Which British Airways lounges can I use with a British Airways Executive Club Gold card?

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In this article I want to look at what British Airways lounges you can access with a British Airways Executive Club Gold card, because it isn’t always totally clear.

Executive Club is British Airways’ frequent flyer program, allowing you to earn Avios and tier points in return for continued loyalty.

Lounge access is one of the perks that many people aspire too when the travel. Nothing beats escaping the crowds of a busy terminal and settling down with some free wine or champagne before a long flight. On some flights, British Airways offers ‘sleeper services’ which allow you to dine in the lounge and enjoy an undisturbed nights’ rest on the flight.

Of course, the lounges are not open to all, and British Airways offers several tiers of lounges depending on your status or booked fare. At Heathrow Terminal 5, British Airways offers three Galleries Club lounges, a Galleries First and the Concorde Room – the most prestigious offering. This gives you five potential options.

Luckily as a Gold card holder, you are entitled to access any of the British Airways Galleries lounges or oneworld business-class equivalents.

At London Heathrow there are four separate lounges in Terminal 5 – Galleries South (main building), Galleries North (main building), Galleries First (main building) and the Galleries at Terminal 5B satellite. The only one you cannot access is the Concorde Room. The most exclusive of these is Galleries First, because it is only available to Gold members. The other three Galleries lounges have a lower specification and are very busy with Silver cardholders.

If you would like to try the Concorde Room – the most premium of British Airways’ lounge offerings – you must either by flying on a first class ticket or be a Gold Guest List status holder. You can read more about the differences between British Airways Executive Club Gold and Gold Guest List here.

In Heathrow Terminal 3, a British Airways Gold members can use either the main British Airways lounge or the First Class section inside. However, you would have a far better time in the Cathay Pacific First Class lounge (open to you as a oneworld partner lounge). Other options include the main Cathay Pacific lounge, the Qantas lounge (brand new) or the average American Airlines lounge.

At London Gatwick, a Gold card holder can access either the main British Airways lounge or the small adjacent First Class area. I personally prefer the main lounge unless I want to order some a la carte food.

British Airways does not have a lounge at London City Airport although you can pay to use the lounge in the private jet terminal next door.

(This article is part of our ‘BA Q&A’ series which explains how British Airways Executive Club works. You can see all of our ‘BA Q&A’ articles here. )

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How to get 20,000 Avios from Amex Gold or 30,000 Avios from Amex Platinum (December 2021 offer)

The sign-up bonus on American Express Preferred Rewards Gold converts to 20,000 Avios and the card is free for the first year. 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

You don’t qualify for the Amex Gold bonus if you have a British Airways American Express card. You DO qualify for the bonus on The Platinum Card, which converts into 30,000 Avios. You can apply here.

The Platinum Card from American Express

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

If you have your own small business, the best way of earning Avios is via the Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa. It has a sign-up bonus which converts to 10,000 Avios:

Capital On Tap Business Rewards Visa

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

You should also look at the British Airways Accelerating Business card, because it currently has a limited time offer of 60,000 Avios when you sign up by 14th November. You can apply here.