Filipino travelers have always been advised to arrive at the airport hours before their flight; but the thing is, there's really not much to do if you want to kill time while waiting to board the plane—or worse, if your flight’s delayed by hours. Food and drinks at the airport are quite expensive, the WiFi isn’t that stable at the boarding gates, and the seats aren’t comfortable if you want to take a nap—enter the airport lounges. Ninoy Aquino International Airport's Marhaba Lounge, previously called the Skyview Lounge, has food and drinks that are free and free-flowing, complimentary WiFi, and cushioned seats if you want to catch up on some Zs. Here's how you can get access to it:
How Can You Get Access to the Maharba Airport Lounge at NAIA?
If you own a premium credit card—or you’re traveling with someone who does, you have the benefit of staying at the. Here's the list of credit cards with access to the Marhaba Airport Lounge at NAIA:
BPI
Principal and supplementary cardholders of BPI Platinum Rewards Mastercard are eligible for a complimentary annual membership of Priority Pass after registering for a Priority Pass account. Cardholders can get up to four free airport lounge passes every year.
BDO
BDO Diamond Rewards or Titanium Mastercard cardholders get six free airport lounge access. If the cardholder brings a companion with them to Marhaba Lounge, this is deducted from the six free airport lounge access.
UnionBank
The UnionBank cards that have access to Marhaba Lounge are UnionBank Platinum Mastercard Credit, Gold Visa Credit, Platinum Visa Credit, Miles+ Platinum Visa Credit, Cebu Pacific Platinum Visa Credit, Go Rewards Platinum Visa Credit, Corporate Visa Credit, Platinum Visa Debit, and select ed Citibank branded cards acquired by UnionBank.
UnionBank cardholders are allowed to bring three companions with them to the Marhaba Lounge, given that each visitor is paid for using the cardholder's UnionBank credit card. Rates are U.S. $18 per head for three hours, and another U.S. $18 if extended.
Citi
Emirates-Citibank Ultima Mastercard cardholders get two complimentary passes to Marhaba Lounge, while for those with Emirates-Citibank Ultimate and Emirates-Citibank World get one pass to Marhaba Lounge in a year.
Citi Prestige Credit Card gets two complimentary passes, while Citi Premier cardholders get one pass to Marhaba Lounge. Citi PremierMiles Titanium cardholders get one complimentary pass to Marhaba Lounge, and Citi Life World Elite cardholders get one complimentary pass to Marhaba Lounge in one year.
The difference with Citi credit cards is that depending on the card you have, the number of complimentary passes varies, and the Marhaba Lounge services are separated into two tiers: Silver and Bronze, the former being the more premium. Silver has hand baggage trolleys, porter service, escort to the boarding gate, and a porter service until the check-in counter in Dubai.
RCBC
Platinum and Titanium RCBC Bankard, Black Card Platinum Mastercard, Diamond Card Platinum Mastercard, ZALORA Credit Card, JCB Platinum, UnionPay Diamond, World Mastercard, Visa Infinite, and Visa Platinum cardholders can bring one companion. Any additional companion is charged U.S. $12 per head.
RCBC Gold, Classic, and co-brand principal cardholders can enter Marhaba Lounge for a fee of $12.
Security Bank
Security Bank Platinum and World Mastercards can get unlimited access to Marhaba Lounge. Platinum cardholders also get free travel insurance and two free international airport lounge access worldwide.
AUB
AUB Platinum Mastercard cardholders get unlimited access to Marhaba Lounge.
Eastwest
Eastwest Priority Visa Infinite cardholders get two complimentary access every year at the Marhaba Lounge. Any excess entry is charged U.S. $27 per visit.
What Are the Amenities and Services at the Marhaba Airport Lounge?
There are two Marhaba Lounges at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and both have the same amenities and services. The air-conditioned lounge has a buffet, from bread and spreads, fruits, rice meals, pasta, and international viands. The lounge also has free-flowing refreshments such as coffee, juices, soda, and even liquor such as wine, whisky, and beer.
Marhaba Lounge also has WiFi and cushioned seats for utmost comfort if you want to take a nap, watch television, or read the provided newspaper or magazine. There's also a window table with bar stools at both lounges where you can see the runway and watch the airplanes land and take off. You can also find a private meeting room and a prayer room.
For those who are particular about airport restrooms, Marhaba Lounge has its own, plus a shower if you need to freshen up before boarding the plane.
How to Get to the Marhaba Airport Lounge?
There are two Marhaba Lounges at NAIA. There's one on the third floor of Terminal 1, specifically the departure level of the NAIA Terminal 1, next to West Satellite Bay 9. The other Marhaba Lounge is on the fourth floor of Terminal 3, again at the departure level right above Gate 115.
Both Marhaba Lounges can be accessed after checking in and completing all pre-departure formalities. Visitors can stay in the lounge for a maximum of three hours only.
Both lounges at Terminal 1 and 3 are open daily, from 7 a.m. to 12 midnight. Unfortunately, those with flights at dawn cannot access the Marhaba Lounges.
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*This story originally appeared on Spot.ph. Minor edits have been made by the Preview.ph editors.
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