Refused Lounge entry at PHL
Apr 18, 2019, 4:16 am
#166
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Vale of Glamorgan
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 2,989
Apr 18, 2019, 4:41 am
#167
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Wolverhampton
Programs: BA Silver, Hilton Diamond, Marriot Gold, Radisson Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 1,605
But I can see if the PHL lounge pulls out an unnamed scotch, it might make a difference. Or Johnny Walker standard.
Apr 18, 2019, 4:48 am
#168
Join Date: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,197
There's nothing... and then there's nothing. I find Smirnoff actually has a noticeable flavour, which some like.
Then you get into amount of burn, mouth feel etc etc.
(I'm primarily a rum drinker now, but I used to drink a lot of vodka... and sorry, I know it's off topic!)
Then you get into amount of burn, mouth feel etc etc.
(I'm primarily a rum drinker now, but I used to drink a lot of vodka... and sorry, I know it's off topic!)
Apr 22, 2019, 1:11 am
#169
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Somewhere near a Airstrip
Programs: BAEC Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriot Platinum
Posts: 647
Data point as on 15/Apr/19. 4 PM
BA Gold, Flying AA out of PHL. Allowed entry to the Lounge & First Section. While I was there, a AA Exec Plat (Flying AA) showed up and he was allowed entry as well. No questions asked.
Sandwiches/ Salad / Light Bites are on offer with self serve bar.
The Pre-Flight Dining is only for those flying BA.
BA Gold, Flying AA out of PHL. Allowed entry to the Lounge & First Section. While I was there, a AA Exec Plat (Flying AA) showed up and he was allowed entry as well. No questions asked.
Sandwiches/ Salad / Light Bites are on offer with self serve bar.
The Pre-Flight Dining is only for those flying BA.
Apr 22, 2019, 3:18 am
#170
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Arizona
Programs: BA (GGL G4L), AA (Gold), HH (Diamond); Marriott (Gold)
Posts: 3,011
My recent visits to AA Admirals Club lounges in SFO and PHX were underwhelming. Drinks vouchers were strictly rationed to 2 per visit, and guests did not receive any at all (so guests do not have the same lounge benefits). So on our visits my partner and I had one drink each as I guested him in. Pours were not of the long persuasion either.
my experience last week is that anywhere with several Admiral's Clubs, they can't track through the system whether or not you have already had your paper 'premium drink' vouchers - so I got two vouchers at the A-West Club in PHL, then two more at the B/C Club...(and could presumably have tried the same trick at A-East and F if I'd really been that bothered...)
works anywhere with several Admiral Clubs - PHL, I think CLT as well (same as PHL - the former US Airways lounges became ACs), Boston?
works anywhere with several Admiral Clubs - PHL, I think CLT as well (same as PHL - the former US Airways lounges became ACs), Boston?
Apr 22, 2019, 5:53 am
#174
Join Date: Aug 2014
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 97
I was travelling club world from PHL and I have a gold card. I was allowed entry to the first lounge, though I was only allowed pre-flight dining in the business section. They had a sheet of all the first class passengers and would only serve them food. Seemed a bit silly to me. What's the point of having a gold card if you don't even get the benefits from it.
Apr 22, 2019, 7:17 am
#175
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Philly
Programs: AA, BA, NH, TP
Posts: 737
I was travelling club world from PHL and I have a gold card. I was allowed entry to the first lounge, though I was only allowed pre-flight dining in the business section. They had a sheet of all the first class passengers and would only serve them food. Seemed a bit silly to me. What's the point of having a gold card if you don't even get the benefits from it.
Apr 22, 2019, 7:39 am
#176
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
I was travelling club world from PHL and I have a gold card. I was allowed entry to the first lounge, though I was only allowed pre-flight dining in the business section. They had a sheet of all the first class passengers and would only serve them food. Seemed a bit silly to me. What's the point of having a gold card if you don't even get the benefits from it.
Apr 23, 2019, 10:47 am
#177
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: London
Programs: BA silver, Flying Blue gold, Marriott titanium
Posts: 71
My recent experiences flying LHR - PHL on BA connecting to SEA on AA, BA Gold flying CW. 18 April: after arriving on BA flight, I was told that BA lounge is a "departure lounge" for BA flights, not arriving BA flights. Approximately 3:30 pm. Lounge completely empty. When pressed, was allowed in on the understanding that I'd leave before it got busy. Food options limited; good selection of wine/champagne. Tried the AA lounge by A15 and was pleasantly surprised by size and nice views of the runway. Was worried that service would be surly if I didn't tip when using my "premium drink" vouchers, but I found staff quite congenial. Bonus was the guacamole bar, which was wonderful.
Return 22 April AA SEA - PHL arrived about 7:00 pm. BA lounge was packed (possibly with QR passengers?), so went straight to AA lounge. Again, friendly bar service, but no guac bar unfortunately. Returned to BA lounge and admitted with no issue (as was on BA flight PHL - LHR in CW), by which time it was quieter. Asked if I wanted to dine while in First section, only to be told (as expected) that dining was for First class passengers only. Went around the ropes and had a few tired bites from the buffet which had clearly seen better times. Ironically was beeped up to First at gate.
Return 22 April AA SEA - PHL arrived about 7:00 pm. BA lounge was packed (possibly with QR passengers?), so went straight to AA lounge. Again, friendly bar service, but no guac bar unfortunately. Returned to BA lounge and admitted with no issue (as was on BA flight PHL - LHR in CW), by which time it was quieter. Asked if I wanted to dine while in First section, only to be told (as expected) that dining was for First class passengers only. Went around the ropes and had a few tired bites from the buffet which had clearly seen better times. Ironically was beeped up to First at gate.
May 27, 2019, 1:27 pm
#178
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Programs: UA Platinum MM; DL Silver; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Hilton Gold; Marriott Gold
Posts: 24,248
I was denied access today at the BA lounge at PHL as a oneworld Emerald flying an all-AA transatlantic business class itinerary connecting to an AA domestic flight in PHL. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have
even bothered with the BA lounge (or the AAdmirals Club) because the AmEx Centurion Lounge upstairs is vastly superior in terms of food, drinks, and a shower, but the Centurion Lounge was filled to capacity.
By the looks of it, the BA lounge was sparsely populated.
How is the denial of admission on my itinerary not a violation of the oneworld lounge access rules? Here’s the published exception (emphasis mine):
Does the word “solely” mean something different in British English?
even bothered with the BA lounge (or the AAdmirals Club) because the AmEx Centurion Lounge upstairs is vastly superior in terms of food, drinks, and a shower, but the Centurion Lounge was filled to capacity.
By the looks of it, the BA lounge was sparsely populated.
How is the denial of admission on my itinerary not a violation of the oneworld lounge access rules? Here’s the published exception (emphasis mine):
American Airlines Airlines AAdvantage members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligble for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S, Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Carribean.
https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges?location=Does the word “solely” mean something different in British English?
May 27, 2019, 2:04 pm
#179
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,185
I was denied access today at the BA lounge at PHL as a oneworld Emerald flying an all-AA transatlantic business class itinerary connecting to an AA domestic flight in PHL. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have
even bothered with the BA lounge (or the AAdmirals Club) because the AmEx Centurion Lounge upstairs is vastly superior in terms of food, drinks, and a shower, but the Centurion Lounge was filled to capacity.
By the looks of it, the BA lounge was sparsely populated.
How is the denial of admission on my itinerary not a violation of the oneworld lounge access rules? Here’s the published exception (emphasis mine):
Does the word “solely” mean something different in British English?
even bothered with the BA lounge (or the AAdmirals Club) because the AmEx Centurion Lounge upstairs is vastly superior in terms of food, drinks, and a shower, but the Centurion Lounge was filled to capacity.
By the looks of it, the BA lounge was sparsely populated.
How is the denial of admission on my itinerary not a violation of the oneworld lounge access rules? Here’s the published exception (emphasis mine):
American Airlines Airlines AAdvantage members, regardless of their tier status or class of travel, are not eligble for lounge access when travelling solely on North American flights within or between the U.S, Canada, Mexico (except Mexico City), the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Carribean.
https://www.oneworld.com/airport-lounges?location=Does the word “solely” mean something different in British English?
May 27, 2019, 2:30 pm
#180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: London
Programs: Mucci. Nothing else matters.
Posts: 38,644
It seems to be well established that this rule does not mean that the lounge can turn away people seeking admission under oneworld rules only when the lounge is already full. People seeking admission under oneworld rules may be turned away if the lounge anticipates that it will in due course get full with its primary intended audience (eg passengers actually flying on BA) without also admitting other people who would only qualify under oneworld rules.