BA and Miami airport

[stanleycamel]

Originally Posted by johnb

We now have a day room booked at Miami Airport Hotel, which I understand is at Terminal E, where we will check in. Once through security, I am unsure of how we get to the AA Flagship Lounge by gate D30. There seems to be a walkway between the two terminals - is that the best way to get there? I am currently waiting for knee replacement surgery, so walking with a stick will be rather slow. How long should I allow to get there, and also back to gate E24 for BA206. Thanks

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johnb - I will reply soon as I'm trying to think of the best way to advise how to get to D30 for your visit to the Flagship Lounge. I tend to do it on autopilot and often use the AA Flagship First check in so want to make sure I can make my instructions clear from the BA First check in. Will be back soon.

[johnb]

Many thanks. Much appreciated

[johnb]

Originally Posted by stanleycamel

johnb - I will reply soon as I'm trying to think of the best way to advise how to get to D30 for your visit to the Flagship Lounge. I tend to do it on autopilot and often use the AA Flagship First check in so want to make sure I can make my instructions clear from the BA First check in. Will be back soon.

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Do you have any more information please. We are flying out on Sunday.

[ss520691]

There are both airside and landside walkways between Terminals D and E. You can either go through security in E and walk through the airside connector, or walk over to D landside and go through security there. The distance is pretty similar either way, so the quickest way will depend on whichever security is busier at any given moment.

Hard to suggest how much time to leave without a good idea of your speed - maybe allow 10-15 mins walking to get from your hotel to the lounge (not counting check-in and security time), and 15-20 to get from the lounge back to your gate (the BA gate in Terminal E requires a train ride to get to).

[stanleycamel]

Originally Posted by ss520691

There are both airside and landside walkways between Terminals D and E. You can either go through security in E and walk through the airside connector, or walk over to D landside and go through security there. The distance is pretty similar either way, so the quickest way will depend on whichever security is busier at any given moment.

Hard to suggest how much time to leave without a good idea of your speed - maybe allow 10-15 mins walking to get from your hotel to the lounge (not counting check-in and security time), and 15-20 to get from the lounge back to your gate (the BA gate in Terminal E requires a train ride to get to).

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Firstly apologies johnb - I've been really busy over here in FL and I'm sorry I haven't responded sooner. Next a thank you to ss520691 for their reply - much appreciated.

I know johnb that you mentioned about waiting for a knee replacement (you have my sympathies) and appreciate any timings we can give are suggested. I know you have looked at maps and the description given by ss520691 will make sense if you have a chance to revisit those - but here's a reminder link

https://www.miami-airport.com/map-terminal-gates.asp

I will concentrate on coming through Security E (5) as per the link below because once through security this will also reflect your return journey from the AA Flagship Lounge at gate D30 to Gate 24/25.

https://www.miami-airport.com/airport-security.asp

So here goes - you are through security and you will see in front of you a set of escalators going up - ignore them and walk past and head straight ahead and eventually you will see on your right the airside connector from E to D and walk along there. At the end turn left and after walking past some shops and gates D 31/32 take the passageway to your right and you come to an almost circular area and take the first left ( passing the Britto shop on the left) keep going a short way and the entrance to the Flagship/Admirals Club is on the left through frosted doors opposite Gate 30. Depending on arrival time there is often a queue for entry but more times than enough it is people who are wanting to pay for AC access which won't apply for so don't be shy to "jump the Q".


Once your BP's have been checked you will be given a laminated card for the Flagship Lounge so then go up in the lift to the first floor and there are desks or staff in front of you. They will take your card and direct you to the right hand side and once you go through there glance to the left and you should see a welcome desk where they will pour you a glass of champagne and then you can wander around to find a seat. The buffet area with cooking station is at the rear and the Flagship Dining Room is over to the left handside so just show your BP for entry. The food is generally better than that served on board but it is all down to personal taste - you can always try both.

The Flagship is a "Quiet Lounge" so no announcements are made so keep an ey on the time and departure boards. I suggest when you get through security on the way in glance at your watch and again on entrance to the Lounge to give you an idea of the time it takes you to walk there because you will have to do the same journey back.

On leaving walk back the same way as above but when you get to the escalators at security use those to go up to the level where there is the shuttle train towards the gates. Once there there's a short walk to get to the gates as I described earlier on #Post2. The gates are not a Premium Experience in any shape or form so be prepared for that.

If you go through security at D (4 on the map) you will join where I indicated in purple above so follow the information from there.

Sorry if I've repeated some bits and hope all goes well with the flight.

Re the MIA hotel - don't expect too much as despite the cost it isn't exactly luxurious - I remember the good old days where you could go to the roof top swimming pool/bar and spend hours with a plate of nachos and a beer - sadly long gone.

[johnb]

ss520691 and stanleycamel. Thank you both for taking the time to reply.

The detailed walkthrough will be invaluable, as without it I might have been struggling to find my way. I have printed it off in large print (I have AMD in both eyes) so I will be able to follow the route step by step.

Many thanks.

[johnb]

@stanleycamel
Once again, many thanks for the detailed description - it proved to be extremely useful.
We were caught up in the Heathrow power outage and our flight (BA 206, Fri 21 Mar) was cancelled. We were transferred to BA208 on Sat 22 Mar.
The check-in agent was very helpful and allowed us to check in early, even though he wasn't supposed to. So we were able to spend around 7 hours in the Flagship lounge.
Strangely, the BA check-in desks appeared to be located in Concourse D, so after going through security we were already near to the D gates, and followed your directions from the E/D walkway on the D side.
On leaving the lounge for gate E24, we were able to use the directions in reverse.
As you advised, the holding area was somewhat chaotic, but we did manage to get through fairly easily for early boarding.
We had a taxi booked to get us home from T5. Having already been delayed a day, we gave the Concorde Lounge a miss.
Thank you.

[stanleycamel]

Originally Posted by johnb

@stanleycamel
Once again, many thanks for the detailed description - it proved to be extremely useful.
We were caught up in the Heathrow power outage and our flight (BA 206, Fri 21 Mar) was cancelled. We were transferred to BA208 on Sat 22 Mar.
The check-in agent was very helpful and allowed us to check in early, even though he wasn't supposed to. So we were able to spend around 7 hours in the Flagship lounge.
Strangely, the BA check-in desks appeared to be located in Concourse D, so after going through security we were already near to the D gates, and followed your directions from the E/D walkway on the D side.
On leaving the lounge for gate E24, we were able to use the directions in reverse.
As you advised, the holding area was somewhat chaotic, but we did manage to get through fairly easily for early boarding.
We had a taxi booked to get us home from T5. Having already been delayed a day, we gave the Concorde Lounge a miss.
Thank you.

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Thanks for the update johnb I was wondering how you got on and really pleased to hear that it worked out for you albeit it with the cancellation not helping. Did BA arrange an overnight hotel for you, if yes, where did you end up? When travelling with BA I usually use the E security but D security when I'm using AA Flagship First check in. At least the AA Miami Flagship Lounge is one of the nicer ones to spend a few hours in but I'm looking forward to the new BA Lounge when it opens.

Start planning your next trip

[johnb]

Originally Posted by stanleycamel

Thanks for the update johnb I was wondering how you got on and really pleased to hear that it worked out for you albeit it with the cancellation not helping. Did BA arrange an overnight hotel for you, if yes, where did you end up? When travelling with BA I usually use the E security but D security when I'm using AA Flagship First check in. At least the AA Miami Flagship Lounge is one of the nicer ones to spend a few hours in but I'm looking forward to the new BA Lounge when it opens.

Start planning your next trip

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The arrangements with BA at MIA were a bit problematic. It was mid morning (US Eastern DST) before we found out our flight had been cancelled. The App gave us some alternatives, but they were AA flights also going to LHR, which of course were later cancelled too. So we waited for the checkin desks to open. At first they didn't want to know about rebooking anyone, but (maybe because we were travelling first) one agent kindly reticketted us onto BA208 the following day which was the first flight with 2 First seats available.
We thought that was all sorted, but the following morning found that the App was inviting us to check in and get boarding passes for BA206. Hence the early arrival at the airport to sort things out. (The App was wrong!)

On the day of cancellation, BA agents were telling everyone that they had no hotel availability, and to make our own arrangements. The MIA airport hotel itself was fully booked (we had pre-booked a day room there). I tried a few hotels online but couldn't find availability. In the end we took a Hilton shuttle to try to book in person. They rang around other Hilton group hotels with no success, but suggested we try walking to a nearby Aloft hotel, which fortunately was able to accommodate us.

I have my knee replacement surgery in two weeks time. I am waiting to see how I recover from that before booking my next trip.

[stanleycamel]

Originally Posted by johnb

The arrangements with BA at MIA were a bit problematic. It was mid morning (US Eastern DST) before we found out our flight had been cancelled. The App gave us some alternatives, but they were AA flights also going to LHR, which of course were later cancelled too. So we waited for the checkin desks to open. At first they didn't want to know about rebooking anyone, but (maybe because we were travelling first) one agent kindly reticketted us onto BA208 the following day which was the first flight with 2 First seats available.
We thought that was all sorted, but the following morning found that the App was inviting us to check in and get boarding passes for BA206. Hence the early arrival at the airport to sort things out. (The App was wrong!)

On the day of cancellation, BA agents were telling everyone that they had no hotel availability, and to make our own arrangements. The MIA airport hotel itself was fully booked (we had pre-booked a day room there). I tried a few hotels online but couldn't find availability. In the end we took a Hilton shuttle to try to book in person. They rang around other Hilton group hotels with no success, but suggested we try walking to a nearby Aloft hotel, which fortunately was able to accommodate us.

I have my knee replacement surgery in two weeks time. I am waiting to see how I recover from that before booking my next trip.

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Good luck with the knee replacement - definitely do all your physio no matter how hard or difficult it is.