SAS EuroBonus - SAS lounge at CDG

Hi

Does anyone know if SAS is still using the Icare lounge at CDG1? Do you need to get an invitation at check in to get in? Do you think this is the best option or would it better to use another * lounge, eg. the LH or BD one and do you need an invitation for them too (and is lounge hopping then possible)? And one more question: does anyone know when the terminal has been refurbished and will the :-: Alliance airlines still have their own lounges after that? :cool:

I think the SAS lounge will be closed until November (I think I read it somewhere).

You definitely need an invitation for the Icare lounge, they don't care about BPs or gold cards, just the invitation.
You also need the invitation to pass passport control, as all SAS flights are Schengen flights and the Icare lounge is in the non-Schengen area.

The Lufthansa lounge is the only lounge in the Schengen area, but you only get access to the FTL side as *G, and the lounge dragons hate people trying to get in there not flying LH and will do their outmost to send people away.
The lounge is nothing to write home about anyway, so don't even bother!

All other lounges are in the non-Schengen area, although you don't need an invitation to use them you need a lounge invitation or a BP to a non-Schengen destination to pass passport control.
However if you get an invitation to the Icare lounge you can always use the invitation to get past the passport control and then do some lounge hopping.
The new BD lounge is quite nice IMO, and the RCC lounge is used by ANA in the evenings for the daily flight to NRT and at that time they even have some sandwiches to eat.

Given the mess called CDG T1 I might have even considered flying Air France. They even serve wine and food...

Given the mess called CDG T1 I might have even considered flying Air France. They even serve wine and food...
Thank's, but no AFstatus and no C - so it's still *Alliance for me... :D

All other lounges are in the non-Schengen area, although you don't need an invitation to use them you need a lounge invitation or a BP to a non-Schengen destination to pass passport control.

This is France. I've gone several times to the SK lounge (I didnt realise it had been closed) to get the Internet access - when I was flying intra Schengen. I wouldn't worry to much about your Schenger or non-Schengen BP, there's even a special gate for you to go between schengen and non-schengen intra-terminal...

The Lufthansa lounge is the only lounge in the Schengen area, but you only get access to the FTL side as *G, and the lounge dragons hate people trying to get in there not flying LH and will do their outmost to send people away.


True, haven been turned away from LH FTL as *G before, they don't like non-LH travellers it seems. Even if it's not full, in which case I could understand it, they seem to always try and turn people away first. I respect the lounge dragon's decision to "protect" a crammed lounge at a time when the operating airline has a lot of flights, but I can't respect the always-say-no-first policy.

True, have been turned away from LH FTL as *G before, they don't like non-LH travellers it seems.

Well, if the lounge is not awfully full it is madness financially to turn away partner golds as they will be able to charge the home airline for the visit.

Well, if the lounge is not awfully full it is madness financially to turn away partner golds as they will be able to charge the home airline for the visit.

Don't think LH cares... Have been turned away both at LHR and MXP, none of the two Senator lounges were even close to full.. :td: :td:

I guess they don't like other *G members

It takes so much time getting to the temporary SK lounge or the RCC at CDG (first time you need a treasure map to find the lounges :p )so unless you have more than an hours wait, don't even bother going upstairs...

Don't think LH cares... Have been turned away both at LHR and MXP, none of the two Senator lounges were even close to full.. :td: :td:

I guess they don't like other *G members

Why would they? They are the LH - the ultimate Star Alliance carrier. Nobody even close to their level. :D

Actually it is quite funny, my friend has not received the amount of attention when she started to fly as UA 1K with SK. So she started to fly as much UA as possible. On the other hand UA seems to value EBG very high - they have even told me that numerous times. To me it seems that SK pretty much values EBGs only, LH only their own Senators and UA pretty much every *G. (Tommy, don't start that SK values your UA 1K, you know all of them personally so you could even fly with BA Blue and you would still get the attention).

Why would they? They are the LH - the ultimate Star Alliance carrier. Nobody even close to their level. :D

Actually it is quite funny, my friend has not received the amount of attention when she started to fly as UA 1K with SK. So she started to fly as much UA as possible. On the other hand UA seems to value EBG very high - they have even told me that numerous times. To me it seems that SK pretty much values EBGs only, LH only their own Senators and UA pretty much every *G. (Tommy, don't start that SK values your UA 1K, you know all of them personally so you could even fly with BA Blue and you would still get the attention).

He he... Actually, I don't use my 1K card on any SK flights, except intercontinental. Most SK employees doesn't know what a 1K status is (they just think it's a regular *G)

But when I do use my 1K card at lounges, many lounge gate keepers are very facinated with this black, beautiful card

And on UA, EBGs are treated better, but that's UA honoring the *Alliance agreement like it was intended ^ ^ But 1K is way ahead of Prem Ex and *G

This is France. I've gone several times to the SK lounge (I didnt realise it had been closed) to get the Internet access - when I was flying intra Schengen. I wouldn't worry to much about your Schenger or non-Schengen BP, there's even a special gate for you to go between schengen and non-schengen intra-terminal...
Ok, I went to the bmi lounge, never been to one before... Very nice hostess, self-service bar, very little to eat. Reminded me of a Diners lounge actually. Btw. the lounge was located downstairs in satellite 5. The lift down made a terrible noice and for a moment I was afraid I would get stuck in the lift and miss my flight etc. The gate controllers wanted to see my passport when going non-Schengen and when I was going back they took away my lounge invitation :confused:

I had no problem getting 6 people into the iCare lounge on my EBG with an invitation. Lounge is small and located on 10th floor far away from Satellite 7 that SK uses. No food offered in the lounge - only snacks and drinks.

CDG terminal 1 is no favourite of mine for sure.

The lounge at CDG is a disaster. You have to leave Schengen, go passed the tax free stores and walk trough the garbage area before taking the elevator up to the 10th floor. When you finally get there, it's always super crowded (maybe not in summer).

I just skip the lounge at CDG all together....

OT: I noticed that SK has switched lounges at AMS. They are now using the Servisair lounge to the right, much larger and a good choice of drinks and snacks, but no food. Internet costs 20 cents pr. minute if you use the desktops in the lounge :eek:

But it's a lot better than the other lounge next door SK had a deal with before

The lounge at CDG is a disaster. You have to leave Schengen, go passed the tax free stores and walk trough the garbage area before taking the elevator up to the 10th floor. When you finally get there, it's always super crowded (maybe not in summer).

I just skip the lounge at CDG all together....
Indeed CDG is a pain when it comes to lounges, and none of the lounges are great anyway.
The SAS situation is very unfortunate, it was obviously not a problem before the Schengen agreement was introduced, but after that happened there simply is no place where they can move the lounge.
It should be said though that CDG is much easier to use if you're familiar with the airport and know how to get around.
I think this will be sorted out when the renovations are finished though, I read there will be a common *A lounge to use.

I think this will be sorted out when the renovations are finished though, I read there will be a common *A lounge to use.

Yeah, sounds like it will take a while, but a common *A lounge sounds like a good solution

Yeah, sounds like it will take a while, but a common *A lounge sounds like a good solution
I just wonder where they would place it, though. Seems all * carriers are operating from different satellites and then there is the Schengen issue. Maybe there should be at least two lounges?

I just wonder where they would place it, though. Seems all * carriers are operating from different satellites and then there is the Schengen issue. Maybe there should be at least two lounges?
I have only seen the information posters in T1, I believe there is also quite a bit of information on the ADP website (Aéroports de Paris), www.adp.fr

The aim is to make T1 a *A terminal, just like T2 in MUC, south wing in NRT etc.
The main lounge will be in the terminal building, I guess in the Schengen area but I'm not sure about the latter.
Anybody who has been to CDG T1 this year will know they are doing some major reconstruction work, there is a new check-in area for *A and a completely new transit area in the non-Schengen zone for example, both very nice!
As the whole layout is changed it should not be a problem to find space for the *A lounge.
Not sure if the existing lounges will remain, the basements of the satellites will of course always be there.

The main lounge will be in the terminal building, I guess in the Schengen area but I'm not sure about the latter.
Ideally the lounge should be near the hall 4 check in the Schengen zone and have a view. I guess it shouldn't be impossible, but the architecture of T1 just suggests maybe they would have to knock down some walls...

This thread is very topical as I'm flying CDG-CPH on SK1560 in a week's time. It departs at 18.00 and I'll probably arrive a bit early as I'll be allowing for delays while getting to the airport.

I've only been through CDG once before. What is my best lounge option given the renovations, etc., as an EBG? I see some recommending the BD or ANA lounge, and also saying LH will try to turn me away. I hold a US passport so going into an out of Schengen areas may cause additional delays for me.

As for my experiences going into non-SK lounges, I had no trouble getting in the LH lounge at FRA when flying on OV, though they had to look up OV (Estonian Air) to verify it was allowed.

At LGW South Terminal, the lounge is run by ServisAir and they often try to send me to the "business lounge" on the lower level, instead of the larger lounge on the second floor. If it's a new person working there, they also have to look up that OV fliers are allowed to use the lounge. I think they see very few EBGs as those people are probably flying on BT or OV if out of LGW.

Justin

I'm passing through CDG on 2nd of january, connecting from SQ to SK, does anyone have any update on what lounges are usable? I'm primarily looking for free wireless and possibly a shower. Currently both EBG and SQ PPS (*G), if it makes a difference on what to show and hide of the two. :)

-A

Went through Dec 22. Icare is OK, but a long way. Get an invite at check-in (was asked whether I wanted one). CC.WiFi, no showers, no proper food but OK snacks. RCC is next door, but didn't go there. Icare fairly crowded due to pre X-mas traffic.