Can you use the non-Schengen lounge before a connection to a Schengen flight?
Jan 2, 23, 12:41 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 81
Can you use the non-Schengen lounge before a connection to a Schengen flight?
I have had a bit of trouble trying to figure out why the lounge site says I am not eligible for non-Schengen lounge access (52) during my layover in AMS (DTW-AMS-OSL). The CS reps at KLM don't really have an answer for me.
I am wondering - am I not allowed to use the NS lounge since I am connecting to a Schengen destination? In other words, if your next stop is in Schengen, you can only use the Schengen lounge, and if your next stop is non-Schengen, you can only use the NS lounge?
Or should I be able to access both lounges freely? I ask only because I have a super-long layover, and I am trying to reserve someplace to take a nap while waiting. The Schengen lounge (25) does not have sleep cabins, but NS (52) does.
Please and thanks.
I am wondering - am I not allowed to use the NS lounge since I am connecting to a Schengen destination? In other words, if your next stop is in Schengen, you can only use the Schengen lounge, and if your next stop is non-Schengen, you can only use the NS lounge?
Or should I be able to access both lounges freely? I ask only because I have a super-long layover, and I am trying to reserve someplace to take a nap while waiting. The Schengen lounge (25) does not have sleep cabins, but NS (52) does.
Please and thanks.
Last edited by squirk; Jan 2, 23 at 12:49 pm
Jan 2, 23, 12:51 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Netherlands
Programs: FB Gold, Hilton Diamond, some others as well
Posts: 125
You can access both lounges on the same day. Since you're arriving from a ''safe'' country (US) you don't have to reclear security and you can follow signs for ABCD piers. The KLM Schengen Lounge is one level up from the main concourse After passing border controls take the escalator/stairs and follow signs for lounge 25. Be aware of possible long lines at border control when holding a non-EU/EER passport.
Jan 2, 23, 1:15 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 81
You can access both lounges on the same day. Since you're arriving from a ''safe'' country (US) you don't have to reclear security and you can follow signs for ABCD piers. The KLM Schengen Lounge is one level up from the main concourse After passing border controls take the escalator/stairs and follow signs for lounge 25. Be aware of possible long lines at border control when holding a non-EU/EER passport.
Jan 2, 23, 1:35 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: Netherlands
Programs: FB Gold, Hilton Diamond, some others as well
Posts: 125
Personally, I think it's due to not having Flying Blue status. Do you have status with Delta or another Skyteam airline or flying in Business? This was discussed recently in another topic. You should be able to reserve on arrival in the lounge but the sleeping cabins are first come first serve. If you want you can book a room at the airside hotel (Mercure) or just go landside and go to the Sheraton/Hilton/CitizenM.
Jan 2, 23, 1:45 pm
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 81
Personally, I think it's due to not having Flying Blue status. Do you have status with Delta or another Skyteam airline or flying in Business? This was discussed recently in another topic. You should be able to reserve on arrival in the lounge but the sleeping cabins are first come first serve. If you want you can book a room at the airside hotel (Mercure) or just go landside and go to the Sheraton/Hilton/CitizenM.
I am Delta Platinum, so I should also be SkyTeam Elite+. I’ve tried getting in to reserve a sleep cabin on the lounge site both with my ticket number and with my FB account. Using the ticket number says “ineligible for lounge access”. Using the FB account number only allows me to book in 25, not 52.
Last edited by squirk; Jan 2, 23 at 2:02 pm
Jan 2, 23, 4:38 pm
#6
Join Date: Oct 2019
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That was probably me in that other thread. I just didn’t want to necro. 😄
I am Delta Platinum, so I should also be SkyTeam Elite+. I’ve tried getting in to reserve a sleep cabin on the lounge site both with my ticket number and with my FB account. Using the ticket number says “ineligible for lounge access”. Using the FB account number only allows me to book in 25, not 52.
I am Delta Platinum, so I should also be SkyTeam Elite+. I’ve tried getting in to reserve a sleep cabin on the lounge site both with my ticket number and with my FB account. Using the ticket number says “ineligible for lounge access”. Using the FB account number only allows me to book in 25, not 52.
Jan 2, 23, 8:34 pm
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 81
My apologies - what do you mean by “crediting”? Do you mean, which frequent flyer program is attached to the res?
I booked originally through Delta (using my Plat status to get complimentary upgrades), and I didn’t have a FB account at the time. My concern with switching to FB on the res is the fear that my Plat (and thus my ST Elite+) status would get lost.
I booked originally through Delta (using my Plat status to get complimentary upgrades), and I didn’t have a FB account at the time. My concern with switching to FB on the res is the fear that my Plat (and thus my ST Elite+) status would get lost.
Jan 3, 23, 5:18 am
#8
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: Delta GM; FB Plat; HHonors Diamond; Hertz PC; National EE
Posts: 187
You'll have access to either lounge. However, KLM's online system "suggests" that you'd need to visit lounge 25 and have no access to 52. But that isn't true in practice, you'll be allowed to enter either lounge with no issue.
Jan 3, 23, 10:02 am
#9
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Jan 3, 23, 2:06 pm
#11
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ZRH / SEA, DL PM
Posts: 1,086
No problem at all.
Moreover, once I forgot about non-shengen lounge and went through immigration into Schengen. Then I turned around and re-entered international zone — it was quite easy to convince immigration officer about the lounge. It was a bit of confusion and some questions when I went back to Schengen again, but again no problems.
Moreover, once I forgot about non-shengen lounge and went through immigration into Schengen. Then I turned around and re-entered international zone — it was quite easy to convince immigration officer about the lounge. It was a bit of confusion and some questions when I went back to Schengen again, but again no problems.
Jan 4, 23, 11:35 am
#12
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: TUL
Programs: Delta, Marriott, IHG Platinum
Posts: 149
Curious if anyone recommends one lounge over the other? we are planning to fly AMS - MAN in late summer; I'm also Platinum Medallion so I'm not sure if I get anything special on a KLM flight (this will be my first SkyTeam flight). Not planning on booking "business europe" or whatever their version of domestic first class is, but I see you can add lounge access even to an economy ticket. It may be just one specific lounge (or a pain to try to get to one over the other) but if I have a choice I was curious which one FT denizens recommend.
Last edited by ostatekitty; Jan 4, 23 at 11:35 am Reason: Typo!
Jan 4, 23, 11:53 am
#13
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
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Posts: 6,797
If you are departing AMS for MAN then, normally, you would go through Departures 2 and ending up on the non-Schengen area of the airport, i.e. lounge 52. I'd say that in 99% of cases that is the better of the two KLM lounges anyway, so I'd stick to that. Theoretically you could go to the Schengen zone first to try lounge 25, but I see little advantage in doing so.
If you are Skyteam Elite plus you (and a guest) can use the lounge for free, by the way. No need to "add lounge access to your ticket" (Presumably for a price). Your status includes free lounge access.
If you are Skyteam Elite plus you (and a guest) can use the lounge for free, by the way. No need to "add lounge access to your ticket" (Presumably for a price). Your status includes free lounge access.
Jan 4, 23, 3:34 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ZRH / SEA, DL PM
Posts: 1,086
Curious if anyone recommends one lounge over the other? we are planning to fly AMS - MAN in late summer; I'm also Platinum Medallion so I'm not sure if I get anything special on a KLM flight (this will be my first SkyTeam flight). Not planning on booking "business europe" or whatever their version of domestic first class is, but I see you can add lounge access even to an economy ticket. It may be just one specific lounge (or a pain to try to get to one over the other) but if I have a choice I was curious which one FT denizens recommend.
Definitely lounge 52 departing to MAN.
Jan 4, 23, 6:28 pm
#15
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Join Date: Jul 2001
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Given what the boarding pass shows, they would. But KLM has never prohibited me from using whichever KLM lounge I’ve wanted to use at AMS as long as entitled to any KL lounge access at AMS on the day.
Passport control at AMS may care more — they don’t always care — about crossing between the Schengen and non-Schengen sides, but the KL lounge personnel don’t seem to care to stop it.
Passport control at AMS may care more — they don’t always care — about crossing between the Schengen and non-Schengen sides, but the KL lounge personnel don’t seem to care to stop it.
