QATAR Business class lounge at the J-berg airport?

[friendswoodmatt]

I understand or think I read where there was a business lounge at the J-berg airport for Qatar? Is this correct? Is it open these days? as anyone used it recently and if so how was it? I have a few hours to kill in the airport before we fly to Port Elizabeth.

 

[M McDindi]

Yes, it is. Opens at 8am. It's located at the bottom of the ramp/escalator for the "A" gates. What I mean by the "A" gates are the ones with the ramps to the a/c and not the ones where you catch the shuttle buses to/from the a/c.

 

[friendswoodmatt]

Yes, it is. Opens at 8am. It's located at the bottom of the ramp/escalator for the "A" gates.

I cannot find info on it — is it super nice like Doha? Can you shower?

 

[M McDindi]

Airport Premium Lounges Guide | Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport

Premium Lounges Advance Booking at OR Tambo International Airport, including facilities, opening times, conditions of entry, advance booking, lounge locations and terminal layout plan

ortambo-airport.com

NOTHING is as nice at Doha's. But, it's not bad. Website link info on opening time I'm pretty sure is incorrect. Was thru there in Jun and Aug and opens at 8am. Yes, showers and food included. Business class gets in free but anyone with a Qatar or a number of other carriers with less then Business class can just pay a small fee for access.

 

[friendswoodmatt]

Airport Premium Lounges Guide | Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport

Premium Lounges Advance Booking at OR Tambo International Airport, including facilities, opening times, conditions of entry, advance booking, lounge locations and terminal layout plan

ortambo-airport.com

NOTHING is as nice at Doha's. But, it's not bad. Website link info on opening time I'm pretty sure is incorrect. Was thru there in Jun and Aug and opens at 8am. Yes, showers and food included. Business class gets in free but anyone with a Qatar or a number of other carriers with less then Business class can just pay a small fee for access.

Perfect— Thanks very much!

 

[rookhawk]

Just a tangent here.

I find it frustrating that whenever I fly the lounge I want is not anywhere near the terminal I happen to be. What I found to be the best solution is to obtain an AMEX Platinum card. While it isn't cheap, $450-$650 per year, it pays for itself with the huge amount of benefits it provides that make sure you're getting more from the card than the annual fee. You also get reimbursed $200 in domestic airline fees per year, you get TSA Pre and Global Entry fees reversed every three years, plus $20 a month in uber credits, plus a 90 day warranty on anything you buy, plus 60 day return policy on anything you buy, plus travel insurance, plus 2% back as points that are valid at any airline or hotel in the world.

The AMEX Platinum card includes priority pass lounge access worldwide. There are several lounges in that lounge network at Jo'Burg. It also lets you get into any AMEX centurion lounge worldwide and those are rather opulent. Both allow access for you and two guests at a time so its a great way to feed friends. Many times I've found guys sitting around the airport wearing bush shirts and sure enough, fellow hunters buying time until their connections. I usually round up a few of them and ask if they'd join me as a guest in the lounge for a cocktail and a meal. I've met some great people that way all over the world.

 

[Tanks]

...

The AMEX Platinum card includes priority pass lounge access worldwide. ..

So does Chase premier. Almost the same benefits as Amex except it refunds $300 on Travel and Grocery charges, $120 on Peloton membership fees and $60 in DoorDash. 3 points per travel charges and if you use points for travel it doubles it. Last year I got $480 refunded out of $550 fee and $3K travel credits I used for various flights.

 

[Areaonereal]

In August a number of the lounges were closed due to Covid restrictions at JNB, the one referenced above was closed.

 

[friendswoodmatt]

Thats what i was afraid of- I guess I am just gonna hope its open - not much I can do if it isnt

 

[Areaonereal]

I am referring to the Aspire Lounge. Past Duty free before the escalator to A gates international. $33.00 to access, I have used it and very good value when it was open. Shongolo lounge is close but no clue about it. Airport was very quiet with little activity and lots of shops and restaurants closed. If you are going to PE there may be other lounges open in Domestic. Google JNB lounges and you should see what is available.

 

[M McDindi]

On 3 Aug at 8am, Shongolo, at the bottom of the stairs on the left, going down, was open - I used it. Aspire, at the top of the stairs on the left was closed.

 

[Philip Glass]

I always use the little Mashonza lounge. I got in free with my Business class ticket on Qatar. There was no hot food so that was a bummer. Many of the lounges are not open.