How To Access British Airways Lounges [Concorde, Galleries, Arrival, JFK]

British Airways, the flagship carrier of the U.K., operates an airport lounge network of over 60 lounges in 30 airports worldwide. British Airways lounges are primarily located throughout the U.K., EU, and the U.S., and offer an enhanced airport lounge experience to the airline’s premium customers.

There a multiple tiers of British Airways lounges, including Concorde Room, Galleries First, Galleries Club, and Arrival Lounges. Let’s take a look at what each tier of British Airways lounge has to offer, and how you can access them.

British Airways Concorde Room

The British Airways Concorde Room is in a league of its own. So much so that Concorde Rooms aren’t technically a part of British Airways’ standard first class lounges (Galleries First) and there is only 1 of these lounges — at London Heathrow.

Travelers visiting the Concorde Room have access to amenities like a dedicated dining room that is more akin to restaurant dining than typical airport lounge dining and complimentary beverages like Laurent-Perrier Grand Siècle Champagne.

How Do You Access the British Airways Concorde Room?

Since the British Airways Concorde Rooms are by far the nicest of all British Airways lounges, access to them is also the most restrictive.

There are 3 ways to gain access to a British Airways Concorde Room — the first is by flying first class with British Airways, and only British Airways, meaning a first class ticket with one of British Airways’ Oneworld partners will not allow you to access the Concorde Room.

Your other option is by holding a Concorde Room card, which is an unpublished status level of The British Airways Club loyalty program that is rumored to require around 5,000 Tier Points each year. For comparison’s sake, the top (public) status, The British Airways Club Gold, requires 1,500 Tier Points each year. So receiving a Concorde Room card requires a lot of flying with British Airways.

Finally, if you’re a British Airways Club Gold Guest List member, you can access the Concorde lounges when flying any class of service on British Airways.

Hot Tip: For more options, check out our full list of British Airways lounges in the U.S.

Chelsea Lounge

In New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), British Airways operates 3 joint lounges with American Airlines in Terminal 8: Chelsea Lounge, Greenwich Lounge, and Soho Lounge.

Very similar to the Concorde Room in London, the Chelsea Lounge provides an exclusive atmosphere with private dining, a Champagne bar, a fireside lounge, and shower suites. This lounge replaces the old Concorde Lounge that was offered in Terminal 5.

American Airlines ConciergeKey has access to this lounge on premium transcontinental routes, premium Hawaii routes, and all long-haul international flights.

Alternatively, Flagship First International, Flagship First Transcontinental, or Flagship Business Plus on a qualifying same-day flight marketed by a Oneworld airline will also get you access.

British Airways Galleries First Lounge

Unsurprisingly, the British Airways Galleries First Lounges are British Airways’ first class, and best quality, lounges, behind only the Concorde Rooms. In Galleries First Lounges you’ll find premium food and beverage options, wine galleries, and/or Champagne bars.

How Do You Access a British Airways Galleries First Lounge?

Access to British Airways Galleries First Lounges are available to first class passengers traveling with British Airways, or one of its Oneworld partners, on the same day or connecting onwards after having arrived traveling first class. For instance, if you fly from New York to London in first class with British Airways or American Airlines, and then are traveling onward to Paris with British Airways in economy, you’re still eligible to use the Galleries First Lounge during your layover.

Your other option for gaining access to British Airways Galleries First Lounges is by being a British Airways Club Gold member and/or a Oneworld Emerald member traveling on a Oneworld partner flight in any fare class. That’s right, if you have Oneworld Emerald status you can access British Airways first class lounges, and other partner first class lounges, even if you’re flying in economy.

When traveling through JFK, the Soho Lounge in Terminal 8, jointly operate by British Airways and American Airlines, is available with the same entry requirements.

British Airways Galleries Club Lounges

British Airways Galleries Club Lounges are the airline’s business class lounges, and while they’re certainly not as nice as British Airways’ first class lounges, they still offer a great experience to British Airways and Oneworld travelers alike with excellent food and beverage options and shower facilities.

How Do You Access a British Airways Galleries Club Lounge?

In order to access a British Airways Club Lounge, you must be traveling in business class with British Airways or one of its Oneworld partners. As with first class lounges, travelers on a layover who flew in business class, but are continuing on in economy, are still entitled to use the Club Lounge.

Those with British Airways Club Silver status and/or Oneworld Sapphire status can also access British Airways Club Lounges, regardless of what fare class they are flying.

If you’re traveling through JFK, British Airways and American Airlines jointly operate the Greenwich Lounge in Terminal 8, which replaces the Galleries offering at this airport.

Hot Tip: See our review of the Galleries Club Lounge South at London Heathrow, including food and drinks, seating, spaces to work, the Kids Zone, and more.

British Airways Arrivals Lounges

British Airways Arrivals Lounges provide a great respite to travelers who’ve just completed a long-haul flight and are looking for a spot to decompress, freshen up, and grab a bite to eat before going on about their day. The offering of British Airways Arrivals Lounges is similar to what you would find in one of its Club Lounges with premium food and drink options, along with plenty of places to relax after your flight.

How Do You Access a British Airways Arrivals Lounge?

To access a British Airways Arrivals Lounge you must either be arriving on a British Airways or Oneworld long-haul flight in business or first class, or be a British Airways Club Gold member arriving on a long-haul British Airways flight in any cabin.

Credit Card Options for Airport Lounge Access

If you’re looking for an easy way to get airport lounge access, there are quite a large number of travel rewards credit cards on the market that offer some sort of airport lounge access to cardmembers.

Unfortunately, none of those card options will give you access to British Airways lounges (including the British Airways Visa Signature^® Card), but if you’re fine with lounge access of any kind, like Priority Pass access, you can access them just for holding a certain card — no matter what fare class you’re in. See these cards below:

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

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Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

If you're approved and accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.

Platinum Card^® from American Express

The Amex Platinum reigns supreme for luxury travel, offering the best airport lounge access plus generous statement credits, and complimentary elite status.

Welcome Offer

You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after spending $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.

As High As 175,000 Points. Find Out Your Offer.

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $3,850

Annual Fee

$895

APR

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Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

When it comes to cards that offer top-notch benefits, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better card out there than the Platinum Card^® from American Express.

Make no mistake — the Amex Platinum card is a premium card with a premium price tag. With amazing benefits like best-in-class airport lounge access, hotel elite status, and tremendous value in annual statement credits, it can easily prove to be one of the most lucrative cards in your wallet year after year.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• The best airport lounge access out of any card (by far) — enjoy access to over 1,550 worldwide lounges, including the luxurious Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (enrollment required), Plaza Premium Lounges, and many more!
• 5x points per dollar spent on flights purchased directly with the airline or with AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year)
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Cons

• $895 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
• Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards^® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel^®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts^® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel^® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
• More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection^®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club^® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
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• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card^® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
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• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card^®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
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• Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
• $895 annual fee.
• Terms Apply.

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• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
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• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Our Favorite Cards for Lounge Access

At Upgraded Points, our absolute favorite card for airport lounge access is the Platinum Card^® from American Express, which includes access to not 1, but 6 different airport lounge networks including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass lounges (upon enrollment), Plaza Premium Lounges, Escape Lounges, and 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta same-day) with the ability to unlock unlimited visits through spend. While the Amex Platinum card comes with a $895 annual fee, it provides you access to over 1,550 airport lounges in over 140 countries worldwide.

The Amex Platinum card isn’t just great when it comes to lounge access, though — you’ll also receive benefits like 5x points on flights purchased directly with the airline or at AmexTravel.com (up to $500,000 per year), an annual airline incidental credit of up to $200, complimentary Hilton Honors Gold and Marriott Bonvoy Gold Elite status (upon enrollment), and much more.

Looking for a business card? Consider the business version of the Amex Platinum card, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, which offers the same airport lounge access as the Amex Platinum card and many of the same elite travel benefits like hotel elite status and an annual airline incidental credit.

Final Thoughts

Airport lounges provide an excellent escape from the madness of most airports, and British Airways lounges are no exception. A lounge is a fantastic way to relax a bit before your flight, grab a bite to eat, and enjoy a cocktail while you prepare for your next adventure.

Ultimately, if you want to gain access to British Airways lounges, you need to fly in business or first class with British Airways, or one of its partners, or hold British Airways Club or Oneworld status. While there is a bit more of a barrier here than some other lounge networks like Priority Pass, the added effort can certainly prove worthwhile once you’re relaxing in a first class lounge!