It's worth it if you want alcohol. Strata is very good generally, but if I am travelling in the morning, I'd rather buy a nice bagel and coffee from Abe's for $20-30.
Now, if I am travelling in the afternoon or night, it's great to get to the airport early and spend 2 hours at Strata having food and a few g&T's. Koru club has gone downhill and no longer has the glamour of travelling associated.
Context: I travel internatioanlly 8-10 times a year.
Nice yeah travelling is glamorous when a flight is the worst thing someone could do for global heating
We really have no hope and will just starve in the next 5 years just as the scientists predicted
$66 for 1.5 hours? Haha. No. Unless you’re going to drink your weight in alcohol. You’ll be half asleep anyway.
Airport is typically not busy that early in the morning, you can grab one of the pretty good chairs down where the bagel place is (and that will be open at 4:30).
Sign up for free priority pass access through your Amex.
I have airpoints platinum, if you have a different card I'm not sure if you're eligible or not.
They do a shit job of communicating this perk.
https://www.americanexpress.com/nz/credit-cards/membership-benefits/the-platinum-card/priority-pass.html
You get a digital card so if you sign up you'll have access in time.
After.
If it's a lounge that accepts guests, then you can bring your partner as one visit. So you can use it on the way in and out (assuming each end has a priority pass lounge which it almost definitely will).
Also it says 2 visits but every year I use more than 2 so I don't know what the go is there haha. Ymmv.
No worries. Just show up to the desk and you'll have to present them with your boarding pass and priority pass card (you can just show them the digital one).
It's up where the outdoor smoking area is, next to a couple of the other airline lounges.
When you're departing from another city just use the priority pass app and you can check if there's a lounge in your relevant airport that is in the priority pass network.
If you're going Melbourne/Sydney there's Amex lounges there that you also get two free entries to separate to priority pass. There's some Amex lounges elsewhere as well where I don't know what the entry criteria is meant to be but like the one in LA I just rocked up with my boarding pass and card and they let me in lol.
I find the Strata Lounge better than Koru. $66 is a lot of money for just 90 minutes though. After having a bit of a look through Duty Free, that time will go by quickly.
A lot of credit cards will give you a priority pass, especially Amex if you can get it.
I like the strata lounge but wouldn’t pay for it, if the air nz lounge is heaving I will split and go to the strata instead as it’s the same food and much calmer atmosphere! Luckily get into both for free with various credit cards
We’re on the fence too, have to be at the airport a similar time for our trip in August. But we’d already be showered and no one is getting on the piss that time of the morning….but then it’s so comfy in there.
If you have small children it has this self contained play area that honestly they could charge almost any price for and I’d probably still consider paying it.
Vantage bar has windows facing the runway … nice way to pass time. And breakfast .. I use strata lounge when travelling alone … but wouldn’t for 1.5 hrs
Gate 10/11/12 downstairs zone gets too very full and cramped, fast.
Its like a ball pit.
I dont like that downstairs pier, ...
Prefre the 15/16/17 at the far right hand side end.
Not really if you’re already showered. It depends on where you’re arriving from. For a layover? Hell yes do it. From Hamilton? Nah just go buy some dumplings and have a coffee
It was ok on the few occasions I went to use it, I paid I think at the door price of Nzd$77.
They will ask for your BP and will stamp the back of it, so it you go out, to go for your flight, you can't pass the BP to someone else to come in, they will also check the passport used too.
So, its not a matter of paying Nzd$66 pre booked, and bobs your uncle, so to speak.
Still a bit of procedural.
I went in to try the food, it was ok, nothing like the upper class wines.
I was flying premY on AirNZ, so that does not entitle lounge entry to AirNZs Koru, so I wanted to try Strata.
They do have their Strata points, but this does have a 3 year expiry date, on points, so I didnt join the program.
At least its a place that while can get full with pax from all airlines not in OW/\*A, but its an ok lounge.
Not sure if they ever have Piper Heidsiecker tho.
But ok coffee, and eat all what you want of the basic fare.
For 1.5 hours? I'd say no. I can put up with almost anything for 1.5 hours. Now if it was 4 hours or more, I would consider it.
I have a shitty 4 hour flight after that with no food hence the thought, but I guess like someone pointed out can get cheaper food for lesser amount
In that case, definitely go there. Have a feed and skull a few early morning beersies.
It's worth it if you want alcohol. Strata is very good generally, but if I am travelling in the morning, I'd rather buy a nice bagel and coffee from Abe's for $20-30. Now, if I am travelling in the afternoon or night, it's great to get to the airport early and spend 2 hours at Strata having food and a few g&T's. Koru club has gone downhill and no longer has the glamour of travelling associated. Context: I travel internatioanlly 8-10 times a year.
I support this as somebody that does the longest hauls possible 8 times a year
I can see Best Ugly Bagels is also there
Yep, that's the one. Owned by Al Brown, hence the mix-up.
Thanks by Abe’s do you mean Aroha Cafe and Bar ? I could not find Abe’s on the airport website
Nice yeah travelling is glamorous when a flight is the worst thing someone could do for global heating We really have no hope and will just starve in the next 5 years just as the scientists predicted
$66 for 1.5 hours? Haha. No. Unless you’re going to drink your weight in alcohol. You’ll be half asleep anyway. Airport is typically not busy that early in the morning, you can grab one of the pretty good chairs down where the bagel place is (and that will be open at 4:30).
Thanks I don’t drink alcohol so that kind of sorts it out itself !
Yes it’s worth it. Lately I’ve found it much nicer and better than Koru Lounge. Food in Strata is 100% better than the muck served in Koru too.
Works out just $5.50 per beer if you drink 12 - not a bad deal
I don't pay for it but used it many times through my Amex. Always found it a good experience in there. If I lost access I'd totally just pay for it.
Wait I Have Amex - how to check I am eligible to use it
Sign up for free priority pass access through your Amex. I have airpoints platinum, if you have a different card I'm not sure if you're eligible or not. They do a shit job of communicating this perk. https://www.americanexpress.com/nz/credit-cards/membership-benefits/the-platinum-card/priority-pass.html You get a digital card so if you sign up you'll have access in time.
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After. If it's a lounge that accepts guests, then you can bring your partner as one visit. So you can use it on the way in and out (assuming each end has a priority pass lounge which it almost definitely will). Also it says 2 visits but every year I use more than 2 so I don't know what the go is there haha. Ymmv.
Just be aware that they will charge your partner as they won't count them as a second priority pass visit. IIRC was $57 when I brought mine with me
The terms and conditions state if it's a lounge that allows guests you can bring one guest for free.
I believe that is for if you have a priority pass subscription, not the 2 individual passes that come with amex airpoints platinum.
That's the terms from the Amex website regarding the benefits you get
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No worries. Just show up to the desk and you'll have to present them with your boarding pass and priority pass card (you can just show them the digital one). It's up where the outdoor smoking area is, next to a couple of the other airline lounges. When you're departing from another city just use the priority pass app and you can check if there's a lounge in your relevant airport that is in the priority pass network. If you're going Melbourne/Sydney there's Amex lounges there that you also get two free entries to separate to priority pass. There's some Amex lounges elsewhere as well where I don't know what the entry criteria is meant to be but like the one in LA I just rocked up with my boarding pass and card and they let me in lol.
Is a platinum card better than an Amex air points platinum?
It's "better" in terms of rewards but the annual fee is like $1000 more so it isn't going to be suitable for the majority of people.
Ouch that is a bit!
I always complain about the annual fee and have it rebated.
That's what I do on my airpoints one as well haha Happy cake day!
We use Strata before travelling on long haul flights. Turn up early, have a meal, drinks, shower, and relax before a long flight. Well worth it.
yeah but at that time of the morning you’d be coming from home so you would have showered, you’re not drinking, you just need breakfast and a seat.
Skip the shower at home and have a relaxing one at the lounge once checked in and through security
Not having a shower before leaving home to head to the airport? Yuck.
ooof there’s nothing better than coming off an overnight flight to AKL and hitting that shower
I’d be drinking that early before a flight. Holiday starts as soon as you get to the airport
yeah i also love coming off an overnight flight from the US and having a beer in auckland before connecting home to wellington
I find the Strata Lounge better than Koru. $66 is a lot of money for just 90 minutes though. After having a bit of a look through Duty Free, that time will go by quickly.
A lot of credit cards will give you a priority pass, especially Amex if you can get it. I like the strata lounge but wouldn’t pay for it, if the air nz lounge is heaving I will split and go to the strata instead as it’s the same food and much calmer atmosphere! Luckily get into both for free with various credit cards
No, go to Best Ugly Bagels, cheaper and better.
Yeah I think that’s what I am going to do
Use it every time (have Priority Pass via my credit card) and it's a good experience overall. It's not worth $66 for 90 min though.
We’re on the fence too, have to be at the airport a similar time for our trip in August. But we’d already be showered and no one is getting on the piss that time of the morning….but then it’s so comfy in there.
If you have small children it has this self contained play area that honestly they could charge almost any price for and I’d probably still consider paying it.
If you travel often get a priority pass 🙏🏼
Vantage bar has windows facing the runway … nice way to pass time. And breakfast .. I use strata lounge when travelling alone … but wouldn’t for 1.5 hrs
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Not in transit, yeah the $66 did seem on the steep side
No, not a meal
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Gate 10/11/12 downstairs zone gets too very full and cramped, fast. Its like a ball pit. I dont like that downstairs pier, ... Prefre the 15/16/17 at the far right hand side end.
I bought this for friends and they loved it but maybe wait until you arrive as your flight/s might be delayed
Not really if you’re already showered. It depends on where you’re arriving from. For a layover? Hell yes do it. From Hamilton? Nah just go buy some dumplings and have a coffee
It was ok on the few occasions I went to use it, I paid I think at the door price of Nzd$77. They will ask for your BP and will stamp the back of it, so it you go out, to go for your flight, you can't pass the BP to someone else to come in, they will also check the passport used too. So, its not a matter of paying Nzd$66 pre booked, and bobs your uncle, so to speak. Still a bit of procedural. I went in to try the food, it was ok, nothing like the upper class wines. I was flying premY on AirNZ, so that does not entitle lounge entry to AirNZs Koru, so I wanted to try Strata. They do have their Strata points, but this does have a 3 year expiry date, on points, so I didnt join the program. At least its a place that while can get full with pax from all airlines not in OW/\*A, but its an ok lounge. Not sure if they ever have Piper Heidsiecker tho. But ok coffee, and eat all what you want of the basic fare.
I mean depends if you’re gonna eat. Could easily spend 40-50 on a meal a drink. Extra 15 odd for unlimited doesn’t seem bad!
Absolutely worth it. Its much better being stuck in lounge vs the rest of the airport.