Usually you don't know if your departure is from B until quiet close to departure. And if you get it wrong it's quite a schlep back. For this reason the lounge in B is much, much less busy and much preferred. I use the FLounge at T5S, but even so I check with the information desk to establish if the departure is in B so that I can use the club lounge there!
An additional question : is it easy to get from B departures to C departures?
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Go to one of the Club lounges in T5A until you know you're departing from T5B, then go to the B lounge.
I wouldn't bother with the B lounge if you're departing from C, but yes it's relatively easy to get to C from B - just take the lift down to platform level and wait for the next train.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ColdWalker
An additional question : is it easy to get from B departures to C departures?
Yes, just follow the signs back down to the shuttle, it's clearly labelled. However because of the shuttle time overhead, if you are a C terminal passenger I would recommend staying in the main building (A gates) until 40 minutes or so before departure time. Lounge qualifying passengers can get free refreshments from Starbucks in C gate.
Yes, just follow the signs back down to the shuttle, it's clearly labelled. However because of the shuttle time overhead, if you are a C terminal passenger I would recommend staying in the main building (A gates) until 40 minutes or so before departure time. Lounge qualifying passengers can get free refreshments from Starbucks in C gate.
I never knew that about Starbucks - what a splendidly useful bit of information. Thank you.
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Thanks. I knew before I got to T5 that it was a B gate (printed on the BP). In B now - yes, it is much quieter than GC South was.
Wow! Printing it on your BP when you check in online is new. I wonder if this is a sign of things to come generally. If so
Manlord - you will find the spa is quieter too and much more easy toget appointments in if you have time.
Quote:
Originally Posted by V10
I never knew that about Starbucks - what a splendidly useful bit of information. Thank you.
Just show your boarding pass. You get credit of up to £10 IIRC.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ColdWalker
Just show your boarding pass. You get credit of up to £10 IIRC.
Or even £15? Whichever!
I'm a great fan of the T5B Lounge, and I've noted that declaration of Gate (B or C) seems to be quite early at times. Last year we were at bag-drop at T-2.5 hours and were 'told' to go to the B Lounge - I queried that, but the Agent was adamant it was a B-gates departure. Excellent result, of course, but a PITA if it subsequently goes wrong and you have to reverse course to A.
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Yes, just follow the signs back down to the shuttle, it's clearly labelled. However because of the shuttle time overhead, if you are a C terminal passenger I would recommend staying in the main building (A gates) until 40 minutes or so before departure time. Lounge qualifying passengers can get free refreshments from Starbucks in C gate.
This falls down if the lounges are busy. We flew out of the C gates in August around 6pm. GC North was like a zoo. The extra hassle of hopping back on the train was nothing in comparison, and the B lounge is an absolute haven.
I don't care much for the B lounge for some reason. Yes it is usually quieter but I have found the food selection to be much more limited (last Monday at about 19:30 there was very little hot food available) and I prefer the atmosphere of GC South.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by windowontheAside
I don't care much for the B lounge for some reason. Yes it is usually quieter but I have found the food selection to be much more limited (last Monday at about 19:30 there was very little hot food available) and I prefer the atmosphere of GC South.
A classic YMMV reaction!
We're not looking for a big meal, as we get one on the aircraft.
And the only 'atmosphere' we want is quiet
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As my flight schedule is more leisure, I tend to travel outside the rush periods where GC South is apparently an "unbearable scrum" (though luckily not as bad as the recent feedback on the T1 lounge ) and I actually prefer GC South now to T5B.. The food and drink selection is better, many different zones to choose from depending whether you want to lounge about, watch tv, eat food whereas T5B all feels a bit squashed in comparison, though very nice when its quiet and all you want is a coffee before the flight. For peak periods when all the European business flights are leaving though am sure T5B (more longhaul) is a haven
Also dont feel so guilty asking for a glass of champagne in GC South (I know I'm not Gold/GGL royalty but I am entitled to request a glass in Galleries Club all the same) whereas in T5B the reaction from the lounge staff is a cross between puzzled and disdain making me feel like one of the kids in Oliver twist
