Mrs B and I are travelling through Shanghai next month, we were going to be via Qatar but we changed flights due to concerns re Middle East.
Because we are now going to be on China Eastern we do not have Lounge access on Economy bookings. Does anyone have any advice re getting into a Lounge? I know that there are several pay-to-use Lounges available, anyone have experience with them? Best one, cost of access, etc?
Any advice welcome, many thanks 谢谢
Late edit: We booked through Aldi Hols because they had a packge deal, so we can't rebook via another website. And we fly next week
Advice Re Shanghai T1 Lounge Access?
branners on 30/04/2026 - 12:20
Last edited 30/04/2026 - 13:56
Last edited 30/04/2026 - 13:56
Comments
PVG or SHA?
My bad; Pudong
I would have said the same thing for both: unless you're alcohol dependent and/or need a shower, skip the lounge in favour of the many appealing dining options. I felt compelled to redeem a Mastercard Travel Pass benefit when I should have dined in one of the restaurants.
You can pay to enter the China Eastern lounges - it works out at about AUD$50 per person.
They are pretty spacious, I would highly recommend the one with the noodle bar, but it depends which airport and which terminal you will be in.Make sure you download Alipay or Wechat while still in Aus to set up payment method as Apple pay/card payments are not accepted.
To add to the above, if you're Gold or above in Qantas Frequent Flyer, you can access China Eastern lounges.
I dont know any specific advice Re Lounge Access sorry.
In saying that, have a look at your Credit Cards and see if they provide any Lounge Access.But I know Pudong Airport is HUGE. It's bigger than the entire Macau!
So unless you have many hours to burn at the Airpot, or unless you know your 2 Gates (Arrival and Departure), and able to get to one that's closest to the Departure, I agree with the others, just explore the Airport.It's a pity you are not visiting the City. I love Shanghai1
Thanks, we do too. We will be stopping over on the return trip, and visiting for another trip in 2027. Look out AP Plaza!
Just to add, I have no personal experience, but my son has travelled through an airport in China. There IS wifi, but the all of the communication channels ie, whatsapp, FB messenger, gmail, etc, we are familiar with, were blocked.
After reading up on the internet, (so again, no personal experience), it appears that a pre-existing, preconfigured VPN might be required to access these sites and services.
Just thought I'd share.
Take a trip into town on the Maglev train. Australian passport holders don't need a visa.
I assume PVG T1
First Class Lounge 39 at T1 is incredibly basic but has showers - however the warm water was mid-warm at best.
Food offering very limited. Cleanliness average.
Wifi anemic - suggest an esim - used a Trip one for a day for 5G access through Singapore.
VIP Lounge 135 at S1 is cleaner - a bit more food and that's it.
I much preferred the China Eastern Lounge VIP 137 at S1 - clean, massive and great shower facilities.
Had a free lounge pass through trip.com.
Satellite Terminal 1 is much nicer than the T1 terminal.
Both feels very empty.
2 Dragonpass access included per World Debit MC w/ CBA at $10/month per debit card.
Subscribe two to three weeks prior to departure to receive the card on time - however lounge passes are issued instantly.