Business Upgrade worthwhile for MAD TO LIS for lounge?
Feb 17, 2015, 5:32 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto-YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, BA Executive- Blue, Lifemiles, AA Advantage, VIA Rail Preference, Iberia Plus
Posts: 565
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Hello all
So I'm curious if it's worthwhile to get the business class upgrade in Madrid as I have a 3hr layover there.
I know the flight is short and that there's not really a comfier seat that comes with it but would like to see what the general consensus is here.
And I'm assuming it would be only with not spending more than $100/€60.
Thanks in advance!
Hello all
So I'm curious if it's worthwhile to get the business class upgrade in Madrid as I have a 3hr layover there.
I know the flight is short and that there's not really a comfier seat that comes with it but would like to see what the general consensus is here.
And I'm assuming it would be only with not spending more than $100/€60.
Thanks in advance!
Feb 17, 2015, 6:32 am
#2
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London UK
Programs: All Expired... :-(
Posts: 410
As lounged go, it's quite nice, but it's still that, just a lounge. Some comfortable chairs, drinks and snacks. Nothing amazing, but pleasant nonetheless.
Three hours is not that long and Madrid T4 is a nice airport, and I'm sure you could find somewhere else to sit down, browse the shops and have something to eat - I think I'd rather do that for the sake of 60 EUR.
Also note, that unlike on BA, POUG upgrades on Iberia do not get any extra tier points.
Three hours is not that long and Madrid T4 is a nice airport, and I'm sure you could find somewhere else to sit down, browse the shops and have something to eat - I think I'd rather do that for the sake of 60 EUR.
Also note, that unlike on BA, POUG upgrades on Iberia do not get any extra tier points.
Feb 17, 2015, 6:38 am
#3
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: London UK
Programs: All Expired... :-(
Posts: 410
If all you care about is lounge access, there is also a non-Iberia paid lounge at T4:
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Ae...Revoltosa.html
It costs 26.50, which is a lot less than the 60.00 for the business class upgrade. I've never used it, but I imagine it will be much the same.
http://www.aena.es/csee/Satellite/Ae...Revoltosa.html
It costs 26.50, which is a lot less than the 60.00 for the business class upgrade. I've never used it, but I imagine it will be much the same.
Feb 17, 2015, 8:42 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,351
I have been to La Revoltosa several times (it is a Priority Pass lounge). It's not as nice as the Iberia lounges, but quite adequate. There are snacks, salads, olives, spanish omelette and even a couple of microwaveable dishes (lasagna I think).
Feb 18, 2015, 5:18 am
#5
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto-YYZ
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Thanks for the input guys.
I'll likely end up passing on it then and just explore the airport.
I presume I'll be in TS4? I presume I can also leave and go explore the normal T4 as well without any problem?
Thanks again
Thanks for the input guys.
I'll likely end up passing on it then and just explore the airport.
I presume I'll be in TS4? I presume I can also leave and go explore the normal T4 as well without any problem?
Thanks again
Feb 18, 2015, 5:43 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: MUCCI
Posts: 5,706
Feb 18, 2015, 3:06 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto-YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, BA Executive- Blue, Lifemiles, AA Advantage, VIA Rail Preference, Iberia Plus
Posts: 565
I assumed T4S because that's where I departed from on the way to Marrakech.
I presume the premium lounge doesn't have wines?
Thanks again everyone, much appreciated.
Feb 18, 2015, 3:23 pm
#9
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 1,351
AENA is the organisation that manages Spanish airports. They operate a lounge in each MAD terminal, separate from the IB lounges.
You cannot pay to enter the IB lounges (which do have wines, of course), you can only get in with status or a business class ticket.
You can pay about 25 € for a pass to get in the AENA lounges (which are also associated with Priority Pass).
What people are saying is that, if you only want lounge access, it is cheaper to buy the pass for the AENA lounge than to buy the upgrade to get in the (nicer) IB lounge.
Personally, rather than pay for the lounge I would spend my money to eat something in the terminal, and then find a quiet bench to wait.
You cannot pay to enter the IB lounges (which do have wines, of course), you can only get in with status or a business class ticket.
You can pay about 25 € for a pass to get in the AENA lounges (which are also associated with Priority Pass).
What people are saying is that, if you only want lounge access, it is cheaper to buy the pass for the AENA lounge than to buy the upgrade to get in the (nicer) IB lounge.
Personally, rather than pay for the lounge I would spend my money to eat something in the terminal, and then find a quiet bench to wait.
Feb 18, 2015, 5:06 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Toronto-YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan, BA Executive- Blue, Lifemiles, AA Advantage, VIA Rail Preference, Iberia Plus
Posts: 565
AENA is the organisation that manages Spanish airports. They operate a lounge in each MAD terminal, separate from the IB lounges.
You cannot pay to enter the IB lounges (which do have wines, of course), you can only get in with status or a business class ticket.
You can pay about 25 € for a pass to get in the AENA lounges (which are also associated with Priority Pass).
What people are saying is that, if you only want lounge access, it is cheaper to buy the pass for the AENA lounge than to buy the upgrade to get in the (nicer) IB lounge.
Personally, rather than pay for the lounge I would spend my money to eat something in the terminal, and then find a quiet bench to wait.
You cannot pay to enter the IB lounges (which do have wines, of course), you can only get in with status or a business class ticket.
You can pay about 25 € for a pass to get in the AENA lounges (which are also associated with Priority Pass).
What people are saying is that, if you only want lounge access, it is cheaper to buy the pass for the AENA lounge than to buy the upgrade to get in the (nicer) IB lounge.
Personally, rather than pay for the lounge I would spend my money to eat something in the terminal, and then find a quiet bench to wait.
My original plan was to get into the Iberia lounge by way of the doing a business class upgrade but won't be doing it anymore based on what everyone here has said. Esp since there's no upgrades with extra points.
I don't think I'll be eating much before so the thought of eat a LOT was tempting as well. I've had tagine (last nights especially was really good) the past 3 nights so I'm ready for something else.