Etihad Airways Etihad Guest - Refused entry to F lounge in Abu Dhabi: incoming F passenger

My spouse was recently transiting through Abu Dhabi, arriving on a long haul F ticket. Connection was a short haul in Y (business was sold out.) They were denied entry and while they tried to have the agents understand the logic of the argument, the lounge attendant was dismissive going to the extent of saying "You get what you pay for" - pointing to the fact that the continuation of the flight was in Y.

Needless to say, I am shocked. This happens to me all the time on Lufthansa/Swiss/Austrian connections intra EU where sometimes there is a single cabin plane or where there were no business seats left. NEVER have I been refused lounge entry based on the fact that I was not continuing my onward journey in a premium cabin.

Was Etihad wrong? And if so, what would you do to try and resolve this - not just as a matter of principle, but also to ensure that Etihad never does this to another customer...?

Seems a little unclear and more like YMMV...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/etihad-airways-etihad-guest/1284249-first-class-lounge-acess.html

I had the same experience, except I wasn't surprised - goes very much in hand with Etihad's lack of professionalism in most of what they do.

I think their lack of a clearly stated policy does stink. And is a reflection of their lack of professionalism as stated previously.

I will write to them and see what I get as a response.

I had the same experience, except I wasn't surprised - goes very much in hand with Etihad's lack of professionalism in most of what they do.

And the incompetence of their ground staff...

Was it all on the one reservation? When we connected from F to J (aircraft had been downgraded) the lounge dragon checked to see if it was all on the one reservation. Also, we had either paid for a F fare the SYD-AUH-CAI, and redeemed AA miles for the return at the full rate (when the aircraft was downgraded, the cost remained the same).

Should note, QF do not allow incoming F pax to access the SYD F Lounge either...

Was it all on the one reservation?Mine was, yes. I also showed them the tickets showing the same fare basis on my incoming F flight and outgoing Y flight, but that did not help.

I am F to AUH then J to BRU ( no F to BRU )
I asked on my last flight would i be allowed access to F lounge and was told yes
I am not sure if they really understood but am hoping to get F access :(
I am sure someone else hear got access to F lounge coming off an F flight.
I know EK does not allow access to F lounge If you are J and there is no F on the flight.

I am F to AUH then J to BRU ( no F to BRU )
I asked on my last flight would i be allowed access to F lounge and was told yes
I am not sure if they really understood but am hoping to get F access :(
I am sure someone else hear got access to F lounge coming off an F flight.
I know EK does not allow access to F lounge If you are J and there is no F on the flight.

It would be interesting to know if EY (and also EK) would accommodate a passenger in the F lounge who was put in Y (as part of the guaranteed seat perk) using a F ticket.

I buy ( code share AA ( Y-code ) ticket flown by Eithad from Manchester to AUH. With on-going on Y-code on Etihad. Never would Eithad allow the use of the lounge. Its only for First and Business class tickets. Also been asked, for a special AMEXP or Visa credit card ? Also note in AUH. they refuse entry to the lounge, if attire is NOT conducive to the patrons inside at the time. If you are pasty "white " person, the chances are they will let you in. If you are a brown boy like me, you are out of luck! Life goes on !!

I buy ( code share AA ( Y-code ) ticket flown by Eithad from Manchester to AUH. With on-going on Y-code on Etihad. Never would Eithad allow the use of the lounge. Its only for First and Business class tickets. Also been asked, for a special AMEXP or Visa credit card ? Also note in AUH. they refuse entry to the lounge, if attire is NOT conducive to the patrons inside at the time. If you are pasty "white " person, the chances are they will let you in. If you are a brown boy like me, you are out of luck! Life goes on !!

What nonsense.

You are on 2 Y tickets. Why would you be entitled to lounge access? EY is not a member of OneWorld so your AA status has absolutely no relevance, other than being able to redeem and earn miles.

It would be interesting to know if EY (and also EK) would accommodate a passenger in the F lounge who was put in Y (as part of the guaranteed seat perk) using a F ticket.

Interesting question indeed.

From what I understand only the cabin you are travelling in on your outbound flight counts. So if you sit in Y with an F ticket, tough luck.

My practical experience is, however, that lounge wardens are open for the argument about the fare you paid. Recently, I had (easy) access to the QR First Class lounge since I was travelling on a paid F ticket with a Y seat reservation.

So if I am to read this correctly, as I understand it, CX passengers use the EY lounges. If I am inbound F(on CX) but outbound J(on EY), I get J lounge access, but if I am J(EY) inbound and F(CX) outbound, I get F lounge access correct?

I'm flying London to Kuala Lumper next week. I used miles to upgrade from J to F on the LHR-AUH leg but there's no F on the flight to KUL. I'll see if I can use the F lounge in AUH but doubt they'll let me in. Oh well, I can use it on the way back.

So if I am to read this correctly, as I understand it, CX passengers use the EY lounges. If I am inbound F(on CX) but outbound J(on EY), I get J lounge access, but if I am J(EY) inbound and F(CX) outbound, I get F lounge access correct?

Er, yes.

Your outgoing flight determines what lounge you will be in.

My spouse was recently transiting through Abu Dhabi, arriving on a long haul F ticket. Connection was a short haul in Y (business was sold out.) They were denied entry and while they tried to have the agents understand the logic of the argument, the lounge attendant was dismissive going to the extent of saying "You get what you pay for" - pointing to the fact that the continuation of the flight was in Y.

Needless to say, I am shocked. This happens to me all the time on Lufthansa/Swiss/Austrian connections intra EU where sometimes there is a single cabin plane or where there were no business seats left. NEVER have I been refused lounge entry based on the fact that I was not continuing my onward journey in a premium cabin.

Was Etihad wrong? And if so, what would you do to try and resolve this - not just as a matter of principle, but also to ensure that Etihad never does this to another customer...?

I don't think you have a case here. Lounge access is determined based on class of travel and/or FFP status. If the spouse was carrying a Y BP with no status then like he said you get what you paid for. Your F lounge entitlement was granted at the departure city. Other airlines such as LH might adopt a different policy to that but neither EK or QR do. The lounge dragon might have been rude or dismissive but that's another story

I went to the lounge and asked if I could enter tHE F lounge they looked at my J BP and checked my ticket and gave me access TO F lounge. the J award friends I was with were only given J lounge access.
I then went to the J lounge and it is far inferior to the F lounge.no fresh OJ no good champagne no meals cooked to order.

I arrived from my F flight from LHR to transfer to a J flight to KUL. I decided to mention to the lounge staff that as there is no F class to KUL would I be able to use the F lounge. After a short discussion amongst themselves they said yes. I was actually surprised at this as I was expecting a no.

As a datapoint, earlier this week, I visited the lounge after getting off a F flight (MEL-AUH), and connecting to AUH-AMM in C.

We were allowed into the F lounge with no issues.

Bostonbali

What nonsense.

You are on 2 Y tickets. Why would you be entitled to lounge access? EY is not a member of OneWorld so your AA status has absolutely no relevance, other than being able to redeem and earn miles.


The friend who was traveling with me had the same ticket (Y ) and just a AA Gold member was ALLOWED access !

The friend who was traveling with me had the same ticket (Y ) and just a AA Gold member was ALLOWED access !

An AA Gold Member allowed into the EY F Lounge? I think not...

An AA Gold Member allowed into the EY F Lounge? I think not...

Never mind the F lounge.....he would not have even been let in ANY Etihad branded lounge at AUH with AA gold :rolleyes: Rightly so too.

Never mind the F lounge.....he would not have even been let in ANY Etihad branded lounge at AUH with AA gold :rolleyes: Rightly so too.

Could it be that EY staff thought that the Gold status was higher than Plt Ex based on their infatuation with gold? Just saying ;)

As a datapoint, earlier this week, I visited the lounge after getting off a F flight (MEL-AUH), and connecting to AUH-AMM in C.

We were allowed into the F lounge with no issues.

Bostonbali


Thanks for the data point. My wife and I will be flying JFK-AUH in F and then onward to MLE in J and were hoping to get access to EY F lounge!

Here's to hoping it'll be as simple as your trip...