Do you know that American Express has a private lounge for cardholders at the O2 Arena?

I was having a look at the reservations process for the American Express lounge at the O2 Arena last week, and noticed that it has changed entirely in the last year or so.

I thought it was worth running over the new details today, especially as Amex is offering a free drink to all guests.

A few years ago, American Express expanded its ‘Experiences’ programme – which gets cardholders early access to tickets for certain cultural events – by opening a private Amex lounge at the O2 Arena. They made quite a fuss about it at the time but you may well have forgotten that it exists by now.

The procedure for getting in has changed entirely.

In the past, you had to register online up to 14 days before the event.  This has all gone.  There is now NO advance booking allowed until the day itself.

This is the new process:

“If you have already bought your tickets to an arena event at The O2, London, you have the opportunity to access this Lounge. Simply make your way to The Guests Services Hub under the ICON Staircase and show your American Express Card with a valid  show ticket to secure up to 4 passes per Cardmember, should they be available.

Passes are provided on a first come, first served basis. Capacity is limited so access cannot be guaranteed. Arrive early to avoid disappointment.

The Lounge is located on the ground floor of The O2. If you have managed to secure a pass at The Guest Services Hub, enter the arena through the VIP lanes at Entrance B and show your pass for entry to the lounge.

Yes, getting a lounge pass also allows you to use the shorter VIP entrance queues as well.

Full details are on the American Express website here.

Get a free drink at the American Express lounge at the O2

Until the end of 2019, American Express cardholders can get a free drink in the lounge between 6pm and 7pm.

This is how it works:

To redeem one complimentary drink, Cardmembers must present their American Express Card to collect a voucher from the venue host located at the welcome desk in the American Express Lounge, The O2. The Lounge is located by Entrance B after entering the VIP lanes and security bag searches and scan of event ticket. 

At the point of service at the bar or from the reserved table service, hand over the voucher to a member of the bar or waiting staff to claim one complimentary drink.

Only the products listed below are included in the promotional offer.

One glass of single house spirit and mixer (Vodka: Eristoff, Gin: Bombay Sapphire, Rum: Bacardi Carta Blanka (white Rum), Bacardi Oakheart (spiced rum), Whisky: Jack Daniel’s, Cognac Martell VS, Tequila: El Jimador Blanco)

One glass 125ml house red (Fico Grande Sangiovese Di Romagna Poderi Dal Nespoli, Italy), rose (Conto Vecchio Pinto Grigio Blush, Italy) or white wine (Tasari Inxolia Terre Siciliane)

One bottle of beer or cider (Beer: Budweiser (330ml) 4.8% ABV, Corona (330ml) 4.5% ABV, Bass Ale (500ml) 4.4% ABV, Leffe (330ML) 6.6% ABV, Hoegaarden (330ML) 4.9% ABV, Beck’s Blue (275ml) 0.05% ABV / Cider: Bulmers Original (330ml) 4.5% ABV, Bulmers Crushed Red Berries and Lime (330ml) 4.0% ABV, Old Mout Kiwi & Lime (500ml) 4.0% ABV, Old Mout Pomegranate & Strawberry (500ml) 4.0% ABV, Stella Cidre (500ml) 4.5% ABV)

Non-alcoholic option applicable to all soft drinks (Tonic Water/Slim Line Tonic, Soda Water ½ pint, Coca Cola ½ pint, Diet Coke ½ pint, Sprite ½ pint, Fanta Orange, Buxton Still, Buxton Sparking, Cranberry Juice, Apple Juice, Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice)

Full details of the free drink offer can be found on this page of the American Express website.

Want to earn more points from credit cards? – December 2021 update

If you are looking to apply for a new credit or charge card, here are our November 2021 recommendations based on the current sign-up bonus. 

You can see our full directory of all UK cards which earn airline or hotel points here. Here are the top current deals:

British Airways American Express

5,000 Avios for signing up, no annual fee and an Economy 2-4-1 voucher for spending ….. Read our full review

British Airways American Express Premium Plus

25,000 Avios and the UK’s most valuable credit card perk – the 2-4-1 companion voucher Read our full review

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

The Platinum Card from American Express

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

Earning miles and points from small business cards

If you are a sole trader or run a small company, you may also want to check out these offers.

American Express Business Gold

20,000 points sign-up bonus and free for a year Read our full review

American Express Business Platinum

40,000 points sign-up bonus and a long list of travel benefits Read our full review

British Airways Accelerating Business American Express

30,000 Avios sign-up bonus – plus annual bonuses of up to 30,000 Avios Read our full review

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

The most generous Avios Visa or Mastercard for a limited company Read our full review

For a non-American Express option, we also recommend the Barclaycard Select Cashback card for sole traders and small businesses. It is FREE and you receive 1% cashback on your spending:

Barclaycard Select Cashback Credit Card

1% cashback and no annual fee Read our full review