Lounge access isn’t just limited to Business or First
Airport lounges are just for those in premium cabins? Think again. Emirates opens its lounges up to travellers in any of their cabins; you just need to get your wallet out. What you’ll pay depends on a few factors: your ticket, your location and whether you’re a member of their Skywards programme.
Emirates lounge access rules
Getting complimentary access to a lounge is linked to the cabin that you fly in and your ticket type OR your Emirates Skywards status.
Lounge access by status is simpler to understand
- Skywards Blue (the lowest tier) does not entitle you to lounge access.
- Silver-tier members can access the business-class lounge
- Gold-tier members also get business class lounge access and can bring in one guest
- Platinum members (the highest tier) can access both the First and Business class lounges, and bring one Adult guest and two children (under 17).
Guests you bring into the lounge must be travelling on the same flight as you.
Accessing by your cabin and ticket type works as you would expect, with one exception
- Economy passengers can only access lounges if they pay
- Business class passengers access the Business lounges, except for the Business Class Special ticket type. That has no lounge access, but you can pay for entry.
- First class passengers can access Business or First Class lounges.
If you’re entering a lounge based on your ticket type, there is no option to bring a guest.
How good are Emirates lounges?
Generally, they are very good. Emirates operates thirty-nine lounges, seven of which are in their home airport of Dubai.
They have a lot of outstation lounges, covering the major cities that they travel to. In the UK they have:
- London Heathrow (Terminal 3)
- London Gatwick (North Terminal)
- London Stansted
- Manchester (T1, but moving to Terminal 2 soon)
- Birmingham
- Glasgow
These lounges tend to be a catch-all for both Business and First passengers, and are of an excellent standard. The food and drink on offer are particularly good when compared to other lounges.
Even the older lounges (I reviewed their Manchester lounge recently) are of a good standard. That lounge is due to close in 2025 when the airline moves from Terminal 1 to the newer T2. A new lounge is being built, but it’s not expected to open at the same time as the move.
How much does it cost to get access to an Emirates lounge?
There are three factors that influence the price to enter:
- The cabin you are travelling in, and your ticket type
- Your location (are you at Dubai airport)
- Whether you are a member of Emirates Skywards.
Firstly, the cost is reduced if you’ve joined Emirates Skywards. It is completely free to become a member. When we paid to upgrade our lounge access, my wife joined as we were standing at the counter, and that saved us $25.
- If you’re flying in Economy and want to use the Business lounge in Dubai, being a Skywards member will save you $25
- Business Class flyers who want to upgrade to the First lounge in Dubai will save $25
- Economy travellers who want to use the First lounge in Dubai will save $50
- Finally, if you want to access an Emirates lounge outside Dubai, you’ll save $30
Emirates Lounge Costs
| Location | Lounge / Ticket | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Dubai | Business Class lounge on an Economy ticket | $150 ($175 if not a Skywards member) |
| Dubai | First Class lounge on an Economy ticket | $250 ($300 if not a Skywards member) |
| Dubai | First Class lounge on a Business ticket | $150 ($175 if not a Skywards member) |
| Rest of world | Any lounge on an Economy ticket | $125 ($155 if not a Skywards member) |
Should you pay to access a lounge?
Don’t do what we did, which is to pay $300 to access a First Class lounge when we were flying business class. Emirates has three different First Class lounges at Dubai, and one of them is barely a step up from a good business class lounge.
The bigger question of whether it’s worth the price is based on what value you’ll get.
If you’re travelling in Economy, you’ll have no lounge access. Getting access to the Business Class lounge will give you free food and drink, and likely a better place to sit and wait for your flight. However, it’s worth noting that Business Class lounges can get very busy, and you’re not guaranteed a great seat, or even peace and quiet. During off-peak times, is it worth saving your money and just finding a quiet restaurant to sit in?
If you’re travelling in Business with Emirates and you’re thinking of paying to upgrade to the First Class lounge, then pick your lounge carefully. Avoid the Emirates First Lounge at Concourse C.
Whether you’re upgrading from Economy or Business, the main reason to upgrade is the experience. Lounges, especially those for premium carriers like Emirates, are seen as a fascinating luxury. Life is about experiences, so why not live a little?
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