An oasis at DEL airport, American Express Platinum Lounge

by Gunjan

With India’s economy still growing at about 8 percent, air traffic continues to be congested. I am flying from Delhi to Mumbai today and my flight is delayed by over an hour. The new domestic terminal is a lot better than the ancient low-slung building it replaced. But today I found something even better, the first American Express Platinum Lounge in India, tucked away behind the Costa Coffee and the food court (and opposite from the airline lounges).

I am just testing the Amex Platinum card and I think I just found reason to pay for it.  It’s not busy, the staff is courteous and it’s much cleaner than the airline lounges. They have basic food and snacks for free. I was hungry and I  asked if I could buy food from the food court and bring it in. They said no, not surprisingly. But then came the hook. Asha, the woman behind the counter says, “Sir tell me what you want to eat and I will get it from outside and bring it to you. It’s on the house.”

India never ceases to surprise. Even the India expert. (Four days ago, I had to pay for a drink  in Chicago at the American Airlines Admirals Club, even though I was flying business class. Internet Access was another $7.99 and 20 minutes of battling Boingo/Oingo/TMobile nonsense).  At DEL airport, Airtel provided FREE Wi-fi (I think they provide this at BOM as well).

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Posted on December 9th, 2009 by Gunjan
Gunjan Bagla
California-based management consultant Gunjan Bagla runs Amritt, a consulting firm helping American companies to succeed in India. He is author of Business in 21st Century India: How to Profit Today from Tomorrow’s Most Exciting Market (Hachette Book Group, July 2008).

6 comments

1 Aditya { 01.13.10 at 6:08 PM }

Based on your post, I decided to check it out…they had a 500-rupee entry charge!

2 Gunjan { 01.18.10 at 9:29 AM }

I think the entry charge applies only if you DON’T have an Amex Platinum card.

3 Fe { 02.03.10 at 11:22 PM }

I frequently travel to Patna. I was delighted with the new Delhi airport. I saw the American Express lounge but was busy looking for my colleague, and also forget my platinum card. I will travel to india again next week. Are there charges to use the lounge?

4 Gunjan { 02.04.10 at 4:58 AM }

No charge with the Platinum Card; else you pay Rs 500 or so

5 Sarin { 02.04.10 at 8:30 PM }

Try the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 D. It is the first Pay and use lounge in India.

6 sonzy { 09.12.10 at 4:42 PM }

For benefit of all users here, Amex Platinum Lounge in Delhi provides free access if you have a Platinum CHARGE Card. If you have a Platinum Credit card, the entry charge is Rs. 500 per pax.

The charge card ofcourse is the highest tier of Amex cards, one could obtain with a hefty yearly fee of Rs. 50,000

Regards, Puneet

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