Int. Lounge Acess Changes from Nov. 1 2016

[NZflygirl]

Bad move by Virgin. Had a recent stopover in Auckland; (booked on Virgin, flying with Air NZ under a codeshare). Three hour delay in Auckland due to Air NZ, and was refused entry into the Air NZ lounge. "Sorry Sir, we don't share lounges". Even though I have a Virgin lounge membership and silver status. Pretty shabby. Don't think I'll bother renewing the lounge membership if there are no decent reciprocal right with their partners.

I know it really stinks but it's worth checking the rules before you book just so you're prepared.

However - Raro should more than make up for a missed lounge entry! Aitutaki too - IMO world class lagoon that one. I like the cooks better than Fiji although it is further. Although a short route, worth doing a one up on that route if you're after a bit of pampering.

 

[grubbidok]

So just a query - it seems the a la carte in the EY LAX lounge is not on the cards for WP. Given that the lounge in SYD is also quiet (i.e. no EY flights) during the VA SYD-LAX does this mean this is also not on the books there either? Has anyone been to the SYD lounge under the new arrangements (apologies if this is elsewhere, I looked but could not find)

 

[grubbidok]

So just a query - it seems the a la carte in the EY LAX lounge is not on the cards for WP. Given that the lounge in SYD is also quiet (i.e. no EY flights) during the VA SYD-LAX does this mean this is also not on the books there either? Has anyone been to the SYD lounge under the new arrangements (apologies if this is elsewhere, I looked but could not find)

So I guess in answer to my own question the answer is no - no a la carte service.

In fact, I have to say the EY lounge experience before the VA flight is underwhelming at best. A definite downgrade from options at NZ or SQ lounges. Small, cramped, bugger all to eat and bad coffee.

I actually left to go and sit out the time before in a terminal cafe. I hope they work something better out soon and this is isn't a permanent solution.

 

[Kolo]

I've got priority pass membership so I think I'll try the KAL lounge and then head to EY after the Sydney flight has cleared. Anyone been to the KAL lounge?

 

[Jurahn]

So I guess in answer to my own question the answer is no - no a la carte service.

In fact, I have to say the EY lounge experience before the VA flight is underwhelming at best. A definite downgrade from options at NZ or SQ lounges. Small, cramped, bugger all to eat and bad coffee.

I actually left to go and sit out the time before in a terminal cafe. I hope they work something better out soon and this is isn't a permanent solution.

We used the SYD EY lounge a couple of years ago during the NZ lounge refurbishment. We arrived from PER on the redeye at about 0630, so you can imagine how bright-eyed and bushy-tailed we were (NOT), and then found the EY lounge wasn't going to open until 0840. Oh well, let's try the temporary NZ lounge then - nope, no entry for you, despite explaining that we just wanted to access the lounge for a short time until the EY lounge opened. I was WP at the time, Mr J was SG - another WP who had the same idea was turned away as well.

We weren't overly impressed by the EY lounge either, when it eventually opened. Small, nowhere near enough seating, very limited food selection, and way-too-loud jazz music constantly blaring through the lounge. We finally gave up as well, and ended up wandering around out in the terminal.

I'd been so looking forward to my upcoming trip to the US, booked in J all the way from PER-SEA and back again, but with a multitude of ongoing technical problems with the booking which the VA team are still trying to fix, downgrade PER-SYD from A330 to 737, and now having to use the EY lounge in SYD and LAX (which I probably won't be able to access anyway, given the increasing number of "bulging at the seams/ no seats/ turned away" reports coming out of LAX) ... as I've said before, First World problems I know, but paying for J on a trip like this is a big stretch for our budget and a one-off indulgence. I'm starting to wonder what on this trip is going to be adversely impacted next .

 

[anat0l]

I've got priority pass membership so I think I'll try the KAL lounge and then head to EY after the Sydney flight has cleared. Anyone been to the KAL lounge?

Yes. Don't expect to be blown away. Really.

It's comfy enough (try a seat on the deck), but the range of food (sandwiches, pretzels, fruit, instant noodles, cheap sushi, crudites) and drink is decidedly average at best. Most of the cutlery and so on is plasticware.

There are showers, and quite satisfactory ones at that.

For someone like me who would not normally have lounge access except for Priority Pass membership, it does the job satisfactorily.