Accessing Airport Lounges Without Breaking the Bank
This post is for those of us with a pretty average income who still want to experience the comfort of an airport lounge!
VPBank and VIB: Your Easiest Lounge Access Options
After researching quite a few banks, I found that VPBank and VIB offer the most accessible paths to airport lounge benefits. The eligibility requirements are relatively achievable, and the approval process is fast �C unlike many other banks where you might wait 3-6 months with no guarantee.
VPBank Diamond: A Sweet Spot
The Diamond tier feels like the most accessible and reasonable option. It's perfect for a family of four!
- Benefits: 2 lounge visits per month at lounges in Hanoi, Da Nang, and two in Ho Chi Minh City. Each visit allows you to bring one guest.
- How to Use: Book in advance via the app within 24 hours of your flight. At the lounge, simply present your QR code, boarding pass, and ID.
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Maintain a CASA (current account, savings account) balance of 150 million VND for 30 days, or
- Achieve a total balance of 4.5 billion VND over the month (e.g., 500 million VND for 9 days, or 300 million VND for 15 days), or
- Maintain an average monthly total assets balance (savings accounts, etc.) between 1 billion and under 5 billion VND.
If your cash flow fluctuates, create an Excel sheet to calculate your average daily balance. This is how I got approved for Elite. Even with money going in and out, detailed calculations helped me reach a total monthly balance of 15 billion VND, averaging 500 million VND.
Important Update: Additional Requirements
Even if you've reached Diamond/Elite status, you still need to fulfill one of the following criteria in at least one of the three months prior to your flight:
- Average assets ≥ 1 billion VND, or
- Payment account balance ≥ 150 million VND.
Read this section carefully! Don't skip it and regret it later!
VPBank Diamond Elite: Unlimited Luxury
- Benefits: Unlimited lounge visits at 8 lounges across 6 provinces: Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City (2 lounges), Hai Phong, Khanh Hoa (2 lounges), and Phu Quoc.
- Guest Access: Bring two guests, same process as Diamond (QR code + ID + boarding pass).
- Eligibility Requirements: CASA balance of 500 million VND for 30 days, or a total of 15 billion VND for the month (calculated as described above). Alternatively, maintain an average monthly total assets balance of 5 billion VND.
- Note: The additional requirements from the Diamond tier also apply here.
VIB Travel Elite: Zero-Cost Lounge Access
I already had access for my two kids. So, I needed something for my husband. I got him a VPBank Diamond card. But for our trip to Phu Quoc, the VPBank Diamond only covered Noi Bai airport. So, I also opened a VIB Travel Elite card.
This is a great zero-cost option for lounge access:
- Benefits: 4 complimentary visits per year. Spend 60 million VND to unlock unlimited access. I received a suitcase, a babythree product, or 500k as a sign-up gift.
- Lounge Network: Wide range of lounges, both domestic and international. The app is user-friendly and easy to navigate.
- Annual Fee: 1,299,000 VND/year, waived for the first year if you spend ≥ 3 million VND.
- Perk: Free foreign currency conversion for the first 3 billing cycles (1% fee from the 4th cycle onwards). I don't travel internationally often, so this isn't a big deal for me.
Other Lounge Access Options �C Still Waiting for Details
- BIDV: Deposit 1 billion VND in a savings account (minimum 6 months) to qualify for Premier status, then open a card with 5 lounge visits per year. You can then withdraw the 1 billion VND through an overdraft if needed.
- Eximbank: Receive one lounge visit for every 30 million VND spent on your card each month. The list of eligible lounges is published monthly.
- ACB: Spend 50 million VND annually on your ACB Signature card for a fee waiver the following year, plus 4 complimentary lounge visits. Earn an extra visit per quarter for every 30 million VND spent.
- MSB: Achieve customer status to unlock lounge access. Requirements: maintain 150 million VND in your payment account for 3 months or deposit 1 billion VND in a savings account for 3 months. Additional requirement: spend 30 million VND on your MSB Visa Signature card for one visit, and one visit for every additional 50 million VND spent (maximum of 4 visits). This is too much work for me!
- JCB Platinum: Cardholders get 8 international lounge visits per year in Taiwan, Thailand, China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, UK, and Germany. Note that there are no domestic lounges.
- Nam A Bank �C Happy Golf Card: Offers unlimited lounge access, with one guest, at select domestic airports. Spend 10 million VND for annual fee waiver.
- SHB: Unlimited lounge access at SHB First Club �C Noi Bai, plus one guest. Applies to SHB World Mastercard, SHB Visa Platinum Star, and SHB Visa Platinum cards. Waiting for more details to open.
- VCB: Secure a 150 million VND savings account to get a Platinum card. Spend 150 million VND quickly and notify your RM (Relationship Manager) to get a Signature card. Unsure if this policy still applies.
In conclusion, you won't regret having access to airport lounges, especially when your flight is delayed! If you're traveling with your family, you might even be okay with a delay!
If you know of any banks with easier lounge access requirements or have more details on the policies I'm still researching, please share them in the comments below!
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