Do you know that American Express has a private lounge for cardholders at the O2 Arena?

I was having a look at the reservations process for the American Express lounge at the O2 Arena last week, and noticed that it has changed entirely in the last year or so.

I thought it was worth running over the new details today, especially as Amex is offering a free drink to all guests.

A few years ago, American Express expanded its ‘Experiences’ programme – which gets cardholders early access to tickets for certain cultural events – by opening a private Amex lounge at the O2 Arena. They made quite a fuss about it at the time but you may well have forgotten that it exists by now.

The procedure for getting in has changed entirely.

In the past, you had to register online up to 14 days before the event.  This has all gone.  There is now NO advance booking allowed until the day itself.

This is the new process:

“If you have already bought your tickets to an arena event at The O2, London, you have the opportunity to access this Lounge. Simply make your way to The Guests Services Hub under the ICON Staircase and show your American Express Card with a valid  show ticket to secure up to 4 passes per Cardmember, should they be available.

Passes are provided on a first come, first served basis. Capacity is limited so access cannot be guaranteed. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

The Lounge is located on the ground floor of The O2. If you have managed to secure a pass at The Guest Services Hub, enter the arena through the VIP lanes at Entrance B and show your pass for entry to the lounge.

Yes, getting a lounge pass also allows you to use the shorter VIP entrance queues as well.

Full details are on the American Express website here.

Get a free drink at the American Express lounge at the O2

Until the end of 2019, American Express cardholders can get a free drink in the lounge between 6pm and 7pm.

This is how it works:

To redeem one complimentary drink, Cardmembers must present their American Express Card to collect a voucher from the venue host located at the welcome desk in the American Express Lounge, The O2. The Lounge is located by Entrance B after entering the VIP lanes and security bag searches and scan of event ticket. 

At the point of service at the bar or from the reserved table service, hand over the voucher to a member of the bar or waiting staff to claim one complimentary drink.

Only the products listed below are included in the promotional offer.

One glass of single house spirit and mixer (Vodka: Eristoff, Gin: Bombay Sapphire, Rum: Bacardi Carta Blanka (white Rum), Bacardi Oakheart (spiced rum), Whisky: Jack Daniel’s, Cognac Martell VS, Tequila: El Jimador Blanco)

One glass 125ml house red (Fico Grande Sangiovese Di Romagna Poderi Dal Nespoli, Italy), rose (Conto Vecchio Pinto Grigio Blush, Italy) or white wine (Tasari Inxolia Terre Siciliane)

One bottle of beer or cider (Beer: Budweiser (330ml) 4.8% ABV, Corona (330ml) 4.5% ABV, Bass Ale (500ml) 4.4% ABV, Leffe (330ML) 6.6% ABV, Hoegaarden (330ML) 4.9% ABV, Beck’s Blue (275ml) 0.05% ABV / Cider: Bulmers Original (330ml) 4.5% ABV, Bulmers Crushed Red Berries and Lime (330ml) 4.0% ABV, Old Mout Kiwi & Lime (500ml) 4.0% ABV, Old Mout Pomegranate & Strawberry (500ml) 4.0% ABV, Stella Cidre (500ml) 4.5% ABV)

Non-alcoholic option applicable to all soft drinks (Tonic Water/Slim Line Tonic, Soda Water ½ pint, Coca Cola ½ pint, Diet Coke ½ pint, Sprite ½ pint, Fanta Orange, Buxton Still, Buxton Sparking, Cranberry Juice, Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice)

Full details of the free drink offer can be found on this page of the American Express website.

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Want to earn more points from credit cards? – April 2024 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit card, here are our top recommendations based on the current sign-up bonuses.

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