Hi everyone,

I'm adding my experience to this thread having just returned from a tier point run taking in Helsinki, London, Doha and Abu Dhabi. I wish I had read this thread before I booked! I am BA Gold (BA Silver at the time of travel) and only that saved me from having no lounge to go to, despite being on a business class ticket.

Because of my relatively complex itinerary I booked through Propeller Travel, feeding them output from ITA Matrix. I requested they book the cheapest business class fare, not knowing the restrictions being discussed here! (side note: Propeller Travel offer an absolutely brilliant service - I will certainly be using them again to book complex itineraries).

On Saturday 25th May I flew from Helsinki to Heathrow. I arrived at T3 and bussed over to T4 airside. Once through security I was called over to a Qatar desk and received the first bit of bad news - I was on a Business Lite fare, and therefore I couldn't use the premium lounge at T4. I was also told (incorrectly I later found out) that because I was on a First class ticket on my onward to Abu Dhabi, that I'd be able to use the Al Safwa lounge at Doha.

Because I had 4+ hours, and because I had used it before, I decided to spend the £80 to access the premium lounge at Heathrow, rather than use the frequent flyer lounge.

On arrival at Doha, I proudly produced my F ticket at the Al Safwa lounge, looking forward to four hours there. I received the same news - I was on a Business Lite fare, so I couldn't use it. I asked if I could pay to use Al Safwa and was told 'no' (is this correct?) and was (also incorrectly) directed to the Al Mourjan lounge. At the Al Mourjan lounge, I was directed to the 'Gold and Platinum' lounge at the north end of the airport (near gate C52 if I remember rightly), given that by connection to AUH was flying out from that end. That lounge was actually pretty decent, with nice showers, plenty of seating on an open and airy balcony above the terminal, and good food ordered from a menu.

Same story on the return obviously. My DOH to LHR flight was departing from gate A1 so I was directed to the Gold lounge there. That was pretty awful - low ceilings, small, no food cooked to order - so I promptly departed and went to the Gold and Platinum lounge at the north end of the terminal.