Review: Plaza Premium Lounge Vancouver Airport

Thanks for posting this. We've walked by it a number of times and will again next week on our way to SYD. The YVR MLLs will do quite nicely for us, thank you.

The International departure area is inaccessible from the American one, isn't it? I.e. no access when returning to the States... 🙁

Interested to hear about your boarding experience with Lufthansa First.
In Denver 2 weeks ago, it was Horrible. Incompetent.

Agree. We had a flight a few weeks ago - Vancouver - FRA and we went into the maple leaf and this lounge. Maple Leaf was good compared to US lounges but we thought this lounge was great. Made to order sandwiches and coffee drinks were especially nice.

What currency did you use for your LH redemption?

That lounge looks nicer than a lot of airline lounges, and the spread better than a lot of hotels I've stayed.

I have always wondered though about that "timed" entry thing - do they make you wear a blaze orange sticker saying "Hello, My name is Ben and My access to the lounge expires at 14:32" ? 🙂

As an aside, since you also did this awhile ago. We were on the LH 747 in First Class. The crew were terrible. Flight was still good of course, just not great.
One funny moment a few hours into the flight - the FA walks by and takes my empty water glass. What? I had to push the call button to ask for more water. Flight back to SEA was terrific crew.

Nice report, nice lounge. The AC MLL at YVRInt'l is a zoo since too many flights leave at the same midday hour, good to know there's now an alternative if flying STAR or SKYTEAM (CX lounge is my alternate for OW flying, which is only BA or CX). Reminds me of the new Plaza Premium lounge at HKG I used when flying MH a while back. That one was not a upscale as the CX Pier but had a fine selection of food and quiet corners.

BTW while PP do run a group of lounges at major Canadian airports (in association with Amex), it's a Hong Kong based company. They also operate an Arrivals Lounge at HKG on the lower level which is great if you arrive too early for your airline's check-in to have opened and you must check bags (and couldn't do it at the city centre departure points).

AC MLLs often get too crowded so these are handy alternatives at YYZ T1 (Domestic, Transborder and International), YYZ T3 (Domestic and Int'l) and YEG (Domestic/International). With Amex and Priority Pass out of their AA lounge contracts, it would be nice for PP to open a Transborder lounge at YYZ T3.

GARRETT: Correct, at YVR you can't get to the Int'l departure area from the Transborder (US) departure area. Once you enter the gates for US flights at most all Canadian airports you're technically in the USA having pre cleared US immigration/customs. Up until recently there was just a STAR lounge, the AC MLL, but another new PP has opened to serve this area. (And there's one in the Domestic wing.)

Way better than anything you would get at a US airline lounge

Out of curiosity, how do they enforce the time limit you're given when you pay to enter? Do they actually send lounge agents around to kick people out?

There is a different plaza lounge in YVR for US departures. We were there this past Saturday. The food & drink selection was the same. The club itself is smaller.

Should have seen it when it was under renovation. The temporary lounge they had set-up was a complete disaster. Guested my friends in and they laughed at what was essentially a fenced off part of the terminal with some cookies and softdrinks.

Glad the new one was worth the wait.

@ Garrett -- Correct, though they have a second lounge in the US departures area I believe.

@ Jon DeWaard -- Stay tuned! 😉

@ stvr -- LifeMiles this time around, and will have more details in the trip report.

@ Kevin -- Hah, wondered that as well. No one seemed to be enforcing anything, though I suppose it's possible there weren't any "hourly" guests in the lounge when I was there.

@ ss -- Not sure, sadly. Didn't see anything like that happen while I was there though.

Much nicer than the MLL in the US departures area!

MLL has worthless internet. YVR free internet was much better.

I hope you tease us with some pics of Sicily in addition to the coverage of the air and hotel aspects of your journey. Bring it on! 😉

Looks pretty good for a contract lounge. Nice that we can get in with Priority Pass Select (what you get with Amex Plat).

But I love the AC US lounge so much.... staff talking on their cell phones, yelling from the kitchen, using the computer terminals, collecting the glasses and dishes in the loudest way possible. Such a den of relaxation! Plus it's so clean... not.

Just an addendum...
This lounge features shower facilities and nap rooms. The showers come at no extra cost with the Priority Pass; however, the nap rooms incur a surcharge as posted on the reception desk.

Hi Lucky (Ben)

I'm visiting the international side of Vancouver Airport later this year, and I'm wondering on your thoughts if it's worth paying the $40 CAD (or more) of lounge access?
I understand Vancouver Airport offers free-wifi and some other perks, some I'm wondering if its still worth it.

Thanks for your help!