Cathay Pacific opens up paid access to more business class lounges
By Brandon Loo, February 27 2019
Cathay Pacific is expanding its roster of business class lounges into which passengers can pay their way – including its flagship The Pier in Hong Kong – for HK$600 (A$106) per person, or 9,000 Asia Miles.
From Monday 4 March until the end of June 2019, Marco Polo Club members travelling on Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon flights will be able to purchase access to eight Cathay Pacific airport lounges around the world, even if they're not flying in a premium cabin or don't hold the appropriate frequent flyer status.
The Pier Business Class lounge, Hong Kong
The offer includes access for any number of accompanying guests, which many status travellers will find useful if they want to guest several colleagues into the lounge.
The promotion is restricted to members of Cathay Pacific's Marco Polo Club loyalty program – and while this has a USD100 (A$139) signup fee, complimentary Marco Polo Club membership is available through the Cathay Pacific Business Plus scheme, which is free to join and open to any Australian business with an ABN.
Read more: Your guide to Cathay Pacific's Business Plus rewards program
The four-month trial kicks off from Monday 4 March and ends on Sunday 30 June 2019, and covers the following lounges:
- The Pier Business Class, Hong Kong
- Melbourne Cathay Pacific Lounge
- Manila Cathay Pacific Lounge
- Paris Cathay Pacific First and Business Class Lounges
- Vancouver Cathay Pacific Lounge
- Penang Cathay Pacific Lounge
- Kaohsiung Cathay Pacific Lounge
“This is only a trial at this stage," a Cathay Pacific spokesman told Australian Business Traveller, "and we’ll be reviewing customer insight during and after the trial period to decide the next steps, if any.'
How to buy access to Cathay Pacific business class lounges
For access to The Pier business class lounge in Hong Kong, travellers need to pay at the check-in counters in Terminal 1 or at the transfer desks in areas E2 or W1 (circled below) if they're coming off another flight. Payments are not accepted at the lounge itself.
Transit desks at E2 and W1 circled. The Pier lounge is near Gate 65.
Also read: How to fast-track your transit at Hong Kong
For all other lounges included in this offer, make your request at the lounge reception and pay on the spot.
In all cases, you’ll only be able to pay with credit cards, although Cathay Pacific notes that some credit cards are not eligible for payment depending on the lounge's location.
Access is for one-time entry only – you won’t be able to enter and leave as you please – and is subject to capacity restrictions.
Cathay Pacific has previously trialled paid lounge access in Melbourne, Manila and Vancouver, but this is the first time The Pier flagship lounge has been opened up for paying passengers.
If you’re not flying with Cathay Pacific or don’t have Marco Polo Club membership, your options at Hong Kong include Plaza Premium pay-in lounges which are accessible by Priority Pass, as well as the American Express Centurion Lounge.
Based in Perth, Brandon enjoys tucking into local delicacies, discovering new cocktails, and making aeroplane food look good on camera.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Nov 2011
Total posts 359
Not cheap, as nice is The Pier is I am not sure I could justify that price. Not sure people will be lining up to enter the Melbourne lounge...
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Jan 2017
Total posts 51
if people would pay $50 for a QF lounge pass on *bay then pier @ $120 is probably justified.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 May 2016
Total posts 33
Seriously, who wants to go to CX Melbourne lounge. It's crap and SQ lounge isn't that good either. The best is still EX, EY and QF. Those CX and SQ desperately needed a major uplift to be on the game!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
31 Jan 2013
Total posts 16
Great in concept, but the Manila lounge at peak hours is overflowing with no seating available. Allowing people to pay to get in should only be an option when the lounge is quiet (out of peak hours)
20 Nov 2015
Total posts 470
This is a good idea for the larger lounges where there's plenty of room such as The Pier, it might also work at London Heathrow, but I think the price is just too high. Of course some business travellers will be able to 'expense it' or include in their travel allowance or per diem so it won't be an issue for them but I would find HKG$600 way too much even for The Pier, although half that would be a no-brainer for me and many others.
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 13
The cost of entry should be geared to suit the lounge. Any of Cathay's new-look lounges like The Pier, Manila, London, Vancouver, Haneda, Bangkok and Taipei are great. I would actually expect The Pier to have a higher entry fee than the others because of its top line facilities. But no way should an older lounge like Melbourne attract the same fee as any of the new lounges.
12 Feb 2013
Total posts 47
So one could argue HK$600 (A$106) is equal to 9,000 Asia Miles which is the redemption award rate for CX business class lounge access.
17 Jul 2015
Total posts 3
23 Mar 2012
Total posts 98
Two weeks ago I was turned away from the Bridge( I was informed there were several delayed flights) and a week ago The Pier due to overcrowding . As a Marco Polo Member it would seem the airline once again is ensuring the most loyal remain disgruntled. Overcrowding is a major concern.
17 Jul 2015
Total posts 3
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Cathay Pacific opens up paid access to more business class lounges