A guide to Heathrow’s lounges and how to access them

Want to travel like a VIP on your next trip? Here's our round-up of all the lounges at London Heathrow.

When it comes to lounges at London Heathrow, travellers are spoiled for choice. However, access and availability can vary wildly.

While some lounges are available to everyone on a pay-per-visit basis, others are only accessible to members of lounge programmes, high-tier frequent fliers, premium credit cardholders or first class or business class passengers.

As the busiest airport in Europe, London Heathrow boasts 33 lounges across four terminals so there are plenty of locations for some R&R before your next trip.

Most lounges offer drinks, food and newspapers and magazines at a minimum, while others go the extra mile with spa facilities, showers and even private rooms if you want to catch a few hours’ sleep between flights.

We’ve detailed all the Heathrow airport lounges and how you can gain access to them, including those that take Priority Pass – more on this below the list.

Heathrow Terminal 2 lounges

LocationFacilitiesEntrance criteria
Plaza Premium LoungeInside securityPremium food, bar, showers, spa (paid), private rooms (paid), newspapers & magazinesPay-per-use or with a Priority Pass

Heathrow Terminal 3 lounges

LocationFacilitiesEntrance criteria
No. 1 LoungesAfter securityComplimentary light meals, snacks, showers, spa, digital newspaper & magazinesPay-per-use or with a Priority Pass
Club Aspire LoungeInside securityPremium food (paid), bar, showers (paid), newspapers & magazinesPay-per-use or with a Priority Pass

Heathrow Terminal 4 lounges

LocationFacilitiesEntrance criteria
Plaza Premium LoungeInside securityPremium food, bar, showers, private rooms (paid), newspaper & magazinesPay-per-use depending on what services you require or with a Priority Pass
Plaza Premium LoungeInside securityPremium food, bar, showers, spa (paid), private rooms (paid), newspapers & magazinesPay-per-use or with a Priority Pass
Plaza Premium LoungeInside securityPremium food, bar, showers, spa (paid), private rooms (paid), newspapers & magazinesPay-per-use or with a Priority Pass

Heathrow Terminal 5 lounges

LocationFacilitiesEntrance criteria
Club Aspire LoungeInside securityPremium food (paid), bar, showers (paid), newspapers & magazinesPay-per-use or with a Priority Pass
Be RelaxAfter securityChair and table massages, manicures, pedicures, waxing, facials, oxygen and aromatherapyPay-per-use

Read our guide to Gatwick lounges

Priority Pass

One way to gain access to a wide selection of lounges is with Priority Pass. It offers a scheme open to everyone, regardless of your airline boarding class or membership programme. Members simply pay an annual fee to join and can access 1,500 lounges across 140 countries. When it comes to London Heathrow, Priority Pass includes access to eight lounges with at least one in every terminal.

As a Priority Pass member, you can access Heathrow lounges run by independent operators such as Aspire, Plaza Premium and No1 Lounges, as well as the SkyTeam airlines network lounge. There are also two Heathrow lounges available in arrivals if you need to freshen up after a long-haul flight before a meeting or important appointment.

There are 3 different membership levels:

  • Standard membership is a £69 annual fee plus £24 each time you enter a lounge.
  • Standard plus membership costs £229 a year. This gives you 10 free lounge visits during your membership year. Any subsequent visits are charged at £24 per visit.
  • Prestige membership costs £419 a year. This offers unlimited lounge visits during your membership year. Given that it costs significantly more than Standard Plus, you’d want to be confident of making a decent number of lounge visits over the year before signing up for this option.

Priority Pass: The complete guide

Using a credit card to access a lounge at Heathrow

Many premium credit cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to airport lounges without paying an entry fee. Some cards and lounges will also let you bring a guest or family members with you.

Additionally, some credit cards offer free membership to a lounge membership programme, such as Priority Pass, while some providers have their own branded lounges.

Credit cards and airport lounge access

Priority Pass discounts

Deal

Lounge access with Priority Pass

Access 1,500+ airport lounges and premium travel experiences globally, in 600 cities across 148 countries
We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you. Most of the data in Finder's comparison tables has the source: Moneyfacts Group PLC. In other cases, Finder has sourced data directly from providers.
Emily Herring's headshot
Written by

Publisher

Emily Herring is a Publisher at Finder specialising in credit-based products including credit cards and business and personal loans. Emily has recently joined the Investments team. She has a Masters in Creative Writing & Publishing and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication & Media. See full bio

Emily's expertise
Emily has written 146 Finder guides across topics including:
  • Loans & credit cards
  • Building credit

More guides on Finder

  • Using a credit card in Taiwan

    Consider a card with fee-free spending abroad and decline decline dynamic currency conversion to avoid card charges in Taiwan.

  • A guide to Gatwick’s lounges and how to access them

    A comprehensive guide to London Gatwick’s airport lounges across both the North and South terminals and how to access them.

  • Using a credit card in Turkey

    Here’s everything you need to know about using a credit card in Turkey. How much it may cost you and holiday spending tricks.

  • Using a credit card in Sweden

    Planning to use your UK credit card in Sweden? Read our guide to find out which cards are best, plus payment and card advice before and while you travel.

  • Using a credit card in Switzerland

    If you’re planning a trip to Switzerland and want to use your UK credit card, read our guide to ensure you don’t face any challenges with spending on your travels.

  • Best credit cards to use in Thailand

    Learn everything you need to know about using your credit card in Thailand before you travel.

  • Using a credit card in UAE

    All the most important things that you need to know about using a credit card in UAE. Read our helpful guide before setting off on your holiday in the United Arab Emirates.

  • Using a credit card in the USA

    Everything you need to know about using your credit card in the USA. We do the homework for you before you head across the pond.

  • Credit cards with free airport lounge access

    Find out how you can enjoy the luxury and services of airport lounges all around the world with a credit card that offers complimentary airport lounge access.

Go to site