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Old Oct 29, 2013, 2:12 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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Lounge Admittance Policy and Guest Admittance Policy
Please see this link for details of lounge admittance for:
  • Marco Polo Members
  • Oneworld status holders
  • Business and First Class Passengers
  • People not flying Cathay Pacific or Dragonair
  • Guests


The following FAQs are addressed below:
  • What lounges does Cathay Pacific operate at HKIA (aka “what are my choices”)?
    • Which departures lounge should I use?
      • I am not a Marco Polo Club member. I am not travelling on a Cathay Pacific or Dragonair flight. Can I use one of the lounges?
        • I am arriving off CX First Class and connecting to a CX or KA flight in Business Class. Can I access the First Class lounge during my transit?
          • Can I visit multiple lounges?
            • Do operational-upgrades (op-ups) come with upgraded lounge benefits?
              • Do mile-upgraded (award) tickets come with lounge benefits?
                • What if I want to meet up with fellow FlyerTalkers in CX lounges?
                  • Transiting through HKG and getting to the lounges
                    • Is it possible to visit airside lounges during a transit and then exit the airport?





What lounges does Cathay Pacific operate at HKIA (aka “what are my choices”)?
Cathay Pacific (together with subsidiary Dragonair) operate the following lounges at Hong Kong:

Departure lounges:
  • The Wing - First Class
  • The Wing - Business Class
  • The Pier - First Class
  • The Pier - Business Class
  • The Cabin - Business Class - Closed as of 1 May 2018
  • The Bridge - Business Class
  • The Deck - Business Class

All departure lounges are airside and are only accessible by passengers who have an onward boarding pass and who have cleared security and passport control.


Which departures lounge should I use?
Depending on your access entitlement, you can use any lounge in the terminal. You should check how long it takes to get to your departure gate from the lounge you choose

Food
  • The Wing - F Class, there is a buffet restaurant, and an a-la-carte menu, and a Champagne bar.
  • The Wing - J Class, there is a new Coffee Loft concept offering freshly brewed coffee and freshly baked pastries. Compared to The Pier, there is also a wider selection of savoury foods.
  • The Pier - F Class has an a la carte restaurant, and no buffet. It is the newest of the lounges, and the most up to date in Cathay's service offering.
  • The Cabin has The Deli and the Health Bar which offer made-to-order hot sandwiches and antipasti, and fresh juices. There is also a small western and Asian food buffet. There is no separate F class dining or seating at The Cabin. The Cabin is permanently closed.
  • The Bridge features The Bakery, which offers freshly baked bread and pizzas, as well as sandwiches, pastries, Asian and Western soups, and fresh salads. There is no separate F class dining or seating at The Bridge.
    F Class Lounge Menus: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/catha...nge-menus.html

For details of what facilities are offered in each lounge, please refer to the links on the Cathay Pacific/Dragonair websites:

Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Airport Lounges


AusBT reviews of new CX lounges:
The Wing Business Class Review
The Wing First Class Review
The Bridge
The Pier First Class
The New Pier Business Class lounge



Discussion on CX Lounges World Wide:
New - The Bridge
The Wing - The Best Oneworld Business Lounge in the network?
Review of new F wing
Cathay Pacific – Chicago (ORD) Lounge
New CX lounge in SFO???
The New Pier First and Business Class lounges
The New Pier Business Class Lounge
London Heathrow lounge experience
The Deck



I am not a Marco Polo Club member. I am not travelling on a Cathay Pacific or Dragonair flight. Can I use one of the lounges?

Please see the above section which include details on Admittance policies.

The following can access Cathay Pacific lounges to the extent as detailed in the above admittance policy:
  • First and Business Class passengers flying oneworld marketed and operated flights, class of lounge depending on class of travel
  • Oneworld Sapphire members (including Marco Polo Gold members) departing on a oneworld marketed and operated flight, J lounges
  • Oneworld Emerald members (including Marco Polo Diamond members) departing on a oneworld marketed and operated flight, F or J lounges
  • Marco Polo Silver members departing on a Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon marketed and operated flight, J lounges (any lounge provided by CX to J passengers except for JFK, where SL members are directed to the Admiral's Club when it is open)
  • Marco Polo Silver, Gold, and Diamond members departing on a Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon marketed flight operated by another carrier, class of lounge depending on status, for Cathay Pacific-owned lounges only, if physically accessible and open.

If you do not fall into any of these categories you are out of luck (or you can be guested in).


I am arriving off CX First Class and connecting to a CX or KA flight in Business Class. Can I access the First Class lounge during my transit?
Yes. You will be issued with two lounge invitations when you check in for your flight, one for use at your outport and one for use in Hong Kong. Your Hong Kong lounge invitation will clearly display an invitation to "The Wing/Pier/Cabin/G16 Lounge - FIRST CLASS".
There is some discussion at this thread regarding long transits between a First Class and Business Class flights and lounge entitlement: F lounge use when departing J after long next day transit

Can I visit multiple lounges?
Yes. Although the lounge invitation is collected upon entry, a lounge invitation is not required to enter a lounge. Your boarding pass showing cabin and status, and your frequent flyer card if you are relying on oneworld access privileges, is sufficient. The first time you use a boarding pass to enter, the gate staff will need to scan it to check entry eligibility. A re-entry stamp will then be stamped on your boarding pass, this is so that subsequent entries using that boarding pass will not need it scanned.


Do operational-upgrades (op-ups) come with upgraded lounge benefits?
No. This is because an operational upgrade relates solely to needing to re-seat a passenger on board. There is no operational reason to provide other benefits associated with the upgraded travel class such as lounge entry, priority baggage, or bonus miles.

For example, unless he has status etc. allowing first class lounge entry, a business class traveller upgraded to first class for operational reasons will receive a first class boarding pass paired with a business class lounge invitation. Attempts to use the first class boarding pass to enter a first class lounge will be denied when the lounge agent scans his boarding pass. Similarly, an economy or premium economy class passenger op-up'ed to business class does not receive lounge benefits.


Do mile-upgraded (award) tickets come with lounge benefits?
Yes, award tickets have the same lounge benefits as a regular ticket.


What if I want to meet up with fellow FlyerTalkers in CX lounges?
You could try having a look at this thread: Lounge Meetup Master Thread


Transiting through HKG and getting to the lounges

To provide an idea of where the lounges are located throughout the airport:
  • The Wing is near gates 1-4, G16 is near Gates 15-19. Both of these are on the far east side of the concourse - the Wing is southeast, and G16 is northeast.
  • The Cabin is near gate 21, centrally located also on the eastern side of the concourse.
  • The Bridge is centrally located on the west side of the concourse, within a five minute walk from all gates 30-71. This is probably the most strategically located of all the lounges given the volume of gates it is close to.
  • The Pier is on the northwest side of the concourse, nestled among the 60s gates.
  • *As of now, there is no lounge on the southwest side of the concourse (gates 40), but the Bridge is no more than a 5 minute walk from all of the 40s gates.

When transiting, you can use any transit point as they all lead to the same departures area of the airport. You can utilize any transit checkpoint to successfully reach your departure gate without much difference in walking time Therefore, if you see a transit point with no queue, just use it - you don't need to go to a transit point near your next departing gate. From experience, E1/E2 transit points are the points with the most congestion, but maximum time waiting through these points is about 15 minutes.


Is it possible to visit airside lounges during a transit and then exit the airport?

**Updated, this no longer seems possible, per this thread: Stuck in HKG without being able to Exit , previously there was some view that it may be possible, but this appears to be moot: Using HKG departure-side lounges before clearing immigration
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Lounge Access and other Lounge FAQs

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Old Jan 16, 2019, 3:15 pm
  #1576  
 
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Originally Posted by tobikosan
I wore my F class Cathay pajama tops into the lounge no problem. With the sleeves rolled up it looks pretty much like nice shirt (at least to me.)

Lounge Question: I am in F sfo to HKG with another Cathay connecting flight to AHL 11 hours later. There is no F in that flight only J. Does that mean I will not be admitted to the F lounges in HKG?
AHL?? Does CX fly there?
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Old Jan 16, 2019, 4:49 pm
  #1577  
 
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Originally Posted by tobikosan
I wore my F class Cathay pajama tops into the lounge no problem. With the sleeves rolled up it looks pretty much like nice shirt (at least to me.)

Lounge Question: I am in F sfo to HKG with another Cathay connecting flight to AHL 11 hours later. There is no F in that flight only J. Does that mean I will not be admitted to the F lounges in HKG?
Originally Posted by cxfan1960
AHL?? Does CX fly there?
I think the poster has a typo: do you mean AKL?

I'll assume AKL.

If you are on CX metal, yes you will have access to F lounges per the OW rules. Save your SFO-HKG boarding pass just to be safe.

If you are on NZ metal to AKL, no you won't.
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Old Jan 16, 2019, 6:11 pm
  #1578  
sxc
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Originally Posted by QRC3288
I think the poster has a typo: do you mean AKL?

I'll assume AKL.

If you are on CX metal, yes you will have access to F lounges per the OW rules. Save your SFO-HKG boarding pass just to be safe.

If you are on NZ metal to AKL, no you won't.
I don’t know the flight timings but if the 11 hours crosses the 2-6am period then it won’t be same day and technically you won’t have access to the F lounge.
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Old Jan 16, 2019, 6:38 pm
  #1579  
 
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Originally Posted by sxc

I don’t know the flight timings but if the 11 hours crosses the 2-6am period then it won’t be same day and technically you won’t have access to the F lounge.
He is flying SFO-HKG. Only 873 has F. It lands around 6am. It won't cross the day boundary. However, he may be flying CX-coded NZ flight.
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Old Jan 18, 2019, 3:51 pm
  #1580  
 
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I will arrive at HKG on a KA flight and fly to JFK on CX in J the next day, I want to explore some of the lounges at HKG. Is it possible to enter the lounge when I arrive on the KA flight even though my flight to JFK is on the next day?
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Old Jan 18, 2019, 4:02 pm
  #1581  
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Originally Posted by Granite64
I will arrive at HKG on a KA flight and fly to JFK on CX in J the next day, I want to explore some of the lounges at HKG. Is it possible to enter the lounge when I arrive on the KA flight even though my flight to JFK is on the next day?
Not really. If you mean ‘next day’ as in later than 2am, you probably won’t get past transit security which will require a same day boarding pass to enter the departures area.

Even if you have that same day boarding pass, it’s not like SIN or USA where everyone is mixed, HKG is a dedicated (sterile) departures area. Once you’re through you’re immigration cleared, and having to get back to leave will require an escort.
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Old Jan 18, 2019, 4:05 pm
  #1582  
 
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Originally Posted by LHR/MEL/Europe FF


Not really. If you mean ‘next day’ as in later than 2am, you probably won’t get past transit security which will require a same day boarding pass to enter the departures area.

Even if you have that same day boarding pass, it’s not like SIN or USA where everyone is mixed, HKG is a dedicated (sterile) departures area. Once you’re through you’re immigration cleared, and having to get back to leave will require an escort.
Thanks! ^

I did this at IST, came in from AMS and flew to IAD the next day; I decided to get a bite to eat at the TK lounge. Showed my onward BP to airport staff and lounge dragons and it was okay for them. After that I left the airport without any trouble.

Too bad I can't do it at HKG..

Last edited by Granite64; Jan 18, 2019 at 4:24 pm
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Old Jan 23, 2019, 4:17 am
  #1583  
 
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F lounge access

My longhaul flight in F arrives at 7am in the morning and my second flight in J departs hkg at 1am the following day.

Since technically my second flight departs the following day, would I still have F lounge access in HKG? If I leave HKG and come back in the evening, would I be able to just show my inbound boarding pass for access?

thanks
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Old Jan 23, 2019, 4:32 am
  #1584  
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Yes and yes
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Old Jan 23, 2019, 4:56 am
  #1585  
 
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Just to make clear, 1am is not the "following day" by Cathays definition. One "airport day" lasts from first flight around 7am to last OW flight, approx 2am depending on time of year.

Obviously, if you have a 1am flight in F and arrive at 11pm...CX doesn't kick all F pax out of the lounge at 11:59pm because new calendar day has begun. This would be rather silly.

However, folks have tried to extend the 24 hour day logic to using the F lounge the following morning. This is not permitted. Aka people landing at 7pm in F w/a 9am shorthaul Y/W/J departure the next day do not have F lounge access, unless they are DM/OWE.
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Old Jan 28, 2019, 11:11 pm
  #1586  
 
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So after slogging it as GO for the last 3 years, I finally made it to DM. I've never been to the F class lounges and I'm departing HKG on 2/1, CX890. I will be guesting a coworker, who's also returning to NY on CX840. For J lounges, I've pretty much discounted the Wing and have gone straight to the Pier, sometimes making a stop in the Bridge on my way back to the departure gates. I had assumed I would go to Pier F and skip the Wing F. I know its been discussed ad nauseam here, but any reason for me to rethink that strategy? I'm not really interested in the Cabanas, or even the massage at the Pier. Just want a nice experience and hopefully some variety to explore. Which is one of the reasons I prefer Pier J to Wing J. Also, Wing J gets crowded which is another turn off, assuming Wing F doesn't see the same level of crowds.

My coworker will probably be leaving from Gate 1-4. My flight to EWR can be anywhere, I've seen 1-4, 15-18, 47 even 27. The distance of the Pier is never a problem, but I told him I'd probably be heading to the Pier and he's welcome to join. I suppose I could guest him into Wing F, check it out, then head down to Pier F since I'll have plenty of time and my flight departs 2 hours after his.
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Old Jan 28, 2019, 11:46 pm
  #1587  
 
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To the poster above: congratulations!!

This is obviously personal. But if you're at HKIA enough, I have to say I'm "over" Pier F except in certain instances. I definitely don't go out of my way. It has nicer aesthetics, for sure. But the pantry is quite poorly stocked once you get over the nice look of it, and the lounge is quite small and if there are a lot of departures nearby, can get packed. It's generally either feast or famine in there....more often than not unbusy. But if you've just slogged 15 minutes out of your way and 4 Europe departures are going from the high 30s or 60s gates, it'll be packed to the gills and you'll regret the walk.

i say the paragraph above not intended as a whinge, but rather as a temper to the "Pier is always better" thinking that I guess probably wins the day if you're irregular to HKIA. If you're there multiple times a month (...or week), I think you might find yourself in Wing F or Qantas J quite a bit. Qantas has been discussed elsewhere. Why Wing F?

Because Wing is close to security, if your gate isn't assigned yet. This might be the biggest selling point. Once you CAN go to Pier F every time, I suspect you'll say hell no to the walk in less your flight is nearby.

Wing has a far bigger selection of a la carte food. Granted I can't vouch for much of it - most is borderline disgusting - but it's just more options than Pier F grab and go by far, there will be something there that won't kill you. And I really love that room in the Wing on the side by the J lounge, with the coffee machine and tea and snacks. I love that feeling. The seating is very efficient; that room can hold a lot of people without ever looking crowded. So when I do visit the lounges, I often find myself there in Wing.

Here's where I do use Pier F. If I want a day room, #1 . Aka an hour or two early (or flight delay). If I want to eat a proper meal, often with colleagues or friends this is #2 . Pier is better IMO for dining the food selection and vibe are vastly superior and you never have to wait for a table, unlike Wing F. And the shower stalls are nicer over in Pier F. I could care less to use the Cabanas in Wing except to show guests as a "wow" factor. I think it's clear the Pier feels nicer, but the long distance plus smallish size and lack of grab and go food options are the biggest knocks against it.
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Old Jan 29, 2019, 11:44 pm
  #1588  
 
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Thanks @QRC3288. As always your responses are well thought out and hit the sweet spot. Still not decided where to land, but I plan on getting to HKG early and maybe try both. I'm strictly a long haul traveler, 6-7 times a year. At that pace, it's enough to keep the F lounges fresh. I had settled into a habit of going straight to Pier J so time to mix it up.
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Old Feb 2, 2019, 8:02 am
  #1589  
 
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Unexpected lounge access in HKG

Currently sitting in the GVK Lounge in Mumbai waiting for my flight to HKG. Paid PE ticket, used Asia Miles to upgrade BOM-HKG to business. No availability on HKG-SFO, so still PE on that leg.

Upon check-in, received my lounge invite for GVK here in Mumbai, AND a business class lounge in HKG. That is a big surprise.

From everything I’ve read, lounge acess is based on departing fare class, not arriving, correct??

The contract check-in agent here in Mumbai didn’t hit any additional buttons, the system printed everything at once.

I’m obviously very happy about this but also confused as to why I have lounge access in HKG while flying PE to SFO.

Any insights?
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Old Feb 2, 2019, 8:25 pm
  #1590  
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You received it in error. Enjoy.
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