AS award flying EK in First -- Lounge denied
Mar 5, 2015, 9:48 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 221
AS award flying EK in First -- Lounge denied
Flying MAA-DXB stopover DXB-DFW both segments in First.
This morning when I checked in at MAA, the system was unable to authorize lounge access and I did not get a Lounge Pass as the check-in agents kept saying I was on a "discounted" fare which was not eligible for Lounge access or Chauffeur service. I understand the Chauffeur service exclusion from the other thread, but I was quite surprised that Lounge access was ineligible.
I'm in DXB now for a couple or days -- anything I can do to receive Lounge access when I check-in for my DFW flight in 2 days? In DXB, do they issue a separate "Lounge Invitation" at check-in or do you simply present the Boarding Pass at the Lounge entry desk?
This morning when I checked in at MAA, the system was unable to authorize lounge access and I did not get a Lounge Pass as the check-in agents kept saying I was on a "discounted" fare which was not eligible for Lounge access or Chauffeur service. I understand the Chauffeur service exclusion from the other thread, but I was quite surprised that Lounge access was ineligible.
I'm in DXB now for a couple or days -- anything I can do to receive Lounge access when I check-in for my DFW flight in 2 days? In DXB, do they issue a separate "Lounge Invitation" at check-in or do you simply present the Boarding Pass at the Lounge entry desk?
Mar 5, 2015, 10:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Somewhere over the rainbow
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There have been reports that AS award tickets show up as employee travel tickets or something, so you have to mention this to them. Maybe show them a copy of your e-ticket confirmation e-mail with the Alaska Air logo.
Mar 5, 2015, 11:46 pm
#3
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I still have a month until my EK adventure, but I think DXB is used enough to "AS awards" that a gentle reminder should suffice.
I still have a month until my EK adventure, but I think DXB is used enough to "AS awards" that a gentle reminder should suffice.
Mar 6, 2015, 8:53 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,684
Your pass gets you in to the lounge. Make a big fuss over it. Do you remember the name of the person who denied you entry? Reach out through some higher channels and hold them accountable. You don't get Dubai connect or the towncar anymore, but you are supposed to get the lounge.
Emirates first was nice to me but really overrated. There's only one of each of the in suite amenities, after that they save cost by giving you items from coach. The wines both there and in the first class lounge weren't very good. Expensive? Yes. Other than the 2-3 bottles of champagne I drank on the way to Dubai, they weren't that great. The food was ok. Nothing special. The appetizer plate they served was like something out of costco. The food in the first lounge was a highlight though. The internet is heavily filtered by the government since its not a free country. I didn't bother going in to the city. Not my scene.
I mean its nice and all to experience once, but I wouldn't take it to Europe again.
Emirates first was nice to me but really overrated. There's only one of each of the in suite amenities, after that they save cost by giving you items from coach. The wines both there and in the first class lounge weren't very good. Expensive? Yes. Other than the 2-3 bottles of champagne I drank on the way to Dubai, they weren't that great. The food was ok. Nothing special. The appetizer plate they served was like something out of costco. The food in the first lounge was a highlight though. The internet is heavily filtered by the government since its not a free country. I didn't bother going in to the city. Not my scene.
I mean its nice and all to experience once, but I wouldn't take it to Europe again.
Mar 6, 2015, 12:58 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Upper Left Corner of the Map
Programs: AS MVPG & Board Room, Marriott Silver, Global Entry
Posts: 2,203
I had a similar issue in Warsaw last fall. I had the receptionist at the lounge (it wasn't an EK operated one) call EK. I ended up confirming with the EK employee that it was an award ticket, and not staff travel. Hold one's ground.
But in DXB, it won't be an issue, the invitation was made with no prompting, and no resistance at the door. I was, however, disappointed with the J lounge there.
But in DXB, it won't be an issue, the invitation was made with no prompting, and no resistance at the door. I was, however, disappointed with the J lounge there.
Mar 6, 2015, 2:22 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Treasure Coast, FL
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, HH Diamond, Avis Preferred Plus, National Executive
Posts: 4,578
No issues in DFW, SFO, BKK and DXB recently.
Highly doubt you have an issue in DXB.
Easiest thing to do is make sure you have a printout of the award itinerary from as.com showing miles were deducted for the flight.
Kind of hard to claim it was a discounted ticket after that. Also requesting a call into a supervisor or headquarters would help as well.
Highly doubt you have an issue in DXB.
Easiest thing to do is make sure you have a printout of the award itinerary from as.com showing miles were deducted for the flight.
Kind of hard to claim it was a discounted ticket after that. Also requesting a call into a supervisor or headquarters would help as well.
Mar 6, 2015, 9:38 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 221
I called the number here in DXB and they were also quite surprised that MAA would deny me entry. MAA lounge was not a big deal since it's not an Emirates lounge anyway, plus I had just visited that same lounge last week as I was flying CX to HKG and many airlines use that lounge.
Anyways, they have additionally noted my rez that lounge access is permitted so I expect no issues later today when I check in.
Anyways, they have additionally noted my rez that lounge access is permitted so I expect no issues later today when I check in.
Mar 6, 2015, 11:27 pm
#11
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Portland, Oregon, USA
Programs: AA ExPlat, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 909
Emirates first was nice to me but really overrated. There's only one of each of the in suite amenities, after that they save cost by giving you items from coach. The wines both there and in the first class lounge weren't very good. Expensive? Yes. Other than the 2-3 bottles of champagne I drank on the way to Dubai, they weren't that great. The food was ok. Nothing special. The appetizer plate they served was like something out of costco. The food in the first lounge was a highlight though. The internet is heavily filtered by the government since its not a free country. I didn't bother going in to the city. Not my scene.
I mean its nice and all to experience once, but I wouldn't take it to Europe again.
I mean its nice and all to experience once, but I wouldn't take it to Europe again.
So, really, folks, skip those EK F awards when you see them. Totally overrated.
--mcz
Mar 7, 2015, 12:31 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: ANC
Programs: AS; Hyatt; Bonvoy
Posts: 1,718
Not entirely accurate.
DXB-HKG is approximately 7 hours. And my itinerary for June shows DXB-CDG as 6 1/2 hours, while CDG-DXB is listed as 7 1/2 hours.
Of course, I prefer the 15 3/4 hour flights from LAX or SFO ...
Mar 7, 2015, 7:08 pm
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: BOS/ORH
Programs: AS 75K
Posts: 18,323
BTW pretending it was not a joke EK flies intra-middle eastern routes as short a 50 min. They even run A380 to Kuwait which is the shortest A380 route, although it costs more in F than the SYD-AKL route.