Unexpected access to Galleries when flying in ET
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: NCL
Programs: BA Blue
Posts: 82
Unexpected access to Galleries when flying in ET
A few weeks ago, I asked about lounge access at T5 when arriving in CE but departing in ET (click here to see the post)
As Blue members of the BAEC flying out in ET, we weren't expecting to get access to GC at T5, but I thought I'd ask anyway, mentioning that we'd flown NCL-LHR in CE. Much to my surprise, the lady at the entrance to Galleries South said that I can have access because the rules changed a few weeks ago. When she scanned my boarding pass, the computer said I wasn't allowed in, but she went to another screen to override it and I was allowed in.
Hopefully this will help anyone else who may be travelling in mixed classes.
As Blue members of the BAEC flying out in ET, we weren't expecting to get access to GC at T5, but I thought I'd ask anyway, mentioning that we'd flown NCL-LHR in CE. Much to my surprise, the lady at the entrance to Galleries South said that I can have access because the rules changed a few weeks ago. When she scanned my boarding pass, the computer said I wasn't allowed in, but she went to another screen to override it and I was allowed in.
Hopefully this will help anyone else who may be travelling in mixed classes.
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: BA Gold, QF WP
Posts: 12,551
See Scenario 4 in post #5 of the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...uidelines.html accessed from the
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...dashboard.html sticky.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...dashboard.html sticky.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: DUB/ORD/SIN/PVG
Programs: EI AerClub Concierge, EK Gold, BA Gold, BD Gold (Retired), HHonors Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Gold
Posts: 2,923
A few weeks ago, I asked about lounge access at T5 when arriving in CE but departing in ET (click here to see the post)
As Blue members of the BAEC flying out in ET, we weren't expecting to get access to GC at T5, but I thought I'd ask anyway, mentioning that we'd flown NCL-LHR in CE. Much to my surprise, the lady at the entrance to Galleries South said that I can have access because the rules changed a few weeks ago. When she scanned my boarding pass, the computer said I wasn't allowed in, but she went to another screen to override it and I was allowed in.
Hopefully this will help anyone else who may be travelling in mixed classes.
As Blue members of the BAEC flying out in ET, we weren't expecting to get access to GC at T5, but I thought I'd ask anyway, mentioning that we'd flown NCL-LHR in CE. Much to my surprise, the lady at the entrance to Galleries South said that I can have access because the rules changed a few weeks ago. When she scanned my boarding pass, the computer said I wasn't allowed in, but she went to another screen to override it and I was allowed in.
Hopefully this will help anyone else who may be travelling in mixed classes.
Worrying to hear that the IT needs to be manually overridden.
#4
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: London, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL/GFl, HH Diamond, BW Diamond, Virgin Voyages Deep Blue Extra, Blue Peter Badge Holder
Posts: 3,937
#5
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Dubai
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 396
I think in this case manual is always required? I am only a gold so after arriving from F and connecting onto domestic, they had to manually override to gain entry to CCR. Same as arriving in club and accessing galleries lounge.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,344
A bit dubious. What did change is that domestics now have CE. I don't think lounge access would have previously been granted when arriving off a "business UK" domestic and connecting to ET?
#7
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2012
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See Scenario 4 in post #5 of the http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...uidelines.html accessed from the
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...dashboard.html sticky.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/briti...dashboard.html sticky.
Last edited by KARFA; Apr 15, 2017 at 1:20 am
#8
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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There should be no difference, neither business UK or CE provide for lounge access after arriving and connecting to another flight in Y. The agent seems to have got this wrong and she should not have overridden it.
#9
Ambassador, British Airways; FlyerTalk Posting Legend
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For the sake of clarity, the OP arrived NCL-LHR in CE and was connecting on to a flight in ET. The lounge eligibility guide is clear no access is provided on the basis of cabin travelled at LHR between the two flights.
Customers arriving in long haul business and first class cabins connecting to a flight in Economy class also enjoy lounge access even though their onward sector does not give them access. This principle does not apply to customers connecting from a short haul flight.
#10
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Yes that scenario does require some manual intervention but there is no issue that someone arriving on BA F and connecting same day on to another flight departing T5 in any cabin gets access to the CCR. However, the connection point access where lounge access is based on inbound sector only applies for long haul J/F and does not apply for short haul to short haul or domestic to short haul.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North East
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I also think the OP has had a bank error in their favour so to speak. There was a new policy brought out in Feb 2017 I believe but was simply in anticipation of the eradication of J/Y domestic U.K. access therefore no drastic changes at all. The scenario described in post 5 indeed does have incorrect access rights listed.
#12
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I also think the OP has had a bank error in their favour so to speak. There was a new policy brought out in Feb 2017 I believe but was simply in anticipation of the eradication of J/Y domestic U.K. access therefore no drastic changes at all. The scenario described in post 5 indeed does have incorrect access rights listed.
I agree though, I can't see any change regarding lounge access at a connecting airport based on arriving in domestic CE - this would not appear to have changed and been the same as it has been when arriving on short haul CE.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: North East
Programs: Hilton HHonors, BAEC Silver
Posts: 1,204
Yes, so I see the new policy as being anybody in CE on domestic gets lounge access prior to their domestic flight - this encompasses a change to the selling classes now giving access. Previously only J and Y gave access, now it is R, I, D, C, and J. Basically if you are in CE you get lounge access.
I agree though, I can't see any change regarding lounge access at a connecting airport based on arriving in domestic CE - this would not appear to have changed and been the same as it has been when arriving on short haul CE.
I agree though, I can't see any change regarding lounge access at a connecting airport based on arriving in domestic CE - this would not appear to have changed and been the same as it has been when arriving on short haul CE.