallish lounge at the far left wing of FRA airport (when entering). Best to take the sky train when coming from other parts of the terminal. I wouldn't use the lounge unless I had more than one hour to spare as it is so far from where most flights depart. The lounge itself is small and modest. Free drinks, but very limited snacks available.

Also to be noted is that it only opens at 8 am.

But as far as I noticed on the homepage, in BRU and FRA you can only use the lounge for a flight out of Schengen-countries!!!

In Vienna you can use it for every flight! And I think in VIE the lounge will stay "forever", because the people who have DC are increasing!

I already used my DC in VIE, LHR, NCL, DXB, and HKG. DXB is my favorite! Best meals!!!:)

Here is an updated list with the new lounges taken from taken from the DC NZ site:

http://www.dinersclub.co.nz/NZwebsite/Services/images/Airport_Lounge_List.pdf

http://www.dinersclub.co.nz/NZwebsite/Services/airport_landing.asp

But as far as I noticed on the homepage, in BRU and FRA you can only use the lounge for a flight out of Schengen-countries!!!That is not correct. In FRA the lounge is definitely better suited for non-Schengen flights (although maybe not for non-Schengen connections). I've used it myself on my way to the far east (before German DC lounges were pulled). Also, I understood that there are two lounges in BRU, isn't the other one for non-Schengen?

I don't expect the Diners Club network to ever be as comprehensive as the priority pass network though.

duplicate, please delete

That is not correct. In FRA the lounge is definitely better suited for non-Schengen flights (although maybe not for non-Schengen connections). I've used it myself on my way to the far east (before German DC lounges were pulled)...

Well, but all countries in the far east are outside Schengen-countries! :D
So of course you can use it for going there!

But did you ever use the DC-Lounge flying inside the Schengen-countries?

At the homepage of DC they say, that the Sky Lounge is after the passport control. So you can use it only for Non-Schengen flights!!! (for flying outside of the Schengen-countries, like to GB, SRB, CRO, TR, whole Asia etc.)

Well, but all countries in the far east are outside Schengen-countries! :D
So of course you can use it for going there!

But did you ever use the DC-Lounge flying inside the Schengen-countries?

At the homepage of DC they say, that the Sky Lounge is after the passport control. So you can use it only for Non-Schengen flights!!! (for flying outside of the Schengen-countries, like to GB, SRB, CRO, TR, whole Asia etc.)Hmm... sorry, it seems that I misunderstood your post. Yes, I've used the Sky lounge only on my trips to the far east. So for out-of-Schengen countries!

Still, in my experience you can get past passport control in FRA with a Schengen BP. Has this changed?

Will this lounge work for a FRA terminal 1 departure on MEA to Beirut?

Will this lounge work for a FRA terminal 1 departure on MEA to Beirut?I would give it a try. It is quite a hike, though, so you must reserve enough time. Please report back if you do it!

Hello!

My first post on FT... :D

So, I was flying via FRA today, an in-Schengen transfer flight from LUX to LJU, all to/from Terminal 1. But as a holder of Diners CC, I wanted to try if I can use it in Sky Lounge in Terminal 2.

The short answer... YES! :)

The whole story... Coming to T2, there is a security control. I thought I won't come through since I didn't have BP for non-Shengen flight, so I made it up, that I'm flying to SVO with SU (checked on monitors before) from gates E, and that I want to make a check-in at the gate, since the SU check-in counter isn't opened yet. He didn't buy it, and he wanted an e-ticket print, or some proof that I'm flying from there. So... ending with no success.

Second try on another entrance at the security gate, I've just told the guys that I'm flying from T1, but I want to get to Sky Lounge. He looked at me strangely, but then he said, ok :) He wrote down some of my data (ID, surname, etc), and let me in! And now I'm sitting here and drinking my 5th beer and slowly heading back to T1 to catch my flight.

Anyway... FYI, the Sky Lounge is currently not anymore at E8 gate, since there was a flood accident (or sth), but now it's close to JAL lounge, around D8 gate, and it's written Crown Room Club (Delta Airlines). It's a huge place, one of the biggest lounges I've seen so far (ok, haven't really seen many :D), and quite good. Full of Asian people though, who're taking public computers for loooong time. And wi-fi strangely doesn't work (manage to get it working after 1.5h).

Anyway... hope this post helps to any other FT member!

Have fun!

Trilko, welcome to FlyerTalk !

Thanks very much for the update on DC lounge access in FRA .

I am always glad to hear that we can achieve what we want with honesty.

Just out of curiosity did they want to see your Boarding Pass when you entered the lounge, or just your DC card ?

Just the DC card :)

Has anyone tried using the ReLAX lounge at LAX with a non-US Diners Club card?

I don't have a DC card but I had this problem at B gates in FRA, flying LH within Schengen: no LH lounge on this side. LH staff told me though that it is possible to go through passport control to the non schengen area, without non-schengen BP, and go to the lounge there. However, one needs to go through security (and passport control) again to get back to schengen B gates, which is quite a hassle for a short connection. But for long connection, or a quick beer in hot summer time, that can be worth it!

Welcome to FT, trilko!
dobrodošli na FT, upam piti pivo kmalu z teboj, v Ljulbjana ali v loungeu! :)

While browsing www.dinersclubinternational.com I found lounges accessible with the DC card in at least three new airports.

FRA: Sky Lounge
LAX: reLAX Lounge http://www.relaxloungelax.com/
PVG: VIP Lounges No 1, 37, 66 and 73


I found one more located in the USA:

Skyteam KAL Business Class Lounge at TBIT.

http://www.dinersclubinternational.com/airport-lounge.html?countryList=United+States+USA&x=9&y=6

How do the DC lounges compare to airline lounges? I would use the in LAX, but did not even know it existed until reading this thread. Any clue what terminal it's in?

Both of the LAX lounges are in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The lounges are not operated by Diners Club, they simply buy access for their cardholders from operators who have surplus capacity. In the case of Skyteam KAL Business Class Lounge KAL = Korean Airlines.

More information here:

http://www.koreanair.com/local/na/gp/eng/aa/as/eng_aa_as_kl.jsp

Both of the LAX lounges are in the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The lounges are not operated by Diners Club, they simply buy access for their cardholders from operators who have surplus capacity. In the case of Skyteam KAL Business Class Lounge KAL = Korean Airlines.

More information here:

http://www.koreanair.com/local/na/gp/eng/aa/as/eng_aa_as_kl.jsp

BUt one is outside security, which is a plus if you are not flying out of TBIT

The Coral Executive Lounge at Phuket Airport that I visited last month is now on the Diners Club website but I noticed a number of other new lounges that have also been added :-

Atlantic and Europa Lounges at Munich Airport
Plaza Premium Lounges at Hyderebad Airport
Celebrations Lounge at Mumbai Airport
Dan Lounges at Tel Aviv Airport
Hub Lounges at Seoul Incheon Airport
No 1 Lounge at London Gatwick Airport
Escape Lounge at Manchester Airport
Royal Palm Lounge at Orlando Sanford Airport

Good news on the new additions and look forward to seeing more soon.

The way to go, Diners Club! ^^^

And that is not all, I also spotted four lounges in Singapore!

Diners Club, how about lounges in RIX, OSL and HEL as well?

And how about Sydney?

The interesting question is whether these lounges will be available to all DC cardholders or not -- many existing lounges discriminate against US and other countries' cardholders that are not "real" DC cards.

According to the Swedish Diners website, there is also a lounge opening in BKK which sounds great. I can, however, not find any information about this anywhere. Typing error or is it really happening?

http://www.dinersclub.se/pow/wcp/templates/sebarticle.cfmc.asp?DUID=DUID_996689E474797611C125 7244003B94DA&xsl=se&sitekey=dinersclub.se

(sorry in Swedish)

According to the Swedish Diners website, there is also a lounge opening in BKK which sounds great. I can, however, not find any information about this anywhere. Typing error or is it really happening?

http://www.dinersclub.se/pow/wcp/templates/sebarticle.cfmc.asp?DUID=DUID_996689E474797611C125 7244003B94DA&xsl=se&sitekey=dinersclub.se

(sorry in Swedish)

Wow if true it is great news, it does not look like a typing error.

According to the Swedish Diners website, there is also a lounge opening in BKK which sounds great. I can, however, not find any information about this anywhere. Typing error or is it really happening?


BKK is also on the Norwegian Diners Club site. Perhaps Diners hasn't updated it's central lounge listing?

BKK is also on the Norwegian Diners Club site. Perhaps Diners hasn't updated it's central lounge listing?

Yes and according to the site there should be 2 lounges. Maybe some of our friends in Sweden and Noway could call the local Diners office and ask?

I am Marketing Manager for Diners Club New Zealand and saw the earlier enquiry about the Sweden Airport Lounges. Diners Club does have a lounge in Sweden - at the Arlanda Airport - Novia Executive Lounge.

The full lounge list - now over 160 (and growing) is here:
http://www.dinersclubinternational.com/airport-lounges.html

Regards

Diners Club does have a lounge in Sweden

Welcome to Flyertalk.

I think the confusion is about a lounge in Bangkok, Thailand. It's mentioned on the Diners Club Sweden site, but not on the primary lounge list. Do you have a way to investigate if there is, or soon will be, a lounge in Bangkok?

I am Marketing Manager for Diners Club New Zealand
Welcome to Flyertalk! Hope you will stay around to inform us about DC developments!

Yes and according to the site there should be 2 lounges. Maybe some of our friends in Sweden and Noway could call the local Diners office and ask?

dinersclub.com has now been updated. You gain access to three Louis Tavern CIP First Class Lounges in BKK.
http://www.dinersclubinternational.com/airport-lounge.html?countryList=Thailand&x=13&y=6#

dinersclub.com has now been updated. You gain access to three Louis Tavern CIP First Class Lounges in BKK.
http://www.dinersclubinternational.com/airport-lounge.html?countryList=Thailand&x=13&y=6#

Great news to now have lounges at BKK, keep them coming Diners Club,

dinersclub.com has now been updated. You gain access to three Louis Tavern CIP First Class Lounges in BKK.
http://www.dinersclubinternational.com/airport-lounge.html?countryList=Thailand&x=13&y=6#

Three First Class Lounges! Not bad, but I see there's a two hour maximum at each of them. I wonder if you stay two hours at more than one lounge? Might be useful for long layovers.

There are Diners Club lounges at Aruba, didn't see these on the website. It's a Priority Pass lounge but can access with DC card as well.

I am Marketing Manager for Diners Club New Zealand and saw the earlier enquiry about the Sweden Airport Lounges. Diners Club does have a lounge in Sweden - at the Arlanda Airport - Novia Executive Lounge.

The full lounge list - now over 160 (and growing) is here:
http://www.dinersclubinternational.com/airport-lounges.html

RegardsI just got turned away from the LAX lounge below. Initially, the dragon didn't believe that Diners Club members could access the lounge but when pushed, said that their contract with Diners allowed them to turn guests away when they were busy!!!:td::mad: As I walked away, a whole bunch of people were given access:rolleyes: As it was late, and I was tired, I didn't ask to speak to the duty manager, and retreated to the Qantas lounge for the 1/2 hour prior to my flight. Diners needs to get the lounge access rules printed in booklets and sent to their members so they can "fight" with these lounge dragons for their rights!!

Los Angeles International Airport – Los Angeles, USA
Lounge Name Skyteam KAL Business Class Lounge
Lounge Location Tom Bradley International Terminal Airside: Proceed through the security check on the south side and take the lift to the 4th floor where the lounge is situated.
Telephone 310-417-5289
Fax 310-258-9857
Hours Open MON,WED,FRI,SAT : 07:00~11:30am , 12:30~6:00pm, 7:30~11:30pm.
TUE,THUR,SUN : 07:00~11:30am, 12:30~4:00pm, 7:30~11:30pm.
Languages Spoken Korean, English
Entry Conditions Members will present their Diners Club card to access the lounge. Dress code applies - Non Smoking - Limit of 2 additional guests with a member.
Amenities Offered Conference Facilities, Fax, Internet Access, Wi-Fi, Telephone, Television, Newspapers, Flight Info Monitor, Showers, Disabled Access, Snacks, Soft Drinks and Alcoholic beverages. Telephone and fax are subject to additional payment.
Fees Cardmembers please check with your issuer for terms and conditions of lounge access. Children under 2 admitted free. Guest Fee − 25 USD.

A lot of new lounges again added on the Diners Club site!

A lot of new lounges again added on the Diners Club site!

Indeed! Looks like AMS is back! ^

How many times a year can a member enter lounges across the world? I've been searching on Diners Club web but couldn't find any info.

How many times a year can a member enter lounges across the world? .

In general lounge access is unlimited. However, because Diners is franchised to different card issuers in various markets, and because the lounges are all owned by other entities, it's possible that your issuer and some lounges may impose caps. I suggest you ask your card issuer.

I have removed the list of airport codes from the title of this thread because many additional locations have been added.

For example, the USA list now includes two lounges at Nashville, and one at New York JFK. These are independent lounges, not operated by an airline.

http://www.dinersclubinternational.com/airport-lounge.html?countryList=United+States+USA&x=25&y=14

New lounges in (at least) the following airports:

Berlin, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Larnaca, Male, Tenerife, Varna.

Seems like a lot of new leisure destinations.

I am really surpriced and happy to see how fast they are increasing the numbers of lounges, it also looks like the are adding lounges in some airports where they have already been for a while?
Is this good news because of the takeover of Diners from Citi to Discover.?

Just saw Indonesia is now added into the list; only in Bali though.

Which is the best??

Which is the best??

The one in FRA was closed due to renovations when I transited there in December. I'll be going through there next week and in Feb. Anyone know if it's now open?

Which is the best??It's been a few years since I visited these, but I would say VIE. It is the only one having some real food and a designated Diners Club room. Breakfast used to be poor though the drink selection was all right.

It's been a few years since I visited these, but I would say VIE. It is the only one having some real food and a designated Diners Club room. Breakfast used to be poor though the drink selection was all right.

Not to forget the shower - that can be a great feature after a very intense day. Especially for the person sitting next to you on the plane. :-)

Thanks to Diners Club, I was so far able to use lounge-showers before trans atlantic flights in VIE and MUC.

How many times a year can a member enter lounges across the world? I've been searching on Diners Club web but couldn't find any info.

I'm not aware of any set limit. They might have some fraud prevention though. Say if you're spending 1$ every 30 days, but visit two lounges per day, they might become uneasy. :-)

New DC lounge at KRK, shared service. Opened 1st of April and I was the happy 1st DC-customer. Well done DC!

Quality wise, nice staff, drinks were good, food was poor ie. only snacks basically.

See http://insurancenewsnet.com/article.aspx?id=259458&type=newswires

It's interesting that this lounge is operated by the company which owns Priority Pass. In general, Priority Pass contracts for access to lounges operated by others.

When they say $25 or whatever fee... Is that strictly for the 2nd person? Meaning the cardholder is not considered a guest and gets in free?


Cardmembers please check with your issuer for terms and conditions of lounge access. Children under 12 admitted free. Guest fee - $25 USD.

When they say $25 or whatever fee... Is that strictly for the 2nd person? Meaning the cardholder is not considered a guest and gets in free?

Yes, the fee quoted is for guest(s) of the cardholder, not the cardholder him/herself.

New DC lounge at KRK, shared service. Opened 1st of April and I was the happy 1st DC-customer. Well done DC!

Quality wise, nice staff, drinks were good, food was poor ie. only snacks basically.

Plus new lounges in WAW - unfortunately these are the mediocre Airport Authority Lounges... Still better than nothing... Complimentary wi-fi, booze, some basic snacks.

Here's a real plus at least for Diners Card holders.

Lounge access at Frankfurt is the old Delta SkyClub in Terminal 2 near D8.

It's been offloaded by Delta and is now private and called the Sky Lounge. Standard access for Diners Card holders. I was there for breakfast and they had a good selection. I saw a bottle of VSOP but didn't pay any attention to the other liquors. Showers are available and cost six euros extra.

I was actually flying United that day but had a long enough layover to make it worthwhile to truck over from Terminal 1.

Jim

I would also like to report that I was turned down at Las Vegas at this lounge, and up to now, it is still at DC website

McCarran International Airport – Las Vegas, USA
Lounge Name The International Lounge
Lounge Location Terminal 2:
Airside - the lounge is located on the Departures Level, near Gate 3.
Telephone 702-243-6952
Fax 702-274-4407
Hours Open 6:30 am - 2:00 am daily
Languages Spoken English
Entry Conditions Cardmembers must present their valid Diners Club card and boarding pass. Non smoking. Guests must be 21 years old.
Amenities Offered Air conditioning, Disabled access, PCs/Workstations, Fax, Telephone, Television, Internet, Wi-Fi, Newspapers, Magazines, Snacks, Soft drinks, and Alcoholic beverages.
Fees Cardmembers please check with your issuer for terms and conditions of lounge access. Children under 12 admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Guest fee - $27 USD.

I would also like to report that I was turned down at Las Vegas at this lounge...

In which country is your card issued? What explanation was given?

Phuket International Airport – Phuket, Thailand
Lounge Name: The Coral Executive Lounge Phuket Airport
Lounge Location: Near (international) departure gate 7
Telephone: Hot Line +66(0)8 0521 9333 Coral Lounge no. +66(0)7635 1700-01 Fax: +66(0)7632 7717
Hours Open
Languages Spoken: English and Thai
Entry Conditions:Cardmembers must present their valid Diners Club card. The duration of lounge visit is 2 and a half hours. For every delay more than 1 hour, the additional charge of THB 250 or USD 8 will be applied to customer. Any delay exceeding 15 minutes; will result in a 1 hour rate charge to credit card.
Amenities Offered:iPad, laptop, Wi-Fi internet, telephone, fax facility, television, international newspapers; magazines, kids books and toys, food, beverages, flight information services, disabled access, neck and shoulder massage services (at an additional cost) .
Fees: Cardmembers please check with your issuer for terms and conditions of lounge access. Children under 2 years are admitted for free. Guest fee: $25 USD. I visited this lounge last w/e; it is tucked away in a little corner but if you look for departure gate 7, you will find it easily; small but adequate lounge with reasonable hot / cold food and drinks incl alcoholic beverages altho. I can't comment on the range as I'm avoiding alcohol at the moment:eek: Free WiFi but slow, reasonable views of tarmac. Nice ambience. Friendly, attentive staff. Only negative is that there is no bathroom facilities and you have to go out to the main departure terminal to use the bathroom.

Definitely much better than sitting at the gates waiting for your flight....note check in at Phuket only opens 2 hours before the flight so don't arrive 3 hours prior like I did....

Nice room, airside. No view of the runways.

I'm here at noon so there is some soup, pastries, cookies and fruit.

Beer, wine and soft drinks available.

No Bar per se but the cooler has a bottle of Jamesons, a bottle of 'Stroganoff' vodka, a bottle of gin and what looks like slivovitz.

Free airport wireless, nice barcelona chairs, quiet, a computer room and a relaxation room, plenty of power outlets.

American Diners card accepted.

Very satisfactory!

Jim