Best Way to Get Affordable Access to Sydney Airport Lounge? AmEx or Other?

TheCandyMan2020 on 30/08/2022 - 15:26

We will be travelling to the Philippines as a family (2 adults and 2 pre-teen kids) later this year.

We will be flying cattle class with Cebu Pacific.

I have previously had bank issued Amex cards which gave us all free access to the Amex Sydney Airport lounge twice a year. Now the banks have killed those Amex cards, I am wondering what the most cost effective way to get access to the Amex or another lounge is?

I am looking at a 4 hour trip into the airport, then the checkin process. So an hour or two relaxing in the lounge and letting my kids annoy other patrons is worth a lot to me. Then its a 9 hour flight.

I figure one of the Amex cards that have lounge access (plenty don't) is one way to go, but wondering if there are better/cheaper alternatives?

Travel Lounge Pass

Comments

  • urahara on 30/08/2022 - 15:27
    -5

    Crypto.com card + buying some crypto
    Free forever

    • TheCandyMan2020 on 30/08/2022 - 15:29
      -1

      A lazy $50k+ in crypto assets for 6 months prior. Might cost me a lot if BTC doesn't rise in that 6 months….

      A little too high risk for my meagre budget and risk appetite but kudos to those willing to take the plunge.

      https://crypto.com/au/cards

      • urahara on 30/08/2022 - 15:32

        If you travel often, i'll recommend one. (blue green one)
        This gives to access to any lounge provided by Loungekey
        Good to get a cheap flight + free food from lounge.
        Do your maths and decide

        • TheCandyMan2020 on 30/08/2022 - 15:45

          6 years ago it would have been well worth it, but with 2 young kids we are doing 2 trips a year only.

          I guess another option would be to buy 2 of the Qantas lounge passes for sale here, but do they:
          a) Allow you to use them when you arent flying Qantas
          b) Allow you to bring 2 small kids in with you or is it strictly 1 pass per person, regardless of age

          • Baa on 30/08/2022 - 15:54
            +2

            @TheCandyMan2020: I might be wrong, but I believe you need to be flying Qantas/Jetstar on the guest passes, and it only allows 1 person per pass (no kids).

        • askbargain on 30/08/2022 - 15:47
          +3

          https://www.prioritypass.com/en/join-prioritypass

          This if you're not into crypto.

          • Drakesy on 30/08/2022 - 16:21

            @askbargain: Priority pass all the way.
            Currently comes complimentary with some credit cards (Came with my St George Card).

  • dust on 30/08/2022 - 16:22

    What about just purchasing passes in the classifieds section?

    • kerfuffle on 30/08/2022 - 16:59

      I haven't seen Amex Lounge passes sold in there. They're usually airline-specific

  • tallkid123 on 30/08/2022 - 17:03
    +2

    So an hour or two relaxing in the lounge and letting my kids annoy other patrons is worth a lot to me.

    This is a joke right?

    I figure one of the Amex cards that have lounge access (plenty don't) is one way to go, but wondering if there are better/cheaper alternatives?

    You'll need at least an Amex Platinum to let in both yourself, your wife and your kids all at once to the Amex lounge. Annual fee is $1450 per annum however.

    • TheCandyMan2020 on 30/08/2022 - 18:32

      Yeah the thing about my kids annoying other patrons was a joke. But they would definitely do it.

      4 hours in the car and an hour in checkin they are going to be going bats… crazy

      The lounge would be an hour or 2 of relative respite before the flight. The flight will be a debacle, but the savings by going with Cebu Pacific will buy several weeks accommodation in PI….

      • pao2x on 30/08/2022 - 22:59

        An hour in check in? Not unless you are around 20th in the line (earlier waits a long time for the line to open).

        2 hours for security and immi when I flew 2 weeks ago. 1 hr for checkin . And I don't think pre teen kids will cut it to get express treatment.

        Sydney international airport is in shambles at the moment.

        • daft009 on 31/08/2022 - 01:34
          +1

          5 min for check in and 30 min security incl immi last week in Sydney if flying business and have express path access

  • Tily on 30/08/2022 - 18:04
    +2

    I’ve got the Amex Explorer card. Gives access to two adults + kids to the Amex Lounge in Sydney or Melbourne. $400 bucks per year but you get it back in travel credits.

    I’ve also got the St George Platinum card. $300+ per year. This gives u 2 Priority Pass access but depending on the age of ur kids, u may need a second card or pay for their entry, which I dnt find it worth it.

    I find I get more value out of my Amex if I had to choose between the two cards.

    • RiseAndRuin on 30/08/2022 - 23:01

      Agreed, I’ve got the Amex Explorer card too, although I have to say the Melbourne lounge is quite disappointing, except for the barista making great coffees.

  • Hugh G Rection on 30/08/2022 - 18:30

    i have a qantas cc and priority pass.

    • askbargain on 30/08/2022 - 18:37

      what else do you have?

      • [Deactivated] on 30/08/2022 - 21:09

        Hugh G Rection

  • itx on 30/08/2022 - 21:05
    +2

    Dragonpass is still the most economical solution I think. More info here: https://thepointsguy.co.uk/news/free-dragonpass-lounge-acces…

    In Sydney, Dragonpass currently provides access to the Plaza Premium Lounge (before lunch time and in the evenings), as well as The House (but a surcharge applies on top of the Dragonpass lounge pass you have to buy)

  • daft009 on 30/08/2022 - 21:26

    Definitely the Amex platinum or a card that gives you priority pass.

    Don't forget the return flight too! Will benefit from lounge access there too

  • boomramada on 31/08/2022 - 20:43

    Isnt cheap to travel night befoe and book a room in airport hotel then check in that day?

    • kerfuffle on 31/08/2022 - 20:45

      They still have to make the four hour journey to the airport though

    • TheCandyMan2020 on 31/08/2022 - 21:43

      We stayed at the Sydney Airport Holiday Inn a couple of months ago.

      $20 per person for the transfer to the airport - 1 way! Kids $20 too…

      On top of the room cost it wasn't cheap.

      But it is a lower stress option then the trip to the airport and flight on the same day.

      It is worth considering.

      At least wiith the credit cards, if they come with a travel credit close to the annual fee, if we use the credit on accommodation we kinda pay for the annual fee by getting the lounge access and travel credit.

      • boomramada on 31/08/2022 - 22:46

        If you want to lower the stress cheapest option would be night at the airport ( ibis budget ?) 10min walking from the airport around $150? No transfer required.

        And you flying to Philippines, which mean you to travel another few hrs to get out of the Manila as well? Maybe stay in a good hotel in Manila instead of Sydney, and get your kids a maccas happy meal just before the flight lol

        • kerfuffle on 31/08/2022 - 22:55

          Walking with two pre-teen kids and lugagge from ibis budget to the airport?

          • boomramada on 31/08/2022 - 23:00

            @kerfuffle: Maccas happy meal then, dont worry there be lots of walking in Philippines 😉

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