Nov 1, 2017, 1:32 pm
Last edit by: yyznomad
Access to the Montreal (YUL) International Maple Leaf Lounge™ (MLL)
Latest news, as per The Altitude Report, "October Edition", sent on November 1, 2017:
Our Montreal International Maple Leaf Lounge™ next to Gate 52 offers a peaceful, sophisticated place to relax before taking flight. As a friendly reminder, eligible customers who are departing on an international flight may access the lounge, regardless of the departure gate. Those departing on a domestic flight may only access the international lounge if their departure gate is between 50 and 68. They can also access the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge next to Gates 1 and 3.
An aside from yyznomad: (November 1, 2017)
From my own insider information, there was a recent meeting to discuss access to the YUL International MLL. It was to discuss access eligibility for domestic flights, due to overcrowding. I found this out due to an experience where I was flying out of Gate 50 on a domestic flight and was denied by both a lounge agent and a concierge seated next to him. After patiently waiting for them to reconfirm the rules, only upon my insistence, did they let me in. The agent vehemently advised that it was Gate 52 and higher and told me to talk to the concierge next to him. The concierge then asked the same agent what the rule was, and sided with the agent without verifying.
Two days later, another agent apologized on their behalf for getting it wrong as it was still Gate 50 to 68. In any case, the rule still stands for gates 50-68.
Also, if you got in, but as an exception to the rules, then consider yourself simply as lucky.
So don't be afraid to stand your ground, with or without printed proof. So as long as you are eligible, stand your ground! You are most likely to get an agent who won't know the rules and wrongly turn you away.
Latest news, as per The Altitude Report, "October Edition", sent on November 1, 2017:
Our Montreal International Maple Leaf Lounge™ next to Gate 52 offers a peaceful, sophisticated place to relax before taking flight. As a friendly reminder, eligible customers who are departing on an international flight may access the lounge, regardless of the departure gate. Those departing on a domestic flight may only access the international lounge if their departure gate is between 50 and 68. They can also access the domestic Maple Leaf Lounge next to Gates 1 and 3.
An aside from yyznomad: (November 1, 2017)
From my own insider information, there was a recent meeting to discuss access to the YUL International MLL. It was to discuss access eligibility for domestic flights, due to overcrowding. I found this out due to an experience where I was flying out of Gate 50 on a domestic flight and was denied by both a lounge agent and a concierge seated next to him. After patiently waiting for them to reconfirm the rules, only upon my insistence, did they let me in. The agent vehemently advised that it was Gate 52 and higher and told me to talk to the concierge next to him. The concierge then asked the same agent what the rule was, and sided with the agent without verifying.
Two days later, another agent apologized on their behalf for getting it wrong as it was still Gate 50 to 68. In any case, the rule still stands for gates 50-68.Also, if you got in, but as an exception to the rules, then consider yourself simply as lucky.
So don't be afraid to stand your ground, with or without printed proof. So as long as you are eligible, stand your ground! You are most likely to get an agent who won't know the rules and wrongly turn you away.
YUL International MLL
Mar 23, 2018, 10:58 am
#226
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Perfect. I have a YUL/BGI flight next week Thursday
Mar 23, 2018, 11:53 am
#227
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Only the third item is new for an SE. Not sure if 75 or 50k flying domestic out of gates 50 and higher had the option previously.
Mar 23, 2018, 12:30 pm
#228
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Mar 23, 2018, 12:38 pm
#230
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That being said, this bit is a welcome, genuine enhancement:
Effective immediately, lounge access is also available if you are connecting on the same day to an international Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge®, or Star Alliance member airline operated flight in Calgary, Halifax, Ottawa, St John’s, Toronto (Pearson), or Vancouver.
Mar 23, 2018, 12:43 pm
#231
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There is a chance for my upcoming YUL-YHZ award flight, that the gate could be A50+. If so, then I'm gonna try getting access using my CIBC Aerogold Visa annual pass and will report 
Mar 23, 2018, 12:58 pm
#232
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Mar 23, 2018, 1:17 pm
#233
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The rules mention that Business class travelers (regardless of status) are also eligible for the A50+ gate rule. But no mention about people using the Aeroplan credit card access. Worth trying..
Mar 23, 2018, 1:30 pm
#234
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There's no mention of the paper passes because those specifically mention that they're only valid at domestic and transborder lounges. This thread is about an international lounge. But hey, if you want to take the long walk of shame back to the domestic MLL, have at it.
Mar 23, 2018, 1:47 pm
#235
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If you're flying business class, you wouldn't need the "CIBC Aerogold Visa annual pass" you mentioned in your post.
There's no mention of the paper passes because those specifically mention that they're only valid at domestic and transborder lounges. This thread is about an international lounge. But hey, if you want to take the long walk of shame back to the domestic MLL, have at it.
There's no mention of the paper passes because those specifically mention that they're only valid at domestic and transborder lounges. This thread is about an international lounge. But hey, if you want to take the long walk of shame back to the domestic MLL, have at it.
Mar 23, 2018, 9:51 pm
#236
Join Date: Jan 2016
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If you're flying business class, you wouldn't need the "CIBC Aerogold Visa annual pass" you mentioned in your post.
There's no mention of the paper passes because those specifically mention that they're only valid at domestic and transborder lounges. This thread is about an international lounge. But hey, if you want to take the long walk of shame back to the domestic MLL, have at it.
There's no mention of the paper passes because those specifically mention that they're only valid at domestic and transborder lounges. This thread is about an international lounge. But hey, if you want to take the long walk of shame back to the domestic MLL, have at it.
While AC state this lounge is international, why are domestic flights going out of there? At YYZ the zones are completely seperate, not the case in YUL? I mean if you land Intl at YUL you have to clear security again for a domestic flight.
Clearly I am not that familiar with YUL...
Mar 23, 2018, 10:09 pm
#237
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While AC state this lounge is international, why are domestic flights going out of there? At YYZ the zones are completely seperate, not the case in YUL? I mean if you land Intl at YUL you have to clear security again for a domestic flight.
Clearly I am not that familiar with YUL...
Clearly I am not that familiar with YUL...
Of course if you arrive in YUL from an international flight, you'll have to go through customs formalities. Depending on your origin, you may or may not have to go back through security.
Mar 24, 2018, 10:58 am
#238
Join Date: Aug 2017
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YUL.YHZ from gate 60 2018 March 22
AC 688 YUL-YHZ today seems to be departing from gate A66, and AC7566 departed from gate A60 yesterday.
The rules mention that Business class travelers (regardless of status) are also eligible for the A50+ gate rule. But no mention about people using the Aeroplan credit card access. Worth trying..
The rules mention that Business class travelers (regardless of status) are also eligible for the A50+ gate rule. But no mention about people using the Aeroplan credit card access. Worth trying..
I frequently use YUL Int. MLL flying YUL.YYZ on 330 service, usually from a 50's gate very close to the lounge. On Thursday eve. this past week, I flew AC7566 (E175) from gate 60, so enjoyed a stir fry and perfect Manhattan, before the long walk to the gate.
Mar 24, 2018, 11:01 am
#239
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She poured a mean perfect Manhattan.
Mar 24, 2018, 12:24 pm
#240
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Actually, I was wondering about the passes. Which are only technically not valid in lounges within the international zones. You can use a pass on an Intl flight out of YHZ/YYT just fine.
While AC state this lounge is international, why are domestic flights going out of there? At YYZ the zones are completely seperate, not the case in YUL? I mean if you land Intl at YUL you have to clear security again for a domestic flight.
Clearly I am not that familiar with YUL...