First Look at British Airways' Refreshed JFK Business Class Lounge
British Airways is undergoing a transformation. It recently unveiled a beautiful new business class seat and just refreshed its first class soft product. On Friday, BA opened its renovated Club Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy airport — another big improvement for passengers traveling in the carrier's premium cabins.
The lounge is one of BA’s most trafficked lounges outside of its hubs in London so the carrier put significant investment into the space. British Airways considers the lounge its flagship US lounge, which make sense because of the up to 12 daily departures from JFK to London. This transatlantic route is the airline's and the world's most profitable — creating quite a busy lounge for BA, which says that hundreds of customers pass through it each day.
In fact, BA has put $65 million into JFK’s Terminal 7 overall as it works to renovate the space, which is home to itself and partners like Iberia, Qatar and Alaska. It's also enhanced the check-in area for business and first class customers. These upgrades are part of BA's $8.2 billion customer investment program that's realizing changes in its pre-flight experience and onboard products like Wi-Fi and seats.
The lounge is a huge improvement over the previous space, which was clearly showing its age when I visited last fall. The layout itself has changed quite a bit with walls knocked down and others newly erected. There's also a whole lot of natural light throughout the 22,000-square-foot space, which helps give it an open and airy feeling.
There’s a new addition that you’ll notice immediately upon entering, dubbed the Quaich Bar, covered in granite (a common feature throughout the lounge) and created in partnership with The Craigellachie Hotel in Speyside, Scotland. Here guests can enjoy a drink in the unique Scottish two-handed cups.
We had some oh-so British elderflower and lavender gin cocktails which were quite tasty and refreshing. An experienced bartender will be on hand during peak departure times to make cocktails for customers.
And if a craft beer is more your style, you can enjoy the lounge's new BrewDog craft beer room, which had four different brews on tap.
There's a massive self-serve bar that will keep travelers plenty hydrated with an assortment of wine, spirits and soft drinks to choose from.
BA has replaced the aging furniture with all new seats and couches colored in blue and grey.
The space is somewhat bare and has a minimalist vibe, but with chic accents.
There are spots for hundreds of travelers, who'll have the choice of lounge chair, table or catching up on a cushy couch.
Plenty of dining options are available, although we didn't have access to the brasserie, which features a robust hot and cold food bar.
There was food available to pick at throughout the space, including chicken wings, a salad bar, a myriad of cheeses and desserts.
The Elemis Spa is also staying and has received an overhaul, although we didn't have access to that either. Here, flyers can book complimentary 15-minute spa treatments before their flight.
Bottom Line
With the new club lounge at JFK, British Airways continues to improve its premium offerings. The lounge isn't anything revolutionary or as compelling as United's Polaris Lounge at Newark, but likely more on par with American's Flagship Lounge in neighboring T8. However, the refreshed space looks great and feels modern. It will give the loads of BA and other Oneworld flyers a much better place to relax or work pre-flight until Terminal 7 is demolished in 2022 and BA moves its operations to the new and expanded Terminal 8.
If you want to check out the new lounge, you'll have to be flying in a premium cabin on British Airways, Qatar, Qantas, Iberia or Ukraine International Airlines. Oneworld Sapphires and Emeralds and BA Executive Club Silver and Gold elite members can access the lounge if flying a British Airways or Oneworld partner.
You can use British Airways Avios or American Airlines miles to book flights on BA and its Oneworld partners. You can transfer American Express Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards to British Airways at a 1:1 ratio.
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All images by Brendan Dorsey / The Points Guy.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
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- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.