RANT: BA Experience at T1 to DUB-Shabby!!!
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Europe
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 492
RANT: BA Experience at T1 to DUB-Shabby!!!
I am trying this for the first time today, and after a lovely LUX-LHR flight into T5, I now find myself trapped I the very average BMI lounge post photo-check, with nothing but crisps and such to nibble on, and no way to re-enter the terminal for a proper meal, all after being rudely denied access to the lounge upstairs prior to photo check despite being a GCH in J. Something about Dublin.
Bunch of nonsense, in my opinion, and severely testing my patience and loyalty here. BA had better get a proper Flounge over here ASAP regardless of destination.
Rant over.
Bunch of nonsense, in my opinion, and severely testing my patience and loyalty here. BA had better get a proper Flounge over here ASAP regardless of destination.
Rant over.
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
Welcome to the BMI world.
Having spent a large chunk of my life in the Gate 8 Lounge (was "The London Room" and something else before that), it's not really that bad. Or certainly not that bad prior to a domestic flight (in my case).
I find that eating is cheating when in a BD lounge anyway
Having spent a large chunk of my life in the Gate 8 Lounge (was "The London Room" and something else before that), it's not really that bad. Or certainly not that bad prior to a domestic flight (in my case).
I find that eating is cheating when in a BD lounge anyway
#5
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 3,604
This is all the standard catering that all the lesser lounges in LHR get, presumably all from the same vendor.
I am kind of curious what basis they have for refusing BA Gold members at other lounges. And I assume if you had enough time you could exit the domestic terminal through the security passage that dumps you near the baggage carousel for domestic flights. Then you would have to re-enter through security again (you might have to check in again to get a new boarding pass first).
Last edited by zkzkz; Aug 15, 2012 at 7:35 am Reason: moar stuff
#6
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: London
Programs: BA GGL (for now) and Lifetime Gold, Marriott fan thanks to Bonvoy Moments
Posts: 5,112
RANT: BA Experience at T1 to DUB-Shabby!!!
At least they had pain au chocolat this morning - a welcome development. Agree system bonkers that lounge offering is so poor at gate 8, but still not allowed to use the Great British Lounge. Can't see gate 8 lounge improving though, especially with Edi flights moving to T5
#9
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,167
#11
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: London, UK
Posts: 5,643
If BA are denying access to the international lounge to gold and silver card holders then that's very disappointing indeed. It was one of those stupid BMI rules that I hoped BA would consign to the dustbin.
Definitely worth a complaint and poor show on behalf of BA.
Actually, perhaps this is one Nicci could clarify as this seems to go against all of the published BA and oneworld rules.
Definitely worth a complaint and poor show on behalf of BA.
Actually, perhaps this is one Nicci could clarify as this seems to go against all of the published BA and oneworld rules.
#12
Community Director
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Norwich, UK
Programs: A3*G, BA Gold, BD Gold (in memoriam), IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 8,448
However much you yearn for a First lounge in T1, the building will be completely redeveloped and integrated into the new T2 in the next few years (starting 2014) to allow all the Star Alliance airlines to be in one place. That will free up a large number of stands currently occupied by the *A airlines in T3, which makes it far more likely BA will consolidate more operations there. Would you put money into developing another F lounge which would only be in operation for such a short period?
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Europe
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 492
The lounge is actually quiet and would be perfectly fine with Flounge style nibbles, but I did pull a little DYKWIA hissy fit at the Great British Lounge when refused entry, more to let them know that they were irritating valuable pax than to beat my chest.
BA needs to fix it ASAP.
#15
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Europe
Programs: BA GGL
Posts: 492
So you're complaining about being denied access to a lounge you weren't entitled to be in? The Republic of Ireland is classified as domestic for passport and immigration purposes, so you are treated as a domestic passenger for the purposes of access to the BD lounges in T1 (as it operates differently to T5 in terms of separation of passengers). The (mostly) ladies in the BD lounge upstairs are generally recognised as being amongst the most helpful anywhere, so I'd personally be surprised if they spoke to you rudely at all, unless of course you tried to make a little too much fuss in claiming a non-existent entitlement ...
However much you yearn for a First lounge in T1, the building will be completely redeveloped and integrated into the new T2 in the next few years (starting 2014) to allow all the Star Alliance airlines to be in one place. That will free up a large number stands currently occupied by the *A airlines in T3, which makes it far more likely BA will consolidate more operations there. Would you put money into developing another F lounge which would only be in operation for such a short period?
However much you yearn for a First lounge in T1, the building will be completely redeveloped and integrated into the new T2 in the next few years (starting 2014) to allow all the Star Alliance airlines to be in one place. That will free up a large number stands currently occupied by the *A airlines in T3, which makes it far more likely BA will consolidate more operations there. Would you put money into developing another F lounge which would only be in operation for such a short period?