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
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
YUL International MLL
So I'm told that when some new space is ready at end of the int'l gates that the Int'l MLL is moving there temporarily so the current Int'l MLL can be renovated.
I was also told that the lower floor (to the immediate right of the entrance) where the new bartender service is located is to be renovated to become an SE only MLL! Apparently Calin refers to the room as the shoebox and AC got it rent free for some YUL screw ups. It will be the 1st of it's kind and will run as a test to see if further ones should be built.
The people telling me have apparently seen the mini-model of the entire concept. Slated to open fall 2015.
I was also told that the lower floor (to the immediate right of the entrance) where the new bartender service is located is to be renovated to become an SE only MLL! Apparently Calin refers to the room as the shoebox and AC got it rent free for some YUL screw ups. It will be the 1st of it's kind and will run as a test to see if further ones should be built.
The people telling me have apparently seen the mini-model of the entire concept. Slated to open fall 2015.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Never home.
Posts: 2,971
Hmm, seems to me if they are going to a tiered lounge setup that the 2nd tier entry should be based on paid J-cabin, not SE. Or either/or (CX F lounge?). A spend-based Altitude program could achieve the same effect.
#4
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: YVR
Programs: OZ Diamond, Jiffypark Manhattan Gold
Posts: 4,485
This is interesting, but then my follow up is, would it be SE+guest? UA 1k? etc etc.
If it were truly SE only I love the idea, I usually travel solo (admittedly I haven't been to YUL though so this is just hypothetical for me) so it would be cool to have a calmed down lounge.
Truth be told most times the lounges are ok, but sometimes they are just way too crowded and this would likely take care of that.
I think I'd like to see this at YYZ, like a First Class lounge but SE instead, problem is would it be domestic, intl, TB? Too bad they couldn't have a central one.
If it were truly SE only I love the idea, I usually travel solo (admittedly I haven't been to YUL though so this is just hypothetical for me) so it would be cool to have a calmed down lounge.
Truth be told most times the lounges are ok, but sometimes they are just way too crowded and this would likely take care of that.
I think I'd like to see this at YYZ, like a First Class lounge but SE instead, problem is would it be domestic, intl, TB? Too bad they couldn't have a central one.
#5
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: 44,316
This is interesting, but then my follow up is, would it be SE+guest? UA 1k? etc etc.
If it were truly SE only I love the idea, I usually travel solo (admittedly I haven't been to YUL though so this is just hypothetical for me) so it would be cool to have a calmed down lounge.
Truth be told most times the lounges are ok, but sometimes they are just way too crowded and this would likely take care of that.
I think I'd like to see this at YYZ, like a First Class lounge but SE instead, problem is would it be domestic, intl, TB? Too bad they couldn't have a central one.
If it were truly SE only I love the idea, I usually travel solo (admittedly I haven't been to YUL though so this is just hypothetical for me) so it would be cool to have a calmed down lounge.
Truth be told most times the lounges are ok, but sometimes they are just way too crowded and this would likely take care of that.
I think I'd like to see this at YYZ, like a First Class lounge but SE instead, problem is would it be domestic, intl, TB? Too bad they couldn't have a central one.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
I'm in this space now. Just had the chicken stir fry they make per order, was quite good. When did all this pop up here? I've never seen an AC lounge have service like this...
#7
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Canada
Programs: AC*SE
Posts: 1,924
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (BB10; Kbd) AppleWebKit/537.35+ (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/10.2.1.3442 Mobile Safari/537.35+)
I heard they talked about it for some YYZ Domestic MLL renos as well. If executed could be nice, but overall, meh, just keep making the overall lounge nice and keep the staff being friendly in the MLL and on the planes and I'm happy.
Nicest ever was still on a Dash-8 flight were the FA handed me a bottle of water and wet wipe (since I was reading the paper). He said he kept a few sets around for any SEs on his flight, was a nice touch.
I heard they talked about it for some YYZ Domestic MLL renos as well. If executed could be nice, but overall, meh, just keep making the overall lounge nice and keep the staff being friendly in the MLL and on the planes and I'm happy.
Nicest ever was still on a Dash-8 flight were the FA handed me a bottle of water and wet wipe (since I was reading the paper). He said he kept a few sets around for any SEs on his flight, was a nice touch.
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
Since a few have asked about 1K's getting in, can a SE get into the United Global First lounges? (obviously if not flying GF)
#11
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: YOW
Posts: 1,024
So I'm told that when some new space is ready at end of the int'l gates that the Int'l MLL is moving there temporarily so the current Int'l MLL can be renovated.
I was also told that the lower floor (to the immediate right of the entrance) where the new bartender service is located is to be renovated to become an SE only MLL! Apparently Calin refers to the room as the shoebox and AC got it rent free for some YUL screw ups. It will be the 1st of it's kind and will run as a test to see if further ones should be built.
The people telling me have apparently seen the mini-model of the entire concept. Slated to open fall 2015.
I was also told that the lower floor (to the immediate right of the entrance) where the new bartender service is located is to be renovated to become an SE only MLL! Apparently Calin refers to the room as the shoebox and AC got it rent free for some YUL screw ups. It will be the 1st of it's kind and will run as a test to see if further ones should be built.
The people telling me have apparently seen the mini-model of the entire concept. Slated to open fall 2015.
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: YVR
Programs: ACSEMM QRGold SPGLifetimePlat FairmontPlat HyattD AMEXCenturion SerenaPlat TalkBoard Founding Member
Posts: 8,963
#13
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: 44,316
#14
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*Gold), DL, CZ
Posts: 1,252
They have poutine in the lounge? Or is it in the concessions? Is there a St. Hubert's nearby?
#15
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E50K (*G) WS Gold | SPG/Fairmont Plat Hilton/Hyatt Diamond Marriott Silver | National Exec Elite
Posts: 19,284
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.