No more Aer Lingus lounge access with BA Gold?
Nov 8, 2016, 2:25 pm
#31
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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Nov 8, 2016, 2:42 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: Cumbria
Programs: BAEC GGL/CCR, Hilton Diamond, Starbucks Gold
Posts: 4,510
Yes I have found this too and the same applies if flying DUB to MAN or LPL using the BA code too.
It really is a shambles that 2 closely related IAG airlines have no reciprocal access. This doesn't need EI to be admitted to OW, BD was never a OW member and that never caused an issue.
The PP lounge at T2 is pretty awful but T2 is significantly nicer than T1. Flying to and from LPL is also significantly more pleasant than to or from MAN except that the LPL PP lounge is rubbish.
It really is a shambles that 2 closely related IAG airlines have no reciprocal access. This doesn't need EI to be admitted to OW, BD was never a OW member and that never caused an issue.
The PP lounge at T2 is pretty awful but T2 is significantly nicer than T1. Flying to and from LPL is also significantly more pleasant than to or from MAN except that the LPL PP lounge is rubbish.
Nov 8, 2016, 3:02 pm
#33
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Mucci, BA, Hilton.
Posts: 1,158
Nov 8, 2016, 3:04 pm
#34
Join Date: Jun 2016
Programs: BA Gold, IHG Platinum Ambassador
Posts: 23
I was flying back to Dublin from Hong Kong via Amsterdam on CX connecting to an aer lingus flight.
Coming off the flight I asked the CX lady at the bridge if there was a lounge we could use. She said she didn't know but try the BA one.
Got to the Ba lounge and asked if we could use it coming off CX J. She said no as flying on with Aer Lingus didn't count and arriving on CX j didn't matter. Fair enough and turned to walk out. She saw the gold bag tag and then said I could use the lounge due to a new rule that had been brought in. BA Gold could use the lounge if flying on Aer Lingus. My colleague is silver and she said he couldn't come in.
Question is, is this a new rule or was she wrong?
Coming off the flight I asked the CX lady at the bridge if there was a lounge we could use. She said she didn't know but try the BA one.
Got to the Ba lounge and asked if we could use it coming off CX J. She said no as flying on with Aer Lingus didn't count and arriving on CX j didn't matter. Fair enough and turned to walk out. She saw the gold bag tag and then said I could use the lounge due to a new rule that had been brought in. BA Gold could use the lounge if flying on Aer Lingus. My colleague is silver and she said he couldn't come in.
Question is, is this a new rule or was she wrong?
Fine when traveling alone, a bit of a frustration with a colleague or weekend trip with significant BA silver other in tow.
Nov 8, 2016, 3:12 pm
#35
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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Had a nice chat with one of the lounge angels at Edinburgh recently who told me a recent change in rules allows entry for BA Gold only on Aer Lingus and Vueling flights and when questioned said it doesn't even need to be BA ticketed. Just no guests and no BA Silver allowed.
Nov 9, 2016, 3:27 am
#37
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
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Posts: 1,607
I went to the United lounge instead with my Priority Pass and it was great. Review on HFP next week. Better food than Galleries First if you ignore the BA cooked to order menu, and free champagne and cocktails from a fully staffed bar. Long walk through the tunnel though to the B gates where the lounge is.
I must admit some of the PP lounges I've previously used have upped their game in the last year. Better food, at least.
Nov 9, 2016, 3:57 am
#38
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Mostly UK
Programs: Mucci Extraordinaire, Hilton Diamond, BA Gold (ex BD)
Posts: 11,209
That sounds like one of the best PP lounges around. Are there any others where you get champagne included? Usually it's a paid extra. Well, apart from a BA Gold accessing the LGW one, I got the impression that you could get at least a glass free...
I must admit some of the PP lounges I've previously used have upped their game in the last year. Better food, at least.
I must admit some of the PP lounges I've previously used have upped their game in the last year. Better food, at least.
Nov 9, 2016, 6:05 am
#39
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: UK (MAN)
Programs: BAEC - Gold, VS - Silver, Hilton Gold, IHG Platinum Elite, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 248
Had a nice chat with one of the lounge angels at Edinburgh recently who told me a recent change in rules allows entry for BA Gold only on Aer Lingus and Vueling flights and when questioned said it doesn't even need to be BA ticketed. Just no guests and no BA Silver allowed.
Fine when traveling alone, a bit of a frustration with a colleague or weekend trip with significant BA silver other in tow.
Fine when traveling alone, a bit of a frustration with a colleague or weekend trip with significant BA silver other in tow.
Nov 16, 2016, 4:00 pm
#40
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
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I then checked at CCR, T3 and LGW. All three said they were operating the January 2016 manual and were unaware of any changes.
Finally, however, I think I found out what has happened. EDI was a station that had reports of denying the previous access ground, namely BA codeshare on EI when 125 plated (BA ticket). When I checked there today they indeed confirmed that there had been a recent and very welcome change (their words), and I was proudly led to a new clipboard. Aha, I thought, until I saw the top line. Blacked out to protect the guilty, but they are getting 1 or 2 Goldcard holders a day.
So what I think has happened is that stations have been recently reminded that the 125/codeshare/Gold arrangement exists and some stations are taking active steps to admit qualified Goldies.
Having said all of that, I note that the new AerClub scheme does indicate BA lounge access rights for their top 2 tiers (Platinum and Concierge), there again that was there before. Either way, it may well develop into a full partnership in due course.
Nov 16, 2016, 4:07 pm
#41
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
Finally, however, I think I found out what has happened. EDI was a station that had reports of denying the previous access ground, namely BA codeshare on EI when 125 plated (BA ticket). When I checked there today they indeed confirmed that there had been a recent and very welcome change (their words), and I was proudly led to a new clipboard. Aha, I thought, until I saw the top line. Blacked out to protect the guilty, but they are getting 1 or 2 Goldcard holders a day.
So what I think has happened is that stations have been recently reminded that the 125/codeshare/Gold arrangement exists and some stations are taking active steps to admit qualified Goldies.
So what I think has happened is that stations have been recently reminded that the 125/codeshare/Gold arrangement exists and some stations are taking active steps to admit qualified Goldies.
I would also expect a closer relationship once Aer Club is bedded down and so on in due course. Thanks for sharing!
Nov 17, 2016, 1:18 pm
#42
Join Date: Feb 2009
Programs: Mucci, BA, Hilton.
Posts: 1,158
OK, I've done due diligence on this and I don't think it's quite as good as it looks. I rang my booking desk, Didsbury, Newcastle Customer Relations and my BA account manager. None of them had heard of this, and while it wouldn't surprise me if some of them hadn't heard anything, I was a bit surprised none of them had.
I then checked at CCR, T3 and LGW. All three said they were operating the January 2016 manual and were unaware of any changes.
Finally, however, I think I found out what has happened. EDI was a station that had reports of denying the previous access ground, namely BA codeshare on EI when 125 plated (BA ticket). When I checked there today they indeed confirmed that there had been a recent and very welcome change (their words), and I was proudly led to a new clipboard. Aha, I thought, until I saw the top line. Blacked out to protect the guilty, but they are getting 1 or 2 Goldcard holders a day
So what I think has happened is that stations have been recently reminded that the 125/codeshare/Gold arrangement exists and some stations are taking active steps to admit qualified Goldies.
Having said all of that, I note that the new AerClub scheme does indicate BA lounge access rights for their top 2 tiers (Platinum and Concierge), there again that was there before. Either way, it may well develop into a full partnership in due course.
I then checked at CCR, T3 and LGW. All three said they were operating the January 2016 manual and were unaware of any changes.
Finally, however, I think I found out what has happened. EDI was a station that had reports of denying the previous access ground, namely BA codeshare on EI when 125 plated (BA ticket). When I checked there today they indeed confirmed that there had been a recent and very welcome change (their words), and I was proudly led to a new clipboard. Aha, I thought, until I saw the top line. Blacked out to protect the guilty, but they are getting 1 or 2 Goldcard holders a day
So what I think has happened is that stations have been recently reminded that the 125/codeshare/Gold arrangement exists and some stations are taking active steps to admit qualified Goldies.
Having said all of that, I note that the new AerClub scheme does indicate BA lounge access rights for their top 2 tiers (Platinum and Concierge), there again that was there before. Either way, it may well develop into a full partnership in due course.
Dec 11, 2016, 9:27 am
#43
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Programs: BA Gold, Mucci
Posts: 2,068
Plan is to book an EI flight on the BA web site AMS-DUB and as a Gold I want to use the BA lounge. This is possible based on the above, correct? Just wanted to check I understand this correctly.
Dec 11, 2016, 9:33 am
#44
Moderator, Iberia Airlines, Airport Lounges, and Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Feb 2010
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