ITA Airways finally listed as Flying Blue Partner - with a twist
Mar 25, 2022, 9:36 am
#16
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,061
No; the configuration is (look back to point #5): FCO-AMS, flying KL, ITA Lounge.
And of course the answer is: No.
The operating airline (KL) will pay for admittance to "their" lounge (Plaza Premium), so KL will not pay for their passengers to use the ITA lounge (no such contract exists at FCO - yet!)
And of course the answer is: No.
The operating airline (KL) will pay for admittance to "their" lounge (Plaza Premium), so KL will not pay for their passengers to use the ITA lounge (no such contract exists at FCO - yet!)
which would mean that ITA rejected entry to STE+ on ITA metal and ITA paper which I find dubious.
Mar 25, 2022, 11:06 am
#17
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Paris/Milan
Programs: Flying Blue Platinium; All Gold, A3 Gold, Safar Flyer Gold (OW Sapphire)
Posts: 311
I understand that feeling and makes sense moreover but was the case, i even add to them what you said, as it doesn't make sense as i'm on ITA marketed flights and metal that i can enter even with an AF STE+
But they send me that: https://www.itaspa.com/en_it/fly-ita...cess-mode.html
And said that AF/KL not pay the entrance for any passengers of their frequent flyer program even on non AF/KL flights so can't enter. Maybe i didn't had the best argument and they had some confusion between AF/KL marketed flights and AF/KL STE+ on ITA flights
Maybe some others will not have this issue
i will fly from FCO next weekend, will report what will happen
Mar 28, 2022, 3:05 am
#19
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,061
BTW i only said in FCO, not the case at LIN, but:
I understand that feeling and makes sense moreover but was the case, i even add to them what you said, as it doesn't make sense as i'm on ITA marketed flights and metal that i can enter even with an AF STE+
But they send me that: https://www.itaspa.com/en_it/fly-ita...cess-mode.html
And said that AF/KL not pay the entrance for any passengers of their frequent flyer program even on non AF/KL flights so can't enter. Maybe i didn't had the best argument and they had some confusion between AF/KL marketed flights and AF/KL STE+ on ITA flights
Maybe some others will not have this issue
i will fly from FCO next weekend, will report what will happen
I understand that feeling and makes sense moreover but was the case, i even add to them what you said, as it doesn't make sense as i'm on ITA marketed flights and metal that i can enter even with an AF STE+
But they send me that: https://www.itaspa.com/en_it/fly-ita...cess-mode.html
And said that AF/KL not pay the entrance for any passengers of their frequent flyer program even on non AF/KL flights so can't enter. Maybe i didn't had the best argument and they had some confusion between AF/KL marketed flights and AF/KL STE+ on ITA flights
Maybe some others will not have this issue
i will fly from FCO next weekend, will report what will happen
Moreover, the table says Skyteam Elite Plus with ST BP except SU, AF, KL, not Skyteam Elite Plus (except Flying Blue, Aeroflot Bonus) with ST BP.
Mar 28, 2022, 3:12 am
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,678
That might be some sort of a training issue for ITA then. Of course AFKL will not pay ITA for pax of their FFP on non-AFKL flights. It is the operating airline that pays for lounge access, not the FFP.
Moreover, the table says Skyteam Elite Plus with ST BP except SU, AF, KL, not Skyteam Elite Plus (except Flying Blue, Aeroflot Bonus) with ST BP.
Moreover, the table says Skyteam Elite Plus with ST BP except SU, AF, KL, not Skyteam Elite Plus (except Flying Blue, Aeroflot Bonus) with ST BP.
Mar 28, 2022, 3:49 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: HAG
Programs: Der 5* FTL
Posts: 8,061
That should mean UX, OK, DL, KQ, KE, ME, SV, RO, CI are all using ITA lounge, but YMMV (as with pretty much everything ITA related)
edit: this is for STE+. If I read the table right, for ITA Executive and Premium, you can enter ITA lounge even with BP for AFKL (and SU if they come back to FCO)
Mar 28, 2022, 4:03 am
#22
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,678
Except when flying AFKL (in which case you should have access to Plaza Premium in theory) or SU (I don't know which lounge they use).
That should mean UX, OK, DL, KQ, KE, ME, SV, RO, CI are all using ITA lounge, but YMMV (as with pretty much everything ITA related)
edit: this is for STE+. If I read the table right, for ITA Executive and Premium, you can enter ITA lounge even with BP for AFKL (and SU if they come back to FCO)
That should mean UX, OK, DL, KQ, KE, ME, SV, RO, CI are all using ITA lounge, but YMMV (as with pretty much everything ITA related)
edit: this is for STE+. If I read the table right, for ITA Executive and Premium, you can enter ITA lounge even with BP for AFKL (and SU if they come back to FCO)
ITA status plus SkyTeam boarding pass = access - will try it on Tuesday.
Mar 28, 2022, 11:53 am
#23
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Paris/Milan
Programs: Flying Blue Platinium; All Gold, A3 Gold, Safar Flyer Gold (OW Sapphire)
Posts: 311
That might be some sort of a training issue for ITA then. Of course AFKL will not pay ITA for pax of their FFP on non-AFKL flights. It is the operating airline that pays for lounge access, not the FFP.
Moreover, the table says Skyteam Elite Plus with ST BP except SU, AF, KL, not Skyteam Elite Plus (except Flying Blue, Aeroflot Bonus) with ST BP.
Moreover, the table says Skyteam Elite Plus with ST BP except SU, AF, KL, not Skyteam Elite Plus (except Flying Blue, Aeroflot Bonus) with ST BP.
Anyway, i'll udpate you with a new try next sunday; if someone by that time with an AF/KL STE+ on an ITA flight can try and let us know
Mar 28, 2022, 9:24 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
Mar 31, 2022, 8:53 pm
#25
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,607
I found this footnote on an ITA page:
https://www.itaspa.com/en_en/volare/...b/premium.html
SkyPriority services are recognized only on flights operated by ITA Airways; Club Plus Members will also soon be able to enjoy the benefits reserved for Elite Plus Members on SkyTeam alliance flights
Apr 1, 2022, 8:29 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NUE
Programs: *G (TK elite+), OW sapphire (QR), ST elite plus (AF). LA black
Posts: 3,678
More info regarding the flaws of ITA volare recognition - looks like that in the second half of 2022 most issues should be sorted out.
https://loyaltylobby.com/2022/04/01/...kyteam-status/
https://loyaltylobby.com/2022/04/01/...kyteam-status/
Recognition of Volare Elite and Elite Plus by SkyTeam members will be progressively rolled out starting Q2 2022
Reciprocal earn and burn/redemption with ITA will be progressively launched starting H2 of this year.
Reciprocal earn and burn/redemption with ITA will be progressively launched starting H2 of this year.
Apr 3, 2022, 8:10 am
#27
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: LON
Programs: Mucci, BAEC, Eurostar
Posts: 3,293
So... 2 out of 3 from AF. It was a yes with an apology in ORY, a yes after a faff in PTP, but a polite and firm "we have no agreement with them" at CDG 2E (concourse K) today. The eff off was implied 
Apr 3, 2022, 9:14 am
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: London, UK and Southern France
Posts: 18,364
I don't fly AF, so I can't say, but on KLM it's been four years or so since I was addressed by name while travelling in Y and was offered an upgrade for miles - so it was a sales pitch. In J it's much more common (because it's normal procedure). Recently flew in Eco Comfort on longhaul with my wife (also Plat) and our daughter (Gold), and there was nothing special. In one of those post-flight surveys they ask something along the lines of "Did you feel as a special valued customer", and I never had a reason to answer yes to that question.
