Another Early Morning at Dublin Airport featuring US Immigration Preclearance and the 51st and Green Lounge
Polishing Silver
It’s time to get the business class part of the trip underway, with the premium experience on the ground at Dublin Airport – along with a smattering of US Immigration Pre-Clearance too. How does it stack up?
In this Tier Point-laden adventure
- All I ask is for one decent airfare. Just ONE. Anyone?
- Off to Birmingham Airport
- FR669 Birmingham to Dublin Airport with Ryanair
- Welcome to Dublin, Premier Inn – Dublin Airport
- Early Morning Dublin Airport and US Preclearance, 51st and Green Lounge
- AA723 Dublin to Philadelphia – Flagship Business Class
- A Rocky Interlude – Exploring Philadelphia
- Return to PHL and the Philadelphia American Airlines Admirals Club
- AA2663 Philadelphia to San Francisco – US Domestic First
- A new terminal and The Crowne Plaza, Burlingame
- The Intercontinental San Francisco (and trying the new BART trains)
- Asian Eats around San Francisco
- A challenge unto myself: Crossing the Golden Gate Bridge
- Ferrying around the bay with Golden Gate Ferry
- Of Dragons and Lions – Celebrations in San Francisco Chinatown
- Back to SFO, American Airlines Admirals Club
- AA164 San Francisco to New York JFK – Transcontinental Business Class
- A snow-laden pit stop at JFK and the American Airlines/British Airways Greenwich Lounge
- AA104 New York JFK to London Heathrow – Flagship Business Class
- Transiting across Heathrow Terminals and the British Airways Galleries North
- BA836 London Heathrow to Dublin Airport – Club Europe
- A Two Hour Dublin Turnaround featuring the Dublin Airport Lounge
- BA4469 Dublin to London City Airport – Club Europe by BA CityFlyer
- To the trains… and on the cheap
- Points in the bag
Whilst there is a shuttle bus to the airport (which is good), the less happy part is the cost – which is €3 at the time. This can be paid by card or cash at least – which is helpful.
The positive thing for me was, that it dropped me right outside Terminal 2, meaning there was no long hike from Zone 16 of Dublin Airport parking to the terminal.
I headed in, passing the Delta counters for American Airlines, who would be providing the lift for today. With the queue empty, I was seen straight away.
I thought of checking the backpack to San Francisco – but given how light it was, I skipped checking it – besides, it would be useful to transfer some of the non-electronics that I had brought with me later in the day – as well as anything I picked up along the way.
With that done, it was time for the first security check of the day. I followed the signs for Fast Track, with a minimal queue waiting for me.
That’s helpful.
This was one of the few lanes that had been fitted with a CT-style scanner – so it was a case of keeping everything in the bags whilst I went through the process.
I heard that the price of water has doubled to €2… shame…
With that complete, I was through and out into Duty-Free – but I wasn’t exactly in the mood to hang around, as I had the joy of US Immigration ahead.
Dublin is one of the places where one can complete all the US Immigration formalities – so when you arrive you don’t have to worry about those formalities at the other end – and with airports like Philadelphia, that’s important as the queues there can be awful depending on the time of day, and with a limited time trip – spending time in immigration can be wasted time.
I passed the sales concessions and continued my path forward, following the signs to the US Pre-Clearance area.
Entering the queue, the morning rush had vanished already, so I continued on my way through.
After passing through the dividing paths, I had a one-minute wait for an agent. I was not even asked about my business in the USA this time, with the passport stamped and I was let through.
Wow, the Entire process was done and dusted in five minutes. If only other borders could be like this. Or at the US ports of entry that normally I use.
With that, I continued along my way, now in the “USA” rather than in Europe, as I would now be treated as a US Domestic Arrival.
With at least 50 minutes before boarding on the cards, I headed down to the lounge – the 51st and Green.
Lounge: 51st and Green
This lounge is operated by DAA as a US Lounge for premium/eligible customers (as well as those who fancy paying €41 and upward).
I was buzzed in and allowed to proceed.
It is a bright lounge, well lit and lots of glass looking at the outside world. I headed to some counter seating and sat in for a bit.
Breakfast was calling to me, so I decided to have a look at the items on offer. This is a typical buffet offering with all the usuals that one would expect from the magical pancake machine.
I went for some of the hot items to pick on – mainly that was what I was in the mood for.
Magical!
I also spent a bit of time editing and writing, as I wanted to get some stuff done before I boarded.
In terms of drinks, both a machine and a bar option were offered – however, drinks were limited to 2 from the bar. Part of me thinks this is cost control, but another part thinks this is to try to reduce air rage.
Although I wouldn’t put it past Dublin airport to save a few euros when they can.
With light brightening, the world was coming to life – even if the windows meant everything was reflected, making it a pig for photography.
There’s an aircraft there. Honest.
With the flight called, I took my time leaving the lounge… mainly as a US flight, it would take time to board.
When heading upstairs to the gate, the area had emptied, with me skipping most of the process. I blipped my pass and was allowed to proceed.
It was time to kick this tier point-earning exercise into high gear.
Made it…
Next:
Let’s try the Concept D set across the pond with American Airlines in Business class.
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