Lounge Access at Paris CDG

sarlatcycles · #1 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2008, 01:05 AM

I'm a bit confused about lounge access with partner, affiliate and Oneworld Alliance Airlines.

I will be travelling to Paris regularly now that we have bought a property in France. Last year we flew a Qantas code shared Air France flight from Singapore. we used the Qantas Lounge at SIN. Our return journey was again a code share with Air France back to SIN before flying home to Perth.

Now CDG must be one of the grimmest airports I've seen. Not many shops and a lack of airport lounges. As Air France is not a Oneworld member, I couldn't use the lounge so I have made a change for my next visit...

I'm flying on a FF ticket PER - NRT - LHR - CDG - LHR - SIN - PER. The 1st and last flights are on Qantas, the others code shared BA flights.

Being a QC Life member, QFF Gold and OW Saphire, am I able to utilise any of the Oneworld lounges at CDG (AA is the only one there I think) and NRT even though I'm flying a code shared BA flight

I have read in some places that you can only use the lounge of an airline that you have a valid ticket for that day but on the OneWorld website it says you can use any Oneworld lounge if you have a ticket on a Oneworld airline for that day and you have either OW Emerald or Saphire or a 1st Class or Business Class ticket.

Evan · #2 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2008, 01:19 AM

You will have access to a any OW lounge provided you have a OW flight that day is the rule.
But just be aware that BA especially want to see your card when entering the lounges.

Airlines prefer you use the lounge you are ticketed in since this is less cost to them, ie if you fly QF to HKG and use the CX lounge instead of QF lounge i think QF are charged for your entrance which is more than it would cost then to have you in there own lounge.

I have been to OW lounges in all those airports except CDG (i have always tried to avoid it as an airport)

E

justinbrett · #3 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2008, 01:24 AM

Yes, as long as you have a ticket for a oneworld airline (both operated and marketed) you can go to any oneworld club, though generally the club has to be in the same terminal as your departure. (More security rules rather than club entry rules).

I had a very similar situation last year, was flying IAD to LAX with AA. Domestic AA clubs suck, so we tried to get into the BA club. Both were very small clubs, and the BA lady told us that we should go to the AA club as she had two 747 flights to London and it would be packed.

Although the rules state I could enter the club, she was also within her right to redirect me to an alternative lounge if there were too many people.

We were nice about it though and she said we could come back once the BA flight boarded, and we did. (Our AA flight was delayed for 4 hours). We still ended up spending most of our time in the BA club and drinking their free booze.

Having bagged out the AA clubs, on that same trip we had a flight from CDG to JFK with AA and spend some time in the AA CDG lounge. Being international, it was actually OK (and had free booze!)

serfty · #4 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2008, 05:18 PM

Actually it has been reported many times, both here on AFF and on FT, that CDG lounge access requires a J BP.

The CDG lounge is an "associate lounge" of BA and QP membership/oneworld status does not cut it for entry when travelling WHY.

Danger · #5 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2008, 07:56 PM

I've had trouble in the past getting information on access to the Admirals Club at CDG. The oneworld and AA websites do not indicate that the AA club at CDG is an associate lounge. So, as the OP is OW Sapphire (as well as QF Gold) and flying on a OW flight, I would argue there is every right to access the Admirals Club at CDG.

justinbrett · #6 (**permalink**) 2nd February 2008, 09:24 PM

The AA club at CDG is a full Admirals Club, it is in Terminal 2A.

BA fly from 2B and that's where your entry problems will be (can't access other terminals).

I certainly accessed the AA club last year as SG without any issues, but was flying CDG - JFK wth AA.

NM · #7 (**permalink**) 3rd February 2008, 05:57 PM

Even having a J ticket is not enough to get into the "BA" lounge at CDG. It must be a J ticket using the BA flight number. A J ticket using QF codeshare flight number will not get you into the lounge.

However, the BA lounge at CDG is nothing special. It serves a European short-haul market and is dressed to suite. Very limited snacks and warm beer.

holdenvxman · #8 (**permalink**) 11th February 2008, 02:23 PM

I used the AF shared lounge in OCT 06 I went I went LHR>CDG>LHR I wanted to frop the Paris sector but for me to do that I would have had to pay a reissue fee so I just flew there and back in a few hours... but anyway they woulnt alow me in there then I had an U/G to J from LHR to SIN and with that BP they let me in.

Reggie · #9 (**permalink**) 12th February 2008, 12:27 AM

I have flown through CDG 2B many times. I try and fly in on the QF code share as more points (1000 point guarantee. I always fly out on a BA code so I have access to the AF lounge which BA allow their J PAx to use. Lounge is ok, beer is now refridgerated, only cold snacks, and as with all of France plenty of bread for breakfast, lunch and tea.

They also have serval computers with internet access (when working).

Shano · #10 (**permalink**) 12th February 2008, 07:42 AM

I was looking at transitting through either CDG or FRA when I depart KRK for MEL. The flight options are CX from either to HKG. The CDG departure arrives into HKG about an hour earlier than the FRA flight.

From what has been posted above it sounds like I should stick with FRA.