LHR Arrivals Lounge?
May 12, 2018, 12:05 am
#31
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: PVD
Programs: Delta PM, HHonors Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 294
Interesting, when I tried to get into the No 1 lounge in Feb as a Plat, I was turned away and sent to the Clubhouse (it was a long wait at the airport and I wanted to try both lounges). Dragon said that as per their contract they only let in DL Gold. Anyone know if she was right and if so, if this was a recent change?
May 12, 2018, 10:08 am
#32
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
Interesting, when I tried to get into the No 1 lounge in Feb as a Plat, I was turned away and sent to the Clubhouse (it was a long wait at the airport and I wanted to try both lounges). Dragon said that as per their contract they only let in DL Gold. Anyone know if she was right and if so, if this was a recent change?
https://www.delta.com/content/www/en_US/skymiles/program-resources/news-and-updates.htmlj
(scroll down to the 6/1 release under medallion updates.)
- Diamond and Platinum Medallion Members traveling in Delta Main Cabin, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy or Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin and passengers traveling in Delta One or Virgin Atlantic Upper Class are all eligible to access both the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse and No1 Lounges, Heathrow, both located in Terminal 3.
- Gold Medallion Members traveling in Delta Main Cabin, Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy, or Virgin Atlantic Economy cabin are eligible to access No1 Lounges, Heathrow.
May 12, 2018, 6:40 pm
#33
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 27,042
They allowed us to bring in one guest into the Revivals lounge, not sure why (I think because I'm Diamond?), and we paid for another guest. It was worth the 60 pounds (I think?) for all four of us to have a shower and light breakfast while waiting for our friends to arrive on other flights.
As for departing, we were allowed one guest into the Virgin Clubhouse. (for me being diamond, but no guest as business class), and a two guests into the other lounge, forget the name but it was an ok lounge and nice meals to order. Thanks everyone for your help
As for departing, we were allowed one guest into the Virgin Clubhouse. (for me being diamond, but no guest as business class), and a two guests into the other lounge, forget the name but it was an ok lounge and nice meals to order. Thanks everyone for your help
May 13, 2018, 9:29 am
#35
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brighton. UK
Programs: BA Gold / VS /IHG Diamond & Ambassador
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Dec 17, 2018, 1:11 pm
#37
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
If you're in economy on BA, then your only option will be the Virgin Revivals lounge in T3, but that will involve clearing immigration and going landside to the lounge. Then you'd have to take the Heathrow Express or Tube over to T5 for your BA flight. I probably wouldn't attempt this with at least a 2.5hr connection time (though really 3+ to be safe), although the passport control line will likely be the gating factor.
I don't know if DL interlines with BA (VS does), but if they don't and you're on separate tickets with checked bags, you'll have to do this anyway and take your bags over to T5 check-in.
Keep in mind that T5 has a "conformance" check - your boarding pass needs to be scanned before security or you'll be automatically offloaded from your flight and have to re-book, likely at your own expense (BA are sticklers) if this is separate tickets. Check the BA board, I'm not sure the exact cut-off for conformance. I think it's dynamic, but typically 35 minutes (may be less on certain connecting itineraries depending on departure gate)
Dec 17, 2018, 1:15 pm
#38
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Do you have one ticket or two?
I'm assuming that you'll enter the UK at LHR and at some point go landside to the terminal for your BA flight.
If you have two tickets, I don't think anyone at a lounge entrance would even know that you're not terminating at LHR, so it would look like a genuine arrival and qualify you for a lounge like any other passengers arriving in D1. In this case, you should expect that your luggage cannot be checked through across two tickets because BA isn't a partner of DL.
If it's one ticket, the question is whether the (arrivals lounge) lounge dragon will make a big deal of the fact that you have a connection. I'm assuming that your INV flight doesn't have a premium cabin, but if you're EXP with AA that fact should allow you to use the BA (or oneworld) lounges before your BA flight as a departing passenger.
I'm assuming that you'll enter the UK at LHR and at some point go landside to the terminal for your BA flight.
If you have two tickets, I don't think anyone at a lounge entrance would even know that you're not terminating at LHR, so it would look like a genuine arrival and qualify you for a lounge like any other passengers arriving in D1. In this case, you should expect that your luggage cannot be checked through across two tickets because BA isn't a partner of DL.
If it's one ticket, the question is whether the (arrivals lounge) lounge dragon will make a big deal of the fact that you have a connection. I'm assuming that your INV flight doesn't have a premium cabin, but if you're EXP with AA that fact should allow you to use the BA (or oneworld) lounges before your BA flight as a departing passenger.
Dec 17, 2018, 1:16 pm
#39
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: ATL
Programs: DL - DM, Charter KM; Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 1,355
Thanks much. Flying J on BA but it's intra-UK so I didn't think that qualified for lounge access. I'll look into that. Also appreciate the heads up on interlining - didn't even think about that.
Dec 17, 2018, 3:14 pm
#40
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,234
If you have two tickets, I don't think anyone at a lounge entrance would even know that you're not terminating at LHR, so it would look like a genuine arrival and qualify you for a lounge like any other passengers arriving in D1. <snip> If it's one ticket, the question is whether the (arrivals lounge) lounge dragon will make a big deal of the fact that you have a connection.
I'm assuming that your INV flight doesn't have a premium cabin, but if you're EXP with AA that fact should allow you to use the BA (or oneworld) lounges before your BA flight as a departing passenger.
If you can do carry-on, I would just go through the Flight Connections Centre straight to T5 and use the BA F lounge. If you weren't able to check in online, there are BA desks somewhere along the FCC path. At a minimum have a printout of your itinerary with BA so you don't run into any issues getting on the bus to T5.
If you must check a bag (and thus go landside), I'd still probably lean toward skipping VS Revivals, really the only benefit there is there are more showers and less likely to be a wait than at BA.
Dec 17, 2018, 9:59 pm
#41
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Minneapolis: DL DM charter 2.3MM
Programs: A3*Gold, SPG Plat, HyattDiamond, MarriottPP, LHW exAccess, ICI, Raffles Amb, NW PE MM, TWA Gold MM
Posts: 100,413
Most legacy/full service carriers do interline with each other, so I'd be very surprised in DL and BA do not do so. However, IME this wouldn't necessarily mean that DL would sell a ticket with a BA segment, just that a travel agent could put the segments together on the same ticket and PNR so that one would be protected on connections and able to check bags through. However, this is a moot point if the OP has separate tickets/PNRs.
Dec 17, 2018, 10:20 pm
#42
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: West of CLE
Programs: Delta DM/3 MM; Hertz PC; National EE; Amtrak GR; Bonvoy Silver; Via Rail Préférence
Posts: 5,384
Dec 18, 2018, 3:19 pm
#43
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Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: San Antonio
Programs: DL DM, Former AA EXP now AY Plat, AC 75K, NW Plat, Former CO Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Titanium
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While by policy DL won't check through bags on separate tickets to BA, it doesn't mean they won't.
Dec 31, 2018, 11:35 am
#44
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 3,461
So I have a "connection" in LHR in a few weeks. Flight one on DL to LHR connecting to AF to Paris (It's really two tickets... Grabbed the Business flight on the last skymiles flash and then purchased a cheap ticket to Paris)
I have about 4 hours between flights but would really prefer NOT to leave the "sterile" area. (I know that I can connect without clearing immigration etc.. I have done that before) I am on Business into LHR, but in coach out of LHR. Any chance I can access a SkyMiles lounge in LHR. (If not I have a Diner's club and I think they have lounges there, not sure about showers however) Status on DL is only gold
Thanks!
I have about 4 hours between flights but would really prefer NOT to leave the "sterile" area. (I know that I can connect without clearing immigration etc.. I have done that before) I am on Business into LHR, but in coach out of LHR. Any chance I can access a SkyMiles lounge in LHR. (If not I have a Diner's club and I think they have lounges there, not sure about showers however) Status on DL is only gold
Thanks!
Dec 31, 2018, 11:46 am
#45
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC, BOS, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM
Posts: 843
So I have a "connection" in LHR in a few weeks. Flight one on DL to LHR connecting to AF to Paris (It's really two tickets... Grabbed the Business flight on the last skymiles flash and then purchased a cheap ticket to Paris)
I have about 4 hours between flights but would really prefer NOT to leave the "sterile" area. (I know that I can connect without clearing immigration etc.. I have done that before) I am on Business into LHR, but in coach out of LHR. Any chance I can access a SkyMiles lounge in LHR. (If not I have a Diner's club and I think they have lounges there, not sure about showers however) Status on DL is only gold
Thanks!
I have about 4 hours between flights but would really prefer NOT to leave the "sterile" area. (I know that I can connect without clearing immigration etc.. I have done that before) I am on Business into LHR, but in coach out of LHR. Any chance I can access a SkyMiles lounge in LHR. (If not I have a Diner's club and I think they have lounges there, not sure about showers however) Status on DL is only gold
Thanks!