Flying Blue (Air France, KLM, and Other Partners) - No lounge access with Delta

I was flying domestic with Delta (economy class), i´m flying blue platinum but was refused entry to the lounge as "flying blue members only have lounge access for international flights". Didn´t know that but now i know.

I am afraid it is a Skyteam wide rule that lounge access is only given in conjuncture with an international flight.

Compared to Star and Oneworld an improvement could be made yes.

Gajan

Note that the rule is the same for DL FF passengers. Gold and Plat do not get lounge access on domestic trips, although Diamonds are given a lounge membership as part of their benefits at 125,000 MQMs.

Note that the rule is the same for DL FF passengers. Gold and Plat do not get lounge access on domestic trips, although Diamonds are given a lounge membership as part of their benefits at 125,000 MQMs.

Yes, but the situation is the same for UA/US and AA status pax when flying domestic in USA, as lounge memberships are sold in the USA for these passengers. But you get entitled to domestic upgrades in compensation.
As a FB Platinum, we get almost no upgrades, nor lounge access when flying domestically in the USA. A DL gold member has access to AF lounges when flying domestically in France for instance...
One of the many reasons I try to avoid flying with ScaryTeam these days...

Yes, but the situation is the same for UA/US and AA status pax when flying domestic in USA, as lounge memberships are sold in the USA for these passengers. But you get entitled to domestic upgrades in compensation.
As a FB Platinum, we get almost no upgrades, nor lounge access when flying domestically in the USA. A DL gold member has access to AF lounges when flying domestically in France for instance...
One of the many reasons I try to avoid flying with ScaryTeam these days...

True, i was upgraded even though the flight wasn´t full, and what i like with the domestic business (or what the americans call first) is that those seats are wider with more legspace...

Yes, even if you fly F (paid) on a pure domestic flight (without int'l connection) and are FB gold/plat, this is not enough to enter DL Skyclubs :td:
And to tell you how nice they become, I was in DL lounge in BOS (term A) this week end, and now they even charge you for a glass of Chardonnay :mad:
They had another white wine for free which was not so nice.

A DL gold member has access to AF lounges when flying domestically in France for instance...


When flying intra-europe yes, but not on domestic segments unless flying business.

Yes, but the situation is the same for UA/US and AA status pax when flying domestic in USA, as lounge memberships are sold in the USA for these passengers. But you get entitled to domestic upgrades in compensation.
As a FB Platinum, we get almost no upgrades, nor lounge access when flying domestically in the USA. A DL gold member has access to AF lounges when flying domestically in France for instance...
One of the many reasons I try to avoid flying with ScaryTeam these days...

I'd never realized this. I knew outside the US, lounge access was free (and better) and upgrades weren't, but I didn't think about it as a tradeoff. I'm kind of blown away now.

Yes you can as ST E+ on La Navette flights, just not at all airports as they don't have a lounge.

La Navette: all you need to know
[...]

Improved comfort

In airport lounge
Flying Blue Gold or Platinum and Elite Plus (SkyTeam) members, in addition to La Première and Affaires passengers on layovers, can take advantage of private airport lounges. Members can read a selection of newspapers and magazines, get free Wi-Fi Internet access, and enjoy drinks and snacks!

[...]


At the Paris-Orly airport

[...]

A comfortable lounge
An upstairs lounge, with 135 seats across 265 m2, is reserved for the following La Navette passengers:

Flying Blue Gold or Platinum members,
SkyTeam Elite Plus program members,
La Première or Affaires passengers on stopovers.

Yes you can as ST E+ on La Navette flights, just not at all airports as they don't have a lounge.

It is indeed possible at ORY, at CDG, at NCE, etc. In fact, pretty much whenever there is a lounge all ST E+ get access on AF domestic flights.

(PS: @B7e&US- there is no business class on domestic flights on any European ST airline I can think of except possibly SU, although AZ are planning to reintroduce a business class of sorts on FCO-LIN.)

It is indeed possible at ORY, at CDG, at NCE, etc. In fact, pretty much whenever there is a lounge all ST E+ get access on AF domestic flights.

(PS: @B7e&US- there is no business class on domestic flights on any European ST airline I can think of except possibly SU, although AZ are planning to reintroduce a business class of sorts on FCO-LIN.)
Meant to say, unless flying business on another flight in the same itinerary.

Meant to say, unless flying business on another flight in the same itinerary.
Even Y. Never had an issue entering an AF lounge when flying purely domestic with my Skymiles Platinum card.

I was flying domestic with Delta (economy class), i´m flying blue platinum but was refused entry to the lounge as "flying blue members only have lounge access for international flights". Didn´t know that but now i know.

this beni is gone since NW went away. It was always a special NW arrangement only and not valid on other ST carriers

Yes, even if you fly F (paid) on a pure domestic flight (without int'l connection) and are FB gold/plat, this is not enough to enter DL Skyclubs :td:
And to tell you how nice they become, I was in DL lounge in BOS (term A) this week end, and now they even charge you for a glass of Chardonnay :mad:
They had another white wine for free which was not so nice.

Not true. E.g. when you fly JFK-LAX/SFO/SAN/PHX/SEA/PDX you get lounge access when you are flying premium cabin (upgrade or paid).
I have gotten Champagne in the BOS Club some time ago; can't make any sense of the changing patterns either.

Not true. E.g. when you fly JFK-LAX/SFO/SAN/PHX/SEA/PDX you get lounge access when you are flying premium cabin (upgrade or paid).

this is indeed correct :)

As far as I can make out, and based on my experience as a PE, you cannot use a US lounge, like the good old NorthWest days, unless you are flying/departing International, up front, or with a PE card. In February, I got involved in an argument while trying to get to Puerto Rico from Miami, when I was told in no uncertain terms that SanJuan was not considered International. I am not aware of anyway, without paying of course, to use the Delta and Partner lounges in the US...if there is a way, then I would be interested to know. On one occasion last year, I was in Boston going over to Seattle....as I was early for the flight (waiting for complimentary First to open up,) I purchased a One Way , Business Class, fully refundable ticket to London, used the lounge, and then went back to the desk later for a refund...a long way around but it worked.

Gheghe you should try that with TG F at BKK or LH F at FRA!

The 'Rules' seem to be a little clearer on the AF site than on KL.
We might well not be happy , but there it is....



'Classes and Comfort'.....'Airport Lounges'

As far as I can make out, and based on my experience as a PE, you cannot use a US lounge, like the good old NorthWest days, unless you are flying/departing International, up front, or with a PE card. In February, I got involved in an argument while trying to get to Puerto Rico from Miami, when I was told in no uncertain terms that SanJuan was not considered International. I am not aware of anyway, without paying of course, to use the Delta and Partner lounges in the US...if there is a way, then I would be interested to know. On one occasion last year, I was in Boston going over to Seattle....as I was early for the flight (waiting for complimentary First to open up,) I purchased a One Way , Business Class, fully refundable ticket to London, used the lounge, and then went back to the desk later for a refund...a long way around but it worked.

considering that SJU is indeed domestic, I am not sure what you are complaining about :confused: The agent was correct in denying you access.

considering that SJU is indeed domestic, I am not sure what you are complaining about :confused: The agent was correct in denying you access.

How odd, it did seem like another country!

How odd, it did seem like another country!

Yes, I did know that it was a foreign country....'ruled' by the US, but to call it 'Domestic' is stretching it a bit me thinks !!

How odd, it did seem like another country!

Yes, I did know that it was a foreign country....'ruled' by the US, but to call it 'Domestic' is stretching it a bit me thinks !!

I am flying to SJU later this year without an international same day flight. Although unlikely that I succeed, I ll try my luck/charm and perhaps get into one of the skyclubs on my route :)

I was flying domestic with Delta (economy class), i´m flying blue platinum but was refused entry to the lounge as "flying blue members only have lounge access for international flights". Didn´t know that but now i know.

To make it correct: Flying Blue elites don't have lounge access to Delta lounges at all BUT Skyteam Elite Plus members get access when flying international on the same day. It's a Skyteam benefit applying to any Skyteam Elite + member regardless of program. Flying Blue lounge regulations only applying to lounges operated by AF/KL.

Gheghe you should try that with TG F at BKK

Just pick your destination well. When I got to use the TG F lounge at BKK, it was just a small partitioned area of a "regular" lounge - nothing particularly special at all.

FYI, it seems American Airlines has revoked OneWorld status members access to their lounges on solely intra-US itineraries.

FYI, it seems American Airlines has revoked OneWorld status members access to their lounges on solely intra-US itineraries.

while this is off topic here and not relevant to this discussion, I had no issues getting into the AA club in BOS last Friday.

while this is off topic here and not relevant to this discussion, I had no issues getting into the AA club in BOS last Friday.

It was a bit on topic as it was discussed earlier in this thread that Skyteam FFers had a disadvantage regarding lounge access on intra-US itineraries compared with OW or *A.

But there is no change in the OW policy, just an error on their website.

To make it correct: Flying Blue elites don't have lounge access to Delta lounges at all BUT Skyteam Elite Plus members get access when flying international on the same day. It's a Skyteam benefit applying to any Skyteam Elite + member regardless of program. Flying Blue lounge regulations only applying to lounges operated by AF/KL.


Check out my post on Delta....there may be a way to obtain access...if you have a straight forward Amex Platinum Card.

Check out my post on Delta....there may be a way to obtain access...if you have a straight forward Amex Platinum Card.

Or if you are planning some travel in the USA, buying a 90 day Skyclub pass may be good value of money.

Gajan

Perhaps also marginally OT too, but these clubs in the US are also getting more and more weird.

We were in the United Red Carpet Club at SFO International (before flying in J to Europe) and in order to get myself and my wife a glass of wine, we needed to present ourselves both at the bar - about 100 yards from our seating. And when I went to get a 2nd glass, that same barman looked at the clock, sighed and said that actually I was not entitled until 5 minutes later but gave me one. Then he pointed out the dollar bills on the bar - tips by other pax - and made it clear I was expected to tip too.
I normally tip well in the Us but this time I was really Dutch about it...

Our kids were not allowed to get a soda at that bar without us present... had all to do with the under age alcohol problems they have in the US and teen pregnancies (to quote a barmen from our hotel).

Asking for a tip is for me a reason NOT to tip. But there is a very interesting and amusing thread in the BAEC forum for that. I'd hate that about US lounges were you'd essentially have to pay for a drink in an airline lounge.

We were in the United Red Carpet Club at SFO International (before flying in J to Europe) and in order to get myself and my wife a glass of wine, we needed to present ourselves both at the bar

This may be required by the state law - I am not sure about California, but it is the law in Arizona: want a drink? need to pick it up from the bar yourself or be delivered by the waiter. Another funny law is in Texas - one cannot have 2 drinks at the same time:D:p

Asking for a tip is for me a reason NOT to tip. But there is a very interesting and amusing thread in the BAEC forum for that. I'd hate that about US lounges were you'd essentially have to pay for a drink in an airline lounge.
+1

+1

Same here --- I wouldn't pay for that. Free wifi and a sitting space can be had with paid drinks elsewhere.

On the other hand, there are exceptions, notably where they share the lounge with another carrier.


This may be required by the state law - I am not sure about California, but it is the law in Arizona: want a drink? need to pick it up from the bar yourself or be delivered by the waiter.


How is it preventing drinking? (unless they expect that tipping the waiter will effectively making the drinks not free...)

Just pick your destination well. When I got to use the TG F lounge at BKK, it was just a small partitioned area of a "regular" lounge - nothing particularly special at all.Are you sure that you are not getting confused with HKG or some other station?

How does the "international" rule work? What happens for instance when you arrive at Atlanta on an Air France flight from Paris and then continue on a domestic flight? There is a same day departure, there is the international bit, except that the destination is not international. So?

All flights in premium cabins (Business/First), with FB Platinum card

How does the "international" rule work? What happens for instance when you arrive at Atlanta on an Air France flight from Paris and then continue on a domestic flight? There is a same day departure, there is the international bit, except that the destination is not international. So?

All flights in premium cabins (Business/First), with FB Platinum card

That's fine. The order between international and domestic doesn't matter as long as it is 'same day' transfer. If it is an overnight transfer (e.g. you arrive in ATL, decide to spend the night there before continuing on your domestic flight the next morning) you will need to argue.

That's fine. The order between international and domestic doesn't matter as long as it is 'same day' transfer. If it is an overnight transfer (e.g. you arrive in ATL, decide to spend the night there before continuing on your domestic flight the next morning) you will need to argue.

Thanks orbitmic!

Another funny law is in Texas - one cannot have 2 drinks at the same time:D:p

Ouch. And I do love a Gin and Tonic. Strange that mixed drinks and cocktails are banned in Texas!!!

:D

Are you sure that you are not getting confused with HKG or some other station?

No. Ticketed in F (on LH) from BKK to KUL. They move the velvet rope and let you into a tiny section of an otherwise average TG lounge.

"Royal Orchid Lounge is on concourse E where provide separated areas for First Class and Business Class passengers" as described by TG themselves on their website.

Do try instead to use the Royal First lounge on concourse D which seats 147 pax, but that's not accessible if you're relying on *G status and/or travelling in First on a *A airline other than TG themselves.

That's fine. The order between international and domestic doesn't matter as long as it is 'same day' transfer. If it is an overnight transfer (e.g. you arrive in ATL, decide to spend the night there before continuing on your domestic flight the next morning) you will need to argue.

Thanks orbitmic!

No. Ticketed in F (on LH) from BKK to KUL. They move the velvet rope and let you into a tiny section of an otherwise average TG lounge.

"Royal Orchid Lounge is on concourse E where provide separated areas for First Class and Business Class passengers" as described by TG themselves on their website.

Do try instead to use the Royal First lounge on concourse D which seats 147 pax, but that's not accessible if you're relying on *G status and/or travelling in First on a *A airline other than TG themselves.Well, you did say "THE" TG F lounge at BKK, suggesting the concourse D Royal First Lounge, not the Royal Orchid Lounge, which is not a real first class lounge.

I was not aware that TG refused access to their BKK F lounge to LH F customers (although they say the opposite on their website) but it is difficult to blame them (and on the short BKK-KUL segment to boot) given LH's policies regarding access to FCLs and the FRA FCT.

As to *G status, it does not give access to first class lounges anyway.