Warsaw Lounge Situation?
#33
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: SJJ/AMS
Posts: 4,635
The issue is that it's inconveniently located towards the far end of the Schengen side and queues at passports these days are very frequent due to the not-so clever set-up of the border control (the layout has indeed changed not long ago). Bolero (the non-Schengen lounge) has exactly the same catering and the good news is that it will get very quiet as soon as the new LOT/Star Alliance lounge opens next door in the next couple of weeks.
P.S.: the lounge you mention is spelt Fantazja
G
P.S.: the lounge you mention is spelt Fantazja
G
#34
Join Date: May 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 320
Just confirming that a few weeks ago, on the door to Fantazja lounge it stated 'BA Gold' but on the website it claims OneWorld (incl BA) Sapphire and Emerald holders can enter.
However, on the door it also lists Gold and Platinum for Finnair. It seems that WAW don't interpret the OneWorld tiers correctly and although they say any Sapphire can enter on their website, they think that BAEC Gold and Finnair Gold are both the same, and presumably both Sapphire, and so ignore BAEC Silver as something of lower status!
See official website: Warsaw Chopin Airport - Executive Lounges
However, on the door it also lists Gold and Platinum for Finnair. It seems that WAW don't interpret the OneWorld tiers correctly and although they say any Sapphire can enter on their website, they think that BAEC Gold and Finnair Gold are both the same, and presumably both Sapphire, and so ignore BAEC Silver as something of lower status!
See official website: Warsaw Chopin Airport - Executive Lounges
#37
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Krakow
Programs: BAEC Silver, Miles and More(FTL), IHG(Platinum), Accor, HHonors(Diamond), SPG, Hertz Five Star
Posts: 5,787
Just confirming that a few weeks ago, on the door to Fantazja lounge it stated 'BA Gold' but on the website it claims OneWorld (incl BA) Sapphire and Emerald holders can enter.
However, on the door it also lists Gold and Platinum for Finnair. It seems that WAW don't interpret the OneWorld tiers correctly and although they say any Sapphire can enter on their website, they think that BAEC Gold and Finnair Gold are both the same, and presumably both Sapphire, and so ignore BAEC Silver as something of lower status!
See official website: Warsaw Chopin Airport - Executive Lounges
However, on the door it also lists Gold and Platinum for Finnair. It seems that WAW don't interpret the OneWorld tiers correctly and although they say any Sapphire can enter on their website, they think that BAEC Gold and Finnair Gold are both the same, and presumably both Sapphire, and so ignore BAEC Silver as something of lower status!
See official website: Warsaw Chopin Airport - Executive Lounges
Does Finnair have an arrangement with any other lounges for OW Sapphire?
#38
Join Date: May 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 320
The airport website is quite clear: "EMERALD lub SAPPHIRE - One World: Finnair, Qatar Airways, British Airways, Air Berlin"
#40
Join Date: May 2018
Location: London
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 320
Oh, the website is full of contradictions, errors and inconsistencies! I was just pointing out that it seems unambiguous that BA Gold and Silver members should have access if the site is to be believed, without any caveats.
#41
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: WAW ✈ LHR ✈ GLA
Programs: BA GfL/GGL/CCR, HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,492
I'd say it's safe to assume person who compiled eligibility list was an intern and did it with no knowledge / clue how alliances, frequent flyer statuses work. Main misconception can come from the fact that as Star Alliance elite you need to have at least *Gold to enter "Gold Track", lounges etc (with an exception to M&M Silver - or Frequent Traveller status). You apply same rule to non-Star Alliance airline and you end up with only BA Golds allowed to enter the fast track or lounge. One of those silly mistakes which usually takes a bit of effort to sort out.
#42
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534
I'd say it's safe to assume person who compiled eligibility list was an intern and did it with no knowledge / clue how alliances, frequent flyer statuses work. Main misconception can come from the fact that as Star Alliance elite you need to have at least *Gold to enter "Gold Track", lounges etc (with an exception to M&M Silver - or Frequent Traveller status). You apply same rule to non-Star Alliance airline and you end up with only BA Golds allowed to enter the fast track or lounge. One of those silly mistakes which usually takes a bit of effort to sort out.
Even when it comes to *A rules they often get it wrong, such as insisting that you need *G written on the BP in order to access Gold Track or the lounge (if you're on a *A flight then having the physical Gold card will do, even if you're crediting to a carrier you don't have status on). That's just not WAW though, this can happen in a lot of places (MAD had a dragon by the entrance to fast track who insisted I didn't have access rights... until I coopted someone from LH to put her straight).
#44
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: WAW ✈ LHR ✈ GLA
Programs: BA GfL/GGL/CCR, HH Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,492
#45
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: WAW
Programs: A3(*G), Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador
Posts: 2,534