Lounge Access for Elite +
 

Hi

I was flying a domestic CZ flight recently CAN - Handan (don't know the code). I was denied lounge access

I made a bit of a fuss at CAN and, upon checking the current rules, find that, somewhat embarrasingly, they were quite correct

In the smaller airports in China (but also PEK and SHA) I have been give a lounge voucher when travelling on CZ domestic as I am Elite +. I never bothered checking the rules.

Now I see that the rules are that I can only get lounge access when flying domestic CZ if I am connecting to an ST International flight within 24 hours

Has this always been the case (in which case a lot of Chinese airports are not following it) or have the rules changed recently?

nickyboy

AFAIK, the rule requiring an international segment has been in place since the inception of the SkyTeam programs. YMMV, however, as some lounges strictly adhere to the rule and some don't. I was allowed access to the KE lounge on a GMP-CJU domestic flight.

the rule always existed and is strictly enforced e.g. US domestic; other countries/airlines have a more relaxed approach.

Thanks, I will have to rely on the employee largesse/ignorance of the rules to get into the lounges in China in the future

Having said that, if you saw some of the lounges you would wonder what I was fussing about.....

nickyboy

This is what I've found to be the case. I'm an OK Plus Silver holder and I was granted access to a Moscow ST lounge a few years back. I asked (genuinely not knowing the rules on these matters) and they let me in. Lounge staff at other non-US airports have made it clear to me on other occasions that it's not done.

I was recently travelling in domestic China and used CZ. I am only a skyteam elite member (KE Morning Calm) and they offered me a lounge access. Moreover, they greeted me separately in the plane and I had priority boarding. What you need to I guess is to try, especially in other countries. I went straight to the first class check in counter and it works beautifully.

Just do as I do, NEVER fly economy inside China, First or Business is not that more expensive and it does make a huge difference.

Beg to differ. Undiscounted Economy/Business/First tickets have small differentials eg PEK-HGH is RMB1150/1500/1730

But Business/First tickets don't get discounted. Economy is commonly discounted eg. PEK-HGH next week is avaiable at RMB780

So the premium is something like 100% which I will not pay (nor expect my clients to pay) for what are pretty short flights. The differences just don't justify the premium (as with short haul elsewhere IMO)

nickyboy

I supose it depends on several things:

1) You say short flights. Personally I have been on flights of over 5 hours inside China, so it really depends on where you are flying.

2) Even using your example, which is extreme as it assumes you can get the cheaper fares always, you are talking about a big $100 or so difference for Business Class (a you must of course know the difference between Biz and First in China is often what they have on the specific plane, one or the other and they are generally quite similar). BTW, good TA's in China do get discounts on Biz and First.

3) Being quite tall, I have in fact been stuck in Y a couple of times in China and it can be very uncomfortable, so yes a big $100 or $200 diferential IS worth it.

Lastly, I should note to the OP that many CZ (or contract) lounges in outlying cities are total and utter garbage. The biggest shocker being Chengdu where they spent a int on the airport, but nothing on the furnishings or lounges.