Plaza Premium Lounge at Addis Ababa Bole International Airport [Review]

I’ve long labeled the Addis Ababa Bole International Airport (ADD) in Ethiopia as “the airport most in need of a Priority Pass lounge.” As one of Africa’s busiest airports and the hub of its most far-reaching airline, Ethiopian Airlines, I’ve been through ADD several times.

As luck would have it, the airport finally did get a lounge during the pandemic, but it came during the temporary breakup between Plaza Premium Lounge and Priority Pass. In positive news for travelers, Priority Pass members now once again have access to most Plaza Premium Lounges, so there’s finally a lounge they can visit at ADD.

It’s not the fanciest or biggest of lounges, but it provides standard offerings you’d expect at a lounge. However, its 2 best features may be its operating hours and its location.

Here’s what you can expect at the Plaza Premium Lounge in Addis Ababa.

Location

You can’t miss it. The Plaza Premium Lounge is immediately to your right after passing passport control and the main security checkpoint in Terminal 2, which serves nearly all international flights from ADD. The large sign at the front entrance makes it easy to spot.

If you’re in transit, you’ll find the lounge at the junction between A and B gates, located on the departures floor (top floor). That’s 1 floor above where you’ll pass security while in transit.

While the location makes the lounge easy to find, that means it’s quite a walk to some gates. If your departure flight is from C gates (any of them) or A or B gates with high numbers, you’ll need 15 to 20 minutes to reach your gate. Allow sufficient time to get there.

Gaining Access

There are multiple ways to access the Plaza Premium Lounge in Addis Ababa. This serves as the business class lounge for Badr Airlines and Qatar Airways.

For other travelers, you can access the lounge with Priority Pass, LoungeKey, and DragonPass memberships.

Several premium cards offer complimentary Priority Pass membership (enrollment required), including The Platinum Card^® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

BEST LOUNGE ACCESS

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

The 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.

Apply Now(at Amex's secure site)

Apply With Confidence

Know if you're approved with no credit score impact

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

The 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

Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.

80,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

Up to $1,760

Annual Fee

$695

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 cardapplication.

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 1,400 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

• $695 annual fee (rates and fees)
• Airline credit does not cover airfare (only incidentals like checked bags)

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Card Highlights

• Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards^® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
• Earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards^® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel.
• $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts^® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card^®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
• $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card^® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
• With American Express Global Lounge Collection^® you can enjoy access to over 1,400 airport lounges globally, including The Centurion^® Lounge, Unlimited Delta Sky Club^® Access when flying an eligible Delta flight, Escape Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges when flying Lufthansa Group, Plaza Premium, Priority Pass™ Select Lounges, & Additional Global Lounge Collection Partner Lounges subject to visit limitations. Lounges may have their own rules, like additional access rules and guest fees, and for Priority Pass Select, you need to enroll and there are unlimited airport lounge visits for Card Members. With Delta Sky Club Access, Card Members will receive 10 Visits to the Delta Sky Club to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year and can unlock Unlimited Delta Sky Club Access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on their Card in a calendar year. To find a lounge, visit the membership section in the American Express^® App or visit http://www.americanexpress.com/findalounge#/loungefinder.
• $155 Walmart+ Credit: Save on eligible delivery fees, shipping, and more with a Walmart+ membership. Use your Platinum Card^® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership and get up to $12.95 plus applicable taxes back on one membership (excluding Plus Ups) each month.
• $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card^®.
• $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card^® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
• $199 CLEAR^® Plus Credit: CLEAR^® Plus helps to get you to your gate faster at 50+ airports nationwide and get up to $199 back per calendar year on your Membership (subject to auto-renewal) when you use your Card. CLEARLanes are available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues.
• Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck^® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card^®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
• Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card^®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
• Unlock access to exclusive reservations and special dining experiences with Global Dining Access by Resy when you add your Platinum Card^® to your Resy profile.
• $695 annual fee.
• Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
• Terms Apply.

Financial Snapshot

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

Rewards Center

American Express Membership Rewards

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

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.

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Apply Now(at Chase's secure site)

Chase Sapphire Reserve^®

A top player in the high-end premium travel credit card space that earns 3x points on travel and dining while offering top luxury perks.

Welcome Offer

Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

60,000 points

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,200

Annual Fee

$550

APR

21.49% - 28.49% 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 cardapplication.

Excellent (740-850)

Why We Like This Card

If you’re looking for an all-around excellent travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve^® is one of the best options out there.

The card combines elite travel benefits and perks like airport lounge access, with excellent point earning and redemption options.  Plus it offers top-notch travel insurance protections to keep you covered whether you’re at home or on the road.

Don’t forget the $300 annual travel credit which really helps to reduce the annual fee!

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel^SM immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually
• 10x points on Lyft purchases through March 31, 2025
• 10x points on Peloton equipment and accessory purchases over $250 through March 31, 2025

Cons

• $550 annual fee
• Does not offer any hotel elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
• $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
• Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
• Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
• 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
• Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority Pass™ Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck^®
• Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
• Member FDIC

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 21.49% - 28.49% Variable
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Chase Ultimate Rewards

It’s also possible to access select Plaza Premium Lounges (including the Addis Ababa location) with annual one-time lounge passes from the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or Capital One Spark Miles for Business*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One..

The lounge also provides access to visitors with certain credit cards from Citi and HSBC that aren’t available in the U.S.

It’s also possible to pay to visit the lounge. The cost is $50 for a 4-hour visit.

Hot Tip:

If you’re a frequent traveler, consider a premium credit card that offers complimentary airport lounge access. Check out our guide to the best credit cards for airport lounge access.

Hours of Operation

The Plaza Premium Lounge in Addis Ababa is open 24 hours a day, every day of the week — likely its best feature.

Considering the many odd hours of arrival and departure flights you might experience at ADD, that’s great news. It’s also welcome news for those with overnight connections that aren’t long enough to qualify for the Ethiopian Airlines free stopover hotel program.

In fact, when I arrived at 6:30 a.m., the sofas were occupied by sleeping passengers who were probably in this exact situation.

The round-the-clock schedule provides reliability, knowing you’ll be able to grab a light bite, drink, or check email while waiting for your flight. And you can do so away from the crowds that often surround gates at ADD.

First Impressions

After entering the lounge, the first thing that jumped out at me was the size. The Addis Ababa Plaza Premium Lounge is smaller than your average lounge. While there are 2 separate seating areas inside, and while it offers the normal features you’d expect, seating could be an issue during busy periods.

I also noticed that extras you might find at other lounges — luggage storage rooms or separate quiet areas/children’s areas — were lacking. There’s only so much you can offer with this small space.

Seating

A large seating area with tables and chairs — plus hustling wait staff — greets you outside the lounge. You can sit out here but still need to check in with staff at the desk inside the main door.

To the right of the check-in desk, you’ll find tables and chairs in a room that reminded me of a cafeteria.

Despite being busy during my visit, seats were available. If a table had 4 seats and only 1 or 2 people, other guests simply asked to join them, rather than waiting for a full table to become available.

Up 2 steps from this cafeteria area, there were several sofas and high-backed chairs. These were circled around several coffee tables.

Through an open doorway, the left side of the lounge had different seating. Chairs and tables were lower, more like a waiting room. This area also had a TV (showing CNBC) and a departures board on the wall that showed upcoming flights and their respective gates.

Food and Beverage

Buffet

I visited at 6:30 a.m. on a weekday, so the lounge was serving breakfast on the self-serve buffet. When checking in, staff told each traveler that this food is self-service, to avoid confusion.

There were numerous pastries, such as croissants, breads, muffins, and even miniature quiches. There were also several types of jam and a toaster.

A refrigerator case held salad items and cold cuts. It also had a spot for where fruit should be, but all that was left were the tongs. I didn’t see the fruits restocked before leaving the lounge, and I stayed for over an hour.

Hot dishes included potatoes, sausages, 2 types of eggs, beans, an Ethiopian dish, and both pancakes and French toast.

Items also had signs in English to identify them. The signs didn’t contain any allergen warnings, however.

Beverages

At the end of the buffet, under the pastries, a small refrigerator held bottled water and sodas (Coke products). A string attached to the counter held a bottle opener and prevented it from running away.

I didn’t see any alcohol available here. In fact, it’s available only at the exterior bar, and you’ll pay per drink.

Amenities

Internet

Wi-Fi is available within the lounge. There’s a private network separate from the main airport wireless network, and it’s much more stable. It’s also faster than the main network. That doesn’t equate to great speeds, however.

Average download speeds were under 7 Mbps; surprisingly, the upload speeds are nearly 5 times faster at 34.37 Mbps.

During my visit, I had to use a VPN to access Google Docs and WhatsApp. Without the VPN, Gmail was very glitchy, also. The reliability of my connection improved once I connected to a VPN, however.

The Wi-Fi password was available at the check-in desk. There was no posted sign with the password, however; visitors had to ask for it.

No Bathrooms

There were no bathrooms within the lounge. There were bathrooms just around the corner, outside the lounge. Make sure to take your boarding pass and notify the front desk staff if going out to the restrooms. That way, you won’t need to check in again (or chalk up another visit on your lounge membership) on your return.

Service

Other than checking in, I observed very few interactions between staff and passengers. These were mostly limited to those asking for directions to the restrooms. Beyond this, the staff went about their work restocking buffet items and clearing away dishes.

If it was obvious that you were done eating, staff members simply took the dishes without speaking. People will have varying opinions on this efficient method of service (plus not talking to weary travelers early in the morning) that didn’t include any verbal communication.

Hot Tip:

Plaza Premium Lounges typically offer an elevated and comfortable airport lounge experience. Here is a complete guide to the Plaza Premium Lounges around the world.

Final Thoughts

It’s great that the Addis Ababa Airport (ADD) finally has a lounge accessible to those with Priority Pass and premium credit cards. The lounge is easy to find and offers a few typical amenities. Its best features come in a pair: It’s open around the clock and provides sofas for weary travelers passing the night in the airport.

You won’t find bathrooms inside, but you can fill your stomach, quench your thirst, and get a comfortable seat while waiting for a flight in an airport known for crowded, noisy terminals beyond the lounge doors.