Best lounge to pay for in Heathrow Terminal 2

[TheJackal]

Hi all, live in Ireland and use T2 in Heathrow once or twice a year with Aer Lingus.

Never been to an airport lounge and thinking I’d try one in T2 next time I’m there.

I see the new No. 1 lounge gets good reviews and is near Aer Lingus gates. But that only does cold food? Usually I’d be getting evening flights home so hot food preferred but not a deal breaker.

I see 3 hours is standard pass time, which is fine. If you have a longer layover is the 3-hours limit enforced?

Not to sound too Irish here, but do they have a drinks limit? I’m not a big drinker but would you be close to break-even on the lounge pass cost?

[MikeP]

You have to go to T2B, but I always skip the Priority Pass lounges and head for the United Club. You can buy a 1 day pass.

Little pricier than the likes of No1 or Plaza Premium, but it’s a great lounge. Possibly my favourite at Heathrow. Decent food and a great bar.

[The Savage Squirrel]

I’ve been in plenty of lounges and I’ve never EVER been in any lounge where cash entry is available where I would have paid the full-price cash cost and thought “yes that was worth it”. I do admit that may be different if you really needed/wanted a shower or rest area and those facilities were available.

I know food in airport terminal restaurants is often less than epic, but trust me it’s worse in lounges – particularly hot food – unless you believe that spending time under a heat lamp adds flavour. If we ascribe pretty limmited value to the food – and we should – then you’re going to have to drink an unwise amount to make up the United day fee if your purpose for choosing to visit a lounge is to “break even”.

[John]

I don’t think you can access UA even with payment when you’re flying EI?

UA lounge may be worth paying for as a one-off if you have never been and do not expect to have future opportunities to go. I think it’s around USD 50-60.

I’ve never thought any No.1 Lounge was worth paying for, with the exception of, for instance, a party of five passengers of whom four already have access. Splitting the cost of one paid entry among all 5 would be worthwhile, if it is desirable for the whole party to stay together.