Denied Access to lounge in Abu Dhabi - Velocity GOLD

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Hi,

Just wanted to check something, when we arrived in Abu Dhabi on a Etihad flight booked with virgin (on points), I asked one of the terminal staff where the lounge was.

I was told the lounge was closed for refurb for 3 months.

Now as a virgin Gold velocity member, I remember reading somewhere having access to a "
Al Reem" lounge ???? at Abu Dhabi.

I assume that lounge was closed, but should I be able to access the Business class lounge instead??

I did not try, but on the way back as I am travelling alone it would be more important to have access to the lounge.

Any help is appreciated.
 
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yeah double checked myself, maybe I wasn't in terminal one and the one in my terminal (that I cant access anyway) was closed.

i have heard its not much chop, but I will be by myself and not interested in shopping etc so I will try again.

After 17 hours with a baby over here we were too delirious to care when they said that. On the way home (by myself) I will give it a go.
 
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yeah double checked myself, maybe I wasn't in terminal one and the one in my terminal (that I cant access anyway) was closed.

i have heard its not much chop, but I will be by myself and not interested in shopping etc so I will try again.

After 17 hours with a baby over here we were too delirious to care when they said that. On the way home (by myself) I will give it a go.

Its in the old terminal, I was very unimpressed by it, and the fact you need to re-clear security for the other terminal which is a huge PITA.
 
I actually thought the Al Reem lounge was ok. Certainly a lot better than the public areas in AUH, and better than a lot of lounges I've been in too - although clearly not on a par with the actual EY lounges. I was only there once mind you, but there was plenty of room, the food was decent enough, and every time I finished my beer a guy came over straight away to ask if I want another one. You don't get service like that in many lounges I've been to, but maybe I was just lucky!
 
Hi someonegavemegold, I can confirm that Velocity Gold members departing AUH with VA or EY will be accommodated at the Al Dhabi lounge for the duration of the Al Reem lounge's renovation. The Al Dhabi lounge is also located in Terminal 1 in close proximity to the Al Reem lounge. I do apologise for the confusion and inconvenience you have experienced. Our website will be updated imminently to reflect this information.
 
Hi All.

didnt see VA's reply here before coming home, and indeed the Al Reem lounge is closed.

Upon going to entrance to the Al Dhabi lounge it was clear it wasn't worth my time, lift was packed, it seems like it services every other airlines lounge, so I assume based on the amount of people streaming in it was going to be crammed.

Left and had a shower in the public showers in T3 gate 35 ish.

I was too pressed for time to wait for a shower and didn't really need any of the other features of the lounge.
 
Hi someonegavemegold, I can confirm that Velocity Gold members departing AUH with VA or EY will be accommodated at the Al Dhabi lounge for the duration of the Al Reem lounge's renovation. The Al Dhabi lounge is also located in Terminal 1 in close proximity to the Al Reem lounge. I do apologise for the confusion and inconvenience you have experienced. Our website will be updated imminently to reflect this information.

I was also recently refused access to the *A F lounge (I'm VA Plat) in LAX. I got in to the business lounge, and it's a great lounge so no drama there, but was hoping to sample some of the food offerings in the F lounge. Also have to battle in SIN sometimes on SQ flights for a priority arrivals pass, but they seem to be improving :)
 
I was also recently refused access to the *A F lounge (I'm VA Plat) in LAX. ...
No problem on the 9th .. approached business entry showing my WP card and BP and was proactively ushered across to the First area.
 
I'm just trying to get my head round this one myself...

VA Gold, Flying economy through Abu Dhabi over christmas. According to my booking I'm flying in and out of T3. Virgin Lounge says I have access to the Al Reem Lounge but thats it T1 so not much use, if I was Platinum I would have access to the Ethiad Diamond Lounge which is in T3, there is also a Pearl Business Lounge that doesn't shop up on the Virgin site at all. So where do I get to go!!
 
VA Gold go to the Al Reem Lounge in T1. It's about a 10 minute walk. When you return to T3, budget for clearing security, there is a priority line on the left most side.
 
Unfortunately VA still haven't fixed up lounge access for Golds in Abu Dhabi.

F Ticket / Platinum = First Lounge
Business Ticket = Business Lounge
Gold = Al Reem Lounge (T1)

Basically there is no lounge access for Golds in T3 :-/
 
Cheers for the update guys, I'm guessing my chances of smiling nicely and getting an upgrade are out of the question too.... (the points upgrades are all taken) and slightly OT can you sort out the Ethiad seating when you check in? Half expecting to be at the back or in the toilets for those one as you are with Air NZ/Singapore codeshares.
 
Hi all, I went through AUH the other day and the EY Business and First lounges in T3 are now closed. I understand the F lounge is being renovated, to reopen in April next year, while the Business lounge has been replaced by the newly opened "Premium" lounge, which is near gate 35. So even as VA WP there is no F lounge for now. The new Premium lounge is great though.
 
Ah I forgot that they were currently renovating the first and business lounges.... I presume that Gold's cannot access the premium lounge though.
 
Ah I forgot that they were currently renovating the first and business lounges.... I presume that Gold's cannot access the premium lounge though.


I assume you're correct that Velocity Gold can't access the Premium lounge, as even EY Golds have been unable to access the EY lounges in AUH since about 3 years ago (unless flying J or F).
 
Unfortunately VA still haven't fixed up lounge access for Golds in Abu Dhabi.

F Ticket / Platinum = First Lounge
Business Ticket = Business Lounge
Gold = Al Reem Lounge (T1)

Basically there is no lounge access for Golds in T3 :-/

Until EY change their members Gold lounge access I doubt VA will be able to.
 
Hi all, I went through AUH the other day and the EY Business and First lounges in T3 are now closed.

How bloody typical. So much for my quandary as to whether they'll let me, my +1 and daughter into the F lounge.

So do plats go to the premium lounge..........is that in T.3?
 
How bloody typical. So much for my quandary as to whether they'll let me, my +1 and daughter into the F lounge.

So do plats go to the premium lounge..........is that in T.3?

Yes - I was able to access it as a Velocity WP on our recent tansit/stopover - the Premium Lounge was pretty good, as mentioned above it was near gate 35 (T1 ?) and close to our departure gate so all good on that front. I haven't seen the Diamond (F) lounge to compare but I understand that as a Velocity WP I would have had access if it was not currently being refurbished.
 
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