Lounge options at JFK

Hello everyone,

I am hoping for some more helpful advice. I've just book a transatlantic crossing on the QM2 with a friend. Flights back were included, but alas not with VS. We are booked on BA (176 I think) in economy, so I was wondering what (if any) lounge options there might be at JFK for us. I have VS Au, but I'm not even a member of BA exec club (worth joining?), let alone have any status with them.

Does the VS Au card get me in anywhere? Or are there any decent pay options?

Thank you for any info and advice, it's very much appreciated!

Steve.

I'm afraid your AU status won't get you in to the Clubhouse or any other lounge unless you're flying with VS or one of their partner airlines.

I'm afraid I don't know if there are any pay-to-enter lounges in the terminal BA use.

Look at prioritypass dot com for JFK T7 options - but since that is BA's terminal there may be none however United has a club there. Other than that I'm not aware of any other airside lounges at JFK even in other terminals.

According to this: http://www.loungeguide.net/wiki/u/New_York_(JFK)_United_Airlines_Red_Carpet_Club

Day passes for the United lounge in T7 can be had for $50. Sounds like a typical US lounge though - no showers, basic snacks, charge for premium drinks.

Looks like your only option though - the only other lounge in T7 is the BA one which doesn't offer paid entry.

You could try a status match using your VS AU status, take a screenshot of your VS activity account and email it to BA Exec club, they may match or give you Silver. Worth a shot!

Thanks

Extremely unlikely, according to Raffles at headforpoints:

"Some groups love giving status matches, others don’t.  British Airways will almost never status match, unless your company signs a major deal with them and they agree to upgrade a certain number of people as part of it."

A position confirmed at statusmatcher.com - hardly anyone has confirmed a successful status match with BA. It does sometimes work the other way round though by the looks of things.

Extremely unlikely, according to Raffles at headforpoints:

"Some groups love giving status matches, others don’t.  British Airways will almost never status match, unless your company signs a major deal with them and they agree to upgrade a certain number of people as part of it."

A position confirmed at statusmatcher.com - hardly anyone has confirmed a successful status match with BA. It does sometimes work the other way round though by the looks of things.

That saıd, ıf you do have work for a bıg employer, ıt's defınıtely worth askıng - I stumbled upon my company's BA matchıng deal by accıdent, and I'm usually pretty good at fındıng thıs stuff out.

Enjoy your transatlantic on the QM2. We've done it twice now and it's a great way to return home. No luggage weight restrictions so do as much shopping in NY as you can can . We're on board again on 11 Dec for a short trip as we enjoy it so much.

With regards to the VS lounge at JFK do they allow upper guests to take in a guest (on same flight) into the JFK lounge like they do in LHR and also is the new JFK lounge in a different place then the previous?

Join BAEC, there's no point in losing out on any miles or TPs if the fare gives them.

I wouldn't pay for the United Club lounge at T7. It's ok if you have Priority Pass, but just don't arrive too early, find somewhere in the terminal to sit down, maybe have a meal, and hopefully the time will fly by.

With regards to the VS lounge at JFK do they allow upper guests to take in a guest (on same flight) into the JFK lounge like they do in LHR and also is the new JFK lounge in a different place then the previous?

Yes you can guest in another person on the same flight.

The JFK clubhouse is located after security in the A gates if I remember correctly

Join BAEC, there's no point in losing out on any miles or TPs if the fare gives them.

I wouldn't pay for the United Club lounge at T7. It's ok if you have Priority Pass, but just don't arrive too early, find somewhere in the terminal to sit down, maybe have a meal, and hopefully the time will fly by.

I would second the "don't arrive too early" advice, though the Todd English place looks OK even if I haven't had the opportunity to use it. The terminal is old-ish, small with low ceilings. The BA Galleries Club is fine, Galleries First is nuts and the CCR is not an option. If you can get a corporate match that would definitely be the cool thing to do, but I would caution that these things tend to be one-offs and I wouldn't pull the trigger on it in case you end up really needing the match at some point in the future.

You are likely to feel miffed at shelling out 50 bucks for the UA club given it includes cheese cubes, cheap drinks and wifi only. Totally second that too, don't do it.

Thanks so much, everyone. Great advice as ever.

Such a shame we are not on VS, but you can't win them all! I will join BAEC - as you say no point in missing out on points. I might give them a cheeky call about a status match, but I don't work for a big corporate and I know that BA are quite shy about such matters, so I won't expect anything but short shrift from them!

So, the plan is arrive in a timely fashion but not too early then find the best place we can in the terminal for some food and a drink - we may give the Todd English place a go if it looks ok. There is a Todd English concession on the QM2 although probably with a different style than at JFK.

Thanks again,

Steve.

I might give them a cheeky call about a status match, but I don't work for a big corporate and I know that BA are quite shy about such matters, so I won't expect anything but short shrift from them!.

Let us know how you get on. I have a trip booked on BA in Y. Would be nice to move up from exec club blue for a trip or two.

....just a little update

I called BAEC summoning all my charm, explaining I'd like to join and that I'm currently a gold status holder with another airline and would they consider full or even partial status matching (e.g. to Bronze or Silver). The answer? A very definite, emphatic and rather curt "NO, you will start at BLUE!" and I was directed to the website for joining. Charming! Although I didn't really expect anything else!

Steve.

I'm sure they get it all the time.

You could try obtaining a status match with another airline in the "oneworld" alliance , then use the Emerald programme . American Airlines seems to grant more matches than BAEC.

Thanks