Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - Lounge Access at DIQING and KUNMING for Diamond?

I will be connecting at KUNMING airport with a few hours layover.
(arriving on KA and continuing with China Southern, and on return arriving with China Easter and continuing with KA).

I will also be departing DIQING airport with China Eastern.

I am MP Diamond.

Will I have any lounge access at DIQING and/or KUNMING? Will I be allowed guests (2)? I also have Priority Pass - but does not appear to include lounges at these airports.

Thanks

No except on your way back at KMG when you are departing on a KA FLT. Technically as a DM you could access any CX / KA J lounge irrespective of the carrier you are taking. However, the lounge at KMG is a 3rd party one (operated by MU) and not operated by KA (assuming things stay the same after moving to the new airport), and of course there is no CX / KA lounge at DIG. In addition, even if the MU lounge that KA uses allows you to access on your way there, you won't have access as your FLT is domestic but the lounge is at the int'l wing (http://www.dragonair.com/da/en_INTL/atairport/lounge?cityCode=KMG, again assuming things don't change in the new airport). MU is not a OW member (in fact, an ST member), so MPO membership is not recognised at all, and you can only earn AM (if booked in eligible class) when on MU.

Thanks for the information. Is there a lounge on Kunming I can pay to use?

Thanks for the information. Is there a lounge on Kunming I can pay to use?

I was there a couple of weeks ago. Don't set your expectation too high paying or not paying.

Thanks for the information. Is there a lounge on Kunming I can pay to use?
Really... I don't think there is any lounge worth paying for (if there was an option - which many do not offer) at smaller Chinese regional airports.

I see than Kunming has moved to the new Airport.

I am flying from LAX to Lijiang connecting first in Hong Kong and then in Kunming in a couple of weeks.

LAX-to HKG is CX and HKG-KMG is Dragon - so I assume I will be able to check luggage through at least to KMG.

Will I have to clear customs and recheck in HKG? How about in KMG?

Any tips in Kunming for smoother connection experience (I do have a 3 hour connection window? Still no CX lounges on the new Airport?

The new lounge at KMG for KA is operated by China Eastern (for international departures only). A couple other airlines share it as well. While much improved over its predecessor its no where near what's offered by The Wing in HKG. That said, the architecture is a hybrid of Hong Kong and Beijing terminals with open lounges one level above the concourse with good views of tarmac.

Be prepared to walk- its a huge building and flights are often parked at gates far from check in/customs.

If you have time to kill, there is a Starbucks at mezzanine level above international arrivals (outside restricted area) or spend time outdoors to enjoy the usually pleasant weather.

To be honest - unless the lounge pays me, I will incline not to use any lounge in China (unless it is free).

Spending as little time as possible at any mainland airport is probably the best advice.

I see than Kunming has moved to the new Airport.

I am flying from LAX to Lijiang connecting first in Hong Kong and then in Kunming in a couple of weeks.

LAX-to HKG is CX and HKG-KMG is Dragon - so I assume I will be able to check luggage through at least to KMG.

Will I have to clear customs and recheck in HKG? How about in KMG?

Any tips in Kunming for smoother connection experience (I do have a 3 hour connection window? Still no CX lounges on the new Airport?

No recheck and clear customs in HKG but yes in KMG. There is a new lounge that KA uses (didn't I gave you the link in #2?), but I don't think you can access it on your way there as you are connecting to a domestic FLT.

while i agree totally on what you've said, getting into a lounge in a Chinese airport is the only way to get away from the zoo that boarding gates becomes very quickly.