Denied lounge access at AMS
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
Denied lounge access at AMS
I just arrived in AMS and tried to get into the lounge to take a shower before heading into town and was denied access. They told me with Delta I have to be DEPARTING in order to use the lounge. I've never had any issues at CDG and even here, having been in before upon arrival.
I am DM with Delta and travelled here in J on an Award Ticket. Am I really not allowed access to the KLM lounge immediately upon arrival???
I am DM with Delta and travelled here in J on an Award Ticket. Am I really not allowed access to the KLM lounge immediately upon arrival???
Last edited by 355F1; Jun 4, 2014 at 10:51 pm
#4
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
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I've never had issues using the lounges at AMS as arrival lounges, but this seems to be an unwritten exception for international lounges. At CDG this has not worked for me, but CDG does have a separate designated arrivals lounge. Note that the SCs at NRT aren't accessible to arriving passengers so we can't use that as a test.
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Diamond, IC Amb
Posts: 5,510
I've never had issues using the lounges at AMS as arrival lounges, but this seems to be an unwritten exception for international lounges. At CDG this has not worked for me, but CDG does have a separate designated arrivals lounge. Note that the SCs at NRT aren't accessible to arriving passengers so we can't use that as a test.
Anyway, I went back to the lounge and asked for the supervisor who told me that Delta, as of about a year ago, no longer pays KLM for ANY of their members to use the Crown Lounge as an arrival lounge.
I was a little upset because there really isn't anything as nice as getting off a TATL flight and taking a shower. Plus, even though it was an award ticket, it was still a Business Class seat. If I would have paid $6k for this ticket and been denied I would have written Delta a very angry letter...lol.
Oh well....I'm in Amsterdam for the next five days with some friends from San Francisco and we are going to have a great time. ^
Last edited by 355F1; Jun 5, 2014 at 6:13 am
#6
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Charlotte, NC, USA | CLT, formerly LHR & AMS (with just a bit of PSP)
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Let's face it, if you are (personally) spending $6K instead of $1.2K+/- for a flight that is (most probably) under 9 hours; chances are, paying for early arrival at your hotel is not that big of a deal.
Now, OPM, that might be a different story...
#7
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: No longer in MSP; now in Portland, OR USA :)
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Posts: 543
Funny; I've never heard of an "arrivals lounge." I always understood that you could only use lounges with those types of facilities when connecting. That is the whole point, I thought..?
#8
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: N/A
Programs: N/A
Posts: 823
I have gained access arriving at AMS, but only on connection so not sure of their rules. I know their lounge aganets can be difficult sometimes.
As others have said CDG has a decent AF arrivals lounge, and Virgin has a very good arrivals lounge at Heathow.
American, BA, Air Canada all have arrivals lounges at Heathrow as well.
United has a list of arrivals facilities on their website - Sometimes lounges, sometimes just hotels where you can get a room just like Yotal with DL at LHR.
#9
Join Date: May 2009
Location: LGA, JFK
Posts: 1,018
https://www.delta.com/skyclub/viewSk...irportCode=AMS
As a non-status on an arriving J award, I got access to the FRA lounge and shower last year.
#10
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: OKC
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Posts: 6,750
A good arrivals lounge is a great perk of flying international biz class. Take a shower, able to skip breakfast on the plane for more sleep.
I have gained access arriving at AMS, but only on connection so not sure of their rules. I know their lounge aganets can be difficult sometimes.
As others have said CDG has a decent AF arrivals lounge, and Virgin has a very good arrivals lounge at Heathow.
American, BA, Air Canada all have arrivals lounges at Heathrow as well.
United has a list of arrivals facilities on their website - Sometimes lounges, sometimes just hotels where you can get a room just like Yotal with DL at LHR.
I have gained access arriving at AMS, but only on connection so not sure of their rules. I know their lounge aganets can be difficult sometimes.
As others have said CDG has a decent AF arrivals lounge, and Virgin has a very good arrivals lounge at Heathow.
American, BA, Air Canada all have arrivals lounges at Heathrow as well.
United has a list of arrivals facilities on their website - Sometimes lounges, sometimes just hotels where you can get a room just like Yotal with DL at LHR.
Last edited by Xeno; Jun 5, 2014 at 10:34 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: ATL
Programs: Bonvoy Ambassador, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton Gold, AA EXP, UA Silver, former DL DM
Posts: 2,001
According to the AF website (http://www.airfrance.us/US/en/common..._airfrance.htm), OP should have been granted access. See bolded text below:
Flying Blue Gold and Platinum or SkyTeam Elite Plus
You and a guest of your choice can take advantage of free entry to the 530 Air France and SkyTeam lounges.
You have access to the lounges when you travel:
on an AIR FRANCE, KLM, or SkyTeam international flight,
on an Air France flight within Paris that departs from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly West and airports in certain select cities,
on a KLM flight within the Netherlands that departs from Amsterdam-Schiphol,
on a SkyTeam flight within one country that connects to a SkyTeam international flight on the same day,
upon arrival on a long-haul SkyTeam flight to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2C,
upon arrival on a SkyTeam international flight to Amsterdam-Schiphol (KLM Crown Lounges), Dubai, Glasgow, Houston, Johannesburg, and Toronto.
You and a guest of your choice can take advantage of free entry to the 530 Air France and SkyTeam lounges.
You have access to the lounges when you travel:
on an AIR FRANCE, KLM, or SkyTeam international flight,
on an Air France flight within Paris that departs from Paris-Charles de Gaulle, Paris-Orly West and airports in certain select cities,
on a KLM flight within the Netherlands that departs from Amsterdam-Schiphol,
on a SkyTeam flight within one country that connects to a SkyTeam international flight on the same day,
upon arrival on a long-haul SkyTeam flight to Paris-Charles de Gaulle Terminal 2C,
upon arrival on a SkyTeam international flight to Amsterdam-Schiphol (KLM Crown Lounges), Dubai, Glasgow, Houston, Johannesburg, and Toronto.
#14
Join Date: Sep 2008
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#15
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Location: West of CLE
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