Other Middle East and Africa Frequent Flyer Programs - New Riyadh Terminal 1 lounge access issues

At RUH Terminal 1, the terminal for most foreign airlines, there's a new lounge. Unfortunately, when I turned up at the counter with my RJ business class boarding pass I was told that I wasn't eligible for access. The counter guys told me that this is because RJ hadn't signed a contract for it yet. Upon further inquiry, I found out that a number of airlines are in a similar situation.
Here's a list of airlines that have signed a contract and have set up access for premium passengers:

Singapore, MEA, Cathay Pacific, Turkish, Syrian, Pakistan, Royal Air Maroc, Kuwait, Bahrain Air (but NOT Gulf!), BMI, and British.

Note the absence of Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar as well as Gulf.

Frequent RUH travelers will remember that there was a lounge in one corner of the terminal. That lounge is now closed. For RJ, and I guess the other airlines, the only 'lounge' is a small buffet restaurant between 2 gates. The restaurant wasn't ready (slowed down for Ramadan) when I got there. They only had drinks and a few sandwiches.

So the situation has actually gotten worse for several airlines. The old lounge, small and adequate though it may have been, was at least something. Now there's just a crummy restaurant with no special seating area.

I gave up on this setup, bit the bullet, and paid to enter this new lounge. It cost 160 riyals. It's just ok, not that great. There are only a few really good, comfy chairs or sofas. Otherwise there are some semi lounge chairs. The food is typical finger food for the region: samosas, felafels, and so on with a rather humorous attempt at pizza. There is a shower in the bathroom, a meeting room, and the internet is pretty good.

I'm saving the receipt to show to RJ when I get to Amman. I doubt much will come of it. But their website does say that in Riyadh there's access to the 'Premier Lounge, opposite Gate 18.' This is the location of the new lounge and the name of it is 'Premium Lounge'. However, it is also the location (a slightly different across) of the old lounge. So I think lots of RJ people will be showing up expecting to get into the lounge.

When did the terminal open?

The situation sounds the same as Jeddah's foreign terminal; EY, EK, QA & GF are all out of the lounge there- apparently they refuse to be extorted by the terminals when they put their fees up. This has been going on for at least the last six months.

Hopefully they can work something out. The old lounge was horrendous. Tiny, overcrowded, terrible food options and slow internet. I've flown BA and RJ out of RUH and both used the old lounge.

Bad as the old lounge was, it was still preferable to not being in it :D

Hope they get it sorted soon!

is it at the same location as the old crappy lounge by gate 18? that was hell on earth lol

is it at the same location as the old crappy lounge by gate 18? that was hell on earth lol

No, the old place is completely closed up. The new lounge is upstairs in what was formerly one of the observation decks. It must have opened in June or July. When I was there in May it was still under construction.

I was there in late June and they were still under construction but the other lounge was open. now that it's closed what about lufthansa (star alliance gold members) passengers? can they access that lounge?
if not, then there's no lounge at all. bummer.

The old lounge next to gate 18 was the pits, but at least it wasn't swarming with flies like the rest of the terminal.

I notice the new lounge is open plan with the rest of the terminal, so the flies will have free access even if GF, EK, EY and QR passengers don't :D

I was there in late June and they were still under construction but the other lounge was open. now that it's closed what about lufthansa (star alliance gold members) passengers? can they access that lounge?
if not, then there's no lounge at all. bummer.

That list they gave me was the complete list as of that day (Aug. 9). If an airline isn't on the list then either you have to pay to get in or just do without.

The lounge guys did imply that negotiations are ongoing with various airlines. So as time passes more and more airlines will probably be getting access.

Arabiamark, Thanks - I'll find out in two weeks when I leave Riyadh for a short trip out of the kingdom.

Flew from RUH last night, and as feared was turned away from the new lounge by a gleefully officious gentleman at the door.

EY, EK, GF and QR passengers have to make do with the coffee shop down at the other end of the terminal between gates 14 and 15.

The new lounge looked nice and very empty from outside.

I'd give serious consideration to paying the 160 SAR if it meant not having to use the bathroom facilities in the normal departures area.

Although I usually use BA or BMI, until now I've not had lounge access.

I flew with GF for yrs into RUH and that lounge was a time warp-loved it:D

I only ever drank or ate from sealed containers bottles/ packages. The rest of the terminal while airy was as boring as they come. Funny that GF can't access lounge but is tendering to be the first international provider of domestic air services for Saudi!

Update on this. I'm flying Gulf Air business class and I was given a lounge invitation. So it seems things are improving here.

I asked on the way out and was told that Emirates and Qatar are the last two airlines that aren't using this lounge yet.