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The Aspire lounge network is offering 15% off your next visit to one of its UK sites.  If you don’t have a Priority Pass then this is one way of saving money on your next trip.

Aspire lounges we have reviewed include – click for the review:

15% discount on Aspire airport lounges

You must use this link to book to receive your 15% discount, which will show automatically at check-out.  The offer closes on 13th January but you can book for a future date.

Getting airport lounge access for free from a credit card

How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (April 2024)

Here are the four options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,300 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here. You can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

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If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum instead.

American Express Business Platinum

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American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

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HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £195 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

A huge bonus, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.

Category

General

Comments (182)

This article is closed to new comments. Feel free to ask your question in the HfP forums.

  • Alex says:
    10 Jan10 January 08:09

    Has anyone mentioned yet that the ba charges are not taxes? 🙂

  • Wally1976 says:
    10 Jan10 January 09:09

    OT – I know this has been asked before but can anyone recommend any Hilton or Marriott hotels in London (central-ish) where it is possible to book a redemption room for a family of 4? Thanks.

    • Tony says:
      10 Jan10 January 09:15

      +1 The only option I can find is CP @ kings x at 35k points pre devaluation. Note that the hotel claims will charge £36 pp from the 3rd guest

    • Oh Matron! says:
      10 Jan10 January 11:00

      Booked the Metropole for Sis and offspring in feb, so you should be okay there

    • Relaxo says:
      10 Jan10 January 15:17

      Marriott Maida Vale has good sized 2x double bed rooms.

    • Steve-B says:
      10 Jan10 January 19:16

      I’ve just booked the Crowne Plaza – City, using my Creation earned voucher with a room for 4.

  • Kayleigh says:
    10 Jan10 January 09:36

    OT Cathay Pacific and Asia Miles Waitlist (sorry in advance for long post)
    Hi everyone, thanks so much for all your help with my previous questions, and all the articles so far which has helped me learn so much about travel redemptions. I’m planning and booking my first trip with points – Australia for Christmas 2019.
    We’ve got a 2-4-1 BA voucher which I have successfully booked in for an open jaw flight NCL->LHR->HKG in First and then BKK->LHR->NCL in Business (I know everyone says terrible things about the business offering on BKK->LHR route but it was the flight that made most sense to us.)
    Before anyone asks, we don’t have enough points to get all the way to Australia, which is why we only used the 2-4-1 to Asia!
    To make the leg to Australia, we had waitlisted 3 flights (hedging our bets) through Cathay Pacific using AsiaMiles (have already transferred some from Amex Gold MR but need to do another churn to get all the miles required) We were expecting the waitlist to clear much nearer the time, giving us enough time to earn the necessary points. However we have just received notification that one of our waitlist flights has become available, and “to ensure your booking, please issue ticket before 22:00 Fri 29 Nov 2019”. Does this really mean we have almost a year to gather all the necessary points?!?! If so, that’s crazy, and I’d be surprised why the system doesn’t get abused more if that really is the case! Everything I had read online said you generally have 10days-ish to pay up but that doesn’t seem to be what notification is suggesting. Anyone have any experience or insight with this?
    Many thanks

    • Hugh says:
      10 Jan10 January 13:53

      I will be interested to hear how this pans out! I didn’t even know waitlisting was possible until I read this!

      • JamesLHR says:
        10 Jan10 January 14:09

        Having worked at Cathay, waitlisting is extremely common with the locals in HKG and Asia when booking flights, especially reward flights.

        You would quite often go into the records at check-in and there would be scores of different flights listed in their PNR as waitlist with only 1 flight ticketed which had cleared to HK from WL.

        AM is quite nice to it’s users, we never charged for changing bookings at the airport either. You could book for one flight, miss it and transfer onto the next one free of charge!

      • Kayleigh says:
        10 Jan10 January 21:59

        I’ll let you know what happens! Also posted in Flyer Talk today and someone said you usually get an email the next day with your payment deadline. We shall see…

  • Crafty says:
    10 Jan10 January 09:40

    OT: Does anyone have a generic Iberia customer service email address that works? They are refusing to reply to my email to the clasica account because my query doesn’t concern the loyalty programme!

    • The Original Nick says:
      10 Jan10 January 10:27

      I’m pretty sure Harry left one in comments somewhere a while back but finding that might be a task. He’s not around at the moment AFAIK.

  • gary says:
    10 Jan10 January 09:40

    (“I think journalists should be highlighting this”

    Middle class people have to pay a bit more for their business class flights.

    Doesn’t make much of a story.)

    As someone who also works in financial services I can categorically state that Middle Class people with money to invest or save will get lots of press and coverage if the charges are too high or even worse hidden!

  • funkypigeon says:
    10 Jan10 January 09:44

    OT: Some inspiration needed.

    I have a BA 2-4-1 voucher and 193,000 Avios in my household account.
    Really want to go to Tokyo but noticed this is around 444,000 Avios return First Class (no issue with the 2-4-1 voucher) but around £1100 in taxes.

    I don’t know if there is another place that’s excellent to visit but would cost less Avios and less taxes? It might be an option to go FC and return CW. Is there a massive difference between the two?

    Some advice and inspiration as to how you would spend the above would be appreciated.

    • RTS says:
      10 Jan10 January 09:49

      Go Tokyo and don’t fly First? Fly business. Unless you are of course adamant in wanting to try 1st?

      Fwiw – i flew 1st to Tokyo on a 241 back in 2015. Would i do it again in 1st? No. I personally do not think 1st is worth the amount of avios required. CW is sufficient in my opinion but that’s just me.

      • funkypigeon says:
        10 Jan10 January 10:13

        I have never flown first class before, so it’s a dream. I would very much like to do it!

        • Genghis says:
          10 Jan10 January 10:15

          Whereas I think F is worth the difference. I sleep much better.

        • Alan says:
          10 Jan10 January 10:18

          Having never flown first, or even, business class, I would feel like I am wasting eth experience by sleeping through it!
          Obviously, if you are a regular traveller in the higher classes this wouldn’t be an issue

        • RTS says:
          10 Jan10 January 10:29

          If that’s the case then, I would fly out in 1st and back in CW. If you can fly offpeak, you can save a few more miles.

          This should help you find suitable peak/offpeak dates: https://baredemptionfinder.com/

        • Genghis says:
          10 Jan10 January 11:04

          If you want to fly F on that route as a first F experience, fly to NRT (uses 789) and not HND (uses 77W), even though HND generally much more convenient.

      • Mark says:
        10 Jan10 January 10:22

        I don’t think the taxes (and charges) are much different between F and CW? Have you priced the taxes in both? Sadly after the recent hike the charges for a reward seat are considerable but you are paying £550 per person for a F return (i know you have to figure out the cost of avois and the 241) but in my mind, even taking that all into account I think thats a good price. Also sounds like you are going over the peak period, could you move these to off peak and reduce the avoid to 200k using a 241?

        If you are really put off by the taxes, you could book Hong Kong as 2 single and the taxes will drop due to the restrictions on the return taxes from HK.

      • Adrian says:
        10 Jan10 January 11:03

        In part replying to RTS’s comment on don’t fly first. I think this is poor advice. To start with you have to find availability but that’s another issue. The extra Avios required are minor vs CW and the taxes (only teasing, YQ charges) are the same! If it were the case that you could book CW and save Avios and £300-400 in YQ then that would make sense.
        The charges BA level now are eye-watering £1333.64 for 2 to ATL in F. With some of the flash sales we’ve seen this week and generally lower cash prices (especially if you’re willing to travel EX-EU or INV etc.) even with a 2-4-1 sometimes the numbers don’t add up. As Rob highlighted a few days ago BA have done a brilliant job of already de-valuing Avios even before they announce any actual changes to BAEC and largely no-one has twigged this.

      • Lady London says:
        10 Jan10 January 15:57

        My same feeling about SEA. Even though done on A380

      • Nick_C says:
        10 Jan10 January 19:28

        I flew out to NRT in F last month, back in CW. 192000 Avios with a 241. (Outbound was off peak, return was peak. ) Was only 27000 extra to fly out in F.

        Was my first time in F, and I would recommend it outbound so you can use the First Wing and CCR at LHR. But also because you get a fast track card to use on arrival at NRT.

        On our way to the Immigration Desks, we showed our cards to a lady who took us to a desk that was immediately opened especially for us. Was nice for the VIP treatment to continue after landing.

        F was a good use of Avios as well as I don’t have status so don’t get free seat reservations in CW.

        Returning in CW, the JAL lounge at NRT was the best I’ve been to (although Prosecco, no Champagne)

    • CV3V says:
      10 Jan10 January 10:19

      Fly on off peak dates. Fly in CW for one of the flights, just depends on availability of cabins. Are they different? Yes. Does it matter, no not really, the quality of the champagne is lower (although on recent flight in F they had to serve the CW champagne as they had ran out of LPGS on the outbound flight), but it hardly matters to me. Fly out in F so you can try the Concorde Lounge.

      Not much to be saved on the taxes/carriers imposed charges etc etc. by going to other destinations as on a 2-4-1 you need to book a return flight, not unless you can start your flight in Inverness or Jersey.

      • The Original Nick says:
        10 Jan10 January 11:51

        @CV3V. Thanks for the help with the Caesars total rewards matching to Diamond a few days ago. I’ve managed to get my Mum up to Diamond so resort fees waived etc. Hilton Gold to Wyndham Diamond to Total rewards Diamond. She’ll be staying at Caesars Palace with her friend. All booked. Thanks.

        • CV3V says:
          10 Jan10 January 12:18

          Great result, that was quick. As mentioned in one of my replies, they dont add the $100 dinner credit until you show up at the Total Rewards desk, then it start the process (email) and it doesnt load until Thursdays, so would be worth a phone call advising they are booked in and coming. The free show tickets are available without issue, if you search internet you will find a list of the free shows (only those at Caesars properties).

        • CV3V says:
          10 Jan10 January 12:20

          Make sure your mum goes to the Total Rewards desk on her arrival, and ask for a physical card (or use the app), she can then do a fair bit of queue jumping for restaurants and shows.

        • Rob mc says:
          10 Jan10 January 15:53

          I actually think it expires on the 31st January as that is when they check to see if you have enough tier points to remain diamond. You may have been better off waiting til after..unless the stay is before then

    • TripRep says:
      10 Jan10 January 10:47

      “£1100 in Taxes” lol.

      Have you not read the comments above? 🙂

    • Benilyn says:
      10 Jan10 January 10:57

      I’ve never booked a BA reward flight (my caveat lol), but is it not 240,000 avios return on First London to Tokyo during peak? (source: BA redemption finder)

  • chris says:
    10 Jan10 January 09:50

    re First flights on Nashville route – I’ve flight booked in June 241 business. Ive looked online around my dates, no 1st seats are showing available anywhere, could it be that the plane switch has not been implemented on the BA avios booking site yet? or have they just all been taken?

    • Scallder says:
      10 Jan10 January 10:07

      First seats are never guaranteed by BA for redemption – only 2 business and 4 economy. It might be that they aren’t offering any for that date, however keep an eye on it as it can change between now and then

      • Polly says:
        10 Jan10 January 17:49

        Amazed by how many F seats were available when we were booking out HKG in F and back from KUL…think they must release them if they don’t sell…

        In Dublin airport lounge, scraps being served, wish they would up the standards here, but the prosecco is good!

    • Mzungu says:
      10 Jan10 January 15:50

      I was in a very similar position – I’d booked for late April, but due to availability (partly) I took flights to ATL, then going to tour via Nashville. I just found BA website showing 4 seats in F available for the same date.

      I just called BA and changed my booking from ATL to BNA – additional taxes and charges of £54.68 per seat in addition to the £35 change fee (increase from £614.14 to £668.82). BNA is 31 fewer miles than ATL!!

  • Benylin says:
    10 Jan10 January 10:38

    OT: 2019 referrals, made one on 2-Jan for my partner for SPG, application was pending review, card arrived today. Referral points have not posted to me.

    I know some have received there 2019 referral points already, where they for immediate acceptances?

    • RTS says:
      10 Jan10 January 10:46

      I think it really does vary. Sometimes points post a day or two after acceptance. Other times it takes 2 or 3 days post card arriving.

    • Andy says:
      10 Jan10 January 11:09

      They might post to your account as soon as your partner activates the card.

      • Benilyn says:
        10 Jan10 January 18:16

        @Andy – yes as soon as it was activated, got them posted within the hour! 1/5 done!

    • Craig says:
      10 Jan10 January 12:41

      I applied for a card on the 28th December and referral points have only just posted today.

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