Originally Posted by Hyperacusis

I have mixed feelings about this. For one thing, I am happy about the impact this will have on the zoo that is the T3 J lounge at DXB. But this is most definitely a dilution of benefits, similar to what Silvers experienced with the T1 lounge restriction.

That being said, it should be noted that there are very, very few airlines that provide lounge access to 25k level status members. I can't think of any right now besides EK (and EY?). Lounge access as a Silver was always a benefit that equivalent flying on another carrier wouldn't get you at the same level. So EK still maintains a competitive edge there.

Also, note how certain airlines/alliances (*cough* Star *cough*) restrict *G members in Y to specific lounges that tend to be inferior to their J lounges. Once again, EK's Gold lounge access for Golds in Y is at least comparable to other airlines.

Where EK could improve and alleviate some of the Y pain, is to allow a small subset of non-F pax access to the F lounges. The DXB F lounge is as large as the J lounge there, with as much capacity, but with only a tiny fraction of the pax. OneWorld allows their higest tier access to F lounges on any itinerary. While EK does not have an equivalent 100k tier, perhaps one approach could be to allow Golds in J access to the F lounge, or at least just the F lounge at DXB. Maybe restrict access to the Spa and ala carte dining to only paid F pax (as BA does for OW Emeralds accessing their F lounges who aren't on an F ticket). I honestly don't think this would dilute the exclusivity of the massive and always empty DXB F lounge, while relieving the strain on the J lounge, AND adding a benefit for top Golds.