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
Jan 17, 2015, 1:15 am
#31
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Platinum, hhonors Gold
Posts: 3,422
For the rumour any thoughts on timing? I recommended that a friend spend some extra time there before their flight and would be disappointed if they had to go to the crowded space upstairs without poutine and some better draft selections.
Jan 17, 2015, 8:12 am
#32
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YOW
Posts: 1,024
According to the 1st post - it is slated to open Fall 2015
Jan 17, 2015, 8:13 am
#33
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
You'd have to look at the peak of int'l flights and add up all the J and SE's. My guess is in the evening when there is usually 5+ int'l AC flights it would be way too many PAX for that small an area.
Jan 17, 2015, 10:21 am
#34
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Toronto
Programs: AC*SE100K 1MM, Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
Posts: 735
Interesting, I'm connecting there to CDG on Monday, so I'll check it out.
Jan 17, 2015, 10:23 am
#35
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
+1. Montreal's got 5 or more TATL pretty much every day, mostly on 330s with 39J. Even with an average of 30 J, that's 150 pax you need to fit, plus all the SE in Y, plus various guests. Way too much for downstairs at YUL.
Jan 17, 2015, 2:02 pm
#36
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: UA*1K, Marriott Titanium (LTP), Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,665
Interesting idea - I've haven't seen the newly renovated lounge or this new area with custom cooking, but can't wait for an SE-only lounge!
And yes, I'm biased towards making it SE-only
And yes, I'm biased towards making it SE-only
Jan 17, 2015, 2:15 pm
#37
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,520
I'll reiterate, since it appears I'm the only one...
AC recently renovated this area. Now, within 1 year, they're going to re-renovate and make an SE lounge?? In a city with less International traffic than the YYZ, where one assumes AC makes its bucks. Wouldn't it make more sense to build one in TO?
Am I the only one who fails to see the logic here, or is everyone blinded by the idea of an SE lounge that premise behind it is irrelevant?
Dorian, care to share where this info came from?
AC recently renovated this area. Now, within 1 year, they're going to re-renovate and make an SE lounge?? In a city with less International traffic than the YYZ, where one assumes AC makes its bucks. Wouldn't it make more sense to build one in TO?
Am I the only one who fails to see the logic here, or is everyone blinded by the idea of an SE lounge that premise behind it is irrelevant?
Dorian, care to share where this info came from?
Jan 17, 2015, 3:33 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2014
Location: TXL, YUL
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 43
While I absolutely believe Dorian was told this, if anything, we should all be upset at the waste of money that re-renovating a recently renovated lounge (along with the communications roll-out etc this would entail) is & how easily it could be spent more effectively - either for SE / J passengers specifically, or for all AC FFs.
Jan 17, 2015, 4:20 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
I'll reiterate, since it appears I'm the only one...
AC recently renovated this area. Now, within 1 year, they're going to re-renovate and make an SE lounge?? In a city with less International traffic than the YYZ, where one assumes AC makes its bucks. Wouldn't it make more sense to build one in TO?
Am I the only one who fails to see the logic here, or is everyone blinded by the idea of an SE lounge that premise behind it is irrelevant?
Dorian, care to share where this info came from?
AC recently renovated this area. Now, within 1 year, they're going to re-renovate and make an SE lounge?? In a city with less International traffic than the YYZ, where one assumes AC makes its bucks. Wouldn't it make more sense to build one in TO?
Am I the only one who fails to see the logic here, or is everyone blinded by the idea of an SE lounge that premise behind it is irrelevant?
Dorian, care to share where this info came from?
I think the reaction of this thread is consistent with what I would expect... I would never expect complaints on extra money spent on a lounge from a group who (no everyone, but inherently) focuses entirely on squeezing maximum value out of the airlines.
The only complain I was expecting was "why YUL and not YYZ", which did appear. Now waiting on YVR YYC YRG shenanigans.
Jan 17, 2015, 5:28 pm
#40
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
I'll reiterate, since it appears I'm the only one...
AC recently renovated this area. Now, within 1 year, they're going to re-renovate and make an SE lounge?? In a city with less International traffic than the YYZ, where one assumes AC makes its bucks. Wouldn't it make more sense to build one in TO?
Am I the only one who fails to see the logic here, or is everyone blinded by the idea of an SE lounge that premise behind it is irrelevant?
Dorian, care to share where this info came from?
AC recently renovated this area. Now, within 1 year, they're going to re-renovate and make an SE lounge?? In a city with less International traffic than the YYZ, where one assumes AC makes its bucks. Wouldn't it make more sense to build one in TO?
Am I the only one who fails to see the logic here, or is everyone blinded by the idea of an SE lounge that premise behind it is irrelevant?
Dorian, care to share where this info came from?
Info was MLL Int'l front desk guy, who has been there a while, along with a Concierge.
Jan 17, 2015, 5:30 pm
#41
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
I don't understand why anyone would be surprised they would do this in YUL first. I would entirely expect it. Maybe their crack Quebec marketing team will do something entirely retarded to announce it...?
Jan 17, 2015, 6:52 pm
#42
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,346
I'll reiterate, since it appears I'm the only one...
AC recently renovated this area. Now, within 1 year, they're going to re-renovate and make an SE lounge?? In a city with less International traffic than the YYZ, where one assumes AC makes its bucks. Wouldn't it make more sense to build one in TO?
Am I the only one who fails to see the logic here, or is everyone blinded by the idea of an SE lounge that premise behind it is irrelevant?
Dorian, care to share where this info came from?
AC recently renovated this area. Now, within 1 year, they're going to re-renovate and make an SE lounge?? In a city with less International traffic than the YYZ, where one assumes AC makes its bucks. Wouldn't it make more sense to build one in TO?
Am I the only one who fails to see the logic here, or is everyone blinded by the idea of an SE lounge that premise behind it is irrelevant?
Dorian, care to share where this info came from?
If successful, they do it in YYZ and YVR. If not, they haven't disrupted much.
Jan 17, 2015, 9:08 pm
#43
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: UA*1K, Marriott Titanium (LTP), Hilton Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,665
Maybe that's exactly why they did it there. Try it in a market with a lot of international traffic, but not a huge amount, so you don't disrupt the area "where one assumes AC makes its bucks"
If successful, they do it in YYZ and YVR. If not, they haven't disrupted much.
If successful, they do it in YYZ and YVR. If not, they haven't disrupted much.
Sounds like they see an opening for a small test based on what Dorian mentioned about YUL "oweing" them a bit.
Plus, YUL would be smaller traffic to test this out, rather than possibly causing sizeable disruptions in the center of Canada, YYZ.
Jan 17, 2015, 9:33 pm
#44
Join Date: May 2012
Location: BKK/SIN/YYZ/YUL
Programs: DL, AC, Bonvoy, Accor, Hilton
Posts: 2,920
I remember in HKG, CX has two distinct lounges for its Business Class and First Class passengers. If you're One World top tier (SE equiv), can you get into the First Class lounge? I guess this would further add onto our resident cow's question of if you're 1K can you get into the GF lounge. Hmm. I know BR has their own top tier (SE equiv) lounge at TPE...not even J pax can get in.
It is nice that the SE will get something, but as a J fare pax, I hope I get something too. Last year when I was in the YUL Int'l MLL, it was crowded and the food dishes were bare. I did score a bag of Miss Vickies though. I thank AC for acknowledging my $5600 purchase and providing a complimentary bag of crisps. In fairness, the MLL are luxurious compared to TG's decrepit holding pens with their tuna fish sandwiches that often smell a bit off.
Jan 17, 2015, 11:51 pm
#45
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
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