Originally Posted by
ageofenlightenment
Sorry, that's not accurate. If you have a premium class BP from an arriving CX flight (or OW Emerald status if arriving CX Y) you're perfectly entitled to use the arrivals lounge. The distinction with a transit is merely that there's no need to do so as you can effectively use The Wing as an arrivals lounge.
Not sure why there's any need for enigma around leaving the departures area. The first time I did so I merely asked one of the helpful CX lounge staff who directed me to the nearest exit point (admittedly, it wouldn't have been easy to find without the info provided). A layover of more than a few hours makes you perfectly justified to leave the airport through this less orthodox route.
I am sorry, but you are wrong as I have been briefed by the official people from HKIA and CX. You might got away with it before but from my experience it is not that simple. There is a procedure you have to go through to get back to arrivals.
Trust me, I've been doing this almost on a monthly basis in the past few years.
As for the arrivals lounge I have doubled check the information. It seems they have changed the wording:
"The Arrival- First Class Lounge (Landside)
Admittance
First Class Passengers arriving same day in Hong Kong
Gold tier members or above
oneworld Emerald members
* Admission only for
same day arrival on either Cathay Pacific or Dragonair flights of passengers in Hong Kong, or of passengers with
4 hours or more of transit time "
When they open the Arrival last year, it was stated in the rules that transit pax cannot use it. I think their rationale is to avoid people missing their connections. But the latest amendment makes it clearer.
Either way it is better to use the Wing and Pier as the food and beverage and facilities are better. However the arrival is a good lounge to spend an hour or so before heading to town
I think it is Important to post the legit and official information here to avoid people getting caught out unexpectedly.