Has this happened to anyone else ? We rolled into the Korean Airlines Prestige Lounge at BKK tonight, around midnight, and were coldly informed that, despite having purchased Prestige Class tickets, we wouldn’t be admitted, and were directed to the Priority Pass lounge instead (which we already had access to, but which was small and cramped) It was pretty clear what was going on; the KE lounge was sparsely populated with a significantly different demographic (aka - Koreans) while the PP lounge was full of their white and black guests. I’ve never flown business and been denied access to the business lounge I’ve paid for, and while I’m certainly not heartbroken, it was irritating to be put through this while traveling with my wife. So I ask again, is this something common ? Or am I right to be annoyed ? It certainly makes me want to shift all of my future business to JAL or another carrier serving the region.

WOW, I would have made more of a fight, citing SkyTeam lounge access rules. In fact, I'd even consider doing a partial credit card chargeback on the business class airfare since lounge access is part of the price.

Are you sure the lounge wasn't full? Could it have been taken over by some local celebrities? And BTW, you were departing from BKK on a KE flight ticketed in business class, and not trying to use the lounge as an arrivals lounge, right? If you checked in at the KE business class check in counter at BKK, did they give you a lounge invitation card or say anything about lounge arrangements? [Usually a business class or SkyTeam ElitePlusa boarding pass suffices unless it's a shard contract lounge.]

Was the lounge reception desk staffed by KE employees? Did they appear to be of Korean nationality? I'd have a hard time imagining that Thai staff would somehow favor Korean people over those who appear to be western.

Sorry if this posts twice (issues with FT tonight) but to answer your questions - yes, it absolutely wasn’t full, it was a Korean Air lounge staffed by personal who appeared to be Korean, and they were clearly funneling the “non-Koreans” into the Priority Pass lounge. As to whether a boy band or something similar had taken over the lounge...I mean, it would be nice if that were the case, because at least it’s a reason.

At the end of the day, I spend enough time in airport lounges for work as it is, so I really don’t care if I’m denied that complimentary “cup o’ noodle” But it rubbed me the wrong way, obviously.

Hey, just landed. Yes, it’s a SkyTeam lounge, with a giant “Korean Air Prestige Lounge” sign out front, and (at that hour at least) people wearing Korean Air uniforms. Sorry for the confusion. But I stand by my comments and the treatment I recieved, which was completely opposite from the experience we had at ICN this morning.

There’s nothing nefarious going on here. I was asking a question if anybody else had experienced a similar situation. Has for “proving racism” - I mean, I’m not exactly sure what proof you want other than to be standing next to me at the time.

salsaworldtraveler.com/2018/05/26/a-priority-pass-lounge-review-remodeled-air-france-klm-lounge-suvarnabhumi-airport-bangkok-thailand-bkk/

This was the lounge we were denied access to. Note the Korean Air signage.

https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea....ades-customer/

Ehhmm... Is this becoming a thing?

Extremely disappointing behaviour by Korean Air. Not making me want to fly with them any time soon...

(laughs) AND YET, when I pointed out being denied entry when presenting a legitimate J boarding pass, I was accused of “unfounded” and “speculative” racism.

Look, it’s been a few days, and I’m not interested in beating this horse to death. I should have had access to that lounge. That night, they were allowing certain business class passengers in, and sending certain passengers down the hall to a smaller, cramped lounge. Everyone in that lounge looked “Western” Didn’t have the same experience in ICN the next morning. Maybe it’s a training issue, a misunderstanding, or something else. Draw your own conclusions. But in a part of the world where I’ve flat out had restaurant managers say to me “No whites tonight” - it’s not unreasonable to wonder if something else is going on that night.