Privium Plus members get access to 3 lounges at Schiphol Airport. American Express Platinum members have access to Privium Plus so they also have access to these lounges. The ClubLounge Departures Schiphol is one of them. This lounge opened it doors about 3 years ago. Last year I wrote about my experience in the Privium ExpressLounge Eindhoven. A few weeks ago I visited the Privium ClubLounge Departures at Schiphol Airport.
Location Privium ClubLounge Departures
Unlike most lounges, the Privium ClubLounge Departues is located before security. The lounge is a bit hidden after the KLM check-in desks in departure hall 1. Once arrived upstairs with the escalator, turn left and walk in the opposite direction along side check-in desk 9. There you’ll see signs of the Privium lounge.
After entering the gate, you’ll see the stairs going downstairs. The area has been nicely decorated by lights in all kinds of colors. There also is a moving belt to bring suitcases downstairs without needing to carry them yourself.
Although you can use this entry also as an exit, there is a special exit which brings you back to the same departure area with check-in desk. This exit also has an elevator. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to go through security to go airside through the lounge itself.
Access Privium ClubLounge Departures
American Express Platinum members get unlimited access to the lounge. They can bring up to 4 guests for € 40,- per person. You need to show your Privium card as well as a valid flight ticket with same day departure.
Access without being an American Express Platinum member is also possible. You then pay € 60,- per person for a lounge voucher which gives you 3 hours access to the lounge.
You also can sign up for a Privium Plus membership which costs € 320,- per year. This membership gives you access to unlimited visits to Privium lounges upon showing a valid same day departure flight ticket. A Privium Basic membership doesn’t give access to the lounges. The lounge is open daily from 5:30am until 9pm.
Seating Areas
Just behind the desk is a small seating area with a coffee machine. This area also serves a a waiting area for new Privium members. They first will be checked by the Marechaussee (the Dutch border police). At the very end of the lounge, you’ll find a dedicated area for the Marechaussee where also the Irish scan will be done.
When walking further into the lounge, I noticed how well organised everything is. The lounge looks nice and clean and more exclusive than most airlines lounges. One of the thing I like most about this lounge is the light decoration. Every corner has another color. In the middle of the lounge, you’ll find a table which looked more like a bar with seats on it.
On the other side, you’ll find different seating areas with all kinds of seats. Some areas are better for those who are traveling alone and want to make phone calls while other areas are better for those who are traveling together and want to relax and chit cat.
At the every end of the lounge, you’ll find a seating area with more comfortable seats. There are also some workspaces here and a phone booth so phone calls can be made without being disturbed.
On the other side of the lounge, there is seating area for passengers who want to relax while watching television or reading a book. There is also a bigger table here which can serve for those who want to be in a meeting.
What I noticed is that the lounge is pretty much dedicated to business travellers. There is enough space to work on your laptop or be in a meeting with multipel people. This is something I don’t see that much in most lounges.
What I missed in the seating areas was the lack of enough sockets to plug in a phone or laptop. This can be done on the big table in the middle of the lounge though. The Wi-Fi in the lounge is of good quality. The username and password can be found on places all across the lounge.
Buffet
Something I like most about the Privium lounges is the buffet. The food and beverages in these lounge is of very good quality. This is something I don’t see that much in other lounges. Depending on the time of the day, you can expect a good variety of breakfast, lunch or dinner dishes.
I entered the lounge at around 4:30pm and stayed for about an hour. At this time dinner dishes were about to be served. Throughout the whole day a variety of sandwiches, wraps and fruit can be found though. Think of white and brown corn bread and Dutch currents bun.
I decided to go for some soup with a sandwich and opted for a smoked beef sausage with mustard gravy. This is a typical Dutch dish which is popular during winter in The Netherlands. I also very liked the Indian soup with tomato carrot, chickpeas and coconut milk. I was surprised about the high level of service in the lounge. They work proactive by cleaning right after I finished a dish.
On the other side of the buffet, you’ll find the coffee machines. It has be mentioned that all kind os coffees including the cappuccino are of very good quality. When I enter a Privium lounge, the first thing I always do is grabbing a delicious cappuccino while relaxing in one of the comfortable chairs in the lounge. There is also a wide selection of all different kinds of teas.
Also a good variety of alcohol beverages can be found in the lounge. There is a special machine of wines which can be tapped by yourself without needing to grab the bottle. I decided to go for a Cava. The area is located on the left hand side of the coffee machine. As for non-alchohol beverages, you can choose from coca-cola, sprite and ice tea. On the right side next to the door, you’ll also find an area for spirits.
I didn’t taste them this time but I can imagine these are of good quality as well. I noticed that the Privium lounges do offer more kinds of spirits than most lounges do. Everything is of high quality in these lounges which also be expected since the price you pay to get access.
Restrooms
Right next to the entry on the right side, you’ll find 2 restrooms. Also this area has light decoration. I definitely felt special to visit the toilet here. I didn’t have to queu up and in general the lounge was not crowded at all. The toilet itself looked cleaned and didn’t smell bad.
Unlike the Privium ClubLounge West, the ClubLounge Departues does’t have shower facilities. On the other hand, this is not something most departing passengers need. Most of them are leaving on flights to Schengen destinations. And those who go to Non-Schengen destinations are visiting the ClubLounge West. If you want to take a shower, you need to go to that lounge which is quite easy and fast with Privium.
Bottom Line
The Privium ClubLounge Departure at Schiphol is a lounge of high standards. What I like most about this lounge are the high quality of the food and beverages as well as the seating areas with all different kinds of light decoration. With even a few Departues from The Netherlands per month it can be worth it to become a Privium Plus member.
This not only gives you access to high quality lounges but it will prevent you from queuing up in security lanes. And in literally a few seconds, you’re on the other side of the pasport control thanks to the iris scan check. So far this is only possible for EU and EEA nationals (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland). Let’s hope they will expand to more nationalities soon.
Like I mentioned above, an American Express Platinum membership includes a Privium Plus membership. This is on top of all the benefits an American Express Platinum Card already has like the Lounge On The Go concept. Read more about all the benefits of the card in my dedicated article about the 10 benefits of the American Express Platinum card.
