Air New Zealand Air Points - Air NZ Lounge Access - HKG

Travelling on NZ38/39 AKL-HKG-LHR-HKG-AKL, what lounge access do you have in HKG if flying on these services:
1. as koru club member flying economy
2. as koru club member flying premium economy
3. flying business premier on a business premier ticket

What shower facilities are available and how many mens showers are there in HKG ?

Okay here you go:

Koru Club apparently does qualify you for lounge access in Hong Kong although ANZ do not have their own dedicated lounge.
There are 2 Star Alliance lounges in proximity to the gate - the United one and the Thai one.
United has showers and better refreshments (IMHO)
Both have internet and papers/mags etc.

Business Premier - same choice.

Welcome to Flyer Talk al gunn :)

1 & 2 - RCC (United Airlines red carpet club) only.
3 - any one of RCC, TG (Thai) or SQ (Singapore Airlines) business class lounges.

IIRC all HKG star alliance lounges have showers.

Agree with Kiwi Flyer. Koru Club members go where they're told to (ie the RCC), Business passengers can use the Star Alliance rules to get into any lounge (not always so in practice though...)

What shower facilities are available and how many mens showers are there in HKG ?


The Thai lounge has only one shower and it lacks a basin for shaving etc. Since they need to clean the shower after each guest, the maximum capacity is 4 persons/hour. It pays to be at the head of the line!

While on the topic - what about PVG?
The Star Alliance website has not been updated to reflect NZ's commencement of services to PVG. I do note that there are SQ and NH lounges which perform the function of general *G lounges. But generally - what lounges will NZ pax at PVG be directed to, as well as which are the ones in closest proximity to NZ gates?

Cheers.

oh and ps - a 'search' on FT NZ has yielded nothing about lounges in PVG. Search terms have included different permutations of the words 'PVG', 'lounge' and 'shanghai.' ;)

While on the topic - what about PVG?
The Star Alliance website has not been updated to reflect NZ's commencement of services to PVG. I do note that there are SQ and NH lounges which perform the function of general *G lounges. But generally - what lounges will NZ pax at PVG be directed to, as well as which are the ones in closest proximity to NZ gates?Planning a trip? ;)

The "Shanghai International Airport First Class Lounge" at gate 18. NZ flights usually depart from gates 16 to 19 - As a skilled traveller you can also use the NH Signet lounge between gates 19 to 20.

Planning a trip? ;)

The "Shanghai International Airport First Class Lounge" at gate 18. NZ flights usually depart from gates 16 to 19 - As a skilled traveller you can also use the NH Signet lounge between gates 19 to 20.

Hmm - a contract lounge hey. Odd that Business Premier pax are using an F lounge...:confused:

Will probably lounge hop. ;)

There are several *A lounge options in PVG. I don't think any have showers, but I will be sure to check and report back (my trip is before yours).

Just checked SQ lounge at PVG is open a couple of hours before NZ flight leaves and has no showers.

Welcome to Flyer Talk al gunn :)

1 & 2 - RCC (United Airlines red carpet club) only.
3 - any one of RCC, TG (Thai) or SQ (Singapore Airlines) business class lounges.

IIRC all HKG star alliance lounges have showers.

In HKG the RCC lounge is no longer offered to Koru Club flying economy or premium economy. Koru access is currently to the China Aeronautic lounge or something like that (it's officially called the CNAC lounge), which is unfortunately a) lacking in terms of food, beverage and ambience, and b) a bl**dy long walk from the Air NZ gates. A friend at Air NZ said that they were renegotiating access with RCC, but nothing had been finalised yet.

You're better off going to one of the little pubs, the Cafe Deco restaurant, or Wildfire if you don't have access to any other lounges. The CNAC lounge is simply woeful.

When did that change? I suppose a reasonable proportion of koru club members would have access to RCC anyway by virtue of travelling business class or *G status.

A few months ago I believe, although I'm not sure of the exact dates (or whether that also applies to the other RCC lounges used by Air NZ, such as LHR)

The Air NZ website still indicates the LHR lounge is the RCC, but doesn't mention SFO or HKG at all (!).

On a similar vein, when you are accessing the RCC in LHR/SFO/HKG, or the lounge in SIN, as "The Koru Club", do NZ*E benefits apply as if it was an NZ lounge? e.g. 5 guests instead of the *G 1 guest?

No. That only applies to Koru Clubs and NZ international lounges, ie the lounge must be operated by NZ.

In HKG the RCC lounge is no longer offered to Koru Club flying economy or premium economy. Koru access is currently to the China Aeronautic lounge or something like that (it's officially called the CNAC lounge), which is unfortunately a) lacking in terms of food, beverage and ambience, and b) a bl**dy long walk from the Air NZ gates. A friend at Air NZ said that they were renegotiating access with RCC, but nothing had been finalised yet.


I assume though that the RCC lounge is still available for a traveller plus guest flying PE via NZ*G privileges? Will be flying that route and class to LHR very soon.

I visited the CNAC lounge last time I was in HKG. It's just about impossible to find, down past all the other lounges, up an escalator and round the corner. They don't do flight announcements and food was some sandwiches and a box of pringles. They did have icecream though and a nice view of a QF plane leaving :)

CNAC looks after a range of airlines like Sri Lankan Air and Garuda.

Personal preference would definitely be the Royal Orchid or Kris lounges - much better food, beverages, ambience and both in a much better location.

I assume though that the RCC lounge is still available for a traveller plus guest flying PE via NZ*G privileges?

Yep. :)
You will also be allowed access to the TG and SQ lounges.

There are several *A lounge options in PVG. I don't think any have showers, but I will be sure to check and report back (my trip is before yours).

Just checked SQ lounge at PVG is open a couple of hours before NZ flight leaves and has no showers.

I have already tried. There are 2 NH and 1 SQ lounges that Star website says *G Lounges. But in practice no access for anyone not boarding SQ or NH flights. In fact lounge access is by invitation given at check-in counters. I don't think there is shower (or WiFi) in any lounge at PVG although this may change when T2 opens and all Star carriers move to T2 this December. Business Premier pax use the airport first class lounge at Gate 18 and *G or Koru member traveling Y will use airport business lounge at Gate 16, IIRC.

Enjoy your Shanghai trip!

I have already tried. There are 2 NH and 1 SQ lounges that Star website says *G Lounges. But in practice no access for anyone not boarding SQ or NH flights. In fact lounge access is by invitation given at check-in counters.

That sounds odd. Maybe they're trying to stamp out lounge hopping...:(
Like in MEL where I face a tough battle whenever I present an SQ BP and my *G card to the NZ lounge matrons.

Hmm according to SQ website the PVG lounge is SQ operated (not contract lounge) and thus should accept *G and business pax flying *A (subject to capacity etc).

So if no lounge has a shower, what about transit hotel or public showers at PVG (airside or landside)?

That sounds odd. Maybe they're trying to stamp out lounge hopping...:(
Like in MEL where I face a tough battle whenever I present an SQ BP and my *G card to the NZ lounge matrons.

Last time I was in SYD boarding a NZ flight I was also denied access to SQ lounge. They said they don't generally accept other airlines when those airlines have their own lounges.

Hmm according to SQ website the PVG lounge is SQ operated (not contract lounge) and thus should accept *G and business pax flying *A (subject to capacity etc).

So if no lounge has a shower, what about transit hotel or public showers at PVG (airside or landside)?

Not a contract lounge but when you go there they will direct you to NZ's lounge and ask why? Unless you want to reason with them but I didn't bother.

There is no transit hotel that I know of. If you have a connecting flight you will still need to clear immigration and collect your bags and re check in regardless of what your baggage tag says. That is one thing they should improve when T2 opens.

I'm SQ elite so should be allowed entry to SQ's own lounge. ;)

The PVG website refers to a transit hotel (eg this page (http://www.shanghaiairport.com/en/pd1.jsp?categoryId=OUT_CON_B0190) mentions hourly hotel landside). Map (http://www.shanghaiairport.com/content/content/contentListAction34.do?doType=-1&id=A1135227567703B06E3621E9A79DD00A0CC1668A3AA285&viewstyle=noback)

I'm SQ elite so should be allowed entry to SQ's own lounge. ;)

The PVG website refers to a transit hotel (eg this page (http://www.shanghaiairport.com/en/pd1.jsp?categoryId=OUT_CON_B0190) mentions hourly hotel landside). Map (http://www.shanghaiairport.com/content/content/contentListAction34.do?doType=-1&id=A1135227567703B06E3621E9A79DD00A0CC1668A3AA285&viewstyle=noback)

Cool. SQ lounge has got far better food there but expect long walk.

How long will you be in Shanghai for? That couldn't be a nice transit hotel I would imagine.

I'm not interested in a bed etc, just a shower.

I fly LHR-HKG-AKL in part or whole regularly and have the following conclusions about the 3 lounges I can access (United RCC, Thai ROC and SQ):

1. RCC is easily the best. The food is reasonable, it is a quiet atmosphere, plenty of seats (NZ flights don't tend to parallel UA flights), more showers that are cleaned more often (and there are announcements).

2. Thai ROC lounge looks nicer, but gets busy quickly. Food in mornings is dire, attempts to do Western food for breakfast by those who have no clue whatsoever. One shower which does NOT get cleaned between users, which I complained about, but was told "we don't have enough time". On the plus side if you want internet access, there are a good 20 or so terminals you can use (United only has 3). So I'd advise shower and eat at RCC then go to Thai to surf the net.

3. Both RCC and ROC are 5 minutes walk from the gates NZ uses, but the SQ lounge is easily double that time as it is at the main terminal building. While its food is good, and there are clean showers, it has no window and is IMHO the worst of the lounge because of its ambience and distance from the gate.

The only complaint about the RCC is that there are not enough showers for all those transiting, but otherwise it is quite adequate.

I fly LHR-HKG-AKL in part or whole regularly and have the following conclusions about the 3 lounges I can access (United RCC, Thai ROC and SQ):

2. Thai ROC lounge looks nicer, but gets busy quickly. Food in mornings is dire, attempts to do Western food for breakfast by those who have no clue whatsoever. One shower which does NOT get cleaned between users, which I complained about, but was told "we don't have enough time". On the plus side if you want internet access, there are a good 20 or so terminals you can use (United only has 3). So I'd advise shower and eat at RCC then go to Thai to surf the net.



I certainly will not question your experiences, but when I used the TG Lounge last Saturday on NZ 39 in transit to LHR from AKL the shower was cleaned immediately and they also made an announcement when the flight was ready for boarding again.

There are several *A lounge options in PVG. I don't think any have showers, but I will be sure to check and report back (my trip is before yours).

Just checked SQ lounge at PVG is open a couple of hours before NZ flight leaves and has no showers.

The designated first class lounge is terrible, but there doesn't seem to be any particularly good lounges. No showers at any of them - not sure about the transit hotel (it is in the arrivals area as a consequence of how transfer check in works at PVG).

You should be able to visit the NH or SQ lounges, although may need to argue with reception (since they first check for invitation card and next suggest using the designated NZ lounge). These lounges are not very good, but still much better than lounge 18. I didn't find it much of a walk to the lounge or airbridge, but if get a low gate number it would be a reasonable distance.

Glad it was cleaned, perhaps it reflects demand.

I was in a queue for the shower when I went to the Thai ROC lounge, and it was far from clean when I went in (used toothbrush in the shower itself!). I also like to have a toilet/handbasin, United RCC has both of those.

Just to revive an old thread, does anyone know if Air NZ is still using the shabby old CNAC lounge for Koru members? No status, just a Koru member.

Tried calling them and they (local Air NZ Office) had no idea at all.

Cheers
AT

Just to revive an old thread, does anyone know if Air NZ is still using the shabby old CNAC lounge for Koru members? No status, just a Koru member.

Tried calling them and they (local Air NZ Office) had no idea at all.

Cheers
AT

NZ uses the United Airlines lounge at HKG.

NZ uses the United Airlines lounge at HKG.

Yes, for business class and *G pax. But non-*G economy pax who had paid Koru Club membership were directed to another lounge. Ann Tyrol is asking if that is still the case. The NZ website is hopeless at being up to date or accurate on these matters.

I don't know for sure but I thought I saw a lot of boarding passes that just said "KORU" on them in the TG lounge in HKG.

The pax may have been in business class though - I don't remember.