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Hi all, I’ve recently achieved silver for the first time (after a hilariously disastrous day trip to Amsterdam to top up my balance before the end of the collection year, but that’s a story for another day, at least I got my TPs).
I’m after some advice on what lounges to frequent with my partner when we fly LHR-HKG return (WTP) in a few weeks, and generally how not to look like a complete n00b while doing so!
Thanks in advance 🙂There are others more experienced than I, but I usually look at the lounges available at the airport location I’m going to (using the link below) and then look at the lounge review section here on HFP to decide which of the lounges to use.
Is HKG from T5? If so you’re limited to Galleries North, South and B, B usually being the best option. Read the reviews here, as B is slightly more complicated.
I really want to hear the Amsterdam story 😂
BTW I’m also heading to HKG end of April & there seems to be quite a choice available, so please feel free to feed back on your findings!
And second what @NorthernLass said – get that Amsterdam story up 😉
If you’re looking to lounge hop, starting with Qantas makes sense as its right after security.
Then depending on which gate you’re departing from and time available, my preference is always The Pier followed by Wing.The Deck is tiny and I’d normally choose one of the above over it.
Thanks everyone for the replies, I’ll check out the lounge reviews on here. And apologies, I should have been more specific – I’m flying from LHR T5 (BA31 out and BA28 back).
Is there a secret wave to identify other HfP’ers in the lounge?! 😉The Amsterdam story isn’t all that amusing…
I booked a day trip there with the sole purpose of getting the last few TPs for Silver. I figured I may as well make the most of it, so bought museum tickets in advance, did a bunch of research on places to eat etc. and had a nice itinerary planned (albeit banking on getting out of the airport and into the city in good time).
I deplaned and got to Arrivals in record time, feeling very smug and optimistic about my schedule (and pleasantly unburdened by the absence of luggage that usually accompanies my experience of being at an airport). Google Maps was showing the next train was departing soon, so with laser focus I headed straight for the ticket machine, unaware of the situation unfolding around me. Only after purchashing my ticket did I look up to check the train departures board and, after a few seconds of waiting for the English translations to scroll around, realised that every single train was cancelled. 😮
“That’s weird”, I thought, but my confidence was (foolishly) unwaivering as I’d already sussed out bus options when planning my trip. So I casually strolled out of the airport to the bus stops just outside, only to find a small sea of people scrambling to get on the next bus that had just pulled up. I quickly realised that there was no chance I was going to get on this or any other bus any time soon. It was only then that I took stock of the various emergency services vehicles parked up and an air ambulance hovering nearby that the penny dropped that something had obviously happened very recently to cause this disruption. Turns out there had been train collision a few minutes beforehand, and now everyone was trying to catch a bus instead!
After some quick evaluation of the situation, I decided to abandon my plans. I figured that even if I managed to get into the city, I risked not being able to get back to the airport in good time for my return flight. So I spent the entire trip at Schiphol airport! 😂
Fortunately I could make light of the situation as I had nowhere I really needed to be and got my TPs as planned (of course not in time to actually use any of the lounges there!), but I felt very sorry for all the other travellers that day who had places to be and flights to catch. 😥The HKIA Cathay lounges are excellent and even the business lounges put the LHR Gold lounge to shame (but then so does Cathay’s T3 business lounge). You’ll find people rating The Pier and The Wing each as the ‘best’, but personally I think they are pretty similar. I always used to use The Wing as you can get to the first class part in the lift from transfer security, but since I dropped to Silver, I just pick whichever is nearest my onward gate.
The Deck is opposite the BA28 gate so this could be your last lounge if you do crawl. Qantas is also close by. If you only have access to the business section I would avoid the Wing, its extremely busy in the evenings. If you have time the Pier is worth it, but it’s a 10 minute walk back to the BA gate.
We were at The Pier last week and the food was astonishingly good. Excellent noodles, dim sum etc. far better than the BA business lounge offerings at LHR.
The Pier, we think it’s one of the best in the world, if not, the best! lol. Definitely worth that extra 10 minutes walk. Depends on which gate tho. But the Wing and Deck on a par also. You will be so spoiled for choice in HKG. We are already looking forward to our visit there in November! Give yourselves plenty of time to enjoy the experience…
The Pier is lovely – I love the variety of areas, the wonton soup, the dim sum, the tea room – it’s all marvellous. The Wing is very nice too! Enjoy!
@Cat
Do l remember you doing great reviews of the Pier and Wing for us all on here? Standards still as high, but gives a great overview for first timers…I’m pretty used to airports and navigating through them , but last week at HKIA we were all over the place trying for the Cathay Pier. Signage was poor. Down a level, up a level, useless airport ‘ assistants’ who clearly had no idea where to direct us. Ended up at Qantas at the gate which was fine if boring!
@Cat
Do l remember you doing great reviews of the Pier and Wing for us all on here? Standards still as high, but gives a great overview for first timers…Hi Polly! Yes! I did, many years ago, but I think Rhys has updated them since!
How are you? Did the February trip happen? How are things? X
I’m pretty used to airports and navigating through them , but last week at HKIA we were all over the place trying for the Cathay Pier. Signage was poor. Down a level, up a level, useless airport ‘ assistants’ who clearly had no idea where to direct us. Ended up at Qantas at the gate which was fine if boring!
If you go down a level, you’re getting on the one-way people transporter, I think. The best way is to just know what gates they’re next to, then head for that gate – more signage that way!
Thanks so much for the HKIA lounge recommendations! Will try and visit the Pier and Deck if we get time to do both.
Safe travels all 🙂@t42
Just loved your AMS story…. You just went with the flow. But you got your TPs in the end… Think Tom Hanks! The Pier will be enough, you won’t want to bother moving, until your flight is called, promise!
@cat
Yes thanks we finally got back to Asia… EDI SIN EDI 241 in J. Great time, 23d in HKT, finished off with a lovely 5 days in the W Sentosa. Jet lag on return killing us tho, getting old! You, any Easter travel plans? XA quick update – we got back to the UK a few days ago after a long but productive trip.
We really enjoyed visiting The Pier, significantly better in every way than the Galleries lounge at LHR (although the chicken curry was quite good there).
Unfortunately things went downhill after that, as we were sat on the tarmac for 4 hours due to inclement weather and an air conditioning issue. Then one of our bags was lost! Thankfully returned yesterday, although with a hole in the corner and a broken wheel 😤
I’m hoping we can claim some compensation for both the delay and damage (any tips on this gratefully received)…They will blame the delay on the weather, so no compensation due beyond duty of care – and it sounds like you were on the plane by then.
As for the bag damage, if it’s been reported straight away (sounds like a courier delivered it) then BA will put you right with a repair or replacement.
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