This lounge operator runs a small network of just over 140 high-quality lounges at 35 airports in 16 countries, including two in Australia.
Unlimited access to all lounges is granted to American Express Platinum Charge cardholders and some Plaza Premium lounges are part of the Priority Pass network, which can be accessed with some other credit cards.
Arrture loyalty program
The lounge operator recently launched its own loyalty program called Arrture.
Registration is free in-person at 43 currently participating lounges, including locations in Brisbane, Singapore, Hong Kong, London and Canada, and you will earn 100 points for each lounge visit as well as 15% off Wellness spa treatments
You can then redeem 2000 points for a free three-hour visit to any of the lounges participating in the partnership and can gift that visit to anyone else.
Our take is that it is not very attractive offer but that it will be interesting to see what other redemption options are announced, so starting to earn free points is a good idea.
Note that there is no ‘minimum stay’ requirement in the lounge so technically you could just pop in for a minute to get the points and then leave. They wouldn’t be upset because they are still getting reimbursed by Priority Pass or American Express and you’re not even consuming any food or beverages!
You can get more information on the Arrture program and register in-person at any participating lounge.
Melbourne lounge
This lounge opened in March 2018 and offers great food and drinks but is not an ideal place to work from.
Brisbane lounge
This lounge opened in the first half of 2016 and reviews are talking about good tarmac views and customer service, but that the lounge is on the small side.
It is located on Level 4 of the International Terminal, between Gates 81 and 82.
Its opening hours are from 5:30am until 11pm, with alcohol served from 7am.
There is complimentary buffet-style food, beer and wine, with spirits available for purchase.
Read more in our Brisbane lounge guide.
Plaza Premium First
This concept is a step above a regular lounge, with features such as à la carte dining and complimentary massage treatments.
There are First lounges in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, with which the latter requires a co-pay of 200 HKG (= ~AU$35) for Priority Pass members to access.
It looks like this concept will be expanded to other airports.
Unlimited access for American Express Platinum Charge cardholders
The American Express Platinum Charge card offers lounge access to Plaza Platinum lounges, in addition to the existing Priority Pass, Virgin Australia, American Express Lounge and Delta SkyClub benefits.
There is overlap between some Priority Pass lounges and Plaza Premium lounges, so these cardholders are doubly lucky to have access!
You just need to flash your American Express Platinum Charge or Centurion card at the lounge entrance to gain access. Plus, according to one of our readers, you will also receive a 15-minute complimentary massage service at the Wellness Spa.
Plaza Premium vs Priority Pass
Whilst there is some overlap between the two lounge networks, like in Brisbane, having a Priority Pass membership doesn’t mean you can get into all Plaza Premium lounges.
Read more about which lounges you can access and which credit cards give you this benefit our guide to the Priority Pass lounge network.
Summing up
With new lounges also opening up in places as diverse as Melbourne, Brisbane, Taipei and Rio de Janeiro in recent years, it seems like the strategy of holding a credit card or number of credit cards to access a range of lounge networks diversifies your options when travelling.
Supplementary images courtesy Plaza Platinum.
Hi Jack/anyone else reading this that is wondering about supplementary cardholder access,
Unlimited lounge access seems to be granted to the primary and all supplementary cardholders, except for priority pass lounges that are not included in any of the other lounge networks (only one supplementary cardholder may be nominated) and Virgin (primary cardholder only) –
https://global.americanexpress.com/lounge-access/the-platinum-card#/loungefinder
The excerpt from the above webpage is as below:
The Centurion® Lounge
To enter, present your Platinum Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel and a government issued ID. You may enter with up to two complimentary guests. Access is open to Primary and Supplementary Platinum Card Members.
International American Express Lounges
Access is open to the Primary and Supplementary Platinum Card Members. To enter, present your Platinum Card, same-day airline ticket on any carrier and a government-issued I.D. For details of individual American Express lounge access requirements please review the lounge details page for the specific lounge.
Priority Pass™
Enrolment is complimentary for the Primary Platinum Card Member and one Supplementary Platinum Card Member. To enter, present your valid Priority Pass card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel and a government issued ID. One complimentary guest may enter with the Primary and Supplementary Platinum Card Member.
Plaza Premium Airport Lounges
To enter, present your valid Platinum Card, a boarding pass showing a confirmed reservation for same-day travel and a government issued ID. You may enter with up to two complimentary guests. Access is open to Primary and Supplementary Platinum Card Members.
Virgin Australia
Travel with Virgin Australia domestically within Australia and present your Platinum Card with same-day boarding pass to gain access to Virgin Australia Lounges. Access is complimentary for the Primary Platinum Card Member and a guest.
Delta Sky Club
Access is open to Primary and Supplementary Platinum Card Members. To enter just show your Platinum Card, valid ID and same-day boarding pass for a Delta flight. You may purchase guest access for your spouse or domestic partner and a child under 21, or up to two other traveling companions. Any additional guests may purchase One-Day Passes.
It took ages for me to find this information (AmEx, why would you not include an obvious link in the platinum charge card page???) so hopefully this information is helpful to you too!
Hi,
Is the unlimited access available for supplementary card holders for the Platinum Charge card?
I just don’t seem to be able to find that information on the AmEx account website at all. If you can direct me to where you obtain this info, that would be very helpful!
I recently used the American Express lounge and found that the elevator inside that lounge heads directly down into the Skyteam lounge. There is even a sign advising that there are additional bathrooms downstairs (the only reason I even thought to get into the elevator) so it can’t be a coincidence. There are no checks there, so effectively the two lounges are connected.
Hi Keith I tried to gain access to the Skyteam lounge in Sydney last Sunday and was told my Business Platinum charge card does not give me access to this lounge and they directed me back next door to the American Express lounge. I then asked the manager at the American Express lounge whether my card allows me into the Skyteam lounge due to it being run by Plaza Premium and he advised no not in Sydney.
OK, thanks for flagging on the lack of access for PP in Sydney. Looks like we received some incorrect info.