Ditto. Just what I was about to say. The contract lounge that most of the *A carriers use ex-DEL makes most RCC's look nice. Think dark and dingy interior, soggy finger sandwiches, and CROWDED if you're there between 8pm and midnight. The only redeeming feature is the free booze. If you're flying a Star Alliance carrier, you should be offered a pass on check in; if not, ask. If you can't get it, I wouldn't get too worked up. You're not missing much.

Free booze? Not in HYD when I was there. Everyone who entered got immediately served a large bottle of drinking water. Then the waiter came back and asked if you wanted Coke. I asked for tonic water and he said it was Coke or nothing.

The finger food looked like it had been sitting there for at least a few days.

On the bright side, I should mention that there was free WiFi that actually worked pretty well (fast) for an hour... until it just completely died.

I don't recall free booze, but the general description of the lounge is definitely correct. Plus the bathrooms are annoying - one self contained unit for all passengers.

A few months ago I had the trip to end all trips across India on my way home to Germany, and ended up 'showering' in the sink in the women's washroom in the lounge at DEL, much to the annoyance of the woman pounding on the door to get inside. (My apologies for boorish behaviour, but monopolizing the lav for 10 minutes was better than flying in F in my filthy condition for 10 hours)

The other challenge in DEL is that there are so many international flights which leave around midnight, so the lounge can be very overcrowded. And I have seen food run out and not be replenished after midnight. I think that the LH flight is one of the last to leave, so at least there is a little respite from the crowds for about 20 minutes!

Folks, I recently relocated to India, and have taken about 30+ flights in the past 1 month...

This is the deal: Domestically no access for *G - may be "one day" although in my experience most AI staff is pretty ignorant about alliances..et all... But if you have charm, and persuasion will let you through...

Internationally, LH, SQ, Austrian, Asiana and ANA honor *G sporadically... I find LH staff to be most informed in DEL - The "new" lounge in Delhi has FREE booze, and is MUCH MUCH bigger... One downside, no restrooms inside the lounge...

Other airports, will post details as I find out...

Thanks for the update tinypsu. AI better get its staff up to speed if it wants to join *A.

If any of these are convenient and you have a Gold or better Mastercard...
https://www.mastercardmoments.com/pa...?partnerid=707

Use your Gold, Platinum, Diamond, Titanium, Black and World MasterCard cards worldwide and enjoy exclusive access to premium airport lounges across India.


05/01/06 - 12/31/08


This offer is valid from May 1, 2006 till December 31, 2008 and may be withdrawn without notice at any time.
This offer can be availed at all Clipper Lounges run by the Oberoi Airport Services (OAS) group termed MasterCard Lounges in Domestic and International Airports at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Cochin.
This offer can be availed by individual worldwide MasterCard card holders at all MasterCard lounges by presenting their valid Gold Platinum, Diamond, Titanium, Black and World MasterCard card at the entrance/reception, after appropriate verification.
This offer can not be clubbed with any other offer being run simultaneously by Clipper Lounges.
In case MasterCard card holders have comparable Airline benefits, the Airline benefits will apply and this offer will not be valid.



Present your MasterCard card at the MasterCard lounge in the Domestic and International Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Cochin listed below.

MUMBAI
International Airport
Clipper Lounge - Terminal 2a near gate 3
Clipper Lounge - Terminal 2c

Domestic Airport
Clipper Lounge - Terminal 1b
Clipper Bar and Restaurant - Terminal 1a

KOLKATA
International Airport
Clipper Lounge

Domestic Airport
Top Deck Restaurant and Bar Lounge - Domestic Terminal

COCHIN
International Airport
Clipper Restaurant and Lounge

Domestic Airport
Clipper Restaurant and Lounge

CHENNAI
International Airport
Clipper Lounge

NEW DELHI
International Airport
Clipper Lounge

Are there any possible lounges available in Mumbai? I arrive and depart from there on Thai in C.

My wife, a Star Alliance Gold member through Air Canada, and her mother will be flying on SQ from DEL to SIN return in the economy cabin, next month. Which lounge in Delhi will they have access to - and how is this lounge different or similar to the contract lounge previously - she had flown earlier this year on the direct AC Delhi - YYZ flight (now cancelled) in business class - I wonder which lounge she would have had access then?

Make sure you bring a print out of the offer if you intend to rely on it - if been turned down on this one on the basis that it only applies to cards issued in India. At DEL anyway, there is not much difference between the lounges (I think the clipper lounge helps you avoid walking up the stairs) but having access to a second lounge is handy as it allows you to perhaps get into a lounge that is only hopelessly overcrowded as opposed to sardine packed.

If you're flying out of Calcutta, Bombay, Delhi, Bangalore or Madras on TG or SQ, your *G status will get you an invitation to a contract lounge.

If you're flying domestically or internationally on 9W without a same-day international *A segment, then you have no lounge access unless a) you're flying in C class (not much more expensive than full fare Y) or b) you have status on a 9W partner airline such as AF/KL and I think NW. Domestically, I fly on 9W exclusively and my AF/KL Platinum gets me lounge access and check-in at the C counter even if not flying C.

When flying domestically, make sure you get a lounge invitation at the check-in counter since some of the lounges are contract lounges (or restaurants). The lounge invitation is usually good for one drink (a limited selection of drinks available in most lounges; usually a small glass of domestic beer; subsequent drinks are charged for). They don't serve alcohol on public holidays and it seems any time they don't feel like it. The quality of the lounges ranges from abysmal to barely acceptable, which means they are far superior to sitting in the general zoo area.

Mind you, the lounges in most cities are not much to speak of.

Chennai Domestic Airport -- Chennai, India

Lounge Name: Flights of Fancy - Taj Airport Catering
Lounge Location: Domestic Terminal
Telephone: 91-44-22560244

Hours Open: 24 hours
Languages Spoken: English and Hindi
Entry Conditions: Conditions of entry to any Diners Club Airport Lounge may change from time to time, subject to policies and procedures imposed by airport security.
Amenities Offered: Flight information, newspapers, magazines, soft beverages and refreshments
Fees: Cardmembers please check with your issuer for terms and conditions of lounge access; Guests Rs.350 each.


New Delhi Domestic Airport -- Delhi, India

Lounge Name: ITC Port Lounge
Lounge Location: Terminal 1B
Telephone: 91-11-25675283

Hours Open: 5 am to 11 pm
Languages Spoken: English and Hindi
Entry Conditions: Conditions of entry to any Diners Club Airport Lounge may change from time to time, subject to policies and procedures imposed by airport security.
Amenities Offered: Flight information, newspapers, magazines, soft beverages and refreshments
Fees: Cardmembers please check with your issuer for terms and conditions of lounge access; Guest fees are as per normal menu rates at lounge.


New Delhi Domestic Airport -- Delhi, India

Lounge Name: ITC Port Lounge
Lounge Location: Terminal 1A
Telephone: 91-11-25675283

Hours Open: 5 am to 11 pm
Languages Spoken: English and Hindi
Entry Conditions: Conditions of entry to any Diners Club Airport Lounge may change from time to time, subject to policies and procedures imposed by airport security.
Amenities Offered: Flight information, magazines, newspapers, soft beverages and refreshments
Fees: Cardmembers please check with your issuer for terms and conditions of lounge access; Guest fees are as per normal menu rates at lounge.


New Delhi International Airport -- Delhi, India

Lounge Name: ITC Welcomgroup Sheraton Lounge
Lounge Location: Terminal 2
Telephone: 91-11-25675283

Hours Open: 24 hours
Languages Spoken: English and Hindi
Entry Conditions: Conditions of entry to any Diners Club Airport Lounge may change from time to time, subject to policies and procedures imposed by airport security.
Amenities Offered: Flight information, newspapers, magazines, soft beverages and refreshments
Fees: Cardmembers please check with your issuer for terms and conditions of lounge access; Guest fees are as per normal menu rates at lounge.

Moving to the * Alliance forum.

iluv2fly
Moderator, UA

LH gold will get you lounge access to 9W lounges. Not sure about UA cards.

If you are flying domestic though, checkin online, turn up at the airport a hour (or less) before departure and spend as little time in the terminal as possible.

Your airline will text you if there's any delay anticipated.

Thanks for setting my expectations very low guys! I am at the *G lounge in Mumbai C (near gate 7) right now and it's really nowhere near as bad as I expected.

1) no hassle at all getting in, they just glanced at my boarding pass. no asking for my *G card, no nothing
2) free beer and wine
3) free wireless
4) comfy seats with power outlets

On the negative side, it is pretty crowded at 1am, and the food does look like it's been there since last week.

Truly