If your wallet packs a shiny American Express credit card or charge card, you may be able to stop by the American Express lounge at Sydney Airport before your next international flight.
Best of all, you don’t need a business class ticket or a Gold or Platinum frequent flyer membership – all you need is your trusty American Express card and you’re through the door.
But not every American Express card grants access to the lounge, and of those that do, some provide unlimited entries while others cover you only twice a year.
American Express Sydney lounge: who gets in?
As you’d expect, holders of the $1,200/year Platinum Charge Card and the by-invitation Centurion Card are welcome with open arms whenever they travel and can be joined by two adult guests at no charge, along with their children aged 2-17.
The same is true for Business Centurion and Business Platinum cardholders, and like their ‘personal’ counterparts these members with cards issued in any country (including Australia) can bring two guests each and their children.
A longer list of cards allow two complimentary lounge visits each calendar year but with no adult guest privileges – so if your partner or a colleague is coming along for the journey and doesn’t have an eligible card of their own, your second yearly pass could be volunteered to bring them inside.
Children aged 2-17 years can again join you at no cost, although further visit beyond those included with your card will set you back $55 per adult and $35 per child.
On the list: American Express Corporate Platinum, Qantas Corporate Platinum, Platinum Reserve, David Jones American Express Platinum, Qantas American Express Ultimate, American Express Velocity Platinum and American Express Explorer cards issued directly by American Express Australia.
Top-tier cards from major banks also provide these two free yearly visits including the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards and Westpac Altitude Black cards, as do the now-retired ANZ Frequent Flyer Black, ANZ Rewards Black and Westpac Earth Black American Express cards held by existing customers.
All other American Express cardholders unfortunately receive no access to this lounge – even if they’d be willing to pay – although a two-hour visit to the adjacent SkyTeam lounge can be bought by any traveller for $77.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Oct 2013
Total posts 699
I hardly visit Sydney but when I did I visited this Lounge before heading up to the Qantas one and whilst this was a good lounge I don't think it was as good as the QF Business Lounge upstairs but I do like someone at the bar serving drinks all the time.
There is also lovely chart on the desk saying who is welcome which includes pictures of each card.
12 Apr 2011
Total posts 71
My experience with this lounge is that virtually anyone can get in. Which is why it's ridiculously busy to the point of being unable to get a seat.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
08 Feb 2016
Total posts 35
Cannot agree more. Seems like anyone can get into this lounge. Super overcrowded and loud.
Singapore Airlines - The PPS Club
14 Nov 2013
Total posts 40
I have never had an issue with this lounge, yes sometimes it can be busy and it is not that big, from memory i counted about 60 seats. Since ive started flying scoot i find this lounge perfect for me, wi fi works well, small but nice selection of food, a decent bar offering is all i require before boarding a flight
24 Apr 2014
Total posts 269
How do Amex profit from this since it's free to eligible Customers?
Do they do this in many other countries?
Is the Platinum reserve for the credit card (not charge card)? It's a defunct card now, you can't open a new one, but I am a foundation member and they still renew it every year
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 May 2014
Total posts 49
I've got in with a Platinum Reserve card (twice).
07 Jul 2016
Total posts 1
In this article mentioned that ANZ Frequent Flyer Black is eligible to access AE Lounge. But I confirmed with ANZ, their answer is NO. Could you confirm your information is still up to date?
Thank you.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
While our content is presented 'as-is' on the listed publication date, we're not aware of any recent changes to the door list at this lounge: simply present your Black-level ANZ American Express card and you're good to enter twice per year at no charge.
12 Sep 2014
Total posts 26
Michael is correct. ANZ Black does not get you in. ANZ Black accesses Veloce lounges as per ANZ's website and your own: https://www.executivetraveller.com/your-guide-to-anz-s-black-credit-card-veloce-airport-lounge-scheme
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Guvner: The Veloce lounge scheme is entirely separate and unrelated to the AMEX lounge in Sydney. The ANZ Rewards Black AMEX and the ANZ Frequent Flyer Black AMEX continue to grant access to the AMEX lounge, as per the American Express website.
ANZ's website doesn't mention the AMEX lounge as it no longer issues new AMEX cards to new customers, although existing customers who still have ANZ AMEX cards can use them to make purchases and to access the AMEX lounge until August 5 2017. :)
(Michael's post was from July 2016, as a similar version of this article has been published before, so we keep the comments together.)
12 Sep 2014
Total posts 26
Thanks for clarifying Chris. Many people on here appreciate your good work.
03 May 2013
Total posts 684
I have gotten in using ANZ Black
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
10 Aug 2015
Total posts 79
I'm also thinking about flying Scoot and therefore looking at this lounge. Just wondering if the supplementary card holder of the AMEX Platinum charge card also has access?
AMEX do state that the supplementary card holder has access to priority pass with a guest for free. I figure if they'll do that for priority pass lounges then they'll do that for their own AMEX lounge?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
28 Dec 2011
Total posts 95
Chris any plans for a AMEX Lounge in Melbourne.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
As we always say, when there's news to report (on this or any other topic), we'll report it.
13 Sep 2016
Total posts 13
I hear these rumours too!
Qantas
03 Mar 2015
Total posts 20
Great article Chris,
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Not that we're aware of, but that's a question best-asked of your Centurion Card Relationship Manager.
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
Is there a SkyTeam lounge review on ausBT?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
Not just yet - but by chance, we're actually planning a visit very soon to faciliate one, so keep your eyes peeled. Until then, you can click on the words 'SkyTeam lounge' in the article text to browse our photo tour from when the lounge first opened. :)
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 262
Love the lounge, shame its small and the network too. Would be great with an Amex Lounge in Perth! In saying that, the Sydney one offered a great breakfast and space (for its size) when I vistited.
Air China - Phoenix Miles
20 Dec 2012
Total posts 105
Enter the Amex lounge, take the lifts downstairs to Skyteam lounge and enjoy it.
03 May 2013
Total posts 684
Finally I get to see it empty and what its supposed to look like. It was a zoo when I was in other for the first time a few months back...kids running around, every seat taken, luggage strewn everywhere. Nice looking lounge but it's really not well developed for intended eligible users. Qantas business and first(which I have access to) beat this lounge by miles for space, amenity and food.
Air France - Flying Blue
13 Apr 2017
Total posts 1
Just a few weeks ago, I called the AmEx lounge to see if I could buy access to the lounge. They told me no, but as my Gold card was issued abroad, I would be eligible for access FOC, including 2 guests! I made my way down there and sure enough was granted access to the lounge. They did send me to the SkyTeam lounge next door as the AmEx lounge was at capacity, but nevertheless got access with my non-AUS issued Gold card...
05 Nov 2017
Total posts 2
Hi Chris,
I have bad experienced on 10 of May when I catch flight from Sydney to Hong Kong, I want to access American Express Lounge in Sydney, I have hold the card for Westpac Altitude Black and ANZ Frequency Flyer Black card, but both of card still can't go in to American Express Lounge, that is response from outside staff at the Lounge?
On below is very clear to say those two card holder can go it, but it is not? Please to verify it, thanks.
Top-tier cards from major banks also provide these two free yearly visits including the Commonwealth Bank Diamond Awards and Westpac Altitude Black cards, as do the now-retired ANZ Frequent Flyer Black, ANZ Rewards Black and Westpac Earth Black American Express cards held by existing customers.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2424
This article was published over a year ago and was correct at the time of publication. For an up-to-date access list, you can check the American Express website, remembering that neither ANZ nor Westpac directly issue American Express cards any more (and this is an American Express lounge, so a Visa or Mastercard isn't going to get you inside).
If you have the new American Express-issued, Westpac-branded Altitude Black card which was launched only in the last few months, there are two passes included with this card, however.
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