Is it worth going to Manchester for the Concorde Room?
Jan 10, 2019, 11:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Birmingham, UK
Posts: 205
Is it worth going to Manchester for the Concorde Room?
Flying F redemption to Vegas in June on BA275 which is scheduled to leave T3 at 16.40. Really looking forward to it but slightly disappointed we wont get to enjoy the Concorde Room.
We live north of Birmingham 3h20 away from LHR by train. We are also 2hrs away from MAN by train. There is Avios CE availability on BA1389 and BA1391 MAN-LHR which would get us into T5 for 10.55 or 13.15 respectively.
Essentially setting off a little earlier and a few extra Avios could get us the CCR for a few hours before we transfer to T3 rather than (or as well as) the T3 F lounges.
Am I correct in thinking we could use the CCR on arrival inT5 if we did this? Would it be worth the effort? Should we just stick with the T3 F lounges?
If we chose to do it could I just call up to just add MAN-LHR to the redemption booking and pay the Avios and change fee or would it need to be on a separate ticket (which would be a bit too much of a risk for me)
Would be grateful for thoughts.
We live north of Birmingham 3h20 away from LHR by train. We are also 2hrs away from MAN by train. There is Avios CE availability on BA1389 and BA1391 MAN-LHR which would get us into T5 for 10.55 or 13.15 respectively.
Essentially setting off a little earlier and a few extra Avios could get us the CCR for a few hours before we transfer to T3 rather than (or as well as) the T3 F lounges.
Am I correct in thinking we could use the CCR on arrival inT5 if we did this? Would it be worth the effort? Should we just stick with the T3 F lounges?
If we chose to do it could I just call up to just add MAN-LHR to the redemption booking and pay the Avios and change fee or would it need to be on a separate ticket (which would be a bit too much of a risk for me)
Would be grateful for thoughts.
Jan 10, 2019, 11:25 am
#2
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 7,464
You will not be permitted access to airside T5 since you will not have a BP for a flight departing from there.
Honestly, as much as is portrayed on FT, the CCR is not some exclusive members club - it is a waiting room with a bit of free grub and booze. They even give the likes of me a card to access it whenever I fly from T5.
Jan 10, 2019, 11:28 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Herts, UK
Programs: BAEC GGL, HH Diamond.
Posts: 3,176
you will not be able to get "airside" at T5 after you arrival from MAN into T5.
However you can console yourself with the fact that T3 is hone to a fine selection of OW lounges you can use. I personally wouldnt visit AA, But CX f, BA F and Qantus are all very good lounges.
My favourite is CX F, I like the food and drink selection there and in their business side of the lounge too
However you can console yourself with the fact that T3 is hone to a fine selection of OW lounges you can use. I personally wouldnt visit AA, But CX f, BA F and Qantus are all very good lounges.
My favourite is CX F, I like the food and drink selection there and in their business side of the lounge too
Jan 10, 2019, 11:40 am
#6
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Munich, Algarve, Sussex or S.F Bay Area
Programs: Mucci, BA Gold, A3*Gold, AA Plat, HH Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Marriott Plat
Posts: 4,158
Honestly, the CX lounge in T3 may not have LPGS but I wouldn't go out of my way to visit the CCR instead. Certainly not adding 5 or more hours to my journey time and the additional possibility of a misconnect if bad weather.
Jan 10, 2019, 12:10 pm
#9
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC - Gold
Posts: 879
If you are in F on the return, then it could be worth returning to MAN on the same day as then you would be able to access CCR by virtue of your inbound boarding pass.
No extra Avios are needed to add domestic sectors onto the ends of a long haul reward booking, just a few extra Ł. If you are taking the train (ie no car abandoned at LHR) then that would be worth it IMO.
No extra Avios are needed to add domestic sectors onto the ends of a long haul reward booking, just a few extra Ł. If you are taking the train (ie no car abandoned at LHR) then that would be worth it IMO.
Jan 10, 2019, 12:12 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: Surrey
Programs: BAEC - Gold
Posts: 879
Jan 10, 2019, 1:21 pm
#13
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: UK
Programs: BA Gold, AA 1MM lifetime gold, Starwood gold, Marriott Gold Elite
Posts: 719
I would enjoy the T3 Lounges- the T5 CCR is nicer than each of the individual lounges in T3 but I prefer the T3 lounges in combination.
CX for food and F dining room, AA for Moet rose and sweets.
CX for food and F dining room, AA for Moet rose and sweets.
Jan 10, 2019, 1:45 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2005
Programs: BA Gold, AA Lifetime Gold 1.8mm, IC Spire Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, SPG Gold et al
Posts: 4,350
If it was added to the reward then there would also be a change fee for each ticket.
Jan 10, 2019, 1:51 pm
#15
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,199
Despite that it's a shame the OP can't experience the CCR for the first time to make up his own mind. Another time hopefully.