Airport lounges - worth it?

feet_up

I’m travelling with someone who has a dragon pass fo free airport lounges. We will be using Birmingham and delhi airports. Is it worth me paying to join him in the lounges (I’m at most going to have a couple of beers and a snack meal)?

If the accommodation was super quiet and comfortable I might be tempted,  but the reviews I have seen are not very encouraging. Having said which I am not a big fan of Birmingham airport’s main departure lounge so its got to be better than that.

Any thoughts?

k3lvc

Last few times I've visited BHX lounge (as a Business passenger) they've been turning away Dragon/Priority pass holders due to the number of pax who've booked/paid to be there - and in reality the departure lounge restaurants/coffee shops have been quieter than the lounge 

TELLIT01

Last time we travelled from BHX we were amazed at just how quite it was.  Seating available throughout the departure lounge, seating in the bars and next to no queues.  That was around 9am on a Wednesday in September.

bagand96

Over the summer the lounges have been very busy (at all airports not just BHX) as many people do choose to pre-book them now which is why people have often reported being turned away if they've not prebooked.

That's probably less of an issue now we're in the quieter months for travel.

Whether it's worth it or not is up to you depending on what you want and how much you might spend on food and drink otherwise (personally I never choose a lounge just because of food)

When flying from BHX I usually head for All Bar One after security which is located in the smaller departure lounge (left after security, gates 1-15 I think?). It's often really quiet and far more chilled than the Wetherspoons! 

DullGreyGuy

Are the Delhi lounges open? BA's website have both the ones they use (shared access ones not dedicated) as closed. 

Personally I use them as they are "free"/ included in something I am already paying for and they do tend to be quieter/more comfortable than the public access areas. The best lounges I've used though are not ones that can be accessed via Dragon/Priority Pass etc though. 

MACKEM99

Best one we ever used was Doncaster shame to hear the airport is no longer.

diystarter7

Never used them as at peak times everything is packed.
We just pay towards a better rental/car hire and or spend a few extra quid on food at the airprort. If it comes free with a ticket etc, then we'd go for it

Doshwaster

A good airport lounge can be a great escape from the madness of the terminal but they tend to be airline operated ones for those with status or premium tickets. Some of the cheaper pay to enter ones are little more than a glorified waiting room with a fridge in the corner. I haven't used the lounge at BHX before but I haven't been very impressed with the "No 1" lounges at Stansted or Gatwick. 

daveyjp

Lounges in predominantly holiday charter airports are generally terrible.  Overcrowded, poor food and drink offer.  One I went in had a glass wall adjacent to the shops and it felt like being sat in a goldfish bowl.

Lounges reserved for business/first class passengers only are far better.  Somewhere to have peace before a flight.

squirrelchops2

I have booked Cardiff's because when there is more than 2 flights going at the same time, the areas are so small and with one bar and one coffee shop everywhere is rammed. 

CKhalvashi

Doshwaster said:

A good airport lounge can be a great escape from the madness of the terminal but they tend to be airline operated ones for those with status or premium tickets. Some of the cheaper pay to enter ones are little more than a glorified waiting room with a fridge in the corner. I haven't used the lounge at BHX before but I haven't been very impressed with the "No 1" lounges at Stansted or Gatwick. 

I've not been impressed with any lounge at Stansted. Security at 5am a few weeks ago and immigration at about 7pm a few nights later was really impressive though.

I have access to a lounge with a credit card but a lot of the time don't bother. Most airports I use regularly (mainly VFR airports but travelling on business) have adequately priced coffee in a much quieter area than the lounges making for a much smoother journey.