LHR Terminal 3 Lounge Crawl - 7 OneWorld Lounges Reviewed and Ranked! It was a hard afternoon....
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ค. 2024
- For some time now I've wanted to share the 7 lounges available to Oneworld Emerald / BA Gold Card holders at London Heathrow's Terminal 3. This was actually my third attempt to travel through the terminal after one cancellation and after Iberia shifted operations to T5 after I booked... But finally I had the opportunity to travel through en route to Prague on the first leg of my Gold card renewal tier point run.
There are a total of 12 lounges in the terminal - an amazing total - and in this video I'll also talk about the other 5 and explain when you can access them... And I'll attempt to rank all 12.
⭐ #loungereview #LHRTerminal3 #MattsPlanet ⭐
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⏰ Timestamps:
0:00 - Intro
2:32 - Into the terminal
4:45 - Lounge #7
6:57 - Lounge #6
9:03 - Lounge #5
11:42 - Lounge #4
14:36 - Lounge #3
17:01 - Lounge #2
20:09 - Lounge #1
23:30 - The other 5 Lounges
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you. This video may not be copied or reproduced without written permission.
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What an absolute trooper you are putting in this effort for your viewers! Legend mate!
Thanks! I do feel I need to do a sleepless night on an overnight ferry to or from Aberdeen to balance things out a bit... Or perhaps I'll just leave that to you!!
It could have been a glorified pub crawl around the T3 lounges ...🤣
I think this is one of your best videos. Its something that no-one else has done and is quite interesting.
Thanks so much! One I'd tried to make twice before but just couldn't get a route through T3 to stick!!!
Amazing to see the different lounges Matt. And it's also amazing too see how much the channel has grown, I remember stumbling across one of your videos when you know what was still a big thing, I think i was the 46th sub to the channel now your on 12k. Keep the good work up 🎉🎉✈️✈️
Thanks Brandon! I do remember many of the "early adopters" of the channel! I think I've been lucky to hit a sweetspot in the algorithm and have had some strong growth. Lots of channels out there that are objectively much better than mine but have just had no luck!
I said weven before the video began, the 2 top lounges would be the Virgin Clubhouse and Cathay First. Great to know my radar is in tune!
Back in the clubhouse in September so I'll see if it needs to get a promotion then!
Post covid that centurion lounge saved my bacon when I was stuck in T3 without silver status and the priority pass lounges were both full, and literally every seat in every bar was taken…I was gasping for a drink then I saw the ad for the centurion lounge…was so happy! It’s a gem.
Thanks a lot for this vid, it looked like a fun crawl, a few drinks went down for sure!!
Thanks Jonny - I enjoy making every video, but this one was a bit special!!!
This content is excellent and very useful. I currently have Priority Pass and LoungeKey accounts, so I can't access the top-tier lounges. However, it's nice to see what's happening in those exclusive lounges.
What's happening is that they may not be as exclusive as you might think!!
What a great video! Exactly what I was looking for, took this exact flight last week and only as a silver still had a great time. I do agree that the Qantas lounge is a totally different beast when the restaurant is open.
Thanks Jamie - I probably ranks 2 when the restaurant is open, a slot or two lower when it isn't!
Thanks for another very informative lounge review. Always enjoy watching your videos. 👍
Thanks! Enjoyed making this one!
Nicely done, Matt - great video🙌
Thanks Matt
Thanks Matt! Fantastic work.
Pleased you appreciated the sacrifices I made for your entertainment!!
Not even watched this yet but anticipate it will be great viewing!! Keep this up, real world travel information. Visit this lot regularly myself and interested to see your thoughts. Thank you. After viewing, never knew there was a centurion lounge, I'll be finding that.
Cheers Alex. You need the right card for the Centurion....
Oh I have it! Usually only use Centurion in the US @@MattsPlanet
Really good vid. Looking forward to a similar crawl at Christmas
Indeed!
Only been in the business lounges there but here's my ranking.
1. Cathay - Fantastic seating and ambience.
2. BA - Decent booze, good breakfast buffet and comfy seating
3. Qantas - Nice lounge and like the bar and sit down restaurant, but the seating isn't very comfortable. Not somewhere you can "relax in".
4. American Airlines - Same reasons as Matt. Don't waste your time.
Thanks Adam. The Englishness of the BA buffet breakfast is an attraction if that's how you like to start your day - good point!!!
Thanks for this Matt, I've never really explored the lounges at Heathrow and fly out of T3 often so this is really interesting. I can't believe they told you off for filming a menu though!
Indeed - he was really grumpy about it!!! Booking a T3 trip soon now???
Thanks, Matt.
I've soft landed from G to S (no regrets, as I gather things aren't back to normal). F lounges are off the menu for a bit.
The CX lounge was always the sweet spot, if it's not busy. The ladies there remembered me - always nice. There's a little nook down the end in the business class area if you need to conduct work calls.
I do wish that more airports offered outdoor areas like CDG, SIN, and RIX. If I want to breathe stuffy, old air, I'll get that on the flight.
Prague's always wonderful (though the airport's not well connected). Lucky you, have a great time.
Thanks Peter - being silver really isn't a huge punishment through T3!
@@MattsPlanet My next flight's T5 on my birthday next month.
I've hosted people in the past, and wlll plead on 97 to spare me running up to T5B and back 🙂
Great video. Never tried any of these, but can give a shout out for Emirates in T3. Several million light years ahead of BA Gallery Lounges in T5. Whilst looking for the Emirates lounge, an Emirates buggy swung past and took us to the door; great staff welcoming and in the lounge; good food, excellent champagne and wines; excellent apron views- your plane is parked literally outside the window; and you board direct from the lounge, which takes about 5 minutes. Very very civilised.
Thanks Charles. I mentally struggle to book onto Emirates (or Etihad) from the UK as a) I dislike the APD so tend to start long haul trips outside the UK and b) I'm focussing on the airlines in the major alliances, which excludes those two... Although I suppose the Qantas codeshare angle might give me an excuse!!
Excellent report, Matt. I've only visited one T3 lounge but been in it three times. Virgin every time for me. I've been in a few business lounges round the world but Virgin wins closely followed by Qantas business lounge in Brisbane where the also have a fabulous sweet corner and super friendly staff both in the lounge and at check-in
I recently visited the Al Safwa first class lounge in Doha - that was pretty special... That video will be along soon and should be worth a watch!!
Lovely and informative video Matt. I had the pleasure of visiting Cathay Pacific and Quantas lounges earlier this year during my TP run . I really enjoyed the food offering at Cathay Pacific lounge . I must say you are very generous in giving BA lounges a decent high opinion, but my experience has been that the food is absolutely disgusting, and the staff extremely rude and unprofessional. (Probably my experience)… Also I feel a lot of the staff in some lounges do not engage with the travellers and have a I don’t care attitude .
Thank you once again sharing this wonderful video. At T3 Cathay Pacific lounges are the best !
Thanks Vic - I didn't eat in either BA lounge this time but I have previously in the F lounge and it was ok.... Guess I assumed the club lounge was also ok given it was mostly the same food!!!
Great review i enjoy watching your reviews greetings from the Netherlands
Dank u wel!
Nice video, very enjoyable Matt! I did a marathon of the business lounges in late July.
Thanks Jett - late July so you should have recovered by now?
@@MattsPlanet Just about, you can check out my cheeky lounge misadventures in my recent AY A350 upload... It was worth it!
I would argue that it isn’t really fair to compare the T3 Cathay lounge to the Al Safwa or CCR, as those are at their airlines’ main hubs, whereas this is an outstation for Cathay.
The Cathay F lounge in T3 is certainly one of the best outstation lounges in the world
Excellent point! Off to Hong Kong next month so I'll be able to see how The Pier and The Wing compare and report back!
Having been to both, I'd probably raid Cathay's F lounge for the scran then go and sit in their business lounge. I've never seen the F lounge that quiet. Always feels a tad too busy for my liking, while the business side seems far more chilled. If they washed the bloody windows once in a while, it'd be perfect.
Brilliant comment! I think the Cathay F lounge secret was well out before I made this video!!!
It's Cathay Business all the way for me! I love warm wood and all the plain white in the AA and other lounges DOES--as you say--often increase the feel of cafeteria-ism. I want lounges that feel warm and calm, not industrial. I got to experience A3's new ATH lounge two weeks ago and was *completely* happy and cozy w/the warm blue and not-quite-light browns.
Extra bonus: they had takeaway pocket meat for the flight. 😅
Thanks Kevin - I got to the new non-Shenghen lounge in ATH and really liked it - I gather the Shenghen one is now re-done too and I'm keen to try it.... Need something to renew my Aegean early next year which will be the opportunity....
Loved the video. I agree with your choices pretty much.
Thanks for watching
I've only been there once but the Emirates lounge was very pleasant and relaxing when I visited. Great to see the options at T3, sweets included 🍬
Ah, the sweets... I'll do Emirates one day but I'm really allergic to the APD so always look to start long haul trips outside the UK.
One day I'll make into the Cathay Pacific 1st Class Lounge. Thanks for the info + video!
They've taken away the free pour champagne since my visit.... The place was getting too popular so you have to request it now.... I do feel some guilt for this development!
Thanks for schlepping through the AA and BA lounges so we don’t have to. I’ve been in the Qantas and Cathay business lounges in T3 as a silver before flying AA and BA out of T3. Preferred the Cathay lounge but did like the Qantas gin bar … the gin with ants in it is interesting. Now I’m gold, I’m looking forward to trying the Cathay first class lounge on upcoming trips on JAL to Tokyo and BA to Vancouver out of T3. I’m looking forward even more to trying JAL’s first class lounge at Tokyo Haneda which looks something truly special.
Thanks Derek. It is interesting that JAL doesn't feel they need their own lounge in London, which you presume is a key destination for them. They have one in FRA which is quite nice.... They must have assumed that there's enough already there!
@@MattsPlanet can’t imagine there’s enough room for any more at T3!
You're spot on with your assumptions of where the 3 Amex Platinum lounges would rank. The food in the Amex Centurion lounge is some of the best I've had in any lounge in the world with a fantastic breakfast menu with a twist and a great Indian theme to the dishes during the afternoon and evening. The downside being the lack of natural lighting.
I was hoping you could share your email with me again. I was planning on sharing my excel analysis doc of the UK platinum card with you earlier in the year but now I'm coming to the end of my first year I've got a good 12 months of analysis to send. Ive taken over 40 flights in the last year so I feel I can give you a good overview and potentially help inform the video you're planning on doing about it.
Keep up the good work!!!
Thanks! There's an email in the description to every video - a little bit hidden perhaps and I put gaps in it so bots can't pick it up and spam me, but it should be decodable!!!
I'm in Qantas business Lounge now for the first time. It is sooo much better than BA's business. I feel the urge to go downstairs to the gin bar...cheers again Matt for this educational video :)
Thanks Dave - hope you enjoyed the squid!
While not a oneworld hub, Singapore has a surprising number of oneworld lounges. I managed to get in (ranked best to worst)
- QF First
- QR "Premium"
- QF Business
- BA First
- BA Business
Plus, a plethora of admittedly poor third-party lounges + CX which I could've winged over to in SIN T4!
Great video as always, Matt :)
Thanks Callum. Went through SIN on StarAlliance and I think the Singapore lounge was so good none of the other partner airlines bothered to open their own!
I think you could be right... Thai didn't bother reopening after 2020!
Excellent timing as we’re off to T3 tomorrow morning. Just for a brief 6 hours before departure. I suspect mainly in the Cathay lounge, for the views of course.
Just the 6 hours! Excellent work... I understand the (ahem) views are superb there!
Great analysis Matt.
Thanks Mike
Great review. Nice to see how the other side lives. :)
Thanks Mr H. Its not super hard to get to Silver so perhaps 4 of the 7 lounges is not wildly out of reach???
Very good review
Thanks!
Cracking video Derek.
Thanks... Clive???
Great video as always. I agree with your ranking except that I might place Cathay's business lounge ahead of Qantas, but it's a close call. Given that any lounge is (usually) better than no lounge, it's great to have such a variety at Terminal 3.
Thanks - I think Qantas is 3rd when there's no Qantas flights and 2nd when there is! Too difficult to communicate in the video though! Thanks for watching
Really great and interesting video! I especially enjoy your humour. I will attain BA Silver soon and it's really helpful to know I will be able to use Cathay Pacific Business Lounge (which I have visited once and really liked) as an alternative to the BA Business Lounge (which I also visited and liked mainly on the basis it is much better than the T5 Galleries). The Qantas Business looks quite appealing too. I'd say your ranking was very reasonable.
Thanks - as I try to stress in the video, the lounges at the bottom of the list are not bad options, there's just better options in the terminal! Enjoy being silver!
@@MattsPlanetwould say the one redeeming feature of the AA business lounge is that it’s really quiet and peaceful when I was there
Terrific video. For one thing, it makes me feel quite good that I won't travel enough this year to get Gold and I'm likely to stick with Silver for at least one more year. Seems like I'm not missing much, at least at T3.
Thanks! There's a couple of highlights for goldies in T3, but silver is plenty good enough for a great experience!
So I'm going to Prague coming November with Lufthansa.... In business.. which I've never thought I would..
Guess who's to blame for getting me to book this Matt? 😅 Yes you did that with your down-to-earth content. Dubai last year in Economy, to now my first solo (EU) businessclass ever. You inspire and educate, thanks mate. I even went crazy in the itinerary, connecting via Munich and back via Vienna. Added 2 flights and 2 lounges instead of going direct, all because you inspred me and make me wiser about airtravel weekly. (And I'm a sucker for it.)
Also thanks for this video and did you enjoy Prague?? I really love the architecture, vibe, public transport and cost. Any video about the visit due? Where'd you stay?
Love, Peter-Jan
Hi there Peter-Jan! Great to hear you'll be back on the road soon. This was just an overnight in Prague as I flew out again the following morning - I stayed at the delightful Holiday Inn by the airport - decent enough property I suppose! Back in Prague later in the year though - a place I've been a few times and it is lovely.
I’m BA silver and regularly fly AA out of T3 in the morning. Having tried BA’s & AA’s lounges I tried Cathay’s business lounge back in 2019…I’ve not gone anywhere else since!!
Its good to have a routine!!! Thanks
@@MattsPlanet variety is the spice of life, too but you’ve saved me trying out the AA & BA lounges again on Friday morning when I head to ORD. Thanks! Annoyingly, the Qantas lounge isn’t open early enough…
Good video. I was looking forward to my next visit to the Cathay Pacific lounge with my Silver card. I’ll have to try the Qantas lounge instead now. 👍🏼
As has been said, Qantas is a bit quiet until their passengers show up...
I've stuck around, yup still here, great little feature is this too, of some historical interest I used to work at T3 many moons ago, for American Airlines in the days when they still actually employed their own ramp staff and around the traumatic time of 9/11 too. Of some culinary significance, we generally had two options while working 'Airside' one was the 'Chuck Wagon' which used to park outside the crew rooms behind the blast screens, or the other was to pop back landslide to T3 arrivals for a square burger at 'Wendys', probably long gone now I would assume, and yup you heard me right 'Square Burgers'.
As well as ground handling all of AA's flights we also had contracts to handle flights for Turkish, Gulf Air, Cathay Pacific, Korean and finally ANA too, that was when jobs on the airport where much sought after and highly prized indeed.
Thanks Paul! I am very familiar with Wendy's square burgers - quite partial to them too! Fascinating how a supply chain efficiency measure can be turned into a marketing campaign!!! Not sure they'd allow chuck wagons airside these days....
Great video, just what I’ve been looking for. I want to give a shoutout to Qatars business lounge in terminal 4.
Thanks - Qatar has a good lounge - its just so expensive to get a ticket that gives you access!
Yeah, the only airports that I know of where lounge hopping is possible on the basis of a business class ticket or frequent flyer status are LHR (also LH, UA, and SIA on Star), BKK (TG, SIA, BR and TR), and maybe SIN (if you are willing to go through security at least twice with BA and QR in T1 and CX in T4), HKG (CX and QF). Unless you are CX or SQ or QF, gone are the days when it was commonplace for carriers to have their own lounge outside their country of headquarters. And if you're flying domestic in the US, you can certainly forget "lounge crawling" as neither a "first class" ticket nor your status on a US carrier will grant you access to a US carrier's lounge.
On my last trip out of BKK, I used the TG, SIA, and TR lounges (BR was closed at the time I was about to depart).
Hong Kong has a couple but you're right - its a hard thing to do in most countries these days!
Yeah I mentioned HKG. I was going to visit both CX and QF lounges in HKG but the latter lounge closed for the day of my flight.
One other major constraining factor to consider before lounge hoping that I forgot to mention: the bag drop desk openings. Many carriers will not open theirs until 3 hours before the flight. If you are lounge-hoping, this is too tight a timeline to check in, especially if queues at security are long and walking times are long.
Personally prefer T3 due to lounges being far more superior even the terminal itself is a dungeon, reminiscent of LGW. Thank you for a review. Agree with your ranking
Once you get through the dingy bits, the lounges are quite nice!
My routine is (1) Cathay 1st for cooked breakfast (2) BA 1st to stock up on crisps (3) AA 1st to stock up on sweets (4) Cathay for drinks
A solid routine!! Effective at any time of day too....
What an excellent review! I will have a business class flight to Japan, but I would like to know if I should choose other business lounges. As you know, Japan Airlines is supposed to use the BA lounge (you can check at 4:38), but definitely, I will choose the CX lounge instead. Thanks for sharing your opinion!
If you have the time you should compare the 4 lounges you have access to!
Great video Matt, unfortunately BA moved my last flight from T3 to T5 so didn’t get to experience all the lounges
That's annoying! They do move destinations quite frequently actually... Same happened to me with an Iberia booking. I got there in the end though!
Cathay first I enjoy, but if I’m really hungry I opt for the BA First for the fish cakes and Mash. Great video! AA is definitely soulless.
The BA F breakfast can be quite nice too...
Great video again Matt... is there any easy way of working out easily which BA routes go from T3?
I tend to go to heathrow's website and just scroll through the day's departures to see where they go. There may be a cleverer way but that is pretty quick and works for me!
this was great thanks matt. maybe im going mad, but im sure ive watched another yt video (maybe you?) of a ba gold trying to access the AA international first lounge and being turned away on the basis he was flying a european route. i thought this made sense as the clue is in the title "international" - but for the life of me cant find the video now. on a side note, not sure i can agree with you the cathay first lounge is better than the business class offering, based on the fact its much smaller and as you pointed out some of the food items are the same. i quite like the walk up manned bar in the business class lounge.
Thanks! Wasn't me with the AA lounge... No quibbles on this occasion flying to Prague... Not many will agree that the Cathay business lounge beats the F lounge overall, although in some regards (especially busyness!!!) I agree
Thanks Matt, very good video. Unfortunately not my alliance😇 To my mind it is all a bit relative but almost any lounge beats most airport offerings. My favorite longe is the smoking business lounge in Dubai. Old school leather, quiet not very busy so great service. If fizzy stuff is your thing, notice that Brits do like some bubbly, again the Emirates champagne bars are very good.🇿🇦😎👍
Thanks Peet - did something vaguely similar when I went through BKK - Singapore, Thai and Turkish airlines covered and Eva was too long a walk!!! Didn't talk about smoking in this video but none of the 7 has a smoking area - but that's the UK for you I guess!!
Wonderful video, so useful to see. Will you be touring T5 lounges at all?
T5 is somewhat less exciting! Covered the FLounge and the CCR - will do the club lounge next time I'm there as I'll only be silver....
Thanks Matt, a very interesting and very well put together vlog. The trouble now though is, that as we have an upcoming trip to CPT next week flying BA Club World from T5 and being Silver and also Amex Platinum card holder, I would really like to visit some of the lounges on the back of your review. What are the logistics, if at all possible, to bag drop at T5 and then get over to T3 to go airside for a few hours of lounges and then returning for the flight?
It's impossible - completely separate terminals with no connectivity.... A T5 BP won't work in T3. Except... You can ask for a personal shopper to take you from T5 to T3 if there's a shop over there that isn't in T5... But its tricky to arrange and impossible to give the shopper the slip so you can get into a lounge... So make do with T5!
,@@MattsPlanet understood and I appreciate you getting back to me so swiftly. What is next on your list?
Excellent overview. I 100% agree with your rankings having visited all these lounges over the last four years, well done! 🎉
Thanks! A few that might be controversial in there so good to get a seconder for my rankings!
I'd take your final list as about right. The Qantas Lounge is dull when you're pushed upstairs, although I quite like sitting at the bar up there, although the staff have to use a recipe list to make cocktails.
If there's someone good on the bar at the Cathay lounge, sitting at the small bar in the Cathay biz lounge is a nice place to sip cocktails.
Definitely AA lounges are worth missing IME, done them both once, but never returned.
Cathay F is typically my favourite for dining.
The BA F lounge First/GGL a la carte dining experience isn't inspiring in any way, although the seating is good if you want to use a laptop, and there are limited views of the apron.
The Centurion Lounge has a decent bar you can sit at, and it has a vaguely separated area for Centurion Members, but all it is is just a casual seating area within the lounge itself. I prefer sitting at the bar... can you see a pattern forming? There's no natural light in there.
Regarding 10 lounges, I'm petty sure HKG hen travelling Oneworld with Emerald status or First, and a Centurion card hits 10 lounges. Having said that, the Centurion Member section of the Centurion lounge at HKG isn't very inspiring; just like in T3 funnily enough!
Six Oneworld lounges, all Cathay apart from the Qantas lounge, and two of the Cathay lounges are First/Emerald. The Cathay lounges are the Wing, Wing F, Pier, Pier F, and the Deck. The Cabin closed about five years ago.
Then there's the Centurion Lounge with it separate secondary Centurion Member only lounge which offers a la carte, and sometimes even caviar is in the free menu.
And with Centurion you get a Priority Pass, so three Plaza Premium lounges and the Chase Sapphire lounge.
So I make that 11 lounge options at HKG if you cheat a bit and treat the Centurion as two lounges.
Thanks so much. So you like bars??? So do I! Not been to Hong Kong for many years and I don't think since I was a status holder so never been to any of those 10.... Sounds like a challenge though! Not sure I'll be doing so with a Centurion card though!
14:51 Hi Matt! Excellent video. Very informative for upcoming trips. Of which, I had a thought. What are the 4 lounges available to BA club tickets? Flying out to Oslo this summer, and having lost all status, I really hope the Cathay Business lounge is one of them!
BA, AA and Cathay business lounges are all available, as is the Qantas lounge. Have fun!
Excellent video! If your flying on a club world ticket with ba can you go to the other one world lounges, or do you need to have ba gold status?
Club world or silver status gets you into the 4 business class lounges. A First ticket (pretty rare in T3!) or gold status gets you into the 3 First class lounges
Finnair, who operate from T3, use the Cathay lounges as "their" lounges. The Cathay First dining room is very, very good. I sort of cry inside, though, when I see all the American travellers there pouring a large glass of orange juice and topping it up with proper Champagne. Such a waste.
Interesting - I'd assume BA would be Finnair's home... And crimes against champagne should be reported to the relevant authorities!!!
@@MattsPlanet I suppose it's because Finnair focus on their long-haul routes to Asia, and using the Cathay lounges is keeping in line with their Asian focus.
I've not tried the CX First, but the best lounge breakfast I've had, was in the Qantas lounge!
Not been through at breakfast time... Usually manage to arrange an afternoon or evening visit! Good to know there's earlier options...
Totally love Cathay lounge there.
@bonkersaboutcathay surely?
@@MattsPlanet love the showers. Noodle bar, coffee machine and those big soft chairs near the window.
In saying that I've often dreamed of that Centurion lounge.
I always go for Cathay First, but it was closed for filming during my last trip, since when I've slipped to Silver😢. That said, I've always found Cathay Business absolutely fine. I'd be put off the Qantas and American First by unpleasant staff. Don't film a menu! Bonkers.
In some ways I prefer BA's new Manch lounge over its previous existence for the choice of a local ale and some hot food, which I don't recall at the old one. If you want a really rubbish BA lounge, try Newcastle. Worst lounge ever in the UK, even worse than TAP's LGW offering.
Thanks - closed for filming? That's a new one!
What a phenomenal lounge marathon you've done! I am recently flying BA's Club Europe from Terminal 3. I also hold an Amex Platinum card. Will I have access to the Business Class lounges you went to? Should I expect to face any objection from the non-BA lounges if I show up with a BA boarding pass? Thanks again for the video :)
Hello! Your club boarding pass will get you in the 4 business lounges (Cathay, BA, AA and Qantas). Should be no issues getting in. The Plat card will add the Centurion and the 2 priority pass venues (if you're mad!). So just the 7 lounges for you this visit!
@@MattsPlanet great news! Thanks a million
Great to see you in Prague. Do you think that it is good place to start the Ex-EUs? I do happen to live here and haven't been able to find anything interesting that would suit my dates and interests. Especially for my trip to Vegas that has a fixed date in May next year, almost any other place seems much cheaper. Hope you have enjoyed the city. Unfortunately the lounges here are pretty basic, but there is no need to come to the airport long before the flights leave at least, especially for those leaving from T1. Cheers!
Hi Martin. Flying visit (literally!!!) to PRA this time but I'll be back later this year.... I've not seen brilliant deals from PRA for some reason.... BUD had a period when it was the best starting point so perhaps PRA will have a turn soon
You are right. That South Aus sparkling in the Qantas lounge isn't good!
Aha! It's a bit weird isn't it??? Quite chemically....
I flew Business on a BA flight to Tirana from T5 last Wednesday, through gate B38 then down 3 sets of stairs onto a waiting bus for a 5 minute ride across the airport, no expert on Heathrow but suspect we were somewhere near T3. Just to add to the experience none of the escalators or walkways were working in T5 due to some electrical issue.
The variety of ways that BA and Heathrow can find to mess up your experience never ceases to amaze me!
Thanks for the video. I am travelling BA business and was wondering if I can use the Qantus lounge?
A BA business boarding pass will get you into BA, Qantas, Cathay and American business class lounges. Arrive early and have fun!!
That looks like a great way to spend a few hours, but by the time you have 7 different drinks and maybe a try of a premium spirit or 2 lol. OH, looking forward to getting my gold status in a few months. (didn't make it last year, but defo this time especially with the extension of the double TP.) then it will be a status match to Virgin lol, virgin upperclass LHR TLV is consistently priced but no option for Ex INV lol
Thanks! I didn't risk a drink in each as I was trying to concentrate on the footage I got, but it is a fun challenge! Just don't miss the plane!
Like you I do a significant amount of traveling throughout the world 🌎 for pleasure...I hold top tier status with both UNITED AIRLINES - 1K (Star Alliance) and BRITISH AIRWAYS - GOLD (One World). I will say...reaching Gold status with B.A. was an easy accomplishment. Living in the U.S., I obviously travel through Heathrow, as I am transiting to my final destinations throughout the E.U.
I don't like that they're is only one first class lounge since it is always overflowing and seating is difficult to obtain! I have utalize other lounges if time permits, and like you mentioned...the A/A lounge is disappointing just like they are in the U.S., those why I fly United Airlines for the Polaris lounges here!
I utalize the lounges for relaxation and the food since I don't ever eat on the plane. My priority is sleeping when I fly. Heathrow needs to do sum major upgrades throughout the airport, not to mention (add) another first class lounge!
Thanks Steve. Its said that the status extensions and the reduction in threshholds made it unusually easy for people to keep their gold status, which had a negative effect on the F lounge in LHR.... Something that should ease as gold card holders return to "normal" levels... But it can be unpleasant in there...
Oh no! Why would you tell everyone? 😅
i flew cathay from T3 this summer and have been enjoying silver status for a while with them. Their business lounge was nice and i like their food options. You didn’t cover the access to showers in their lounge. They are very clean and looked like a fancy hotel’s. A nice little perk.
Status is great because i also got a free upgrade that day, the second upgrade this year.
That is indeed the downside of this video! Although I think the secret is already out.... I perhaps should have looked in on all the showers and toilets too but the video was already long enough!!
@@MattsPlanet you might even entice even more people towards the better lounges in T3 so no worries 😂 regardless, loving what you do. Keep it up
OK, I know this terminal and the lounges very well. I just don't bother with the BA lounges -- I don't know if it's changed but you could just walk through from Business to First once in the lounge area and like everything BA, it's second rate. The Cathay lounges are great, although my wife is giving up on the business class lounge and heading back to the AA lounge. During the pandemic I used the Cathay First lounge -- it's very nice but as you observe it can get busy. Also if you want hot food you HAVE to use the dining room. I do believe you underrate the AA First lounge, it's not equivalent to Fisrt Class Dining such as we receive in DFW, MIA, etc, but the self-serve food and drinks makes things easy. I go there now over the Cathay lounge. Nevber been to the Quantas lounge, figure I am a morning traveler and they aren't going to cater much to me. The Centurion Lounge: a windowless vault, don't bother. One thing you don't really talk about: Toilets. Cathay has plenty and they keep them clean. AA and BA? Not enough, esp. if you are traveling in the morning. The Virgin/Delta lounge? It's really quite nice but like you I am over the "we're so cool" schtick of Virgin, esp. since they let their male employees wear skirts. They do have the best check-in and security experience though given the separate Virgin drive-up wing. Since you mentioned it Fast Track at T3LHR is a disgrace IMHO. That's my 10c.. (I'm a morning traveler so my experience may be different to your afternoon view). Yes, I've hit the Emerates lounge -- nice and huuuuge.
Thanks for that! I couldn't manage a drink in every lounge and I certainly couldn't go to the loo in every one! I suppose I could have just visited them all but I don't really want to be that guy!!! Good observations though... Ranking AA F so low was the only thing I wasn't certain about in this ranking - I think the grumpy staff didn't help!
The Qantas lounge has a very nice a la carte breakfast offering in the couple of hours preceding the morning Perth flight.
Used to regularly fly LHR - GIB which is T3 and always went Cathay! Never used the BA lounges. Quite surprised you think QANTAS better than Cathay business but a matter of personal preference no doubt.
Thanks Andrew - it was a close thing between 2nd and 3rd - I think a gin bar is a more appealing feature to me than a noodle bar! It's close though....
If i had to choose any one of the Oneworld lounge in T3 to take a nap for a couple of hours, which one would you recommend? I have Sapphire status
I think the seats at the end of the Cathay business lounge are quite secluded so would be a good spot... Otherwise you're looking for the quietest which is probably Qantas for most of the day, although the seating is all quite open and its brightly lit....
Did you find out what happened regarding the security alert in the end? Was everything ok?
I heard it was a chemical spill.... So not that interesting but enough to throw all of security into disarray!
If you want lounge inflation: You should check FRA with Star Alliance lounges... If memory serves: LH alone has like 5 lounges (that are then further split business and *G), as well as the arrival and first class terminal. I also believe a couple other * carriers also have their own lounges at FRA...
Good to know! FRA is pretty huge though if I recall??
@@MattsPlanet FRA is indeed massive - the Star Alliance carrier lounges are all located only in T1... There's a couple of online, interactive terminal maps for FRA.
Be nice if you mentioned showers if you should do a review of this same topics again. It’s always a big plus for me if you can shower before a flight or indeed between flights should you feel it necessary
Thanks Jake - a very good point.... Could have taken the video over the 30 minute mark, but for completeness I probably should have mentioned these - and the toilets.
What BA services regularly depart from T3? Imm given to understand that T3 is wholly oneworld departures (UL, AY, IB, AA, CX, JAL and Qantas) except BA and the Iberia service to Madrid with Qatar, RJ and MH operating out of T4.
I google Heathrow departures as the quickest way to see BA departures. Lots of Scandi destinations. Virgin, Delta, Aeromexico and Emirates are also T3 so more than just OneWorld. And OneWorld also goes out of T4 and T5. Not a world of logic to it all tbh!
I’ve heard of these lounge crawls-how interesting-so how does bringing in a guest work? Is it just card holder only?
You can bring one guest with you. Leave the kids somewhere secure and off you go!
The T3 experience looks far superior. I was gutted when they moved the Austin flight back to T5.
Also, love the dig at Manchester Escape Lounge in 'Terminal Ryanair' 😂 clearly psychologically damaged by that experience ha.
Also many going mad on the various BA forums about the same buffer food being offered in F lounge in T5 as the biz. Totally dropped the at seat service, very disappointing if permanent
Yep it’s pretty disgraceful the T5 F lounge is serving the same stuff as the business lounge and take away the at seat ordering too, very disappointing to treat loyal customers like that
Thanks John. Had to give MAN a nod in this video!!! I remember the T5 F food being several notches up from the C food and if that's no longer the case, then that really is quite poor.....
Can I enter any of these lounges if I’m flying JAL first class, but don’t have any status with any airline?
I believe JAL will send you to the Cathay F lounge as that's the nominated lounge they use... But I am fairly certain an F ticket will give you access to all 7 OneWorld lounges, just as status does.
My son works in security at terminal 3 but not on your video 😂
Others in the comments are not that polite to the security team in MAN - I think I say in this video that the chap I dealt with was perfectly pleasant!!!
Sao paulo t3 has a ton of lounges accesible through priority pass
Thanks - area any of them any good????
Funny how the Number 1 lounge is number 11 on your list
I don't think branding it as "The Number 11 Lounge" would really work!
I had a terrible experience with priority pass at terminal 3, horrible will never go back to this lounge 😢
Lots of negativity about PP in the UK - hard to get in and often not brilliant if you can get in....
The worst part was the unisex toilet, food very average, not clean at all
Newcastle business lounge for BA passengers gives you one glass of cava then you pay for anymore 🙈🙈🙈 no champagne and it’s over £50 if you pay .
Ouch... Only ever flown out of NCL on a low cost carrier....
Can't disagree with the dual-ranking of the QF Lounge and the impression of the staff just "doing enough". Case in point are the cocktails, even when the bar is open and (very early so) the Lounge is quite quiet. Even though the bar tender has the ingredients for other gin cocktails, they are adamant that they will only mix what's on the menu - maybe this attitude will change when/if QF ever do open their First Lounge there. Even when in full-swing, this lounge gets so crowded, I'd be ranking others above the Qantas Lounge when its in "dormant mode". Indeed I've headed to the CX Business Lounge over the QF Lounge early morning because the CX First was a zoo and the Business Lounge was a comparative sea of tranquility!
Thanks Mark. Any ranking has to be a bit arbitrary but Qantas does probably sink a place or two when its dead (first thing) or rammed (last thing!!!) And Cathay F probably gets rammed with BA flyers as the wave of early flights leaves...
Did you stay all day in T3 to visit all lounges
Not all day - that would be silly! Just the 5 hours....
thanks for video but you seem to discuss whether Champagne is offered in every lounge other than the Cathay business lounge. That's odd because Cathay is one of few airlines that has traditionally served Champagne in its business lounges, including at LHR.
Its a very good point actually!! I did think I was wibbling on about champagne a little too much!
@@MattsPlanetabsolutely not, champagne on offer is an important factor
Any lounge with aggressive staff gets demoted to bottom place on my list.
I think Qantas is the only one I've had the pleasure of. As you, my experience was wonderful but sepulchral.
Thanks Ian. Don't see the word "sepulchral" in many TH-cam comments - great work!
Did you say you have to pay £60 to go into Cathay Pacific 1st?
No! If you have the status, all lounges are free! The Al Safwa lounge in Doha does allow you to access for a fee but that's very unusual and I think it costs a lot more than £60!
If you use avois plus money for a ba flight , you do not earn tier points ? Other videos by other people claim you do is this correct?? Thanks
If you buy a flight with cash, and reduce the cash paid by using some avios, thats a bought flight so earns TPs. If you buy a redemption, you pay avios plus cash for the taxes. But it started out as a redemption so no TPs. They can look very similar in the end analysis but how you start the purchase journey makes all the difference
I do believe BA Vacations is still doing a double tier points promotion that runs until the end of 2024, thought that was interesting (as I had just been downgraded from Sapphire to Ruby at my scheme of choice), but then that promotion would be a logistical nightmare for me being based in the US. There's a chap on here named Phil whose channel is called "My Grey Gap Year" and it was from one of his videos that I found out about the promotion. So if you'd like to know more about this BA Vacations promotion... stick ar- I mean DO A VIDEO!!! Hahahaha
- Red
Indeed they are - I have talked about it in a few other videos...
The famous fishcakes made an appearance in the gatters lounge on Monday!
They must have been on discount...
Flying BA club world with a low status what are my options?
Blue or bronze - bring sandwiches. Silver - 4 business lounges. Gold - add 3 F lounges. Regardless of status, priority pass gives you 2 loinges
@MattsPlanet despite flying business I'd have no access to lounges?
Do you think that cynically BA and AA may not make their lounges great so that they can actually not have to deal with so many customers?
An interesting theory but I know BA (and AA) have to pay a fee to Cathay (and Qantas) every time one of their members is scanned in so they'd almost certainly save money with the marginal cost of entertaining a status holder in their own lounge....
Covid didnt kill the sweet bags, they just stopped putting them out around 12 months ago, I do an oslo trip every couple of weeks, I use the Cathay lounge, but pop into the AA just to gather sweets. Maybe someone just forgot to buy them, or some penny pinching manager decided to not buy them
Thanks!! I remember when the bags were there the selection was largely unwrapped?? Now its only the jelly babies that come unwrapped.... It is fun though!
@@MattsPlanet it’s nice to go fill your boots with them and walk out 2mins later, I used to do that in the plaza T5 lounge too as they had full sized cans of pop, but they did get rid of copies of the FT for ‘covid reasons’
I dont know if you already knew but Moët chandon whilst a French champagne is actually a Dutch name and therefore technically should be pronounced mow-et Chandon. Just in case you want to get ahead of any pedants in the future!
That I didn't know! Always good to stay one step ahead!!
Great video - and with my wife and I having visited five of the seven T3 OneWorld lounges (not the two AA lounges) I agree with your rating. For me the very best LHR lounge is QR’s T4 lounge. Given your emphasis on champagne quality perhaps you could learn how to hold a wine glass correctly - by the stem (see 13:00, 19:00, 22:15).
I did go to the Qatar lounge before the you-know-what and I believe its even better now... It's just so expensive to fly QR ex-the UK. Even redemptions get whacked with the APD... And point taken on how I hold the glasses!!!
Bad service would drop any lounge, restaurant, or other venue I went to right down the list to (if necessary) joint last place.
Fair enough! Most lounges are largely unmanned so its often not an issue as there is no service!
@@MattsPlanet If I have to serve myself then at least I know who to complain to about poor service.
An investigation of security agents?
I'm sure my Manchester viewers would have some fruitier suggestions!