Accessing Airport Lounges: My Experiences in Malaysia
This is for my fellow Malaysians who, like me, are looking to experience a little bit of lounge luxury without breaking the bank. Let's explore ways to level up your airport experience!
VPBank and VIB: My Go-To Banks for Lounge Access
After doing some research on local banks, I've found that VPBank and VIB are among the easiest to get lounge access with. The eligibility requirements are relatively achievable, and importantly, the approval process is quick. Some other banks take ages, sometimes 3-6 months, with no guarantee!
1. VPBank Diamond: A Sweet Spot
For me, the Diamond tier feels like the most accessible and reasonable. Perfect for a small family!
- Benefits: Enjoy 2 lounge visits per month at selected lounges. Each visit lets you bring one guest.
- How to Use: Simply pre-select your lounge through the app within 24 hours of your flight. At the lounge, just show your QR code, flight ticket, and IC. Easy peasy!
- How to Qualify: Maintain a CASA (Current Account/Savings Account) balance of RM70,000 for 30 days. Alternatively, maintain any balance such that the total across the month hits RM2,100,000 (e.g., RM23,000 for 9 days, or RM14,000 for 15 days). Or, have an average monthly total asset value from RM230,000 to below RM2,300,000 (savings accounts, etc.).
Tip: If your funds fluctuate, track your daily average balance in a spreadsheet. For example, RM4,600 in your account on day 1 contributes RM138,000 to the monthly total (RM4,600 x 30 days). Add additional amounts held in your account for fewer days to the sum. When I went for Elite, I crunched numbers this way and it worked!
Important: Even with Diamond status, you must ALSO meet one of these additional requirements in the 3 months prior to your flight:
- Average assets ≥ RM46,000, or
- Savings account balance ≥ RM7,000.
2. VPBank Diamond Elite: Unlimited Relaxation
- Benefits: Unlimited lounge visits at participating lounges.
- Guests: Bring two guests, with the same QR code + IC + ticket process as Diamond.
- How to Qualify: CASA balance of RM230,000 for 30 days, for a monthly total of RM7,000,000. Alternatively, an average monthly total asset value above RM2,300,000.
- Note: The same secondary requirement as Diamond applies here too.
3. VIB Travel Elite: Budget-Friendly Lounge Access
This is your zero cost entry to the lounge world!
- Benefits: 4 complimentary lounge visits per year. Spend RM28,000 to unlock unlimited visits.
- Lounge Network: Wide selection, covering both domestic and international lounges. The app is user-friendly, making the process straightforward.
- Annual Fee: RM600/year, waived in the first year with RM1,400 spend.
- Extra Perk: I got a free luggage on sign up!
4. Other Lounge Access Options: Keeping an Eye on Policies
Here are a few other Malaysian banks I'm keeping an eye on for potential lounge access:
- Maybank: Need to keep exploring this one!
- CIMB: Ditto! I'm following the fine print.
Overall, having lounge access is totally worth it, especially when flights are delayed. If you're traveling with family, you might even find yourself hoping for a delay!
If you know of any other Malaysian banks with easy lounge access, or have any clarification on the policies I mentioned, please share in the comments below!
