Airport lounge, worth it?

[MsMiaWallace]

Tempted to book one this year as a special treat.
Are they worth it or best to avoid?
It'd be Birmingham Airport No1 Lounge.

An cross post! I'm not sure if I just sold my soul to the airport for making a sale 😂

Hopefully someone can give you tips on of that specific lounge is worth it?

I don't tend to bother. Most airports have some nice restaurants anyway and, once you're sat down in one of those, it tends to be a bit calmer than the main bit of the airport. Once I've eaten, I like to walk around the airport, perhaps going into the shops and, if I do want to sit somewhere, I can usually find a quieter spot. I don't tend to drink alcohol before I fly so that doesn't matter to me and I wouldn't be glugging back soft drinks either as then I'd need a wee on the flight!

I'm not bothered about standard airport lounges. They're as comfortable as finding a table in any of the restaurants but more expensive unless you're going to have a skinful.

I'm lucky enough to fly for work every now and then, and the Emirates business lounges have shown me what a lounge should be. We can't afford to travel like that with the family unfortunately, so we head to Costa or whatever and set up camp 😄

No. Maybe for a layover, but why go early to the airport?

I've been in some highly rated lounges due to airline status but I don't really see the point pre departure. Even in the great ones the food isn't that good and probably only worth it if you drink a lot if you pay for access.

No1 lounge at Birmingham is nice, was last there in September but mid afternoon, I think the format is similar for breakfast though but with different foods- afternoon was buffet of mostly cold food (afternoon was afternoon tea, soup, bread, cold meats) and then a choice of four or five hot options ordered via mobile (I had curry, rice and naan). I get lounge access free with my credit card but even if I didn’t I think I’d pay, for me it’s totally worth it. If you get a Caxton foreign exchange card the price is £21 rather than £34 and it’s a really good card to use abroad!

Are you able to take a bottle of water or anything from the lounge onto the flight with you?

Only worth it for a long layover unless you're getting it very cheap. We got a £12 per person deal which meant it was cheaper than buying dinner elsewhere in the airport but it was noisy with kids running around, hardly an executive experience!

Nope, not worth it if you are not on a long layover. I'd much rather not arrive at the airport so early than sit in a lounge. I also don't drink when I travel so the value is not in the booze for me but just if I need to kill a few hours in a comfy seat.

I'd also be worried I'd be denied boarding, saw someone upthread who had drunk a whole bottle of wine before the flight, I'd be so drunk after that that I wouldn't be allowed on the flight.

Nice for a clean loo
and it’s more relaxing
also good if you like to drink

recently went to one though that was just understaffed and a mess
had to clean the tables ourselves first that were piled high with old plates and glasses
and the only food available was bacon sandwiches or cereal. It was an early morning flight so even though some people were downing bottles of champagne, I didn’t personally ‘get my moneys worth’

What I really like about airport lounges is that I can sit with my partner and leave my coat/bag in the cloakroom (admittedly I only do this in airline lounges) and not worry about how much something costs whenever I eat something.

Also lots of people travel from afar so getting to the airport as late as possible might not be an option as they may miss their flight! I’m one of those people who can’t be at the airport the very last minute! However I’d avoid a lot of third party lounges and just eat at a restaurant and park myself there until my flight is boarding

Nice for a clean loo

Not all have their own loos, so that can’t be guaranteed.

Yes. It's comfy. You get food and drink included

Get access with my card, they are fine, food is rarely great but the drinks are usually fine. Tbh the most useful thing is somewhere comfortable to sit and wi-fi if you are out of your coverage area. With kids it’s useful because there are always snacks etc. I imagine the fancy ones you get access with first class are a lot nicer but I’ll never know!

Depends on the lounge I guess. We have used them in the past just to get away from all the airport terminal busyness and to avoid spending time in the shops buying things we don't need. The breakfast is hit an miss but there is certainly a more relaxed vibe and it is less rushed than the usual food outlets in the terminal.