Who can use the British Airways airport lounge Elemis Spa?

In this article I want to look at who can use the spas in British Airways departure lounges, and how you can book a treatment.

As part of its lounge offerings, British Airways operates a network of Elemis Spas in conjunction with Elemis, a British spa and skincare brand.

EDIT: This article is now out of date.  British Airways closed all of its lounge spas during the pandemic and will not be re-opening them.

The spas are located within British Airways departure or arrivals lounges, only accessible to customers travelling in business class, first class, or those who hold Executive Club Silver or Gold status.  Elemis Spas are found at London Heathrow and New York JFK Airports in the following locations:

• Heathrow:
• Terminal 5A South lounge
• Terminal 5B lounge
• Terminal 5 arrivals lounge
• Terminal 3 departure lounge
• New York JFK:
• Terminal 7 lounge

If you are flying on a first or business class ticket, you are entitled to a free 15 minute treatment. This is also available for Executive Club Gold members who are flying long haul.

At Heathrow Terminal 3 and JFK Terminal 7, the complimentary treatments are only for travellers on British Airways operated flights. If you’re in the lounge on oneworld status you’re sadly out of luck.

If you are on a first class ticket, you can pre-book a slot at either the Terminal 3 lounge or Terminal 5A South lounge up to 28 days before departure. All others can be booked at the lounge reception on arrival.  However …. be warned …. spa treatments are very popular and your chances of getting a slot are slim unless you are travelling first class and can pre-book.

(This article is part of our ‘BA Q&A’ series which explains how British Airways Club works.  You can see all of our ‘BA Q&A’ articles here. )

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How to earn Avios from UK credit cards (May 2025)

As a reminder, there are various ways of earning Avios points from UK credit cards.  Many cards also have generous sign-up bonuses!

In February 2022, Barclaycard launched two exciting new Barclaycard Avios Mastercard cards with a bonus of up to 25,000 Avios. You can apply here.

You qualify for the bonus on these cards even if you have a British Airways American Express card:

Barclaycard Avios Plus Mastercard

Get 25,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £10,000 Read our full review

Barclaycard Avios Mastercard

Get 5,000 Avios for signing up and an upgrade voucher at £20,000 Read our full review

There are two official British Airways American Express cards with attractive sign-up bonuses:

British Airways American Express Premium Plus Card

30,000 Avios and the famous annual Companion Voucher voucher Read our full review

British Airways American Express Credit Card

5,000 Avios for signing up and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending £15,000 Read our full review

You can also get generous sign-up bonuses by applying for American Express cards which earn Membership Rewards points. These points convert at 1:1 into Avios.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

Run your own business?

We recommend Capital on Tap for limited companies. You earn 1 Avios per £1 which is impressive for a Visa card, and the standard card is FREE. Capital on Tap cards also have no FX fees.

Capital on Tap Visa

NO annual fee, NO FX fees and points worth 1 Avios per £1 Read our full review

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

There is also a British Airways American Express card for small businesses:

British Airways American Express Accelerating Business Card

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

There are also generous bonuses on the two American Express Business cards, with the points converting at 1:1 into Avios. These cards are open to sole traders as well as limited companies.

The American Express Business Platinum Card

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

The American Express Business Gold Card

20,000 points sign-up bonus and FREE for a year Read our full review

Click here to read our detailed summary of all UK credit cards which earn Avios. This includes both personal and small business cards.