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The Consolidated "Lounge Access in PEK (Beijing)" Thread

The Consolidated "Lounge Access in PEK (Beijing)" Thread

 
Old Jun 6, 2005, 7:38 am
  #31  
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Originally Posted by CApreppie
A longer discussion on PEK *G lounges last posted to yesterday in this forum: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=439580
Keep in mind that neither the CA nor BGS lounges are *Star affiliated, so you still need the invite/chit to get in.

The first time I went through PEK I wanted to check out both lounges. The first one I came upon was CA, and I just explained to the desk agents that I would like to just wander the lounge to see if I wanted to stay there (told them I was comparing).

I did not get an escort like Globehopper did, nor was I so presumptuous to pop a can of juice. Maybe because I was in there legitimately and according to the rules, not asking the desk agents to put themselves on the line for allowing an in interloper (can you imagine how many they deal with a day, trying to wheedle and whine their way in). Just took a quick spin, thanked the young ladies on my way out, and mentioned that I might see them again if I didn't like the BGS better. They were very courteous and smiling. A+ for service.

Did the same thing at BGS, except an escort volunteered herself to come with me who did a very nice job of showing me what's what and where's where. When I said I would like to stay here, got a pleasant "Huang yin ning de guang ling, *** xian sheng, qing man yung." Didn't even ask for the chit, but I caught her as he was turning around to give it to her.

Now if I were going to write any letters to any airlines it would have been to compliment the service and worldliness that these representatives showed me. One time because I asked for them to turn down the air conditioning a little bit which was blowing really too hard and cold in the location that I like to sit, the agents at the desk tell each other to check that the air conditioning isn't too cold whenever I come in.

Funny how things work differently for you when you're welcome (make yourself welcome) somewhere!

Last edited by KMHT FF; Jun 6, 2005 at 7:44 am
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Old Jun 8, 2005, 10:30 pm
  #32  
 
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Unhappy Pvg

The ANA/UA Lounge in PVG is not too bad however it is not a RCC!
-UFFA
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Old Jun 9, 2005, 4:52 am
  #33  
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Originally Posted by oldandslow
Did my first trip to PEK last week, and dropped in on the lounge. It was barely worth stopping - minimal drinks and food, the computer desks have RJ45 connections pulled out of the wall and just lying around (so you have to go rooting around to get a working line), and the aircon was only marginally effective.

Good stuff? Umm, not exactly, but a lot of other flights leave well before UA 888 so the lounge was emptier than I expected for a chunk of time before the flight.

Next time, I'll follow moondog's advice above and arrive late; if I have time I'll stop at Starbucks ...
Which lounge did you go to?

I find BGS to be perfectly fine. If I want a 10-course buffet I'll go to a restaurant before heading to the airport. If I really need to be online I'll make sure I have AirCard. As far as air conditioning goes maybe you were in there when I was - mentioned earlier they turn it down when I go in. Either that or lose some weight.
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Old Jun 11, 2005, 8:25 am
  #34  
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PEK RCC Report

I just returned from PEK last night. Thanks for the suggestions about the two available clubs. I ended up using the GSA club (I think I got that right!) as oppossed to the China Airways club. I found the club to be very nice--there was a selection of hot and cold food and plenty of beverages. I am glad I had the opportunity to use it as our flight--UA 850--was delayed about 4 hours!

The decor of the club was a bit 70ish, but overall, it was much better than sitting at the gate!
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Old Jun 11, 2005, 10:17 am
  #35  
 
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Originally Posted by UnitedFFinAsia
The ANA/UA Lounge in PVG is not too bad however it is not a RCC!
-UFFA
I was just in that lounge yesterday before my flight to ORD. It was indeed not great, but better than sitting out in the airport. I noticed on my walk to gate 24 from the ANA lounge that there is an SQ lounge around gate 23 at PVG. Has anyone tried using that (either with C/F tix or with a RCC membership card)?

-matt
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Old Jun 11, 2005, 2:58 pm
  #36  
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Originally Posted by UncleJed
I was just in that lounge yesterday before my flight to ORD. It was indeed not great, but better than sitting out in the airport. I noticed on my walk to gate 24 from the ANA lounge that there is an SQ lounge around gate 23 at PVG. Has anyone tried using that (either with C/F tix or with a RCC membership card)?

-matt
I can't tell whether you're talking about PEK or PVG, but I have used the SQ lounge at PVG and it is pretty much the same as the rest of the bunch. McDonalds is better. A soft hotel bed is much better.

I'm booked on 858 next Tuesday. If anyone happens to be on the same flight, I'd be delighted to show you my favorite airport spots during the 8-10 minutes I'll have to spare inside security (delays not withstanding, of course).
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Old Jul 26, 2005, 5:42 am
  #37  
 
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I just returned from PEK last week. On checkin I got the coupon that allowed me to choose one of the lounges. I chose the BGS lounge, based on the posts I saw here. I have to say that I didn't find the lounge to be bad at all. Furniture was OK and comfortable. There were the usual selection of drinks (soda, beer, etc). There was a small buffet that wasn't bad. Actually, I've had less food available in NRT or ORD at the RCC then I had in PEK. Overall, an OK lounge.

NOTE: It was my first trip to PEK. I found out that you can not change money back to dollars at the bank opposite gate 12 unless you did your initial conversion from the same bank. Apparently this is common in China. Only the bank that did the initial conversion will convert back. And, they choose the lower rate of the current rate and the rate you converted to Yaun at.
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Old Jul 26, 2005, 7:03 am
  #38  
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Originally Posted by pcause
I just returned from PEK last week. On checkin I got the coupon that allowed me to choose one of the lounges. I chose the BGS lounge, based on the posts I saw here. I have to say that I didn't find the lounge to be bad at all. Furniture was OK and comfortable. There were the usual selection of drinks (soda, beer, etc). There was a small buffet that wasn't bad. Actually, I've had less food available in NRT or ORD at the RCC then I had in PEK. Overall, an OK lounge.
Here here...I missed this thread the first time around, and glad that I chose the BGS lounge--randomly, versus the AC lounge. I was quite impressed with the lounge--better than most RCCs...Contrasted to a few posts above, here's what I observed there 2 weeks ago:

Drink selection was better than any RCC I've been to anywhere--booze, 10 kinds of beer, soft drinks, juices, teas, coffee.

Food selection was better than any RCC I've been to anywhere--hot dumplings (which I passed on), cookies, full desserts like blueberry cheesecake and eclairs which weren't bad, sandwiches and more.

Was not hot or humid in there--very comfortable, not crowded and plenty of room to spread out.

There was a putting green in the back of the club (towards the end of the windows). Never seen one of those in any other club before. Was a fun way to kill about 3 minutes .

Communications/work areas seemed to be lacking. Free dial-up, but you can get that anywhere in China.
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Old Jul 26, 2005, 7:20 am
  #39  
 
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I had a similarly positive experience in June at this lounge. I think this thread had effectively managed my expectations downwards! It is not like a Silver Kris lounge but it has a decent range of drinks, some 'interesting' food, and the seats were comfortable for the short time I was there. While certainly not the best, I have seen worse (UA RCC lounge at ATL for instance!!!)
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Old Jul 26, 2005, 11:03 am
  #40  
 
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The contracted lounge in PEK is often crowded and noisy. I was allowed to use another lounge(can't remember the name) when I couldn't find a place to sit! Very similar situation happened in PVG!
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Old Aug 7, 2005, 11:28 am
  #41  
 
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Lounge access at PEK as *G

This will be my first time going to PEK as *G. I've read a couple of threads here that there is no Star Lounge in PEK and all the lounges are contracted ones. Does this mean that I cannot use any of the lounges or will I get invitation card when checking in so that I can use Air China lounge or other lounge?
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Old Aug 8, 2005, 9:54 am
  #42  
 
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There is no *A lounge in PEK.

You can use a lounge if you are *G.

They will give you an invitation card at check-in for either the Air China lounge or the BJS contract lounge.

Both suck.

The general consensus is that the BJS lounge may suck less than the Air China lounge.

Additional consensus is to ignore both lounges and head to the Starbucks in the departures area. It apparently sucks less than both lounges.

Or else arrive at the airport at the absolute last minute. This apparently is the least suckiest of all options.
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Old Aug 8, 2005, 10:25 am
  #43  
 
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I would hope that I can arrive at the airport at last minute, but my outgoing iternary would be like WNZ-PEK-SFO-JFK, so I don't have much of a choice. As there's only a couple of hours of connection time, I guess I will check out BJS lounge first, and then if I don't like it, I will be at Starbucks. Thanx for the reply.
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Old Aug 8, 2005, 10:38 am
  #44  
 
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Im trying to remember which lounge I was given access to in March. I do remember that the food offering was not bad at all. There were a couple different pastry offerings (fresh) and instant noodles and perhaps something else. I thought it was nice and if I remember one of them has wifi... could be wrong on that, just noticed people using their laptops. I would not skip the lounge and head for starbucks. Plenty of drinks and nice ambiance. Go for the lounge.
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Old Aug 8, 2005, 11:38 am
  #45  
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Originally Posted by kkjay77
I would hope that I can arrive at the airport at last minute, but my outgoing iternary would be like WNZ-PEK-SFO-JFK, so I don't have much of a choice. As there's only a couple of hours of connection time, I guess I will check out BJS lounge first, and then if I don't like it, I will be at Starbucks. Thanx for the reply.
why not spend the night here? domestic to international connections are unpleasent enough to warrant doing so in and of themselves. furthermore, beijing is an interesting city.

btw, i usually reply to this topic with the same party line whenever it comes up (about 4 times per year), but fermat said what i would have (particularly the part about getting to the airport at the last possible minute).
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