If you happen to be a member of Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo program, the airline will be offering the ability to pay for access to a few of its airport lounges for a limited time.

Since September 18, Marco Polo Club members with a valid booking on a Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon flight can pay for access to the airline’s lounges at one of three cities – Manila, Melbourne, and Vancouver – for a fee of HKD $600 (USD $75) per person. The trial period is ongoing and is scheduled to end in March 31, 2019.

The three lounges which will take part in the trial period is the Cathay lounges at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino Airport Terminal 3 (across Gate 114), the Business Class lounge at Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 2, and the lounge next to Gate D67 in the departure area at Vancouver Airport.

While credit card payment is required, according to Cathay’s website not all credit cards will be accepted so travelers should check with lounge staff for payment and no discounts will be given to children or senior citizens.

The trial period for lounge access could be seen as a way for the airline to generate additional revenue, which if successful for the airline could lead to expanding the program to additional destinations within the airline’s network.



Cathay isn't alone in offering paid access to its airport lounges. Some airlines such as the US Big Three - United, Delta, American, Turkish, Emirates, and Etihad offer paid access with fees ranging from USD $59-$75 per day.



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