Velocity plat on EY = win, win, win! (F lounge access for VA plats on EY!)

777 · Sep 22, 2011

Ok, just passing through AUH. On the way over here i had all sorts of strange issues. None of the check in staff at the EY desk im MEL or the (temporary and nothing to write home about) Al Reem lounge in AUH immediately recognised my platinum card. In both cases a supervisor was involved OR i had to get out my old gold card (which was on the old list) to get some benefits.

Fast forward one week ...

And i am again passing through AUH (it's a return trip in Y). I present the Plat card again and the Al Reem (sh!++y) lounge wouldn't let me in and told me to go see the EY lounge folks... I even tried waving my gold card to no effect. <insert grumpy grumpy grumpy here> However after a call or two they explain to me that as a Velocity Platinum i don't need to use the temporary lounge or even the old J lounge. Instead they send me to Etihad lounges where...

I am immediately told "Velocity platinum is equivalent to Etihad Gold Elite" and then i am sent off to the EY F lounge. Which kicks the cough of the EY J lounge which i'd used on a previous trip which in turn kicks the cough of the EY temporary Al Reem lounge i used on the way over. I assume this is an official but as yet unannounced benefit of VA Plat.

YEs! Yes! Yes! VA i love you. Yes, there's teething issues. Yes, you are working within pretty complicated parameters that they don't entirely control Yes, there's all manner of confusion and giref in the short term BUT in the immortal words of the Beatles ... "I've got to admit it's getting better, it's getting better all the time!"

F Lounge! FTW!

777 · Sep 22, 2011

OK, in hindsight the missing thing in the title was ... F lounge access for VA plats on EY!

notzac · Sep 22, 2011

This is especially relevant to my interests!! Will be heading through AUH next week myself; am now very much looking forward to it!

Thankyou for making my morning

malmacdowall · Sep 22, 2011

Fantastic news.... Just made platinum and am passing through AUH on Friday next week.... Was considering joining Etihad guest to get better access long term... But that sounds great... Thanks for the update.... Did you happen to ask if they will status match you ?

maninblack · Sep 22, 2011

Re: Velocity plat on EY = win, win, win!

Such simple seduction :!: The sweet smell of Petrodollars wafting through the lounge no doubt.

Do they have gold plated taps in the bathrooms :?:

AaronBradford · Sep 22, 2011

Sounds awesome

Pity ... I will be transiting AUH in a couple of weeks and will be settling for Al Reem I think ... Oh the joys of Velocity Red

LiamR · Sep 22, 2011

Yess!! I'm glad they did this, the F Lounge is better than the J Lounge or that temp one...

I hope it soon becomes a written and confirmed rule!

simongr · Sep 22, 2011

Interesting - I am really considering EY as an option either to the UK or JED (subject to a bunch of other considerations). Isnt this actually better than a benefit you would get if DJ/VA were part of * Alliance where top tier doesnt get into the F lounge?

notzac · Sep 22, 2011

simongr said:
Isnt this actually better than a benefit you would get if DJ/VA were part of * Alliance where top tier doesnt get into the F lounge?

Having never FLounged at AUH, I'm not sure how much better it is - but yep, definitely a step up on what *A more generally offer.

777 · Sep 22, 2011

AS I (now) understand it in AUH when travelling on Y...

VA gold get access to the Al Reem lounge. I would decribe it as an average/ generic lounge. Not bad but definitely nohting to write home about. Did this on the way over because no one there had heard of a VA plat card. I understand this is a short -> medium term thing until they expand their J lounges OR upgrade to the new mega AUH terminal currently under construction

ON the way back i was informed that VA Plat get acces to the F Lounge when travelling alone (this is currently unpublisd) OR access to the J lounge if travelling with guests. IT'S Probaby early days to puplicise it widely for mny reasons but thouht that some you might be curious

notzac · Sep 22, 2011

777 said:
ON the way back i was informed that VA Plat get acces to the F Lounge when travelling alone (this is currently unpublisd) OR access to the J lounge if travelling with guests. IT'S Probaby early days to puplicise it widely for mny reasons but thouht that some you might be curious

That would make Velocity Platinum basically the same as Etihad Guest Gold Elite in terms of lounge bennies - that's exactly what they get as well.

777 · Sep 23, 2011

To date the benefit is unconfirmed. It's either an anomoly, yet to be announced or perhaps (unfortunately) a mistake. While I had very nice layover in AUH i won't be relying on it until i see it written down somewhere.

serfty · Sep 26, 2011

Confirmation (or at least a second positive anecdote) has been posted on FT:

Velocity Status Match Offer - FlyerTalk Forums

BrewerSEA said:
adl73x said:

Recent comments on AFF have indicated VA Plats are being granted F Lounge access when travelling alone and J lounge access with a guest in AUH - equivalent to Etihad's own Gold Elite level. ...

Click to expand...

Yup, I am sitting in the F lounge at AUH at the moment! I thought I would need to use the Al Reem lounge, and in fact an Etihad Guest Silver behind me was turned away and directed to that lounge. One of the better lounges I've been in, better than most Oneworld F lounges!

airtraveladdict · Sep 27, 2011

Nice reporting! I was hanging to hear your experiences because the Velocity website doesn't say much and when you get to AUH, all you get is blank stares from the Etihad staff.

Soooo this is definately great news and a BIG PLUS to all you Velocity Plat FFS. Also this is one step closer to matching what Qantas Plat and One World Emerald gives to loyal flyers, *cue the harp* the F LOUNGE.

I have only ever seeing trip report pictures of the J Lounge, which in my eyes were pretty neat, so I can only imagine what the F Lounge would be like.... *keeps dreaming* I need another 400 SC to get Plat FFS so until then, its Al Reem for me!! LOL

notzac · Sep 27, 2011

Currently waiting for the good ship VA29 to AUH right now - will report back on how I go for lounges at AUH..

notzac · Sep 28, 2011

notzac said:
Currently waiting for the good ship VA29 to AUH right now - will report back on how I go for lounges at AUH..

..and I'm pleased to report that I was invited to enjoy the sanctuary that is the EY FLounge at AUH. Rates a very close second to the QF FLounges. It's quiet, the wifi works (though that's not specific to the FLounge) there's good champagne (Veuve Cliquot 2002 vintage), quite a tasty a la carte menu and 15 minute spa treatments are available.

Downside is that you only get in here by way of an appropriate boarding card or an appropriately shiny membership card - no such thing as guesting, but that probably aids with the ambience. Photos to come

malmacdowall · Sep 28, 2011

notzac said:
..and I'm pleased to report that I was invited to enjoy the sanctuary that is the EY FLounge at AUH. Rates a very close second to the QF FLounges. It's quiet, the wifi works (though that's not specific to the FLounge) there's good champagne (Veuve Cliquot 2002 vintage), quite a tasty a la carte menu and 15 minute spa treatments are available.

Downside is that you only get in here by way of an appropriate boarding card or an appropriately shiny membership card - no such thing as guesting, but that probably aids with the ambience. Photos to come

Looking forward to the pictures..... Any tips for me when I pass through the F lounge on Sat morning?

notzac · Sep 29, 2011

malmacdowall said:
Looking forward to the pictures..... Any tips for me when I pass through the F lounge on Sat morning?

Suffering technology failures at the moment, so y'all will have to wait a little longer for photos.

As for recommendations .. if anything, get your spa appointment booked first, then sort out dinner or a coughtail from the bar.