Qatar’s award-winning lounges aren’t just for premium passengers.
There has long been a misconception that the Business and First Class lounges found in airports are solely for use by passengers flying in First or Business Class. In fact, for some ticket types, even Business Class passengers may not be able to access certain lounges. For the passengers in Economy or Premium Economy, there’s the option to pay to access a lounge, and you’d be surprised at how many airlines allow this.
The caveat with Qatar: check before you try
Qatar have changed the rules around paying for lounge access multiple times over the last few years. That’s partly been due to capacity; their base at Doha went through quiet periods during the pandemic, but it picked up again, and then they opened the new wing at Doha airport, along with another lounge.
Their paid lounge access is for Qatar passengers only. That means flying in or out on their planes.
It should also be said that airlines will prioritise premium passengers when it comes to lounge access, which means that paid lounge access for walk-ups will take a back seat.
My first advice is to check the Qatar website, and specifically the “manage my booking” section which lists your upcoming flights. Advanced paid lounge options may be available for your upcoming flights, and you can also find information on each lounge.
Sometimes that information contradicts the main Qatar website, adding to the confusion
Tip: Buy online beforehand
If you have the option to buy lounge access through the app, then I’d suggest you take that approach. Paying up front (and Qatar also states that you may be able to do this via your travel agent) can reduce the costs and will secure your place in a lounge.
The reality: Walk-ups may still get a “no”
A few years ago, we tried to get access to the first-class lounge. We had a business class seat and were willing to pay cash for the upgrade, but we got a cold, hard no from the lounge guardian at the bottom of the escalators. There are no guarantees that you’ll be able to pay for a lounge on the day, which is another reason why booking ahead, if it’s available, is the best option.
Pricing for Qatar lounges at Doha
The GBP prices below are the “at the airport” price at the current QAR/GBP conversion rate.
The actual price you pay may will vary based on the XE and any conversion fees that your bank or credit card applies.
Pre-booking the lounges can save you money. For example, access to the Al Mourjan lounge costs £100, but if you’re able to pre-book, it could be as low as £90.
| Lounge / Category | Adult Price | Child (<12) Price |
|---|---|---|
| Al Safwa First Class1 | QAR 500 / £100 | QAR 250 / £50 |
| Al Safwa First Class with Spa access | QAR 550 / £112 | Children not allowed in the Spa |
| Almourjan Business Lounge | QAR 500 / £100 | QAR 250/ £50 |
| First/Business Arrivals Lounge | QAR 150 / £30 | QAR 80 / £16 |
| Non-Doha First Class Lounge2 | QAR 250 / £50 | QAR 130 / £26 |
| Non-Doha Business Class Lounge3 | QAR 200 / £40 | QAR 100 / £20 |
- If you are entitled to a Business Class lounge through your ticket or status ↩︎
- First Class lounges outside of Qatar ↩︎
- Business Class lounges outside of Qatar ↩︎
Which business class tickets can pay to access the First (Al Safwa) lounge?
Paying for access to the Al Safwa lounge requires that you have a business class ticket on a Qatar flight, and a specific face class. I’ve listed these below, but they cover most business-class tickets, including discounted ones.
Award tickets (ones you purchase using Avios) are not eligible for paid Al Safwa access. They may be denoted by a fate class of U or X.
- J or C: Full-fare business class
- I or D: Discounted business class
- R: Discounted or upgraded business class ticket
How can you determine the fare class of your Qatar ticket?
You ‘ll find this on the e-ticket PDF that is sent to you when you book with Qatar, and you can also access this via the website or the app. On the E-ticket, it should have a column called “Class” towards the top, it will look like:
BUSINESS (U)The letter in the brackets represents your fare class. If you’re struggling to find your fare class then I’d suggest you use the live chat function on the Qatar Airways website. They are pretty quick in responding and I’ve found the live chat service to be really helpful in the past.
Which economy class tickets can be upgraded to lounge access?
Qatar are pretty generous. If you’re travelling on a Qatar flight, then any of the ticket classes below can be upgraded to lounge access. That includes the Al Mourjan lounge, as well as the Silver and Gold Class lounges, and the First and Business Arrivals Lounge. You cannot access the first-class lounge with an economy ticket.
Economy ticket classes that are eligible for paid lounge access: P, Y, B, H, K, M, L, V, S, N, Q, O, T and W
Got a long layover? Here’s a hack
If you’re connecting in Doha and there’s a long gap between your incoming and outbound flight, then here’s a trick to get access to a lounge, food and a shower at more than half the price of the main lounge.
Qatar allows travellers from over a hundred countries to enter without a Visa. If your baggage is automatically being carried on to the next flight, you could wander around the city without your cases. We’ve been to Doha many times and thoroughly enjoy spending time here. On top of that Uber’s are cheap.
Instead, utilise the cheaper arrivals lounge.
The Al Maha arrivals lounge has two entrances. You can bypass the main immigration process and proceed through the private immigration process offered by this lounge. That works if you’re travelling on a First or Business Class Ticket. If you’re looking to buy access, there is no indication that you can do so through this entrance.
Instead, pass through the standard immigration process, utilising the visa-free access, then look for the signs for the “Al Maha” lounge in the arrivals hall.
This arrivals lounge is usually very quiet, offering a good food selection, ample space, and shower rooms. It can be a much nicer experience than the lounges in the main terminal, especially during peak times, and it is significantly more affordable.
When you’re done, you’ll have to go back into the airport through the departures area, and go back through security. That means keeping hold of the ticket for your next flight.
Got a really long layover? Get a complimentary hotel
For passengers with layovers of more than eight hours, you can request a free hotel stay. You must apply for this more than 72 hours before departure, and a dedicated page is available on the Qatar Airways website for this purpose.
Unlikely, but do you work as a seafarer or offshore worker?
There’s one lounge at Doha that even first-class passengers don’t get access to, and that’s the Mariner lounge. Launched back in 2020, it’s an attractive space with showers, food, drink, a TV area and a business centre.
This lounge is free to use, but only if you’re able to prove that you’re either a seafarer or an offshore worker. You also have to be travelling on a Qatar flight, either inbound or outbound from Doha.
Documents that are accepted for entry are:
- A Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) or a seaman’s Book, or
- On-sign / Off-sign letters from the seafarer or Letters of Guarantee from the offshore worker’s employer or agent.
There is no time limit on how long you can stay in this lounge.
Should you pay for access to a lounge at Doha?
Do you want to experience some of the best lounges in the World? If the answer is yes, then it’s worth paying for an upgrade. I’ve visited almost all of the lounges in Doha, and they are stunning.
If you want a shower, then there are cheaper options than paying for lounge access. The Be Relax spa in Concourse D/E allows you to access showers for just over £12 for 25 minutes.
Whilst the lounges offer some of the best food and drink I’ve had, there are countless food options at Doha airport, and they range from high-end to fast food.
Finally, if you’re looking for a quiet space, then paying for a lounge may provide it. How quiet it is really depends on the time of day. We flew from Doha during the day, and it was nearly deserted, not just in the lounges but throughout the entire airport. The peak period is the evening and into the early hours of the morning, and that means that the airport is busy, and the lounges are too. The best lounge during those hours is the First Class lounge, which is the priciest option. You can read about our experience at the Al Safwa First Class lounge, which I consider to be the best in the World.
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