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?
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