[Anonymous]

[SwissExPat]

It was my first time in this lounge a few days ago and I must say was very disappointing. [access gained via my BAEC gold card as as probably everyone else there since there is now a new separate COncord lounge there where anyone in F would be]

I had thought that the new CCR lounge was going to result in JFK becoming something similar to LHR T5 in terms of service offering but this is certainly not the case.

e.g the quality of drinks such as whiskey [walker Black label] was the same in Galleries and First lounge. Snack choice in Galleries was at least as good if not better. Also one needed to leave the First lounge and walk through Galleries to get to the pre flight dining]. In T5, JW blue label is the tipple offered.

Needless to say, despite arriving 2.5 hours abe for my LCY flight, the Spa was fully booked for hours after my departure.

One less reason to chase gold level next year!

[dutchyankee]

@SwissExPat – 21/08/2013 10:23 GMT

I likewise wont be chasing BA gold after mine expires. The benefits have been watered down, and the service such as what you have just described no longer warrant my universal loyalty, hence I am building status now also in M&M by splitting my spend between the two. What you describe in JFK, BA`s second most important hub after LHR, is a disgrace. I dont recall it being so bad, but my last visit there was 3 years ago. Shame it is all going downhill.

[Travellator]

Would be a selling point for BA to allow PAX on JFK/LCY to access the Concorde Lounge given that the facilities on the outbound are somewhat limited and these flights accumulate F tier and Avios.

The outbound ex LCY is somewhat less attractive now that only BA1 clears US immigration etc in Shannon.

Having said that just love this unique trip !

[dutchyankee]

@Travellator

That would make a great deal of sense and as you say, you earn F tier points for those flights, and let`s not forget, they carry the historic Concorde flight numbers 001 through 004. I still haven`t done these flights, but really want to, just have never seen a good fare on the route. maybe the next sale.

[JonathanM8]

I travelled through JFK last week and agree that the First Lounge there is poor by comparison with the LHR T5 (or even T3) experience – but marginally better than the First Lounge in LGW, where, frankly, the Galleries offers a better experience.

I managed to get some Glenlivet 15 year whisky in the JFK FIrst lounge, but only after asking! With the need to go to the Galleries lounge for dinner and the spa, the whole experience seemed a bit of an after-thought and, by the way, at 8pm every seat was occupied!

[pdwtrip]

What about the CCR at JFK – what standard is that by comparison?

[rferguson]

I’m very excited having recently attained BA Gold. Not so much for use of the BA lounges, more so for other OW airlines lounges.

I’m off to Manila via HKG next month. Can’t wait to use the Cathay F lounges in HKG.

Also have a trip to OZ coming up in December for xmas. I’ve booked Qantas in Economy for the one hour hop from Sydney to Brisbane – but made sure I selected the one flight a week that departs from the international terminal so I can check out the (apparently superb) QF F lounge. Sad I know. Hehe.

[Travellator]

rferguson
Thread is F lounge Jfk

Really excited bout your Gold however !

[NameRemoved-18/12/14]

The CCR at JFK is a proper lounge 😉

[Travellator]

Can you elaborate ?

[SwissExPat]

Further to my initial post, and in the interests of being fair to BA, in complete contrast to the experience in JFK, the arrival facility at LCY (Radisson hotel) for BA 02 on return is excellent. nice spa facility, good showers and a complete comprehensive breakfast (chauffeur 6 seater connection on arrival at LCY).

@ DutchYankee….. My fare for BA 01 with the return on BA 02 was £1,430 incl 10% shareholder discount on the non tax/APD element. Received 20,000 Avios and 420 tier points in total for 1 pax. Hard to beat that! (Purchased in the July sale)

[Travellator]

breakfast is chargeable !

[SwissExPat]

I was not charged for breakfast there.

[NameRemoved-18/12/14]

I will try Travellator, but as I don’t have a way with words 😉

The check-in lady offered to escort me to the lounge and I declined politely.

Once there, I was warmly welcomed at reception and by the lounge hostess. I was served promptly with a light meal before my flight by a super friendly waitress. Overall, I got the impression that my every wish would be met, and I am very easily pleased as I am not accustomed to flying in F.

Miles ahead of T5 First lounge, the only thing lacking would be the view but as it was dark it didn’t matter much.

[Author]

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