When elite status really is worth the mileage.
Nov 18, 2010, 5:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: in a cabin
Posts: 6,522
When elite status really is worth the mileage.
Photos courtesy of my BlackBerry. Hence the picture quality will be shockingly poor compared to my previous reports.
Previous reports:
A first Class Binge.
London City to JFK on BA all business.
BA First to JFK + Coldplay
Flying in premium cabins lounge access and other perks are usually included. The Elite status is less beneficial compared to if flying in coach. I had to make a very last minute business trip to London. A 12 hour day return more or less. Club Europe or intra-EU J/C asking price was 1500USD. Two weeks out and you can find them for 500USD. Coach it was and I managed to snag a dirt cheap fare through some connections. Thank you! You know who you are.
Alarm off at 04.45 with a cab picking me up in the city shortly after for a ten past seven flight. We had a baby three weeks ago so sleeping is a luxury recently. You got it, I was past the zombie stage. I fell asleep in the shower. Found the phone after the snooze and had a calm but irritated message on my voicemail from the assistant in the office whos number was on file with the car company.
Off we went, had some breakfast in the 3rd party ARN lounge. The highlight was that I would arrive at my current favourite terminal and would avoid immigration lines due to using IRIS.
Did the business and arrived back at LHR T5 around 5.40pm. I gave Mrs Petrus a call as I arrived in a surprisingly calm T5, I mean it should be rush hour.
She said her and the baby would be staying at her parents home since I would be arriving late anyway. For sure, I would miss them for 1 day, but the knowledge I would get a full nights un-interupted sleep was welcome news. And now I could sample the delights of the BA T5 Galleries First Lounge (OW Emeralds) and perhaps even sinfully indulge in some bubbles, wine and JW Blue Label without feeling guilty.
It turned out to be a well needed and deserved feast.
From now the pictures can tell the story. The benefits of being an Elite on a cheap coach ticket really came to its own.
It's a great airline lounge.
Lounge Terrace with superb airport action views.
More terrace.
Lets head inside for some Champagne.
I'll go for the Clos du Moulin.
Pink available too (Bruno Paillard) however I am no fan of pink bubbles.
The reds.
Waited service. Pumpkin soup with a rich Champagne was an excellent start. And then some hearty snacks.
Oh yes, even the FT likes the wedding. They make such a wonderful couple.
Some red (Chinon, Clos de l'echos) with the burger and blue cheese.
Entree. Even though I prefer cream free carbonara's it was quite okay.
Took a break from my lovely solo dinner. This lounge experience beats many restaurants.
Catch up on the web with a glass of white.
Gold bar. It's rarely busy and often empty. Perfect for a glass of bubbly and a private call.
Time for dessert and coffee.
Oh yes, there's JW Blue.
No need to complicate matters when you have quality produce. I comitted a sin by eating dessert by a pc but at this stage, on my own, I could not bother about exemplary manners.
Needless to say the BA Elite status was a godsend this evening.
Rested on the plane and got home safely. Slept like a baby until 8.30am.
Thanks for looking.
Previous reports:
A first Class Binge.
London City to JFK on BA all business.
BA First to JFK + Coldplay
Flying in premium cabins lounge access and other perks are usually included. The Elite status is less beneficial compared to if flying in coach. I had to make a very last minute business trip to London. A 12 hour day return more or less. Club Europe or intra-EU J/C asking price was 1500USD. Two weeks out and you can find them for 500USD. Coach it was and I managed to snag a dirt cheap fare through some connections. Thank you! You know who you are.
Alarm off at 04.45 with a cab picking me up in the city shortly after for a ten past seven flight. We had a baby three weeks ago so sleeping is a luxury recently. You got it, I was past the zombie stage. I fell asleep in the shower. Found the phone after the snooze and had a calm but irritated message on my voicemail from the assistant in the office whos number was on file with the car company.
Off we went, had some breakfast in the 3rd party ARN lounge. The highlight was that I would arrive at my current favourite terminal and would avoid immigration lines due to using IRIS.
Did the business and arrived back at LHR T5 around 5.40pm. I gave Mrs Petrus a call as I arrived in a surprisingly calm T5, I mean it should be rush hour.
She said her and the baby would be staying at her parents home since I would be arriving late anyway. For sure, I would miss them for 1 day, but the knowledge I would get a full nights un-interupted sleep was welcome news. And now I could sample the delights of the BA T5 Galleries First Lounge (OW Emeralds) and perhaps even sinfully indulge in some bubbles, wine and JW Blue Label without feeling guilty.
It turned out to be a well needed and deserved feast.
From now the pictures can tell the story. The benefits of being an Elite on a cheap coach ticket really came to its own.
It's a great airline lounge.
Lounge Terrace with superb airport action views.
More terrace.
Lets head inside for some Champagne.
I'll go for the Clos du Moulin.
Pink available too (Bruno Paillard) however I am no fan of pink bubbles.
The reds.
Waited service. Pumpkin soup with a rich Champagne was an excellent start. And then some hearty snacks.
Oh yes, even the FT likes the wedding. They make such a wonderful couple.
Some red (Chinon, Clos de l'echos) with the burger and blue cheese.
Entree. Even though I prefer cream free carbonara's it was quite okay.
Took a break from my lovely solo dinner. This lounge experience beats many restaurants.
Catch up on the web with a glass of white.
Gold bar. It's rarely busy and often empty. Perfect for a glass of bubbly and a private call.
Time for dessert and coffee.
Oh yes, there's JW Blue.
No need to complicate matters when you have quality produce. I comitted a sin by eating dessert by a pc but at this stage, on my own, I could not bother about exemplary manners.
Needless to say the BA Elite status was a godsend this evening.
Rested on the plane and got home safely. Slept like a baby until 8.30am.
Thanks for looking.
Enjoy your visit to GF and TXL.
Nov 20, 2010, 2:06 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NJ/NYC
Programs: AA EXP/LT Plat, SPG Plat/LT Plat, HHonors Gold, Hyatt Plat, IHG Plat, MR Silver
Posts: 2,786
Uh, yea. I have been through that lounge 3x in the past 3 weeks and not seen the Blue. Where is it? Only one specific bar in the F lounge?
Nov 20, 2010, 10:46 pm
#12
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: ATX (Austin, USA)
Programs: United, AA Gold, InsideFlyer subscriber
Posts: 187
OP - Nice photos and quite the map maker you are! I'm sure that will come in handy for a few FTer's.
@rosenten - I don't disagree, although I am always quite happy and content in the HKG United lounge. Lots of room showers (which one day I will make use of), lots of magazines, food, beverages, and snacks, and a nice open design where you can look down at the gates below.
Had some nice curry chicken and rice when passing through in Sept. Never a bad experience to date in HKG.
@rosenten - I don't disagree, although I am always quite happy and content in the HKG United lounge. Lots of room showers (which one day I will make use of), lots of magazines, food, beverages, and snacks, and a nice open design where you can look down at the gates below.
Had some nice curry chicken and rice when passing through in Sept. Never a bad experience to date in HKG.
Nov 20, 2010, 11:39 pm
#13
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Zurich / Singapore
Programs: LH SEN, BA Gold, SQ TPPS, Accor Diamond
Posts: 626
Nice report, Petrus. And I love the map.
You certainly have shown the benefits of having OWE status. Who cares about spending a couple of hours in ET when there is JW Blue to be enjoyed prior to your flight home. ^
You certainly have shown the benefits of having OWE status. Who cares about spending a couple of hours in ET when there is JW Blue to be enjoyed prior to your flight home. ^
Nov 21, 2010, 12:31 am
#14
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: In the skies of the world
Programs: SAS Gold, FB Gold, BA Gold, EY Silver
Posts: 3,167