The ways to get into a lounge
The very best lounges are for business and First Class passengers, and that's where points come in. A business class ticket booked with Avios or Virgin Points gets you the same lounge as someone who paid thousands. For everyday trips, a card with Priority Pass gets you into hundreds of lounges, whatever ticket you hold.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse, Heathrow Terminal 3
- Who gets in
- Virgin Upper Class and Flying Club Gold
- Get in with points
- Book Upper Class with Virgin Points
- Highlights
- Cocktail bar, brasserie, spa treatments
- Terminal
- Heathrow Terminal 3
The Clubhouse is the most fun lounge in London. There's a proper cocktail bar, a brasserie with dishes cooked to order, a games room and a terrace. The spa offers free treatments, but slots go quickly, so book one as soon as you arrive.
It's the start of every Virgin Upper Class flight from Heathrow. See how to book that seat for fewer points in our guide to the best ways to use Virgin Points.
Best for anyone flying Virgin Atlantic Upper Class to the US or the Caribbean.
British Airways Concorde Room, Heathrow Terminal 5
- Who gets in
- British Airways First passengers
- Get in with points
- Book BA First with Avios
- Highlights
- Waiter-served dining, private cabanas
- Terminal
- Heathrow Terminal 5
BA's most exclusive lounge, reserved for First Class passengers and its top frequent flyers. Instead of a buffet, you order from a menu and eat at a proper table. The private cabanas, each with a daybed and bathroom, are a lovely way to start a long trip.
The easiest way in is a First Class ticket booked with Avios, ideally with a Companion Voucher from the BA Amex Premium Plus card. Read our BA Amex review.
Best for a once-in-a-lifetime First Class trip on British Airways.
Amex Centurion Lounge, Heathrow Terminal 3
- Who gets in
- Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders
- Guests
- One guest
- Highlights
- Chef-made food and a cocktail bar
- Terminal
- Heathrow Terminal 3
American Express's own lounge is one of the few really good lounges you can use whatever ticket you hold, as long as you have the right card. Expect restaurant-quality food, a well-stocked bar and a calmer feel than most card lounges.
You need an Amex Platinum card, and you can bring one guest. There's also a Centurion Lounge at Amsterdam Schiphol. Read our full Amex Platinum review.
Best for Amex Platinum cardholders flying from Terminal 3 in any cabin.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge, Doha
- Who gets in
- Qatar Airways business class passengers
- Get in with points
- Book Qatar business class with Avios
- Highlights
- Huge, with restaurants, showers and quiet rooms
- Airport
- Hamad International, Doha
A vast lounge built for long connections. There are several places to eat, plenty of quiet areas to rest, and showers to freshen up before your next flight. On a long layover between the UK and Asia or Australia, it makes the journey feel much shorter.
Book Qatar business class with Avios through Qatar Privilege Club, and you'll fly the Qsuite too. See our guide to the best business class seats.
Best for connecting through Doha to Asia, the Maldives or Australia.
Cathay Pacific The Pier, Hong Kong
- Who gets in
- Cathay Pacific and oneworld business passengers
- Get in with points
- Book Cathay business class with Avios
- Highlights
- Noodle bar, tea house, calm design
- Airport
- Hong Kong International
One of the most beautiful lounges in the world. It's calm, stylish and full of thoughtful touches, from the noodle bar serving freshly made dishes to the tea house. Many travellers rate it as the best business class lounge anywhere.
Cathay Pacific is a oneworld partner, so you can book it with British Airways Avios. Read about the Avios partner airlines.
Best for trips to Hong Kong, or connections onward across Asia and Australia.
Clubrooms, Gatwick South Terminal
- Who gets in
- Priority Pass members, or pay to enter
- Get in with a card
- Amex Gold or Platinum Priority Pass
- Highlights
- Table-service dining
- Terminal
- Gatwick South
Instead of queuing at a buffet, you order from a menu and food is brought to your table. It feels far more like a restaurant than a typical airport lounge, which makes it a favourite for holiday flights from Gatwick.
Best for holiday flights from Gatwick South, in any cabin.
No1 Lounge, Heathrow Terminal 2
- Who gets in
- Priority Pass members, or pay to enter
- Get in with a card
- Amex Gold or Platinum Priority Pass
- Highlights
- Good buffet food and comfortable seating
- Terminal
- Heathrow Terminal 2
A relaxed, comfortable lounge with good-quality food and drinks, and a solid choice if you're flying economy or premium economy from Terminal 2 with a Priority Pass card.
Best for Priority Pass holders flying from Heathrow Terminal 2.
Quick comparison
| Lounge | Airport | Easiest way in |
|---|---|---|
| Virgin Clubhouse | Heathrow T3 | Upper Class with Virgin Points |
| Concorde Room | Heathrow T5 | BA First with Avios |
| Centurion Lounge | Heathrow T3 | Amex Platinum card |
| Al Mourjan | Doha | Qatar business with Avios |
| The Pier | Hong Kong | Cathay business with Avios |
| Clubrooms | Gatwick South | Priority Pass |
| No1 Lounge | Heathrow T2 | Priority Pass |
Lounge tips
- Pre-book Priority Pass lounges. Popular UK lounges fill up in school holidays. Amex Platinum includes pre-booking credits for selected UK lounges.
- Arrive early. The best lounges are worth extra time. Two to three hours before a long-haul flight is ideal.
- Check your terminal. Your lounge has to be in the terminal you fly from, and Heathrow's terminals aren't linked airside.
- Know the guest rules. Amex Gold passes can be used for guests. Platinum includes a free guest on each Priority Pass visit.
- Book a spa slot straight away at lounges like the Virgin Clubhouse, before they're gone.
The best travel credit cards
The UK cards that come with lounge access, and the ones that earn you business class flights.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use a lounge with an economy ticket?
Yes, with a Priority Pass card, an Amex Platinum for Centurion lounges, or airline status. Airline business lounges usually need a business class ticket or status.
Which UK card gives free lounge access?
Amex Platinum gives unlimited Priority Pass visits plus a guest. Amex Gold gives four free visits a year. See our Amex Gold review.
Does a business class ticket on points include the lounge?
Yes. A reward ticket gets the same lounge access as a paid ticket in the same cabin.
Can I bring my partner into the lounge?
It depends on how you get in. Business class tickets cover only you, Amex Platinum's Priority Pass includes one guest, and other routes may charge a guest fee.