Velocity Gold Lounge Access - Abu Dhabi Etihad

[hroebuck79]

Hi - just wondering if anyone can answer this question for me. Last year, when I was platinum, I used the first class lounge at Abu Dhabi when flying on an Etihad flight. I have now dropped to gold, and wondered which lounge I can access at Abu Dhabi. The standard business class lounge was full when I flew out of Australia...and the first class lounge told me I couldn't go in there.

Can anyone confirm which lounge I can access, and which terminal it is located in. I am travelling alone from UK to Sydney with two young children, so hoping I can access one of the premium Etihad lounges that has a family room - as my kids love them!

Thanks

 

[im.daniel]

You have access to the Al Reem lounge - which is closest to Terminal 1.

 

[Demon_fan]

You have access to the Al Reem lounge - which is closest to Terminal 1.

Its not the greatest lounge either, and certainly doesn't have a family area!

 

[hroebuck79]

Its not the greatest lounge either, and certainly doesn't have a family area!

Doh - that's what I thought! I lost my platinum status this year as I was on maternity leave. Looks like I need to start travelling again to get that status back.

Thanks

 

[Ausbt]

I lost my platinum status this year as I was on maternity leave.

Did you apply for Membership Pause for Parental Leave? I don't know that much about it, however my understanding is it extends your membership year by up to six months. It's listed in Benefits-At-A-Glance in your Velocity account.

 

[Danger]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-questions/lounge-access-help-desk-59405.html

 

[Cult of one]

Just been through Abu Dhabi twice in last fortnight and The El Reem Lounge is a fair hike away and is not as good as a domestic Velocity lounge. It is however easy to find, provides good food, drinks and better comfort than "out there". The airport itself has good amenities and shopping but free beer tastes better than purchased beer I have found.

The Etihad first class/Business class lounge in Paris (de Galle) is something special which Gold and WP VA members can access. Ala Carte menu (as attached) was great, service top standard. Best lounge I have seen in a long time

 

[AnthFlyer]

I was in the Al Reem lounge in August. It's ok, but not fantastic. They only have one or two Men's showers, so the friendly front desk called the other lounge and they enabled me to shower there. That lounge is much larger and nicer.

 

[andrewlorien]

When you say :

The Etihad first class/Business class lounge in Paris (de Galle) is something special which Gold and WP VA members can access.

you mean, even if they're not travelling in first/business?
the virgin website implies that SG can get in there (as well as the Etihad first/premium lounge in abu dhabi). I'll be transitting through both of them travelling economy... and it seems too good to be true...

 

[aaronm]

the virgin website implies that SG can get in there (as well as the Etihad first/premium lounge in abu dhabi). I'll be transitting through both of them travelling economy... and it seems too good to be true...

I've noticed that too, thought it showed the Al Reem lounge until recently. If they don't change this before my next visit I'll definitely be trying my luck at the EY lounge first!

 

[Milboo]

When you say :


you mean, even if they're not travelling in first/business?
the virgin website implies that SG can get in there (as well as the Etihad first/premium lounge in abu dhabi). I'll be transitting through both of them travelling economy... and it seems too good to be true...

I had access to it as Gold FF when flying EY out of CDG. It had only just opened when I was through and it was a great lounge and the food was fantastic.

 

[bullerdude]

Outside of Abu Dhabi VA Gold member can access the combined first/business lounges which are quite nice.

It does seem that the Al Rheem lounge is no longer mentioned for VA gold though, and in fact they can access to Etihad Premium Lounge.

Abu Dhabi, UAE	Etihad Premium Lounge (Terminal 1 & Terminal 3)	Velocity Gold membership	1
Abu Dhabi, UAE	Etihad Arrivals Lounge (Terminal 3)	Velocity Gold membership	1

I'm hoping that Plats will regain access to the first class lounge when it reopens this year.

 

[serfty]

... I'm hoping that Plats will regain access to the first class lounge when it reopens this year.

I saw something recently to the effect it is possible the first lounge won't reopen at its current location due to structural flaws in the building.

A new one will be available when a soon to be completed new terminal opens.

 

[italianlover]

Currently in Abu Dhabi and have Virgin Gold status, tried to access both premium lounges as per Velocity website, directed to the Al Reem which is thankfully much improved since my last visit. Will contact Velocity to advise them to update their details.

 

[Reise]

Just trying to confirm Lounge Access in Abu Dhabi and this seems to be the closest thread that I can get to in order to confirm.

As a Gold VFF is there a difference in lounge access according to whether I book Virgin (VA) or Etihad (EY) given that the service is on EY tin? (ticket price difference is A$37).

 

[Cult of one]

Just trying to confirm Lounge Access in Abu Dhabi and this seems to be the closest thread that I can get to in order to confirm.

As a Gold VFF is there a difference in lounge access according to whether I book Virgin (VA) or Etihad (EY) given that the service is on EY tin? (ticket price difference is A$37).

It is the El Rheem lounge for Gold flying VA as per ( https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/ )

I was there in November last year when I was GOLD and it is OK. Food, drinks comfy seats and wifi. As for who you should book with it doesn't really matter as you will be on an Etihad plane. not sure if the "ticket" will effect your lounge access. Mind that some tickets will give you different SC's and points. I flew VA and used the El Rheem lounge and got all my points via Virgin.

Call Velocity and ask, they will generally be helpful

 

[adame]

Just trying to confirm Lounge Access in Abu Dhabi and this seems to be the closest thread that I can get to in order to confirm.

As a Gold VFF is there a difference in lounge access according to whether I book Virgin (VA) or Etihad (EY) given that the service is on EY tin? (ticket price difference is A$37).

I was wondering the same thing. I called Virgin and they said it doesn't matter. I've got my boarding pass now with Etihad and it has "VA Gold" printed on it, so I think you should be fine booking with either Virgin or Etihad (just make sure you supply your Velocity FF number).

I am confused as to which lounge we have access to as the Virgin website now says "Etihad Premium Lounge (Terminal 1 & Terminal 3)" for Velocity Gold whereas it used to say "Al Reem". Can anyone from Virgin clarify? I am only transiting through Abu Dhabi (3 hrs) so if there isn't a lounge for Velocity Gold members in Terminal 3 it won't be of any benefit to me. It's a shame because I've got 970 SC so pretty close to Platinum.

 

[bullerdude]

It is the El Rheem lounge for Gold flying VA as per ( https://www.virginaustralia.com/au/en/experience/at-the-airport/international-lounge-access/ )

I was there in November last year when I was GOLD and it is OK. Food, drinks comfy seats and wifi. As for who you should book with it doesn't really matter as you will be on an Etihad plane. not sure if the "ticket" will effect your lounge access. Mind that some tickets will give you different SC's and points. I flew VA and used the El Rheem lounge and got all my points via Virgin.

Call Velocity and ask, they will generally be helpful

NB, as per my post that page on the website has been updated to "Etihad Premium Lounge (Terminal 1 & Terminal 3)" for VA Gold when flying on Etihad.

However, its still says the Al Rheem lounge for VA flights.

So perhaps booking directly on Etihad will yield a better lounge result as opposed to the codeshare flights.

 

[adame]

I can confirm that VA Gold members can only access the Al Reem lounge. The Virgin website has now been updated to reflect this.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

FWIW the situation is the same for Gold Etihad Guest members flying in Y.
They can only access Al Reem.