Servisair / Aspire devalues the Lounge Miles loyalty scheme (but it is still worth it)

Airport services company Servisair operates a number of independent airport lounges across the UK under the Servisair and Aspire brands.

You are most likely to have come across them if you have a Priority Pass card for free airport lounge access (this is a perk of American Express Platinum cards, for example) although you can also pay to use them on a per-visit basis and some airlines also use them for their passengers.

In 2012, Servisair launched LoungeMiles, its own loyalty programme.  The card has now suffered its first devaluation.

To join LoungeMiles, you simply need to pick up a card next time you visit a Servisair or Aspire lounge and get it stamped.

If you collect five stamps, you can claim a voucher for a free lounge visit.  Nothing has changed here.  However, you now need to collect seven stamps – not five – in order to exchange your card for a £5 Amazon (a new partner), John Lewis, M&S, Boots, The White Company or Debenhams gift voucher.  There are also some restaurant redemption options.

Over the last couple of years, Servisair has invested heavily in the Aspire-branded lounges.  Our review of the Aspire lounge in Edinburgh shows how far they have come.

These are the UK airports where you can collect LoungeMiles stamps:

Aberdeen – Servisair Lounge

Belfast City – Aspire Lounge

Birmingham (Terminal 1) – Aspire Lounge

Bristol – Aspire Lounge

Durham Tees Valley – Servisair Roseberry Lounge

Edinburgh – Aspire Lounge

Humberside – Servisair Lounge

Inverness – Servisair Highland Lounge

Liverpool John Lennon – Aspire Lounge

London Gatwick (North Terminal) – Aspire Lounge

London Gatwick (South Terminal) – Aspire Lounge

London Heathrow (Terminal 1) – Servisair Lounge

London Heathrow (Terminal 3) – Servisair / Swissport Lounge

London Luton – Aspire Lounge

Manchester (Terminal 1) – Aspire Lounge

Manchester (Terminal 2) – The Styal Lounge

Newcastle – Aspire and AspirePlus Lounges

Note that you can no longer collect stamps at Servisair or Aspire lounges outside the UK.  You also cannot earn stamps at the Cardiff and Glasgow lounges because they are not directly owned by Servisair.

Servisair has sent me a Q&A about the changes to the scheme which should answer any queries you may have:

Can I still use my old card?

Yes – we will still accept and honour the old LoungeMiles cards if you have already begun collecting.

Can I ask for a voucher from the retailers on the new card if I have a completed old LoungeMiles card?

No – you can only choose from the brands listed on the card that you possess.

Can I use the old LoungeMiles card to gain free lounge access instead of previously sending the card off in the post for a lounge access voucher?

Yes – just make sure all your details are completed and hand your fully stamped LoungeMiles card to the participating Lounge reception on arrival.

Do I get one stamp per person in my party?

No – as before, each person must have their own card, but each person in your party can have a stamp on their own LoungeMiles card.

How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (December 2021)

As a reminder, here are the three options to get FREE airport lounge access via a credit or charge card:

The Platinum Card from American Express

30,000 points and an unbeatable set of travel benefits – for a fee Read our full review

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,300 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here. 

You also get access to Plaza Premium, Delta and Eurostar lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here. You can apply here.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 20,000 points, FREE for a year & two airport lounge passes Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with two free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here. 

Additional lounge visits are charged at £20.  You get two more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

A huge bonus, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free LoungeKey card, allowing you access to the LoungeKey network.  Guests are charged at £20 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £195 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.