Avianca Lounge Bogotá (International) at El Dorado International Airport in Colombia [Review]

Depending on your lounge membership, what’s in your wallet, and what elite status you hold with airlines, there is a smorgasbord of lounges you might be able to visit at the El Dorado Luis Carlos Galán Sarmiento International Airport in Bogotá (BOG). I visited the Avianca Lounge Bogotá in the international terminal near the central terminal area during a recent layover. It was much better than the Avianca VIP Lounge in El Salvador, which I visited earlier in the day.

This lounge was spacious, had a huge selection of food and drinks, and multiple spaces were allocated to different activities. However, the Wi-Fi left a bit to be desired. Let’s look at what this lounge offers to visitors.

Location

The Avianca Lounge Bogotá in the international terminal is immediately after duty-free and passport control, located in the central terminal area. There’s another lounge with the same name in the domestic terminal. If you just cleared passport control, you’ll see the “Avianca Lounge | Sala VIP” sign staring you in the face just past the shops.

If you’re coming from a connecting flight, the lounge is near gate 32. Signs outside made finding the entrance easy and advertised the various forms of gaining entry. Within the small entryway, there was a set of stairs to the left or an elevator to the right.

The elevator could hold 4 people if they didn’t have a lot of luggage.

The lounge’s central location is both positive and negative. It’s easy to find but could also be a long walk from some gates. If your departure gate is 21 to 26 or 43 to 46, allow sufficient time to get there — up to 15 minutes of walking.

Gaining Access

I was confused when I arrived on the second floor because Avianca had 2 lounges up there. To the left, there was an exclusive lounge only for Avianca elites. To the right, I saw a sign indicating access for Plaza Premium and American Express guests. Most of us will have access to the lounge on the right side.

The Avianca Lounge Bogotá is part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection. That means you can access it with the Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, or the Centurion^® Card from American Express.

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Platinum Card^® from American Express

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 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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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

See Pay Over Time APR

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)
• 5x points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels booked with AmexTravel.com

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.
• More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card^® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card^® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
• More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card^® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
• More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel^® using the Platinum Card^®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card^® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card^®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
• More Value! $209 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card^®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
• $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.
• Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts^® through American Express Travel^®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
• New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card^® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
• $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.
• $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card^®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
• 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.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: See Pay Over Time APR
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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ELEVATED WELCOME OFFER

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The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

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.

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express

This card is ideal for business travelers who enjoy luxury travel and are looking for a card loaded with benefits!

Welcome Offer

Earn 150,000 200,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Card within the first 3 months of Card Membership.

150,000 200,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $4,400

Annual Fee

$895

APR

18.24% - 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.

Good to Excellent

Why We Like This Card

The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express is a premium travel rewards card tailored toward business owners who are frequent travelers with a high number of annual expenses.

When you factor in the large number of perks that the card offers like the best airport lounge access at over 1,550 lounges, along with tons of annual credits, it’s easy to see why this card is a top option for frequent traveling business owners.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Earn 5x Membership Rewards points per $1 on eligible travel purchases like flights, prepaid hotels, and prepaid short-term rentals booked through AmexTravel.com
• Access to over 1,550 worldwide airport lounges as part of the American Express Global Lounge Collection
• Earn 2x Membership Rewards points on eligible purchases in key business categories, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more (on up to $2 million per calendar year)

Cons

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

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Card Highlights

• Elevated Welcome Offer: Earn 200,000 Membership Rewards^® points after you spend $20,000 in eligible purchases on the Business Platinum Card^® within the first 3 months of Card Membership.
• The American Express Global Lounge Collection^® can provide an escape at the airport. With complimentary access to more than 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries and counting, you have more airport lounge options than any other credit card company on the market as of 07/2025.
• See how you can unlock over $3,500 in business and travel value annually after meeting qualifying spend thresholds on the Business Platinum Card. Terms apply.
• New! Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually for up to a total of $600 in statement credits per calendar year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using the Business Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• No Preset Spending Limit: The spending limit on the Business Platinum Card is flexible, so unlike a traditional credit card with a set limit, the amount you can spend adapts based on factors such as your purchase, payment and credit history.
• Make the Business Platinum Card^® work even harder for you. Hilton For Business members get up to $200 back per calendar year when you make an eligible purchase at Hilton properties across the globe. Benefit enrollment required.
• Fly like a pro with a $200 Airline Fee Credit. Select one qualifying airline to receive up to $200 back per year on baggage fees and other incidentals.
• Use the Business Platinum Card and get up to $209 back per calendar year on your CLEAR^® Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal).
• Maximize your time away with Fine Hotels + Resorts through Amex Travel™.
• New! Enroll and get up to $150 in statement credits on U.S purchases directly with Dell Technologies on the Business Platinum Card and an additional $1,000 statement credit after you spend $5,000 or more on that same Card per calendar year.
• New! Enroll and get a $250 statement credit after you spend $600 or more on U.S. purchases directly with Adobe per calendar year on the Business Platinum Card.
• Get up to $90 in statement credits quarterly for purchases with Indeed on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $360 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Get up to $10 in statement credits per month for wireless telephone service purchases made directly with a wireless provider in the U.S. on the Business Platinum Card. That’s up to $120 back per year. Enrollment required.
• Enhanced! 2X points on purchases at U.S. construction material & hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to $2 million of these purchases per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus.
• 5X points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com
• 1X points on other eligible purchases
• $895 Annual Fee.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 18.24% - 28.99% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

If you don’t have any of these cards, it’s possible to access the Avianca Lounge Bogotá in a few other ways.

The lounge accepts guests from Club LifeMiles, Plaza Premium’s Smart Traveller program, DragonPass, and Visa Airport Companion. Guests with premium cards from Bancolombia, Scotiabank, and Colpatria also have access. Avianca also sells access to this lounge for Col$128,000 (~$32) or 1,800 LifeMiles. Paying in miles is the better deal. And both of those prices beat the $40 Plaza Premium Smart Traveller charges.

Hours of Operation

The Avianca Lounge Bogotá in the international terminal is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

First Impressions

On arrival at the top of the stairs, I was confused about which way to go: left or right? The sign to the right mentioning Plaza Premium and American Express gave me a hint. A friendly agent at the desk confirmed that the lounge to the left was reserved for premium cabin passengers and Avianca elites.

The spacious layout and open-air design made it feel even bigger. The lounge was open to the next floor, with skylights that bathed it in natural light.

The employee at the front desk also made a great first impression. She was friendly, calm, and professional while other guests argued with her about admission. They thought their credit card should provide free access, but it wasn’t on the list, and they didn’t want to pay for access. She impressed me with her positive attitude and professionalism while I waited and while checking me in for a visit.

Seating

The Avianca Lounge Bogotá is larger than I thought it was at first glance. The first area I encountered after entering had a restaurant vibe.

Tables had both chairs and booth seating, and I was a big fan of the options this presented.

In the far left corner, the lounge had lounge chairs in a semi-circle around a TV.

While the plastic chairs at the tables weren’t very comfortable, the booth-style benches running across the lounge’s main room were very comfortable. I stayed for the lounge’s maximum 3-hour visit and never got that “sore butt” feeling.

Food and Beverage

Buffet

This lounge is a winner in the food department. That applies both to quantity and quality.

At the far end of the lounge was a buffet with a build-your-own-salad bar, fresh juices, and employees who could quickly whip up paninis on the grill, made from ingredients guests could select.

There were also 2 hot soup options. During my visit, there was a hearty vegetable soup and a chock-full-of-pieces chicken tortilla soup. Eating these soups with a spoon was a challenge. I almost needed a fork because they had so much jammed inside. That’s a compliment, for sure.

Nearby seasonings, croutons, and tortilla strips allowed visitors to customize their soups as desired.

Beverages

The buffet had fresh juices (watermelon and orange) and water with lemons inside. The 2 drink stations in the corners of the lounge also offered bottled water, sodas (Coke products), and iced tea. There were coffee machines, as well. The cabinet doors on one of these drink stations were broken, unfortunately.

The drink stations had stir sticks, tea bags, and packets of sugar and sweetener. That final “whoosh” from the coffee machines was a bit too powerful and splashed coffee onto the counter.

Amenities

This lounge was on the larger side, providing space for extra amenities. Here’s what I found during my visit.

Wi-Fi

The lounge had a private Wi-Fi network rather than using the airport’s public Wi-Fi. While that typically leads to better connections, that’s not what I found in the Avianca Lounge Bogotá.

I got download speeds of around 2 Mbps on average, with average uploads of just 0.10 Mbps. Anything other than text-based services was difficult. Sending some pictures via WhatsApp was a struggle; streaming was out of the question.

Charging Stations

There were countless locations for charging your devices in this lounge. Of those were 2 Movistar charging stations, offering both 2-prong and USB charging points on both sides of the pole.

There were additional outlets (universal style) at multiple points on the long benches in the restaurant area. These were located near our feet, spaced out every few tables. Other outlets were available in the children’s room, the work area, and the wall near the bathrooms.

Bathrooms

There were spacious restrooms on the right side of the lounge (away from the atrium). The cleaning staff kept these immaculately clean throughout my 3-hour stay, despite the lounge being full near the time I left.

There were 2 showers available, located in separate cabins near the restrooms. Staff at the reception desk had the key for these.

Work Area

A Samsung-branded work area was located in the rear of the lounge, furthest from the reception desk. There were 4 desks with glass dividers along the wall, along with a handful of tables and chairs.

This room had multiple charging points for your laptops and phones, but it also had a table full of wireless charging points, tablets for use, and rolling chairs lining both sides of these tables.

Children’s Play Area

A large children’s play area was between the restrooms and the entrance, along the right-side wall. This brightly-colored room had several tables and chairs, a padded floor, objects to climb on, and even a small playhouse with a slide. There were also tablets encased in holding stations along the wall; these weren’t turned on during my visit.

The room had lounge chairs near the entrance and a wall full of cubbies to hold your stuff. If parents need to charge their phones while watching their kids, I noticed several outlets near the lounge chairs.

Service

I was thoroughly impressed with the service here, from start to finish. Upon arrival, I thought the employee at the reception desk did a great job interacting with 2 upset travelers. And she quickly transitioned from dealing with them to welcoming me to the lounge once they departed.

The cleaning staff in this lounge were phenomenal. Dirty dishes disappeared from tables quickly, and staff moved through the lounge regularly to ask guests if they were done with their plates or needed anything additional. Plus, the bathrooms were spotless at all times. That’s no small task in a lounge with dozens of people moving in and out regularly.

Staff at the buffet were very friendly and were willing to answer questions. They spoke varying degrees of English, but it was enough to make the paninis or fetch drinks for customers who didn’t speak Spanish. And the buffet was consistently stocked with ingredients. None of the trays sat empty for long.

Grade A staff at this lounge.

Final Thoughts

I had assumed the Avianca Lounge Bogotá would be just a place to kill a few hours during a long layover in Bogotá. Instead, I really enjoyed my visit. The Wi-Fi was nothing to write home about, but I got some work done and had a great meal, and the staff was friendly and efficient. This would be my default choice if I pass through BOG again.