- Introduction: A Detour Across The Pacific
- Review: Qantas Business Class 787 San Francisco To Melbourne
- Review: Sheraton Melbourne
- Review: American Express Lounge Melbourne Airport
- Review: Air New Zealand Lounge Melbourne Airport
- Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class Lounge Melbourne Airport
- Review: Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge Melbourne Airport
- Review: Singapore Airlines First Class 777 Melbourne To Singapore
- Review: Singapore Airlines Private Room
- Review: Singapore Airlines Business Class A350 Singapore To Kuala Lumpur
- Review: Sama-Sama Express Hotel Kuala Lumpur Airport
- Review: Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Kuala Lumpur Airport
- Review: Malaysia Airlines Business Suite Lounge Kuala Lumpur Airport
- Review: Malaysia Airlines Business Suite A350 Kuala Lumpur To Tokyo
- Japan Airlines First Class Lounge Tokyo Narita Airport Review
- Review: Japan Airlines First Class 777 Tokyo To Chicago
I got to Melbourne Airport before 6AM so that I could review several lounges before my 10:35AM Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore.
Melbourne Airport landside area
Melbourne Airport was quite busy, even so early in the morning. Fortunately the security queues weren’t too bad, and I appreciate that they now have automated immigration counters, so you don’t have to line up to talk to a human when leaving the country.
I was through security and immigration in about 10 minutes, and started the long trek towards lounges, which are quite a ways from the security checkpoint.
Melbourne Airport international terminal
Melbourne Airport international terminal signage
Most of the lounges were in the same general area, so I followed the signage towards the Air New Zealand, American Express, and Singapore Airlines lounges, which were the ones that I most wanted to check out.
Melbourne Airport lounge signage
American Express Lounge Melbourne exterior
The first stop was the American Express Lounge Melbourne Airport. The lounge is located in International Terminal 2, and it’s open daily from 6AM until 11PM.
Many of you may be familiar with American Express Centurion Lounges. There are several in the US, including in Dallas, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, New York LaGuardia, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and Seattle. There’s also one in Hong Kong.
This isn’t a Centurion Lounge, though. This is “just” an American Express Lounge. There are two American Express Lounges in Australia.
I’ve reviewed the American Express Lounge Sydney, and the other location is in Melbourne. This lounge only opened in March 2018, so it’s about a year old now. The access requirements for this lounge are similar to Centurion Lounges, so if you have the Amex Platinum Card you are eligible.
The lounge is easy to spot, as American Express has some of the most distinctive lounge exteriors, between “AMERICAN EXPRESS” being written in big letters, and the plants behind the reception desk.
American Express Lounge Melbourne exterior
This lounge is definitely on the small side compared to some Centurion Lounges. The lounge has two main areas — when you enter there’s the dining area, and then behind that is the relaxation area.
The dining area has several dining tables with booths along the wall, and then several communal tables in the middle of the room, while the buffet and bar are along the other wall.
American Express Lounge Melbourne dining area
American Express Lounge Melbourne dining area
American Express Lounge Melbourne dining area
American Express Lounge Melbourne dining area
American Express Lounge Melbourne dining area
There’s a narrow hallway leading into the second room. This consists primarily of semi-private chairs along the walls, as well as some couches in the center of the room which are at least partly more stylish than practical.
Amex Lounge Melbourne seating
Amex Lounge Melbourne seating
Amex Lounge Melbourne seating
Amex Lounge Melbourne seating
In the corner was a desk area with two seats.
Amex Lounge Melbourne seating
I got to the lounge the minute it opened, so it was still empty, but this really isn’t a very high capacity lounge, so I could see it filling up quite easily.
Anyway, back to the food. Perhaps what most differentiates this from a Centurion Lounge is the food quality. This is typical contract lounge food, so don’t get too excited in that sense. Actually, this lounge and the adjacent Plaza Premium Lounge have the same management company, and as far as I know also have the same food (or at least very similar food — I saw the Plaza Premium “chef” bring out the food for this lounge).
Amex Lounge Melbourne buffet
As far as drinks go, there was a fridge with juice, water, and soda.
Amex Lounge Melbourne drinks
There was also a soda fountain, though it wasn’t working at the time.
Amex Lounge Melbourne soda fountain
Wine was behind the bar, not that anyone was drinking at this hour.
Amex Lounge Melbourne alcohol selection
The lounge also has barista made drinks.
Amex Lounge Melbourne espresso machine
I ordered a flat white, and I’d note it was the best I had at the airport — better than in the Air New Zealand Lounge, and also better than in the Singapore Airlines Lounge.
Amex Lounge Melbourne flat white
The food selection was underwhelming, though. At least that’s the case if you’re coming at it from the American Express angle, rather than the Plaza Premium angle. The lounge had a pancake machine, which reminded me of an Alaska Lounge.
Amex Lounge Melbourne pancake machine
Then there was a clear case with cereal, bread, pastries, and muffins.
Amex Lounge Melbourne food selection
Then there was an area with cheese, yogurt, fruit, and veggies.
Amex Lounge Melbourne food selection
Amex Lounge Melbourne food selection
Amex Lounge Melbourne food selection
Amex Lounge Melbourne food selection
There were a few hot options — potatoes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, and porridge.
Amex Lounge Melbourne hot food selection
Amex Lounge Melbourne hot food selection
Amex Lounge Melbourne hot food selection
Amex Lounge Melbourne hot food selection
Towards the center of the lounge was a departure screen, as well as some of the traditional American Express lounge decor.
Amex Lounge Melbourne departures board
The Plaza Premium Lounge is adjacent, and the American Express Lounge shares bathrooms with it. So in the center of the lounge is a hallway that’s connected to the bathrooms and showers, and then you just go into the lounge you’re using from there.
Amex Lounge Melbourne bathroom entrance
Amex Lounge Melbourne bathrooms
Amex Lounge Melbourne bathrooms
I only spent about 15 minutes in this lounge before heading to the next one on my “tour.”
American Express Lounge Melbourne bottom line
At times American Express’ lounge branding confuses me. You have Centurion Lounges, which are generally nice. And then you have American Express Lounges, which have similar access requirements. Is this distinction just because they aren’t quite as nice?
In reality the American Express Lounge is beautifully furnished and decorated, and the only thing that differentiates it from a Centurion Lounge is that the food selection isn’t as good. Just expect food quality similar to a Plaza Premium Lounge, and you’ll be fine. On the plus side, they have excellent barista made beverages, which I wish the US Centurion Lounges had. All in all, this is definitely meets a lot of my criteria for some of the best airport lounges.
If you’ve visited one of the Amex Lounges in Australia, what was your experience like?
What is the cost to take a visitor in at AMEX Melbourne
Just left the plaza premium lounge in BNE almost exactly the same as this. Don’t forget nothing could be as bad as the Amex lounge in SYDNEY ( small, dirty, appalling staff, etc , etc)
MEL is my home airport. I visited this lounge last year with a guest and agree with dwondermeant's assessment that this is a 'giant meh'. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and whilst we found a nice seat, the lounge was hot and stuffy, and devoid of natural light (as is the case for numerous lounges here). Food selection was minimal. At least the beer was cold.
On another trip I visited the Air New...
MEL is my home airport. I visited this lounge last year with a guest and agree with dwondermeant's assessment that this is a 'giant meh'. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and whilst we found a nice seat, the lounge was hot and stuffy, and devoid of natural light (as is the case for numerous lounges here). Food selection was minimal. At least the beer was cold.
On another trip I visited the Air New Zealand lounge and that was lovely and spacious, AND has a window
Singapore lounge was packed when I visited. Every J and F passenger for the flight out was hanging out there in that small room. These bunkers get hot and claustrophobic!
The Etihad House lounge upstairs that has great views and a bar with a bartender. If you have access that's a great place to hang out.
@John HK Centurion lounge is every bit of authentic Centurion experience though.
this lounge, as mentioned, is right next to plaza premium. very likely that the caters are the same. I tried both lounges. very similar. the coffees at PP were exceptional though, considering its a PP lounge! I suppose that is Melbourne and the coffee culture.
I'd also be interested in entry (and guest ) requirements for these non-US Amex Lounges. I tried to access the Amex Lounge in Mumbai (with my US Amex Plat), and was told there is a charge for a guest. Considering the Centurion Lounges allow guests, I don't get this restriction.
My experience to this lounge was one giant meh
Its great if you have no other options
It aint no Centurion that's for sure and its small
Can you please add who gets access? Is it the same as the Centurion lounge
https://www.americanexpress.com/au/credit-cards/membership/travel/airportlounge/
Scroll towards the bottom and you will find all the accepted cards to entry.
OK but who gets in to this lounge? Gold Card? Platinum card? And how many guests if any?
Agreed that it is about the same as a Plaza Premium lounge with slightly nicer seating and decor. I was there in October for an evening flight and found it to be just ok - spending about 30 minutes there before heading out. Evening food options were better than the breakfast spreads but not as nice as some other Plaza network lounges I've been to. It didn't get all that crowded during my visit.
My...
Agreed that it is about the same as a Plaza Premium lounge with slightly nicer seating and decor. I was there in October for an evening flight and found it to be just ok - spending about 30 minutes there before heading out. Evening food options were better than the breakfast spreads but not as nice as some other Plaza network lounges I've been to. It didn't get all that crowded during my visit.
My favourite part of the lounge are the single seats along the wall in the rear section. They remind me of the new Qantas business seats and are great for solo travelers.
Was there 16/MAR/19 during the transition from breakfast to lunch. Other than some leftover muffins/pastry no food at all. Was told it will be out in "a while". I had a beverage or two and then went to the Air New Zealand lounge.
DM
Are you sure they have the same access requirements? Most of the Amex lounges in Latin America let you in with a Gold Card, but it's not really advertised.
IE, in MEX, there are three amex lounges. Two let you in with a gold, one is platinum and higher.
The reason for the difference is the US Centurion lounges are overseen by the US card business, while any locations outside the US are overseen by the local market — in this case Australia. These are different business units, so little incentive to coordinate and be aligned on offerings.
Melbourne “Tullamarine” always makes me think of Pam Ann.