Programs: AA PLT, SPG PLT, Hyatt PLT, Hilton Silver
Posts: 63
Differences between Galleries Club and Galleries First at T5 LHR
Can anyone comment on the differences between the BA galleries first class lounge and business lounge at T5 LHR? From what i have seen, there is a more extensive bar and some of the food is different in first. What about size, crowds, layout, other amenities, etc?
Can anyone comment on the differences between the BA galleries first class lounge and business lounge at T5 LHR? From what i have seen, there is a more extensive bar and some of the food is different in first. What about size, crowds, layout, other amenities, etc?
It's better in everyway imaginable, as it should be!
The main benefits in my eyes are
- Far less busy
- Far better, more extensive food options
- Champagne on tap
It's a bit less busy, but IMHO it's pushing it to go beyond that. Anywhere near a meal time it's very difficult to find a seat in the eating area for example. I often find myself sitting on the terrace or by the info desk not through choice, but because the main lounge is pretty much full.
Hot food is better, cold much of a muchness. Better wines.
The room, because of its position, is much lighter and airy.
It's a bit less busy, but IMHO it's pushing it to go beyond that. Anywhere near a meal time it's very difficult to find a seat in the eating area for example. I often find myself sitting on the terrace or by the info desk not through choice, but because the main lounge is pretty much full.
Hot food is better, cold much of a muchness. Better wines.
The room, because of its position, is much lighter and airy.
I'm suspecting you've not been up to GC at the same times! Not for a while at least.
Programs: BA Gold; Flying Blue Platinum for life; LH Senator; Hilton Diamond; Kemal Kebabs Prized Customer
Posts: 3,773
Additional facilities for Flounge include waiter service food - so you sit where you want and the staff will bring you options off the menu. Also there is a quiet area around the Champagne Bar which some people seem to use as a snoozing area. The IT equipment is more extensive, but there's a blaring TV to take away your concentration. And a machine for cleaning your shoes.
Programs: BA Gold GL CCR, KL/AF Plat, AC Super-Elite, EK Gold, SPG Plat
Posts: 1,947
All the above, plus a slightly more 'entitled' clientele, given virtually everyone is accessing due to having a oneworld Emerald card (or the guest of someone who has). Although in the past few years, the number of annoying loud-voiced banker types has declined (presumably due to travel cutbacks in that sector).
Programs: BA Gold Marriott silver Hilton Gold, Priority Club Platinum
Posts: 4
I have just hit Gold and used the First lounge in T3 for the first time early Monday morning this week. I was impressed. Spacious, much better food made to order and the champagne bar included premium brands. I haven't tried T5 yet but based on T3 I am looking forward to it.
We always start off in the Flounge but if our flight is from the other end we sometimes head to the Galleries lounge just before boarding. The difference is very noticeable – the Flounge is much calmer. However, the Galleries do have jacket potatoes and my partner prefers the white wine selection there so there is an upside too.
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It doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full. There is clearly room for more wine.
Programs: AA PLT, SPG PLT, Hyatt PLT, Hilton Silver
Posts: 63
You guys are all making me jealous. I will only qualify to be oneworld sapphire (AA PLT) and wanted to see what i would be missing out on if I don't do a few more MR to hit EXP with the AA DEQM promotion. For me, its more about quantity than quality so I think I'll hold up fine in the club lounge.
Thanks for all the feedback. Anymore comments are welcomed since I spent an hour looking online last night and no one has complied anything comparing the difference between Galleries Club and Galleries First (GC vs GF).
The food is less worse, the booze much better and it is generally much quieter than GC.
I'd actually say GC had more passengers who behave in an "entitled" manner - Silvers travelling Club generally seem to be the most diva-ish passengers I have experienced.
I have just hit Gold and used the First lounge in T3 for the first time early Monday morning this week. I was impressed. Spacious, much better food made to order and the champagne bar included premium brands. I haven't tried T5 yet but based on T3 I am looking forward to it.
One of my very favourite lounges. Very quiet during the day, great staff and decent food
Programs: AA PLT, SPG PLT, Hyatt PLT, Hilton Silver
Posts: 63
I would've guess that guests at GF would seem to be more entitled since they do travel a lot more than just silver (or oneworld sapphire) members.
I would be the complete opposite since it would be my first time ever in a lounge and would like to finally enjoy the fruits of my mileage runs (probably second time since I will try to enjoy the lounges at JFK).
I will be travelling on a Tuesday (leaving JFK Monday night) in late Feb so I hope it won't be too crowded. Probably just a lot of business people.
