NRT. Change Terminals just for lounge access?
 

Ive only changed terminals at NRT twice. Connecting from Aeromexico arriving in terminal 1 to JAL in terminal 2. IIRC it was a one way transfer and one could not just freely board the bus back and forth without a flight in the other terminal. But I also recall neither time was I checked in for the JAL flights prior to arriving at the transfer check-in counter in Terminal 2 so I did not have my boarding pass prior to boarding the bus in terminal 1. I do not recall what, if anything, I actually had to show to get on the bus to change terminals.

This is relevant now because coming up I have a 4 hour JAL to JAL layover all in terminal 2 but I have access to either the Delta Skyclub or Korean Air lounge in terminal 1, IF.... I can make it over there. I get no love at all in terminal 2. I do not think they will let me on the bus just to get to a lounge but what do they actually verify before they do let you on the bus??? Could I just verbally say I need to check-in for some flight at the transfer desk in terminal 1 and get on the bus that way?

This question came up in a recent thread. My recollection was that the bus commissar requested a flight number and made a note of it, but didn't inspect my boarding pass. Someone else with more recent experience reported that boarding passes were inspected.

So ... Please give it a go and let us know what happens.

Before you do, though, you might want to verify that you will be allowed into the clubs at T1. If you don't hold a SkyTeam boarding pass for that day of travel, will you have access to those lounges?

I have a handful of Delta Sky Club one-day passes. The rules say "Delta Sky Club facilities may be used only in conjunction with same-day ticketed air travel on any airline". So I figure I should be good to get in the Sky Club. I can get in Korean Air's lounge on Priority Pass. So either way I am good for lounge access in Terminal 1.

It's funny, both times previously I clearly remember I did not have my JAL boarding pass prior to changing terminals and I had to check in with JAL at the transfer desk AFTER changing terminals so I know I did it without a boarding pass, but I can not remember what if anything I actually had to show.

In a couple of weeks I go through NRT ANA-Singapore Airlines all in terminal 1 so no problems that time. Maybe I'll scout it out then. The JAL-JAL layover is not until August but I certainly have time to try then so I will definitely give it a go and report back.

Hmm. How reliable is your memory?

IIRC - If a transit passenger arrives at NRT without an onward boarding pass, it's possible to explain this to the agents at the international transit security checkpoint (and it's probably a good idea to carry a printed copy of the reservation for this purpose). The security checkpoint agents ask for a flight number before allowing the passenger to pass through the transit security checkpoint. Immediately on the other side of security, there are transit desks that issue onward boarding passes. After picking up a boarding pass, the passenger emerges in the departure gate area, from which buses leave for the other terminal.

I'm not sure if it's possible to bypass the transit desks and go to the gate area without a pass. I guess it might be...

If your memory serves you well, it should be easy to just bluff - claim you're picking up a boarding pass at the other terminal and take the transit bus.

Not so much.:D:D:D

The part I do remember. I was concerned about not having a boarding pass to show security on arrival because I always needed one in the past but that turned out to be a non issue. I think the transfer desk proper was unmanned(???) and in any case nothing after security came between me and wandering freely around the terminal. I 'tried' really hard to find a way to get boarding passes in Terminal 1 for my JAL connection but I could not come up with a way to do that and definitely did not check in until after I made my way to Terminal 2.

Guess I'll just try it and see how it goes:D Worse that could happen is I get trapped in Terminal 2 but at least I know they sell cheap beer in the mini mart so I can make my own lounge.:D

If that's the case, then I may be mis-remembering things. (It's entirely possible). Or perhaps they've changed since I last did this. Certainly looks like you'd be able to blag your way onto a bus to the other terminal.

assuming that you are successful
 

When I take KE from NRT, I avoid the Korean Air Club. It is better in terms of the interior since they remodeled but still offer practically nothing to eat and little to drink compared to the two Delta clubs. It is best to be avoided and certainly is not worth the short walk from the Delta club at gate 25.

I believe that probably the simplest and quickest way is to either bluff the connection people or clear immigration and grab the train or bus to the other terminal. With four hours, it might be worth it, but there are certainly some other options available within the arriving terminal.