Greetings from Aspire BHX

After being turned down by No 1 AGAIN on Priority Pass hubby & I are in the Aspire. His first words were "I have to help myself ?!?!?!" - I think the LHR & SFO Clubhouses back in April may have spoiled him a bit!

So no bubbles or Redheads for me but I have found the vodka .... whilst we wait for our Monarch flight to Gibraltar for three nights at the Sunborn so hopefully leaving the forecast big chill behind!

After being turned down by No 1 AGAIN on Priority Pass hubby & I are in the Aspire. His first words were "I have to help myself ?!?!?!" - I think the LHR & SFO Clubhouses back in April may have spoiled him a bit!

So no bubbles or Redheads for me but I have found the vodka .... whilst we wait for our Monarch flight to Gibraltar for three nights at the Sunborn so hopefully leaving the forecast big chill behind!

Why the decline at #1 ?

Why the decline at #1 ?

"Allegedly" they are "full" unless you have pre-booked - which I find very difficult to believe on a November Friday. They said the same thing at 5.00 am in the morning in September! I've heard that other V-Flyers using PP have had the same decline - unless you pre-book at the PP rate of £ 5 pp - which to me defeats having PP!

We were also turned away from the No 1 lounge with PP last August. We received a very warm welcome from the Aspire lounge instead.
Have a lovely 3 day break in Gibraltar.

Why the decline at #1 ?

"Allegedly" they are "full" unless you have pre-booked - which I find very difficult to believe on a November Friday. They said the same thing at 5.00 am in the morning in September! I've heard that other V-Flyers using PP have had the same decline - unless you pre-book at the PP rate of £ 5 pp - which to me defeats having PP!

I'll wave my PP card at the No 1 at Edinburgh on Wednesday and see what happens; if they say know I'll head to the Aspire. I haven't had any problem before at either LGW or LHR T3...

Some lounges have a quota for PP. Once they hit it, it's either one in one out or no entry full stop, regardless of whether the lounge is full.

For obvious reasons the lounges are more interested in their own pre-booked or walk-up customers. PP is pretty low priority for them.

Thanks all. The lounge was fine although tired and food offerings very limited. I can fully understand the financial drivers but my question I suppose is if there is a consistent policy by a chain not to accept PP why is it included in the PP offering? Or is it limited to location management decisions perhaps - mine have both been BHX?

Flight was ok and the threatened turbulence didn't happen. We landed 15 mins ahead of schedule and we were checked into the Sunborn 20 minutes after landing - which included waiting for bags!

Best bit so far is having to walk across the runway to the marina - but we are looking forward to exploring the Rock over the next few days.

As its my home airport, I'm concerned that the continual devaluing of the PP has hit there...

Places where the place was supposed to be full, and wasn't:

Aspire and the other one at Manchester T1 (Escape?)
No 1 London Gatwick South
Aspire Luton
Escape East Midlands

Personally, I always use the Aspire in Birmingham. I know the likes of No 1 claim to offer food, but its not that enough food to care about, the Escape food in East Midlands wasn't bad with pies and pasties last time I was there. However, I value self pour to the five minutes wait for the barmaid to appear, every time I want a drink, not usually in there that long a time to really to be able to wait.

One thing of note, no foreign PP lounges have done this, even the tiny Hannover one. They'll turn you back when the standing space is gone...

Made it into the No 1 Lounge at Edinburgh with no problem using Priority Pass. Think I prefer the Aspire, as they have salt peanuts and the No 1 Lounge doesn't.

Made it into the No 1 Lounge at Edinburgh with no problem using Priority Pass. Think I prefer the Aspire, as they have salt peanuts and the No 1 Lounge doesn't.

Hmmm - seems like a local to BHX issue then ..... But the Aspire didn't have nuts although they did have some nice crisps!

Made it into the No 1 Lounge at Edinburgh with no problem using Priority Pass. Think I prefer the Aspire, as they have salt peanuts and the No 1 Lounge doesn't.

Hmmm - seems like a local to BHX issue then ..... But the Aspire didn't have nuts although they did have some nice crisps!

I preferred the layout and general ambience of the Aspire Lounge, with its smaller booths and tables rather the open space of the No 1 Lounge. If I get another Edinburgh trip it will be the Aspire I will use.

I always use #1 at BHX but I do tend to pre book.

I always use #1 at BHX but I do tend to pre book.

Costs a fiver though, which tends to miss the point of the PP's free lounge access...