Melbourne-based high flyers can now begin their journey abroad in the all-new American Express Lounge at Melbourne Airport’s international terminal, opening daily from Tuesday March 27 2018.
Located beyond security screening and passport control, you'll find AMEX's new space directly opposite Melbourne's Qantas business class lounge and next door to the Singapore Airlines SilverKris lounges:
It's larger than AMEX’s lounge in Sydney but with the same access list, catering to the growing number of American Express cardholders.
At first glance, the lounge is divided into a variety of zones, whether your aim is to work at one of the semi-private booth seats…
… relax ahead of your long flight…
… or dine, with a dedicated dining spaces...
... bites from the buffet…
... along with all day bar and barista coffee service:
Need to recharge your gadgets? Power points are accessible near most seats, including in that dining area, with both Australian AC and USB power available.
Bathrooms are shared between this lounge and the also-new Plaza Premium Lounge next door, however, for now, showers are not available (but we're told may be installed in the next six months).
UPDATE: Our review of this lounge has now been published; you can read it here.
American Express Platinum Charge Card, Business Platinum, Centurion and Business Centurion cardholders are all welcome here, providing unlimited access year-round when flying with any airline in any class of service, along with two adult guests and children aged 2-17.
The same is true for Corporate Platinum cardholders from overseas, although not those with cards issued in Australia.
A broader range of cards offer two complimentary visits per year, including the American Express Explorer, Qantas American Express Ultimate Card and American Express Velocity Platinum Card, but with no guests: if you’d like to bring in a second person with these cards, you’ll need to use your second yearly pass.
Australian Business Traveller will return to the lounge once opened to the public to bring you a full review, along with a review of Melbourne Airport’s new Plaza Premium Lounge, which also opens to travellers this month.
Chris Chamberlin is visiting Melbourne as a guest of American Express Australia and Plaza Premium Group.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
What, no charred Corn on the cob!!!
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
Sweet!
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 1205
Down in the dungeon, though it looks well lit. Is this on the footprint of the old MH Lounge or UA Lounge?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
It's near the old Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge (in fact, the Malaysia Airlines doors are still there, with the Plaza Premium entrance just beside and the AMEX entrance further around).
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
14 Feb 2014
Total posts 33
anything will be better than qf "lounge"
12 Apr 2011
Total posts 71
So the food offering is just a dessert buffet?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
As above: "Australian Business Traveller will return to the lounge once opened to the public to bring you a full review".
This is because lounge opening events often have different catering than when the lounge is in normal 'passenger mode', so we'll be returning to the lounge to complete our review when everything is the same as readers will experience for themselves.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 729
Well, I do see crudite!!!
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
Our review has now been published, so you can find the full dining details there.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
Always good to have options, well done AMEX.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Feb 2014
Total posts 143
I agree, the food in the SYD lounge is always fantastic!
24 Apr 2014
Total posts 269
Need further details about Platinum AMEX access, e.g is Platinum Reserve accepted?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
Please refer to the article, and if needed, the linked review of the Sydney lounge: "It's larger than AMEX’s lounge in Sydney but with the same access list".
As above, full details will be covered in our proper review: this is simply a photo tour to show what's inside, before the lounge opens to the public.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
Our review has now been published, so you can now find the full access list there.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 84
The Plaza Premium lounge is accessible with a Priority Pass membership I'm assuming?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Dec 2017
Total posts 2
Yes it is, however your level of membership within priority pass will determine your guest policy and any additional entry fee payable.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 84
Thanks stutzy. I've got which ever level comes with the Amex Platinum Charge Card, to be honest Im not entirely sure what level it is, however, I've been able to bring guests in the past.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2432
Melbourne's Plaza Premium Lounge does not currently accept Priority Pass. This may be added at a later date but is not currently the case.
However, if you have the AMEX Platinum Charge Card (the kind that includes the Priority Pass membership), you can simply present your AMEX Platinum card at reception and you'll be allowed to bring in two guests, as this lounge is part of AMEX's Global Lounge Collection.
This will all be covered in our review of the Plaza lounge once published, of course.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 May 2017
Total posts 84
Thanks for clearing that up Chris.
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