Update: Please find the renovated lounge’s review, here.
Delhi is a frequent destination for me given my family is based in Delhi. While Vistara, one of the airlines I used at Delhi has their lounge which is pretty good, however when flying on Air India or Jet Airways, I end up heading to the American Express Lounge. Delhi is currently the only airport in India with an American Express lounge, given their Mumbai lounge shut down after the Carnations Lounge was booted out of Terminal 1.
Last week, I was flying out of Delhi, so I headed to the American Express Lounge one more time. I have been to this lounge over fifty times, and it is my go-to lounge in Delhi Terminal 3, accessible with the Jet Airways American Express Platinum Credit Card I hold.
American Express Lounge Delhi Airport Terminal 3
The lounge is located at the perfect spot in Delhi Airport T3’s Domestic Atrium, as soon as you arrive on the other side of security. On the left, you’d usually depart for Jet Airways and Vistara gates, and on the right, you would walk for Air India flight boarding.
At the entrance, I presented my Jet Airways American Express Platinum Credit Card, which allows free access for one to the lounge. My card was authenticated using a PIN, and I was on my way.
The lounge has to seat for approximately 20 people. They had a large couch around the lounge, which they knocked off, and most seats are now for 2-3 people each.
Seating American Express Lounge Delhi Airport Terminal 3
Seating American Express Lounge Delhi Airport Terminal 3
Seating American Express Lounge Delhi Airport Terminal 3
Seating American Express Lounge Delhi Airport Terminal 3
Taking advantage of their prime location, the lounge also has some fabulous views of the tarmac. So I usually try and get a spot next to the tarmac. On this day, my favorite table was open, and there were tonnes of excellent views outside.
Delhi Airport Tarmac
Delhi Airport Tarmac
Delhi Airport Tarmac
Delhi Airport Tarmac
As soon as I took a seat, I was brought a menu, along with a bottle of packaged water and a glass. I first requested for some soda water and a slice of lime to be brought over, while I was going to look at the menu.
The lounge has some finger food available if you would like to have that, but the key strength of this lounge is a-la-carte dining and a full bar. The lounge has a variety of beers and some spirits but is a paid bar. The dining is complimentary.
The bar at American Express Lounge, Delhi Airport Terminal 3
Snack Food at American Express Lounge, Delhi Airport Terminal 3
Here is a look at the menu on offer. There is a separate breakfast menu available from 5 AM through 10:45 AM, and then food that is served through the day.
For the longest time, I have stuck with the Penne Arrabiata here, which comes with some nice garlic bread on the side. However, I was not very hungry today, so I went with a smaller portion and tried the Jerk Chicken Sandwich with Jalapenos today. It was just the right size, and it was brought to me in 15 minutes.
American Express Lounge, Delhi Airport Terminal 3
Here is a look at the finger food on offer, including fruits, juices, muffins, cookies and finger sandwiches.
Just outside the lounge is a flight information board, which would keep me updated on flight status. Too bad they have not been able to get one inside the lounge for a very long time. I was keeping an eye on my plane while I was eating, so I knew when it was time to go.
I was not around in the lounge for a long time, but this lounge is good enough to spend a short time before your flight. I only wish American Express invested some more resources in adding more lounges around India, which they call a focus market for Amex.
The obvious question is, how to access the lounge. You can access it via the American Express Centurion Card, the American Express Platinum Card (including the Corporate Version), the American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card and the Jet Airways American Express Platinum Credit Card.
Bottomline
This is one of the best lounges in Delhi Airport, accessible to a select few. I’d just hope they would add more of these as time goes forth and invest some resources in making them the Centurion standard as they have in the USA.
Have you been to the American Express Lounge at the New Delhi Airport? How do you like it?
We’re international travelers but this time domestic flight within India. This AMEX lounge in Delhi was great. The personnel, the service and the food were great compared to to anywhere else in the airport at very early am in October 12,2018. Personnel were willing to please as much as the resources permitted. I will visit this lounge again.
My experience was not what has been described by several people above. It was horrible. I had an hour to kill and went to this Amex Lounge. Despite repeated asking, the menu was never brought to me and i finally left in frustration from the lounge. The little bakery items left on the counter were old and dry and the attendants present were not responsive. All that i could manage to get was a water bottle and a coffee after repeatedly asking for it. Will stick to Plaza Premium and not risk coming here again
Is this lounge available for international departures?
@Yvette, this lounge is only available for domestic departures.
is american express rubyx card allowed
I totally agree with Ajay as this is one of the best in T3. I have totally stopped going to overcrowded Plaza lounge and its really conveniently located also. But nowadays during peak hours, it’s becoming difficult to find a place, and even they note down my mobile number and told will call back once they have a place. Once I reached airport three hours before my departure and while getting inside informed them voluntarily to use the lounge for 2.5hrs which they accommodated without any issues.
How would this lounge compare to the LH Senator lounge in DEL T3?
The AMEX lounge reviewed by Ajay is only for domestic departures , while the LH Lounge is in the International section. So you don’t seem to have a choice between the two.
@delhi_traveller: Sadly, nowhere but in India, are you likely to face such cons
@Jakob and what makes you qualified on commenting on India? were you born here or just trolling around?
Sadly , such a generalization is pathetic.
Is Jet Airways ICICI Saphiro AMEX Credit Card accepted at this lounge. Also whether lounge staff members expect to be tipped.
@Kanchan Bhatt all the cards I’ve listed are the only ones accepted. Lounge staff does not expect to be tipped
While it might be a good option here , but I always found the one in Mumbai much better. I was once flying to Varanasi from Delhi , and the lounge was surprisingly empty. My solo presence was not appreciated by the staff , who were having a gala time within the lounge premises before my arrival. My gate was hardly a stone’s throw away , and the staff was restless to literally kick me out the moment boarding was announced. They even went out of the way to “halt” another staff member from bringing/making a beverage that I had ordered for. When a few minutes passed by , the seniormost person came and literally told me to make a move , 47 MINUTES before departure , and that I would be “denied” boarding. Paranoid after hearing this , I walked down to the gate to see that not even a soul had been allowed to board yet.
After this strange experience , I stopped using this lounge & use the Plaza Premium above.
I totally agree with you having experienced the same last year. My Jet Airways flight to BLR was delayed to 2 am and I was the only patron there. The staff was chatting among themselves so loudly that I had to step out to find a peaceful place to finish work.