Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - OT: Non-OW Lounges at CAI and ATH

I have posted this question in the Middle East forums but after two months still have received no replies. Since the members of this forum know just about everything, surely somebody can answer this:

I will be traveling in and out of CAI (and ATH) on either EgyptAir or another non-OW carrier (not sure yet). I will be doing ATH-CAI and CAI-IST. As I may be traveling in coach I won't have any automatic lounge access. I was wondering if there are lounges at CAI and ATH where one can pay at the front desk for a day pass. Of course the alternative might be to buy a Priority Pass membership, then I know I could pay on the day of use at both airports. By the way, I definitely don't want any new credit cards in case someone should suggest AMEX Platinum or some such route. Thanks for any help!

Try starting with this site:

http://www.loungepass.com

I have always flown from the CAI terminal that is used by airlines other than Eygyptair, and the third party lounges are far from great as many will mention. Access can be purchased, so probably there is something similar at the other new terminal.

I am sure that someone with more knowledge of CAI will advise.

Info also here : http://www.cairo-airport.com

Not sure how you ended up in the BAEC forum, given you're planning to fly a non-OW airline...

All *A flights leave from CAI T3 where there's a Priority Pass 'First Class' lounge (BA operates from T1, where there's also a PP-accessible 'First Class' lounge).

The lounges in any Egyptian airport are pretty miserable, though sometimes mildly amusing, places.

I see from your earlier post that you haven't yet decided which carrier... I assume you know Egyptair is a dry airline? The same applies to all lounges in CAI, btw.

In ATH you can use PP (or presumably pay) to access any one of four lounges:

- Swissport (by gate A11) - by far the most spacious other than the BA lounge
- Aristotle Onassis op by OA (by A13)

Or if travelling from terminal B:

- Melina (by B11)
- Goldair (by B13)

Not sure how you ended up in the BAEC forum, given you're planning to fly a non-OW airline...

All *A flights leave from CAI T3 where there's a Priority Pass 'First Class' lounge (BA operates from T1, where there's also a PP-accessible 'First Class' lounge).

The lounges in any Egyptian airport are pretty miserable, though sometimes mildly amusing, places.

I see from your earlier post that you haven't yet decided which carrier... I assume you know Egyptair is a dry airline? The same applies to all lounges in CAI, btw.

In ATH you can use PP (or presumably pay) to access any one of four lounges:

- Swissport (by gate A11) - by far the most spacious other than the BA lounge
- Aristotle Onassis op by OA (by A13)

Or if travelling from terminal B:

- Melina (by B11)
- Goldair (by B13)

The Melina Mercouri lounge is also operated by OA.

B gates are used for Schengen destinations.
A gates are used for non-Schengen destinations.

My personal preference goes to the two OA lounges, which are nicely decorated and both have a boardroom style meeting room.

Not sure how you ended up in the BAEC forum, given you're planning to fly a non-OW airline...

All *A flights leave from CAI T3 where there's a Priority Pass 'First Class' lounge (BA operates from T1, where there's also a PP-accessible 'First Class' lounge).

The lounges in any Egyptian airport are pretty miserable, though sometimes mildly amusing, places.

I see from your earlier post that you haven't yet decided which carrier... I assume you know Egyptair is a dry airline? The same applies to all lounges in CAI, btw.

In ATH you can use PP (or presumably pay) to access any one of four lounges:

- Swissport (by gate A11) - by far the most spacious other than the BA lounge
- Aristotle Onassis op by OA (by A13)

Or if travelling from terminal B:

- Melina (by B11)
- Goldair (by B13)
Sorry, I guess I should have explained that this an excursion within an already booked British Airways trip. I am flying EZE-LHR-ATH and then IST-LHR-EZE on BA, and I have been using this forum to help with the trip
Thanks for the information!

Try starting with this site:

http://www.loungepass.com

I have always flown from the CAI terminal that is used by airlines other than Eygyptair, and the third party lounges are far from great as many will mention. Access can be purchased, so probably there is something similar at the other new terminal.

I am sure that someone with more knowledge of CAI will advise.

Info also here : http://www.cairo-airport.com
Thanks so much! I think LoungePass.com may be what I will use!

I have posted this question in the Middle East forums but after two months still have received no replies. Since the members of this forum know just about everything, surely somebody can answer this:

I will be traveling in and out of CAI (and ATH) on either EgyptAir or another non-OW carrier (not sure yet). I will be doing ATH-CAI and CAI-IST. As I may be traveling in coach I won't have any automatic lounge access. I was wondering if there are lounges at CAI and ATH where one can pay at the front desk for a day pass. Of course the alternative might be to buy a Priority Pass membership, then I know I could pay on the day of use at both airports. By the way, I definitely don't want any new credit cards in case someone should suggest AMEX Platinum or some such route. Thanks for any help!

The really miserable, horrible, grim lounges were in Terminal 2 which is now closed for renovation.

If you are flying Egyptair you will fly in and out of Terminal 3, which is new and not so bad. They now have a prioritypass lounge, it used to be the *A lounge and unless they've fixed it since I was last there I'd say don't bother. The *A lounges in T3 aren't bad except lack of alcohol. Terminal 3 has a Burger King, cafeteria, bar and small restaurant and are so comfortable you might be better off spending your money on a drink or two and hanging out there than in the PriorityPass lounge.

I believe BA is now flying in and out of Terminal 1, which isn't so bad except you have to be taken by bus to the plane. There is a small food court with a McDonalds, Starbucks and Cinnabon which is nicer to hang out in than the business lounges.

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 9700: Opera/9.80 (BlackBerry; Opera Mini/5.0.18832/18.794; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

The lounges in cai are just horrible. 1 room with. Tv, some seats, and a couple of pasteries. The ua rcc is nicer.
In terms of payment, not sure but did you check the cairo airport website?

Thanks for all the replies! I have to say that I have read a lot of horror stories about CAI. I was planning to engage some sort of meet and assist service, but then I read somewhere that the airport no longer allows this. Does anyone know if that is correct --- maybe just in Terminal 3 (where I am fairly sure I will be)? Also if anyone knows a reputable agency in Cairo that would be appreciated too!

I was planning to engage some sort of meet and assist service, but then I read somewhere that the airport no longer allows this. Does anyone know if that is correct --- maybe just in Terminal 3 (where I am fairly sure I will be)? Also if anyone knows a reputable agency in Cairo that would be appreciated too!

This outfit:

http://www.exceltrvl.net/

has previously provided a meet and assist service for visiting expats. I haven't used them for a few years, but they used to charge EGP45 per person. The service was adequate but I don't know if they still provide it. They met you just before Immigration and escorted you though Passport Control and Customs and could, if required, arrange onward transport to your hotel.

Alternatively all the major Cairo hotels will similarly meet you before Passport Control and escort you through Arrivals.

This outfit:

http://www.exceltrvl.net/

has previously provided a meet and assist service for visiting expats. I haven't used them for a few years, but they used to charge EGP45 per person. The service was adequate but I don't know if they still provide it. They met you just before Immigration and escorted you though Passport Control and Customs and could, if required, arrange onward transport to your hotel.

Alternatively all the major Cairo hotels will similarly meet you before Passport Control and escort you through Arrivals.
Thanks so much, Phil. I have sent them an email. ^

And now over to other ME FFP for future reference

Swanhunter
Moderator, BAEC

Wirelessly posted (Blackberry 9700: Opera/9.80 (BlackBerry; Opera Mini/5.0.18832/18.794; U; en) Presto/2.4.15)

The lounges in cai are just horrible. 1 room with. Tv, some seats, and a couple of pasteries. The ua rcc is nicer.
In terms of payment, not sure but did you check the cairo airport website?

When was the last time you used the lounges there? Are you talking about Terminal 1, 2 or 3??? I agree Terminal 2 lounge was horrible and as you describe, with nescafe instead of coffee - but that terminal is now closed for the next few years for rennovation.

The new Terminal 3 lounges have cappuccino machines, internet, comfortable chairs, plenty of plugs, the odd magazine or newspaper in English and multiple tv sets. Other than lack of alcohol I have to be fair and say their *A lounges are, when not overcrowded, perfectly adequate. Of course the lounge desk can't help with any ticketing or upgrade issues, but that is another story entirely and the biggest weakness with Egyptair's FFP - poor management of upgrades and award ticketing.