Bangkok Airport Lounges

[bonnielass]

Forgot to say - we didn't prebook, just turned up and paid at the door.

[STEVE G]

IMHO - considering it is a relatively new facility - Bangkok Airport offers very little to travellers.

I agree, basically it's a shopping mall where you can catch a flight and I actually preferred the bars and restaurants in the old Don Muang airport. In the actual terminal building there isn't a proper bar or pub as such and I don't think there is even a restaurant that does any real cooking, it's all just microwaved or whatever.
I think I'll give this CIP lounge a go next month.

[Arlo]

There are some clubs you can join that let you use different lounges in airports throughout the world. They offer different membership plans and you can search on there site before hand to figure out where each lounge in located in the airports you will be traveling through. I will put a few links below but a quick search of "how to use airport lounges" will turn up a bit of info.

https://www.prioritypass.com/

http://www.loungepass.com/index.cfm?c=2

https://www.loungeclub.com/en/

[bonnielass]

IMHO - considering it is a relatively new facility - Bangkok Airport offers very little to travellers.

I agree, basically it's a shopping mall where you can catch a flight and I actually preferred the bars and restaurants in the old Don Muang airport. In the actual terminal building there isn't a proper bar or pub as such and I don't think there is even a restaurant that does any real cooking, it's all just microwaved or whatever.
I think I'll give this CIP lounge a go next month.

Steve you are right. The restaurants in Don Muang were much better than the present food courts in Swampy. It's almost like the eating areas were an after thought. On one occasion we were even asked to pay extra for a booth style seat in a scabby wee cafe.

The CIP lounge is not in the same class as the Business lounges. But definitely worth it for some peace and quiet and a comfy seat, especially if you have some time on your hands.

[sand_dancer]

On one occasion we were even asked to pay extra for a booth style seat in a scabby wee cafe.

Not heard that phrase for a long time.......

Aye...... Ye kin tak the lassie oot o Scotland......

[Dannie Boy]

IMHO - considering it is a relatively new facility - Bangkok Airport offers very little to travellers.

I agree, basically it's a shopping mall where you can catch a flight and I actually preferred the bars and restaurants in the old Don Muang airport. In the actual terminal building there isn't a proper bar or pub as such and I don't think there is even a restaurant that does any real cooking, it's all just microwaved or whatever.
I think I'll give this CIP lounge a go next month.

Steve you are right. The restaurants in Don Muang were much better than the present food courts in Swampy. It's almost like the eating areas were an after thought. On one occasion we were even asked to pay extra for a booth style seat in a scabby wee cafe.

The CIP lounge is not in the same class as the Business lounges. But definitely worth it for some peace and quiet and a comfy seat, especially if you have some time on your hands.

The only Business Class lounge I have used at the new airport in BKK is the Thai Orchid lounge and IMO it is nowhere near the standard operated by most of the international carriers. By far the best BC lounge I have experienced is the one operated by Singapore Airlines in Singapore, absolutely fantastic, but all of the Middle East airlines offer better facilities than Thai in BKK, even BA in London who get a fair bit of criticism have much better facilities.

[Phyton]

We use these Lounges at bkk on every flight, using Prioritypass. With this card we also have access to a Lounge in Frankfurt, Dubai or Muscat. I think on every midsize or big Airport in the World is a Lounge we can use.

Quiet, clean Toilettes, TV, some drinks, some food, relaxing chairs, the best place at a Airport, when you flight in Economy Class.

These cards for me and my wife are included with the American Express Platinum Card.
This is the main reason why we have the Platinum.

[Jose]

I use priority pass,

if you fly to BKK for LHR terminal 5 there is no lounge other than airline business and first

[Ralfredo]

The last time me and my wife left Thailand we went to the "Louis' Tavern First Class & Business Class CIP Lounge". We used the one located "Airside - Concourse G, Block 1, Level 3 (Opposite departure gate G2) ".

They have showers, a smoking area some lighter food, snacks and different kind of beverages. As Phyton wrote, "Quiet, clean Toilettes, TV, some drinks, some food, relaxing chairs, the best place at a Airport, when you flight in Economy Class."

We accessed the lounge by my membership in "Diners Club". You are allowed to stay for two ours but the let us stay for two+two hours. They charged two times 28 USD in total. It's unclear if it's 28 USD per person for four hours or if my entrance was free and its 28 USD for my wife/guest per two hour.

Anyway I think it's well worth around THB 1600 to "escape" for four hours, get a descent smoking room, a nice shower and some "free" food and drinks. Highly recommended.

[usual suspect]

Sounds like a good plan...if you've saved money by using the Airport Bus service, then even after paying to use these lounges..it's still cheaper than a Taxi from H.H..& you get the chance to board your plane showered, fed & watered..even with an Economy ticket.

[J.J.B.]

I use Priority Pass, which I get through my bank (not American Express) as part of their credit card offering, it also includes travel insurance and such like. I fly in Europe every week, often to more than two or three countries but the company policy is economy fares for under five hours' flying time and the lowest one available. Invariably that means easyJet, a company that has done more than most to suck any remaining glamour out of air travel, even through they are pretty reliable.

There is no loyalty card scheme, no frequent flyer miles program and no special treatment; it's a glorified bus. On the occasions where I do fly with One World or Star Alliance partners, I earn points against my travel but never enough to lift me beyond the lowest ranks. Trips to the US involve business class but they are two or three times per year and not enough to make up the difference.

Priority Pass is great, however, and while it doesn't get you into many of the airlines' lounges you can get into the pay-as-you go variety but it's mixed bag. We've used the Louis' Taverns CIP lounges in Swampy on many trips but some are better than others and it depends which part of the airport you're departing from. They are not exactly 'exclusive' and for a few dollars anyone can come in and spend the next couple of hours stuffing themselves on the free nibbles and booze...because, of course, they've paid for it. So if you don't mind it sometimes resembling the buffet at an all-inclusive holiday camp in Benidorm then you probably won't be too disappointed.