Is this normal? Anyone else have this happen?

I departed from CDG to the US on Monday. I used the elite/FC check-in line (thanks to my wife for spotting it). When checking in, I was asked if I wanted to use the lounge. I was a bit shocked and said very calmly...sure, that would be great if I can.

I do not have a WC membership, but had my WP Gold card in my hand. She had a few words with the agent next to her verifying that it was okay to give a VIP pass to a gold elite. Yadda Yadda Yadda, we spent over an hour in the Salon Icare Lounge!

What is up? I thought you had to be a WC member or flying in F/WBC? Do some lounges accept elites without a WC membership?


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Randy
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HH Gold; WN CP; NW Gold Elite

I've traveled on Northwest to/from CDG and been to thgis lounge. There are very few inbound/outbound Northwest flights and I believe a KLM ticket counter/gate agent staff operates this station for Northwest. I may be mistaken, however that was the impression I had because they didn't follow Northwest procedures.

As far as the Gold Elite access to the club, The KLM Elites have access to the clubs included in their elite benefits (same as Northwest Asian Elite members) and the agent probably was a KLM employee following the KLM rules.

Anyone else know more about this

RC

The same thing happened to me in December on a flight to CDG. On my return I checked into FC (travelling coach) and was given an invitation to the lounge. I also have a WC membership, but they never asked to see it. Nice lounge, if a bit small. A real treat for those without WC membership.

The lounge admission pass I was given at CDG was a folded gold colored pass with the old Northwest Orient logo. Did you notice the old logo?

I got the gold colored pass also, with red writing that said VIP Lounge...didn't notice any logo.

Guess I'll just count this one as luck.

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Randy
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HH Gold; WN CP; NW Gold Elite

An additional question about CDG's lounges. I'm travelling to CDG in a few months, but on CO ticket & metal. Am a WC member and WP Gold, traveling on a coach ticket that I'm not upgrading.

Will I be able to get lounge access at CDG? CO comes into T2 and NW into T1, IIRC, which makes the lounge situation confusing.

Thanks in advance for any assistance.

Mill Creek Don, as a WC member YES you will have access to the Salon Icare lounge at CDG. However, as you mentioned CO operates out of a different terminal than NW (and that is the same terminal the lounge is located in)so I'm not sure how passport control works. Maybe there is a shuttle between the two terminals. Good luck.

Last time I went from T1 to T2 (2/3 years ago), there was an airside bus between the terminals but I very much doubt that they would let you go into the other terminal if you don't fly from there, simply to have access to a lounge.

For what it is worth, I often use the lounge when flying to "Schengen" countries where there is no passport control before boarding even though the lounge is inside the passport control. I go through passport control by showing my lounge card and then up to the lounge. On exiting, you can get a pass which lets you go back to the "don't need a passport" zone without standing in line. In principle, this should work between terminals as well, but you a good quarter of an hour getting between the terminals.

I just transferred on the bus from T1 to T2 last week, after a NW flight into T1. Follow the "Transit to T2" signs. Eventually you will get to a small bus waiting lounge. They will ask you for your ticket for admittance. Explain that you ARE GOING TO T2 TO GET TO THE TGV. They will be happy to admit you to the lounge to await the bus.

I would plan on substantially more than 1/4 hour to get from T1 to T2. The bus ride itself will not normally take more than 10 mins, but basing plans on just 1/4 hour is asking for trouble.

Does this lounge have a shower? I used to use the "Cocoon" rooms at T1 to get a shower, but they are closed now. Any other ideas?

Actually, the Salon Icare doesn't even have a bathroom -- so forget the shower! There are a number of VIP lounges and the bathroom facilities are shared (I don't know if there is a shower up there anywhere or not). But for those who have a WorldClubs membership, it's a good idea to ASK for the invitation at check-in if they don't simply give it to you as a matter of course. The last time I went through, the attendant made a big, hairy deal out of the fact that I just came in with my club card and didn't have the invitation. I got it sorted out, but it was a small hassle. I have no idea if it was just this particular attendant who was confused or what.