What does the movie Christmas Vacation have to do with airport lounge access? You’ll see in today’s post. Please chime in.
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19 thoughts on “Don’t Dare Enter These Hawaii Airline Lounges On Arrival”
What does the movie Christmas Vacation have to do with airport lounge access? You’ll see in today’s post. Please chime in.
Paid $50 to enter American Airlines lounge just to use the bathroom at PHX. It was an emergency if you know what I mean! The attendant slowly processed my card. Seems each concourse had a bathroom closed for renovation. Have you seen the long lines, men and women’s at PHX.
I have lived 33 years on the Big Island and traveled back-and-forth to the mainland frequently every year. I have found that the customer service in Hawaii is very lacking. I don’t know if it’s because of training or because they just feel entitled because they live in Hawaii However I have found extremely rude people when asking them to just do their job. They act as if you are asking for more than what they are just being paid for. Maybe it’s because jobs are plentiful and they know if they lose that 1 they can just go on to the next one at the same or maybe a better pay rate. I own 2 businesses in Hawaii and if my Employees treated customers the way I have been treated they would have been fired.
We’ve had multiple rude experiences with staff at the Hawaiian Airlines lounges. They make a point of making you a second class citizen if you’re there under your Amex or a Priority Pass.
Fortunately their lounges are some of the smallest and stingiest in the country, so you’re not missing much if they don’t let you in.
A co-worker and I were recently also denied access to the Hawaiian Airlines lounge as we arrived in HNL from Kona. As you may already know, HNL is going through renovations and restrooms are few and far between. Instead of walking to the end of the terminal where the nearest open restroom was we figured we would duck in the lounge, use the restroom and leave.
The woman at the counter was explaining that the lounge is for departing passengers only. We, as well as others were trying to explain that the nearest restroom was a significant walk away.
BTW, the policy is noted on the boarding passes as well.
It sounds like they informed you of the policy when you tried to get in. If all you needed was a bathroom, why didn’t you just use the one in the terminal?
Some foreign carriers have their own exclusive lounges
Korean Air is located at garden level of E concourse. Only business or first class are allowed to enter or by invitation per station manager’s discretion
However, due to limited capacity, not always opened to all passengers even if you are frequent flyer
Asiana on the other hand uses United Airlines lounge or ANA lounge is aircraft is parked at C gates
West Jet has no lounge but may use Delta Lounge
Japan Airlines has exclusive use of Sakura lounge before Covid
Both the “for departing passengers only” and “no outside food” rules have been in place at the Hawaiian HNL Premier Club Lounge for as long as I can remember. I’ve seen them in the fine print on the website. I’ve been able to get into the Lounge upon arrival a couple of times, when it wasn’t crowded. But in light of your comments, I don’t think I’ll try anymore. As for the “no outside food” policy, it used to be strictly enforced. I’ve witnessed the attendant quietly asking offenders to take their food outside. But it appears this policy is no longer being enforced. Within the past couple months, I’ve seen families enter, drop off carryon bags to hold their seats, exit and re-enter with bags of fast food. Perplexing isn’t it?
Mahalo for addressing this issue. I have been using the lounge when I fly into Honolulu and when I fly out. I was Very disappointed to be stopped at the door. I usually just stop to use the bathroom. I am flying to Honolulu tomorrow and back to the Big Island 🏝 tomorrow night. Maybe 🤔 I should test it again lol 😂 I do appreciate having this status especially when I have some time before catching plane. Maybe Hawaiian 🌺 Airlines will reconsider.