Am I Missing Something Here? Diner's Club - Free Worldwide Lounge Access for $150 a Year

Lbalkandishlex on 15/10/2019 - 11:36
Last edited 15/10/2019 - 11:39

I'm planning a trip to Europe with my partner and one kid. Trying to figure out paid lounge access along the way, I came across this post, which seemed to indicate there might be a way to save a significant amount of money. I've gone over the Diner's website, and called and spoken to their call centre, and it seems like this benefit is actually real, in which case it seems like it might be very nearly too good to be true.

We're travelling MEL-HKG-LHW then BHX-BCN then BCN-CDG then LGW-HKG-MEL in bog standard el cheapo Cathay economy, with no Asiamiles or status to speak of.

I'll be using LCCs for the internal flights in Europe.

Looking at accessing a lounge in HKG for the layover (3 hours on the way, 4 hours on the way back), it looks like Plaza Premium is talking about 115USD per person. I'm sure I can get it lower using discounts etc but even then we're looking at at least 75USD, each way, per person.

Diner's Club looks to give free entry to that lounge, along with lounges at LITERALLY EVERY OTHER AIRPORT ON OUR ITINERARY. We'll have to pay for the kidlet, but if we get a Diner's Card (95 annual fee) plus a companion card (50 annual fee), we're spending 145AUD TOTAL for what I think adds up to 10 lounge visits across our trip @ effectively 14.50 AUD each plus kid entry

Am I taking crazy pills, or is this actually going to work???

https://www.pointmeright.com/blog/unlimited-airport-lounge-a…

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Comments

  • vetopower on 15/10/2019 - 11:43

    Have a read of the posts here: https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/threads…

  • slknv on 15/10/2019 - 11:47

    I've had a diners card for years purely for the lounge access. Quality varies - the best one recently was the first class lounge in bangkok, with meals made to order and an amazing shower suite. However also look at priority pass which some premium credit cards offer.

    • balkandishlex on 15/10/2019 - 11:57

      only other cards I can find with unlimited lounge access are AMEX platinum (with $1350 annual fee) and Citi Rewards Signature (395 annual fee) - i already have a st george amplify so all of the westpac family is out of contention.

  • tomclancy on 15/10/2019 - 16:42

    Interested too. Been in the back of my mind since I heard about the no annual fee liqourland /coles business card, but I'm not sure that is offered anymore

    • balkandishlex on 16/10/2019 - 09:30

      ok so this one is 18GBP per person per lounge. I"ll need to do my sums!

      • Stewardo on 16/10/2019 - 12:42

        I use the regus one occasionally, it really depends on the airport, the quality of the lounge and the time your going to spend. I’d go to the lounge in Melbourne and HK but your other destinations probably wouldn’t bother. I wait to order lounge pass until I’m outside the lounge, incase I don’t end up needing it, lounge is full, or poor quality etc.

  • camcam on 04/11/2019 - 06:54
    +1

    We've just finished a 3 week trip to and around Europe. We got the Diners and Additional card holder so that we (wife and I) could access lounges. Best $200 ever. $100 annual fee, $49 rewards fee (separate to qff) and $50 additional card holder.
    The additional card is a different card number to the main. You each show your card, it's swiped and welcomed.
    Do it!

    • blueyez on 05/11/2019 - 15:34

      Which lounges did you visit? :)

      Curious to know as i'll be in Europe for summer next year, cities (apart from Amsterdam) TBC

      • camcam on 06/11/2019 - 20:24
        +1

        Hong Kong - Plaza Premium near Gate 40, looks ordinary at first but keep going through the section to the left and you'll find another bar and sitting area. Showers were in another area called 'refresh'. 4/5
        Munich - Airport Lounge Europe - 4/5
        Munich - Airport Lounge World - 5/5 best lounge I've ever visited.
        Rome - Plaza Premium T3, food pretty ordinary, but nice big place to sit. 3/5
        Zagreb - Primeclass lounge - can fill up quickly, no showers but good selection of food and drink. 3/5

        • blueyez on 06/11/2019 - 21:34

          Thanks 😁 As I wasn't lucky enough to book fancy flights maybe I should splash out on a diners card hmmm!

          • camcam on 07/11/2019 - 08:36
            +1

            @blueyez: When you look at the cost of single entry for some of the plaza premiums on Expedia this pays for itself after a couple of visits.

    • NegEveryone on 29/11/2019 - 14:36

      How did you signup? I go to the dinersclub site, and there is no pricing, or joining information.

    • scanuck on 30/11/2019 - 20:28

      I cancelled my rewards program for next renewal

      I really didn’t find the earn worthwhile for the acceptance rate of Diners

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