American Express Platinum members in The Netherlands have complimentary access to the Privium Lounges at Eindhoven and Schiphol Airport. The Privium ExpressLounge at Eindhoven Airport opened its doors last year. I consider these lounges as quite comfortable and therefore it’s worth to become a Privium member. If you’re a member of American Express in The Netherlands, you also get a Privium membership. Privium is exclusive to EU and EEA nationals (Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland).
In another review, I already wrote about my experience in the Privium Departure ClubLounge at Schiphol Airport. In this review, I’ll write about my experience in the Privium ExpresLounge at Eindhoven Airport.
Arrival At Eindhoven Airport
Eindhoven Airport is not accessible by train. However, there are frequent bus connections from different railway stations like Eindhoven Centraal and Best. This time, I would fly to Skopje in Macedonia by WizzAir. Despite of this being a low-cost carrier, my American Express Platinum Card would give me access to the Privium ExpressLounge.
After enjoying some sunshine on the observation desk, I decided to go to the security check. Eindhoven Airport is considered a small airport. Therefore, I didn’t need to queue up in the security lane. Actually, thanks to Privium, I didn’t have to queue up at all. Privium members can skip the line, also at Eindhoven Airport.
After the security check point, there is a tax free area with a few shops. At that time, this area was quite crowded since many flights were taking off in the next couple of hours. After the shops, I made my way to the left and took the escalator one level up. I saw the lounge on my left hand.
Access Privium ExpressLounge
The Privium ExpressLounge Eindhoven is opened daily from 5:30am until 9pm. The lounge is accessible for Privium Plus members. Privium Plus members are entitled to bring up to one guest for € 40,-. You can also visit the lounge in case you’re not a Privium Plus member. You simply can order a lounge voucher for € 45,- at the website of Eindhoven Airport.
You can also buy this lounge voucher at the desk in the lounge in case your flight is departing within 6 hours. Children under 2 years old enter the lounge for free. Apart from your Privium Card, you need to show a valid flight ticket with same day departure. American Express Platinum cardholders can register themselves for Privium Plus.
After showing my Privium Card and boarding pass, I made my way into the lounge. Right after the entrance on your left hand side, you’ll find a bar. On the other side, there is an area with high chairs and tables. Perfect for those who want to chit chat with each other while enjoying some drinks.
Some snacks can be found right next to those tables. You can also find a coffee machine with different kinds of tea there. The whole area has been nicely decorated with flowers and lights.
Privium ExpressLounge Seating Area
Right next the the entry on the right, there is small seating area with different kind of seats. You can choose among a bench to the chairs to sit on the tables. There is also a phone booth so calls can be made silently. Further into the lounge, you’ll find another seating area two types of seats facing each other.
You’ll find the biggest seating area at the window. There are plenty of seats and also another bench. The bench also offers sockets for charging a phone or laptop. Normally, you could enjoy views over the square between the airport and the busstation. However, during my visit to the lounge, there was a construction site.
I decided to grab a cappuccino and relaxed a bit before checking out the buffet. Meanwhile, I also tested the Wi-Fi which turned out to be working seamlessly.
Buffet
There are actually two types of buffets across the lounge. The first one is at the bar I was talking about earlier. Some small snacks can be found here. Perfect if you don’t have that much time before departure.
The main buffet can be found at the very end of the lounge on your right. I visited the lounge between 2pm and 3pm so this wasn’t typically lunch or dinner time. Right next to the buffet, you’ll find some cold beverages.
The buffet itself looked great. If there is one thing I like about the Privium lounges, it is definitely the great food. On the left, I saw some sandwiches and wraps while I found some hot dishes on the right. Further to the left are some vegetables. You’ll find cutlery below the buffet.
On the other side of the buffet, you’ll find the coffee machine. This is the same coffee machine I was talking about above and is the only one in the lounge. I loved the cappuccino here.
I found the whole lounge a bit small compared to the lounges at Schiphol Airport. For example, the Privium ClubLounge Departures Schiphol is way bigger. The service in the lounge is great. The staff was proactive and friendly.
Restrooms
I wasn’t too happy about the location of the restrooms. You basically could use the emergency door to get your way to the restrooms. However, you first need to exit the lounge and then turn left to then make your way to the public restrooms. As a Privium member, I’d expect to use private restrooms within the lounge.
The toilets itself were clean and the area didn’t smell dirty. Let’s hope Privium works on a solution to get their own restrooms within the lounge. After spending about an hour in the lounge, I made my way towards the gate.
Bottom Line
The Privium ClubLounge Eindhoven is a comfortable place to visit before your flight. It’s fabulous this airport also has a Privium lounge so members don’t have to wait in other more busy places. What I like most about the lounge is the high quality of the food and beverages.
I hope the construction site will be over during my next visit to this lounge. Let’s also hope the lounge will have its own restrooms soon. Apart from that, I can really recommend this lounge.
And thanks to the American Express Platinum Card, you can visit the lounge as much as you want without paying more than the monthly Amex fee of € 65,-. per month since it includes the Privum Plus membership. This is on top of all the benefits an American Express Platinum Card already has like the Lounge On The Go concept.
