I just got back from a trip to Italy using my newly matched Freccia Alata Plus card, LHR-FCO-CTA-LIN-LCY in economy.

I was keen to use the new EY lounge in LHR, but also try and get a lounge appointment at the Skyteam Clarins Spa. As you walk past the Skyteam lounge to get to EY, I went in there first, and was able to get an appointment for an hours time. The agent welcomed me in and said upstairs was less busy. I thanked her, but said I was going downstairs to check out the EY lounge, and headed off downstairs.

I was welcomed into the EY lounge, and given a quick tour (it's nice, but not spectacular. The service is a little more personalised that the ST lounge, like being brought champagne refills.) The EY lady, however, came up to me after a few minutes saying that she had got a call from the ST lounge saying that I wasn't allowed to visit more than one lounge, and I had to pick. I stayed in the EY lounge.

However, I went up to the ST lounge to try and get my spa, and was told that I was not allowed in as I'd used the EY lounge.

I had a protracted conversation with the lounge manager, and apparently AZ have implemented this "one lounge only" policy, but not put it in writing anywhere *.

I admit to being a bit of a DYKWIA, and insisting on getting this in writing, as it wasn't stated anywhere. There was a bit of calling around, trying to get hold of the AZ station manager. Clearly I was the first person to try and challenge this "policy". The result was that, as the flight was delayed 2 hours, and as a special exception, I would be allowed in (they also booked me the last spa appointment). It was all quite exhausting!

So, if you are hoping to use both the LHR Skyteam and Etihad lounges, do NOT mention this to the staff! I don't imagine the systems are linked such that EY and ST can see if you have already gone into the other lounge.

*Or is it written anywhere?

OT 1: The new Casa Alitalia lounges in CTA and LIN are pretty, but boy are those seats uncomfortable! And the LIN catering could not cope with peak time demand. Trays of food was literally empty within a minute of being put out. And they ran out of cups
OT 2: The odd landside check-in bar/cafe in FCO is quite cool. Shame there is no lounge by the "B" Gates. Shame I didn't realise you could check in there, as I was stuck in a "Sky Priority" line in the domestic area for 20 mins.
OT 3: I like the new look cabins, much warmer than the BA ones
OT 4: Why are some boarding passes green and others red?