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
Dec 18, 2015, 3:06 am
#121
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2015
Location: BOS, YVR, ZRH
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The rules for the International vs Domestic lounge are at the very bottom of this page:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...locations.html
Now, is the USA an international destination?
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...locations.html
Now, is the USA an international destination?
"an Air Canada International Business Class customer
No guests permitted.
an eligible Air Canada Altitude Super Elite 100K member
Complimentary access for one (1) guest."
so... clearly the rules are wishy-washy. Maybe my CC will get me into the YUL INTL lounge too? Who knows.
Dec 18, 2015, 3:16 am
#122
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Platinum, Nexus/GE
Posts: 219
Which LHR lounge? The rules you quoted are for the LHR Arrival lounge.
The LHR lounge in the departure area is a regular MLL and follows the typical access rules.
The LHR lounge in the departure area is a regular MLL and follows the typical access rules.
Dec 18, 2015, 5:32 am
#123
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,524
The rules for the International vs Domestic lounge are at the very bottom of this page:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...locations.html
Now, is the USA an international destination?
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...locations.html
Now, is the USA an international destination?
Dec 18, 2015, 5:40 am
#124
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,524
Answer: A attitude like the bolded statement. Its unbecoming and elitist.
There is a sign at the door saying its only for passengers flying on international destinations. There is no footnote saying its OK for SEs or Domestic J passengers.
(And people wonder why a good number of GAs, lounge agents and FAs have a crappy attitude when they are dealing with SEs...)
Dec 18, 2015, 7:31 am
#125
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: AC SE100K, AA EXP, SPG Plt, HH Dmnd
Posts: 1,507
(bolding mine)
Answer: A attitude like the bolded statement. Its unbecoming and elitist.
There is a sign at the door saying its only for passengers flying on international destinations. There is no footnote saying its OK for SEs or Domestic J passengers.
(And people wonder why a good number of GAs, lounge agents and FAs have a crappy attitude when they are dealing with SEs...)
Answer: A attitude like the bolded statement. Its unbecoming and elitist.
There is a sign at the door saying its only for passengers flying on international destinations. There is no footnote saying its OK for SEs or Domestic J passengers.
(And people wonder why a good number of GAs, lounge agents and FAs have a crappy attitude when they are dealing with SEs...)
Dec 18, 2015, 7:42 am
#126
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Platinum, Nexus/GE
Posts: 219
Dec 18, 2015, 7:57 am
#127
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 5,524
And where do you draw the line on what rules you will and will not follow?
Dec 18, 2015, 8:00 am
#128
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Quebec and Ontario, Canada
Programs: AC*E50, SPG/Marriott Plat
Posts: 1,917
Domestic to US, you can definitely stop at the MLL international. I would not recommend it since you don't really how much time you will need to cross US custom and the US lounge is generally quieter...
Dec 18, 2015, 8:57 am
#129
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
So when my departure gate is near that part of the airport, I use the gawd awful MasterCard lounge in the area. I just want some place quiet to relax for a few minutes before my flight and have no interest in DYKWIAing my way into a lounge I explicitly am not entitled access to.
Dec 18, 2015, 10:35 am
#131
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
I was also denied entry to the Int'l YUL MLL on a YUL-YYZ-HND J itinerary and boarding at gate 50-ish, because rules.
I have a YUL-CDG flight in a couple of days. I hope the lounge won't be cheapened by some SE100Ks!
I have a YUL-CDG flight in a couple of days. I hope the lounge won't be cheapened by some SE100Ks!
Dec 18, 2015, 11:49 am
#132
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Canada/US
Programs: AC SE, Marriott LTPP, Avis +
Posts: 213
I understand the separation between intl and domestic lounges. It's assuming intl brings in a higher margin.
but, even tho i'm SE, i don't support the idea of a separate SE lounge. i don't like the elitist mindset.. sort of like UA's global services
but, even tho i'm SE, i don't support the idea of a separate SE lounge. i don't like the elitist mindset.. sort of like UA's global services
Dec 18, 2015, 11:56 am
#133
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
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The rules for the International vs Domestic lounge are at the very bottom of this page:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...locations.html
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...locations.html
As a Star Alliance Gold customer, you have access to any member airline lounge that displays the Star Alliance Gold logo.
Do you think I'm connecting from gate 2 to gate 3 and walking over to the international lounge? I clear security, my gate is to the left, and both lounges are roughly equal distance left and right. I go to the closest lounge.
Dec 18, 2015, 3:13 pm
#134
Join Date: Sep 2013
Programs: AC SE100K, AA EXP, SPG Plt, HH Dmnd
Posts: 1,507
Dec 18, 2015, 3:44 pm
#135
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
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I respect the sign they have in place, but I have tried regardless.