I got to Melbourne Airport before 6AM so that I could review several lounges before my 10:35AM Singapore Airlines flight to Singapore.
Continue reading: Review: American Express Lounge Melbourne Airport
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
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.
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.
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
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.
OK but who gets in to this lounge? Gold Card? Platinum card? And how many guests if any?
https://www.americanexpress.com/au/credit-cards/membership/travel/airportlounge/
Scroll towards the bottom and you will find all the accepted cards to entry.
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
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.
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.
@John HK Centurion lounge is every bit of authentic Centurion experience though.
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.
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)