British Airways Executive Club - British Airways' Miami Flights Move to MIA Concourse G/F from 1 November 2007

Looks like this long anticipated move is going to happen in the next few weeks.

So it's au revoir to the lovely MIA Dragons, and their Terraces lair, much coveted by AAdvantage flyers, and renowned as the best in the network for keeping out undesirables. The blond Dragoness one was actually quite hot, if you like that sort of thing.

Club America F will be the new lounge; I was last there in the early 80s when I was on a delayed flight and enjoyed free supper courtesy of BA with the Marquis of Tavistock, but they had Lego then, so I was happy ;). Doesn't sound great, so I hope they refurbish it.

Though check in will be at G Concourse, the gates used with be in F. Not sure if that's a problem or not; anyone know the airport well? I would imagine therefore there is no access to any AA lounges from that area, as otherwise that would be the preferred alternative.

You can learn more about the lounges at MIA here (http://www.miami-airport.com/html/clubs_and_lounges.html). There is even an "Armed Forces Service Centre" in Concourse B. Je ne dit rien.

At least these flight will stop departing exT3 when T5 comes online, also improving the Arrivals experience as no need to schlep to T1 for a shower.

So not only do I get one of the last days to use LAX interim lounge but also one of the last days for MIA.

Club America F will be the new lounge; I was last there in the early 80s when I was on a delayed flight and enjoyed free supper courtesy of BA with the Marquis of Tavistock, but they had Lego then, so I was happy ;). Doesn't sound great, so I hope they refurbish it.
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At least these flight will stop departing exT3 when T5 comes online, also improving the Arrivals experience as no need to schlep to T1 for a shower.

Is this the old lounge that used to be there when Concorde flew on the MIA route (those were the days) ? That was a HORRIBLE lounge, although it did have windows out onto the runway IIRC.

As to arrivals in T3, can you not use the AA Lounge, which I was led to believe had showers ? Not sure about that, just a thought.

As to arrivals in T3, can you not use the AA Lounge, which I was led to believe had showers ? Not sure about that, just a thought.

Club America is not a great lounge, but hopefuly it will be enhanced while BA use it. I will be there in June.

You don't get access to the AA Arrivals Lounge when flying BA as arrivals lounges are outside the oneworld agreement IIRC.

Anyway, I heard the facilities (http://www.bronek.org/weblog/images/toilet.jpg)weren't as good as the Elemis Arrivals Lounge in T1, so no spa treatment, clothes pressing, full English Breakfast.....

That's a shame. The MIA lounge had a lovely view over the runways.

Mind you, I do try to avoid MIA if at all possible.

What a bore. I am flying in to MIA on Nov 1 and out on Nov 3.

I guess I'll be arriving very late for the departure flight and not bothering with the lounge...

What about arrival - is it the same arrival terminal?

Is it Concourse A as usual, up to 31/10? And the Terraces Lounge is still open too up to 31/10?

Is it Concourse A as usual, up to 31/10? And the Terraces Lounge is still open too up to 31/10?

Hope so as I'm flying out on 30/10.

Hope so as I'm flying out on 30/10.


And me on 28/10. Shall I leave you a secret note somewhere? :)

Glad I'll get my one and only look at the MIA lounge on the 15th... Hope its worth it!

And me on 28/10. Shall I leave you a secret note somewhere? :)

Why not! ;)

Does MIA know what it's in for - Smirnoff and Sunrisegirl in the space of 2 days!! :eek::D

BA is scheduled to move Nov 1st ( but I would be surprised if the specified date come to fruition)

Good news is that arriving flights will use the new South Terminal $1B arrival facilities (DHS) and possibily baggage system.
The old DC/Club America lounge is not great.

Bad news is that connecting both inbound and outbound to many domestic airlines ( except those at F/G/H/K) but primarily AA will require passing through security once more:).

Many AA flyers I know (including myself) hold a less than exalted opinion of the current Terraces :rolleyes:

And finally to correct one little tid-bit of mis-infomation concourse B was demolished in mid 2005.

mike

Why not! ;)

Does MIA know what it's in for - Smirnoff and Sunrisegirl in the space of 2 days!! :eek::D

and me

And finally to correct one little tid-bit of mis-infomation concourse B was demolished in mid 2005.

Not according to the MIA website (http://www.miami-airport.com/html/armed_forces_service_center.html) linked in my OP.

And finally to correct one little tid-bit of mis-infomation concourse B was demolished in mid 2005.

Not according to the MIA website (http://www.miami-airport.com/html/armed_forces_service_center.html) linked in my OP. Perhaps the website is incorrect?

Not according to the MIA website (http://www.miami-airport.com/html/armed_forces_service_center.html) linked in my OP. Perhaps the website is incorrect?

That website is wrong. Concourse B was demolished a long time ago, and Concourse C sees the wrecking ball in about three months.

On the bright side, when Concourse A re-opens in two years, British Airways will be unveiling a completely redesigned Terrace Lounge. They tried to find space for a temporary Terrace in Concourse F, but there just isn't space available.

And me on 28/10. Shall I leave you a secret note somewhere? :)

Can you leave me a very hidden note as well? I won't be there until 02/12 :p

It's not that much of a loss - one of the poorer outstation lounges imo.

It's not that much of a loss - one of the poorer outstation lounges imo.

The new Terrace Lounge at MIA should be pretty impressive when it re-opens. BA is going to invest a lot into it, and are trying to get more space for it.

Can anyone update the status of the MIA concourse move?

I am flying out on Sunday.

Will I check in at A or G?

Can anyone update the status of the MIA concourse move?

I am flying out on Sunday.

Will I check in at A or G?

I flew out of there last night and they were expecting to move sometime Thursday, but didn't think that would happen though it should still be this week. Obviously therefore difficult to say, however you will be able to see if the desks are still there when you arrive at departures.

Flew out of MIA last night. Check-in is in Concourse F, then straight up to Club America.

And what a horrible, pokey place that is. No windows, no direct access to the bar - have to ask for drinks, even water and coffee, from the staff, who have a prominently placed tip bowl - no food apart from pretzels and cookies, and $35 for a shower! I preferred to stink my way back to London, and ended up going to the gate early.

Think sub-sub-Admirals Club, and you'll get a picture. Highly unrecommended, but it'll be two or three years before the new Terraces opens.

While I cannot confirm this is true, from what I have heard, British Airways will takeover management of the Club America lounge in early 2008 and make it a temporay Terrace club. Club America has a new lounge in Concourse J opening, where most of the airlines that used the Club America lounge for their passengers are now located.

Flew out of MIA last night. Check-in is in Concourse F, then straight up to Club America.

And what a horrible, pokey place that is. No windows, no direct access to the bar - have to ask for drinks, even water and coffee, from the staff, who have a prominently placed tip bowl - no food apart from pretzels and cookies, and $35 for a shower! I preferred to stink my way back to London, and ended up going to the gate early.

Think sub-sub-Admirals Club, and you'll get a picture. Highly unrecommended, but it'll be two or three years before the new Terraces opens.

A friend arrived back yesterday from a trip to Miami for the White Party and the first thing he mentioned on the phone to me was the lounge. He had no idea that the BA lounge was closed, and gave me a horrific description of the lounge which he could use, which made me search for this thread. Much as you describe. Furthemore, he is a Gold and was not allowed a guest. Is this right?

He also travelled WTP - the furthest back he has been in a plane for a while, I think. He got some ultra-cheap deal and MFUd from WT (don't ask me how). I asked him how it was. "I don't want to think about it", was all he could say, very grumpily. I think unless you are tall (like me, but not my friend) WTP seems much the same as WT and I don't think he plans to do that again.

A friend arrived back yesterday from a trip to Miami for the White Party and the first thing he mentioned on the phone to me was the lounge. He had no idea that the BA lounge was closed, and gave me a horrific description of the lounge which he could use, which made me search for this thread. Much as you describe. Furthemore, he is a Gold and was not allowed a guest. Is this right?

He also travelled WTP - the furthest back he has been in a plane for a while, I think. He got some ultra-cheap deal and MFUd from WT (don't ask me how). I asked him how it was. "I don't want to think about it", was all he could say, very grumpily. I think unless you are tall (like me, but not my friend) WTP seems much the same as WT and I don't think he plans to do that again.

Quite agree about WTP. I really don't know why anyone would pay what can be quite a lot extra for it, other than to mfu. If I had a choice of row 28 or seats 29A/K over anything in WTP, I'd take the former everytime. WT seat is softer and cradles the body better, imho.
Just done a MIA and we were all shocked by the state of the new concourse. Makes T4 seem fresh and clean :eek:. Ground staff lady said we'd be there for about 3 years, although was cynical as to this staying to schedule (muttered something about 'knowing Miami-Dade..')

Quite agree about WTP. I really don't know why anyone would pay what can be quite a lot extra for it, other than to mfu.
I am a shade over 6'4" and I would pay for it - at least at the cheaper end of the fare range - if I couldn't afford Club and couldn't otherwise guarantee a seat with extra legroom, such as an exit row. At my height travelling in an ordinary Y seat long-haul is a very miserable experience. But for someone less than 6' I'm not sure it makes much sense.

Sorry, OT. I know we've had this discussion before.

Flew out of Miami late November. Arrived at 18.45 for 20.45 flight and check in was empty. Staff were very friendly and efficient, which was the same as on previous departures, and were apologetic about the lounge. No queues at security. Good to see the same BA person at the lounge desk. The lounge is OK for sitting and dreadful for refreshments. Priority boarding offered for those with entitlement.

Unless they have moved lots of evening flights to F with A closing, F is normally dead, dead, dead at that time, so security lines short and quick... so why bother with the lounge ?... just grab a bite outside security (and perhaps a Margarita) at Chilli's (they do some mean salads), or Au Bon Pain... both very close to F.

BTW, little or nothing past security on F in the way of snacks or juice to buy...be warned.

If you happen to be on AA (One World etc) or have lots of time and are keen to get to a club, the E Admirals Club is opened again and is much quieter and calmer than the very busy D one...