Strategy for LHR T5 lounge access with Amex Platinum?

[MajaS]

Hi all,
So like many people I got Amex platinum recently to take advantage of the offers, collect my 75k points etc. I was hoping to use the lounge at LHR T5 on 21st December. I don’t fancy paying the reservation fee with Priority Pass for the Club Aspire lounge as it’s a poor lounge, would pay for Plaza Premium but don’t have that option.

Amex has some words about Platinum “having priviledged access for Plaza Premium” (or something along these lines. Does it mean that Platinum gives you priority access over Priority Pass holders, or is it all the same and clever marketing language?

Before you ask, we are flying economy and I don’t have status to go to the regular BA lounges.

Many thanks for your help,
M

[Yamahareo]

You should be able to access the Plaza Premium lounge with your Platinum; however it looks like they’ve only just reintroduced Plaza Premium to Priority Pass members. It may just be that the website hasn’t been updated yet to reflect this, as in the past, Priority Pass members weren’t able to access Plaza Premium lounges.

[MajaS]

Sorry if I wasn’t clear in my post. Both lounges are now accessible to Priority Pass holders, and both are showing on the Priority Pass app. I expect both to be rammed as a result. Just checking if anyone had a sense whether Amex Platinum would give priority access to Plaza Premium over the Priority Pass holders (excuse the pun)? Or should I just forget about using these “perk” lounges next week…

[phil-lavin]

There’s little to no chance of getting into either lounge on 21 Dec without a booking. You can book Plaza Premium on Dragonpass if you have it. If you don’t want to pay to book Aspire or Dragonpass then maybe you can use the Priority Pass restaurant credit somewhere in T5 (if there’s anywhere Amex PP includes)

[TooPoorToBeHere]

AIUI Amex Platinum gives access to Plaza Premium lounges *via Priority Pass membership* or also *as an Amex benefit*. I think you are likely to be refused access to a non-pre-booked Plaza Premium *using either* if it’s really busy, but this is a guess. I have been admitted to both when they were completely full, with no seats available, using Priority Pass…poor, but the terminal was worse.

There’s not much difference between Aspire and Plaza Premium at T5; they’re at opposite ends of the terminal (underneath the BA North / South ones). At Plaza Premium there is a shower (which may or may not work, and I think is chargeable as an extra) and the toilets are inside the lounge whereas at Aspire the toilets are outside a short walk away; this makes PP slightly better if you have younger kids with you.

If you get Priority Pass from Amex then it doesn’t give the restaurant credit; if you have Priority Pass via some other means then you do get the restaurant credit.

The whole terminal is likely to be absolutely rammed full and the lounges certainly won’t be quiet – but even when they’re busy, they’re better than sitting out in the terminal. I’d probably suck it up and pay to reserve. Ideally, the one nearest the gate you’ll be using…but I doubt you’ll be able to find that out in advance.

FWIW Aspire/PP drinks are quite limited compared to the BA lounges, and Aspire/Plaza P have a “queue up for the single barperson” setup designed to slow drinking down, whereas the food is certainly no worse and sometimes better than BA.

[ukdoctor]

Are the showers at the Plaza chargeable if you enter with Amex card directly (I know that you have to pay if you use the priority pass given by Amex)

I remember reading somewhere that if you have the option of using Plaza with either Amex direct or the PP from Amex then you had more perks if you use Amex direct

I use the Plaza at T2 at least once a month and the food and beverage options are not great.. I often use the restaurant credit that I get with PP from a non Amex card at the Big smoke tapas bar and restaurant and then head over to the plaza for a sit down ans maybe some soft drinks.

It’s been a while since I’ve been to the T5 Plaza ( was denied entry last two times)

[Iona]

Data point: In T5 Plaza at the moment. They’ve got the virtual queue QR code up outside but still had a little space so we were able to get straight in (it’s very busy though).

North security was busy, south quiet (although it did feature the entire Hertha Berlin U21 squad) and the airport itself doesn’t seem that busy so I suspect that in another week’s time the virtual queue will be in operation.