Anyone Got into BA Lounges with BMI Gold Card?
Apr 27, 2012, 11:54 am
#31
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Peoples Republic of Yorkshire
Programs: BA G, AC*G, PC P, Marriot Plat, Carlson Gold etc....
Posts: 379
Its not solved yet I don't think. Was in IST today and they hadn't a clue who bmi were.
However, I asked at guest relations here at LHR and they said they were now treating BMI gold same as BA gold. Indeed, I used fasttrack etc......
Sure it will sort itself out. More annoyed i'm going MAN-LHR-YVR on Sunday and won't get bonus avios or tier points!
However, I asked at guest relations here at LHR and they said they were now treating BMI gold same as BA gold. Indeed, I used fasttrack etc......
Sure it will sort itself out. More annoyed i'm going MAN-LHR-YVR on Sunday and won't get bonus avios or tier points!
Apr 27, 2012, 1:54 pm
#32
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ABZ
Programs: BA Bronze, A3*G, TK*S
Posts: 764
I'm actually kind of curious about the alternative scenario, getting into BD lounges when flying BA. I'll be flying BA from MAN-LHR soon, with my other half and my 2-year-old daughter. I'm the only one with status, and I understand BA are quite strict about not allowing a toddler as an "extra" guest, whereas BD are I gather a little more flexible here. I'm wondering if I'll be able to enter the BD lounge with either my BD or BA card (if it arrives in time!), on a BA ticket, if we're rebuked from the BA lounge?
(Don't worry, if we do get in, we shall ensure our little one behaves impeccably.
)
(Don't worry, if we do get in, we shall ensure our little one behaves impeccably.
)
Apr 28, 2012, 3:44 am
#33
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Programs: BA Gold (Emerald); Hilton Gold; IHG Platinum; Marriott Gold; Radisson Gold
Posts: 388
At T5 Galleries First last night (Friday 27) I presented my boarding pass by means of the BA app on my iPhone, which clearly said 'Blue' for my BAEC status. The lady said "Welcome Mr Paulieuk...". I proffered by BD*G card, asking if she didn't need to see it, and she replied "I don't need to see it, I can see here you can come in", pointing to the screen. I had a sideways look too, and saw clearly the BAEC Blue line, it seemed to be in a different coloured text to the rest of the data on the monitor, but nothing immediately stuck out about BD*G status.
She then took the clipboard with 'the list', saying "it could be if you're on here that someone's put it in the system"- but I wasn't one of the six or seven names there. I assume that list is of people who have entered a Diamond Club number as their FF scheme for accrual on their flight.
I hadn't done that. We only booked the ticket this week and I only entered my BAEC Blue number, as I need the TPs to tick over to bronze (for the collection, you know?!) prior to doing the tier match probably later in the year.
Perhaps the DC and BAEC systems are now linked in preparation for Tuesday's tier match launch and through date-of-birth, address or email data matching they can identify BD elite membership now. If so, it might explain why when I managed my booking yesterday for my next BA trip on ba.com I was able to select seats for all three (economy) passengers - which again seems odd for a Blue member!
Tomorrow (Sunday), we return from MAN-LHR on my BA-issued ticket booked via the BA call centre but on a BD flight - I'll report back on lounge access success or otherwise.
She then took the clipboard with 'the list', saying "it could be if you're on here that someone's put it in the system"- but I wasn't one of the six or seven names there. I assume that list is of people who have entered a Diamond Club number as their FF scheme for accrual on their flight.
I hadn't done that. We only booked the ticket this week and I only entered my BAEC Blue number, as I need the TPs to tick over to bronze (for the collection, you know?!) prior to doing the tier match probably later in the year.
Perhaps the DC and BAEC systems are now linked in preparation for Tuesday's tier match launch and through date-of-birth, address or email data matching they can identify BD elite membership now. If so, it might explain why when I managed my booking yesterday for my next BA trip on ba.com I was able to select seats for all three (economy) passengers - which again seems odd for a Blue member!
Tomorrow (Sunday), we return from MAN-LHR on my BA-issued ticket booked via the BA call centre but on a BD flight - I'll report back on lounge access success or otherwise.
Last edited by paulieuk; Apr 28, 2012 at 4:22 am
Apr 30, 2012, 4:16 am
#34
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Programs: BA Gold (Emerald); Hilton Gold; IHG Platinum; Marriott Gold; Radisson Gold
Posts: 388
Happy to report no issues with the return flight - a BD sector booked via BA on a BA ticket with accrual going to BAEC (Blue status).
At Manchester, the bmi check-in staff printed boarding passes and added the 'fast track' sticker, and at the bmi lounge, the Diamond Club gold card was good for access - all even though the boarding pass showed 'BAP' as frequent flier, rather than BD*G.
At Manchester, the bmi check-in staff printed boarding passes and added the 'fast track' sticker, and at the bmi lounge, the Diamond Club gold card was good for access - all even though the boarding pass showed 'BAP' as frequent flier, rather than BD*G.
May 1, 2012, 12:03 pm
#36
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Here
Posts: 1,907
Originally Posted by paulieuk
I was able to select seats for all three (economy) passengers - which again seems odd for a Blue member!
May 2, 2012, 11:07 am
#37
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: 18 nautical miles west of LHR
Programs: *A Gold; OW Emerald; HHonors Diamond; Hyatt GoldPassport Platinum; Accor Silver
Posts: 276
Don't disagree but the principle that BA customers can walk into a bmi lounge on a ba ticket and I can't get into a bmi lounge with the same ticket seems a little wrong.
However, had a chat with guest relations in the lounge at LHR and they confirm this needed addressing. They were keen to get on with getting us integrated and were pleased to see bmi people starting to fly with ba.
However, had a chat with guest relations in the lounge at LHR and they confirm this needed addressing. They were keen to get on with getting us integrated and were pleased to see bmi people starting to fly with ba.
May 4, 2012, 5:50 am
#38
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,522
How are you BMI friends with DC Gold liking the Galleries First lounge then?
I am probably blinded by loyalty, but I still find it a superb frequent flyer lounge with some of the best wines and champagnes available. I mean; what other Gold Card lounge offers Bollinger Rose, Tattinger 2004, 4-5 decent (and sometimes world class) reds, and 4 whites of high quality?
Please note Galleries First is not a First Class lounge per se, so comparisons to places like The CX or SQ First class lounges is irrelevant.
I am probably blinded by loyalty, but I still find it a superb frequent flyer lounge with some of the best wines and champagnes available. I mean; what other Gold Card lounge offers Bollinger Rose, Tattinger 2004, 4-5 decent (and sometimes world class) reds, and 4 whites of high quality?
Please note Galleries First is not a First Class lounge per se, so comparisons to places like The CX or SQ First class lounges is irrelevant.
May 4, 2012, 6:16 am
#39
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,209
How are you BMI friends with DC Gold liking the Galleries First lounge then?
I am probably blinded by loyalty, but I still find it a superb frequent flyer lounge with some of the best wines and champagnes available. I mean; what other Gold Card lounge offers Bollinger Rose, Tattinger 2004, 4-5 decent (and sometimes world class) reds, and 4 whites of high quality?
Please note Galleries First is not a First Class lounge per se, so comparisons to places like The CX or SQ First class lounges is irrelevant.
I am probably blinded by loyalty, but I still find it a superb frequent flyer lounge with some of the best wines and champagnes available. I mean; what other Gold Card lounge offers Bollinger Rose, Tattinger 2004, 4-5 decent (and sometimes world class) reds, and 4 whites of high quality?
Please note Galleries First is not a First Class lounge per se, so comparisons to places like The CX or SQ First class lounges is irrelevant.
May 4, 2012, 6:31 am
#40
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
London Pride is about the only brownish beer (?) there, I think.
They had a dreaded Heineken dispenser at T5 F lounge for a while. I am not sure if the offended people have destroyed the machine or what, but I haven't noticed it for a while. Not that I pay any attention to it - I may be all sorts of dreaded things but even I do not do Heineken!
As for Twix, I can't recall ever seeing it even at the No. 1 Heathrow lounge (feel free to tell me to go and pay more attention), and definitely haven't noticed it at any of the BA lounges, but you have made me want it now. I don't even know if they have them in the whole country (I'm not in the UK right now).
They had a dreaded Heineken dispenser at T5 F lounge for a while. I am not sure if the offended people have destroyed the machine or what, but I haven't noticed it for a while. Not that I pay any attention to it - I may be all sorts of dreaded things but even I do not do Heineken!
As for Twix, I can't recall ever seeing it even at the No. 1 Heathrow lounge (feel free to tell me to go and pay more attention), and definitely haven't noticed it at any of the BA lounges, but you have made me want it now. I don't even know if they have them in the whole country (I'm not in the UK right now).
May 4, 2012, 6:57 am
#41
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: DUB - Ireland
Programs: EI-GCE, BD-G, BA-G, A3*G, TK*G, FB-G, HH-G, Hyatt-Dia
Posts: 8,527
May 4, 2012, 10:28 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: LON BCN SYD
Programs: BA, OZ, A3, VA, VS, DL, QF, former BD and others
Posts: 1,074
Was able to use Galleries First at T3 on 3 May and the First Lounge at SIN on 4 May, on a J booking. The latter may be to do with my status match coming through on 4 May. I think my DC card was the first they had seen at T3 - they asked me if it was a paid card and could not see the Gold at first (it is rather small...)
May 30, 2012, 11:34 am
#44
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: London/Aberdeen
Programs: Diamond Club, OnePass, Priority Club, HHonors, SPG, Hyatt, Golden Circle
Posts: 39
Chance of BA lounge at ORD (UA op/was BD codeshare)?
Hi folks, couple of Q's which may be related to this thread I hope.
I burned my last DC points on a LHR-ORD-LHR trip on UA June 3-20.
Lounge access outbound - no Star Alliance anymore (I guess since May 31) but might the T1 bmi international lounge be available?
Return - any hope of getting into the BA lounge in ORD (T3?) I have been status matched gold with BAEC if that helps...
My hope was that the BD codeshare would work somehow even though its UA operated...ever the optimist!
Cheers for any thoughts,
PlummetAirlines
I burned my last DC points on a LHR-ORD-LHR trip on UA June 3-20.
Lounge access outbound - no Star Alliance anymore (I guess since May 31) but might the T1 bmi international lounge be available?
Return - any hope of getting into the BA lounge in ORD (T3?) I have been status matched gold with BAEC if that helps...
My hope was that the BD codeshare would work somehow even though its UA operated...ever the optimist!
Cheers for any thoughts,
PlummetAirlines
May 30, 2012, 12:51 pm
#45
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, A3 Gold, BD..oh, wait..
Posts: 4,045
Can't say for sure about the bmi lounge, but part of me says no as you're not flying bmi. No lounge access at ORD with a BD card. You would need to be flying BA to use your BA Gold to enter the BA lounge.