Lounge Review Dubai Airport Terminal 3: Ahlan Lounge vs. Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 3 Concourse B

[@kbboy101]

The problem with Marhaba Lounge is that even lower-level credit cards (Mastercard - Platinum and Titanium, Visa - Platinum) give access to it which makes it crowded most of the time. You were lucky to find it that empty. Also, the food options are less in Marhaba. Whereas for Ahlan and the others, only the higher-end cards (Mastercard - World and World Elite, Visa - Signature and Infinite) give complimentary access and are, therefore, more exclusive and less crowded. My favorites are the Ahlan Business Class and First Class lounges in Terminal 1 (Concourse D).

[@doolyb]

I agree with you about the Biz Ahlan Lounge but I haven't been to the First Class Ahlan Lounge yet! apparently 100 AED for the upgrade so maybe next time I will try it out!

[@thepositiveside2197]

Yes agreed, Ahlan first class and business class are the best. I'm having Visa Signature card, and will try the Ahlan First class soon...

[@rlakshman85]

Wonderful review. Some questions: 1.) I'm planning to visit the Ahlan lounge with my prioritypass. I also understood that the pass gives 3 hours access. Can I swipe them twice or do the lounges accepts only one swipe per priority pass? 2.) Which lounge is good for Vegetarian options? 3.) I just recently saw that Ahlan lounge is closed on Google. Is it true?

[@doolyb]

@@rlakshman85 3) there are multiple ahlan lounges (I think 3 at least) so it depends on which terminal and area you are in! 1) normally it is 3 hours before your next flight so you cna not swipe twice in the same lounge theoretically . Sometimes they don't care. But you can get into a different lounge with your pp. There is no limit for my card and I have visited 3 lounges on the same day. 2) all the lounges have vegetarian good but none specialise in it. You best option is to choose the lounge with the biggest choice! And the ahlan lounge in the other terminal is much bigger and better than this one!

[@rlakshman85]

Thanks for the detailed response. I land in terminal 3 and my transit is also from terminal 3. Given your experience, what would be your rating for the lounges in terminal 3, especially for Vegetarians.

[@doolyb]

@rlakshman85 I think the ahakn lounge is better for vegetarian than the marhaba lounge! They had pizza and potatoes and some veggie sandwiches. Unfortunately I didn't pay attention to veggie options closely because im not veggie

[@rlakshman85]

@@doolyb thankyou

[@reelreal-e8n]

Hey, I don't have a credit card. We are a family of four and will be on Terminal 3 with a six hours lay over, which lounge do you recommend and how to find out charges for Ahlan, Mrhaba and other lounges? Thx

[@doolyb]

The marhaba lounge can be booked on its own the website at quite a high price of around 60usd or more depending on route. . If your flight is before 30th Jan 2025 then you can book lounge per adult at 48usd on loungebuddy.com

[@doolyb]

The ahlan lounge in T1 is better but a bit far to go and lose a lot of time. Also be careful about marhaba lounge as access is only for 4 hours or you have to pay more!

[@noidafilmcity]

I am travelling via Dubai in january and my flight is landing in Terminal 3. My connection flight is from Terminal 2, am i able to access to lounges in T3 or T1.? could you please provide an answer

[@doolyb]

@@noidafilmcity hi! Yes it's possible but the question is more about if you have enough time to transfer between terminal. If you do then no problem!

[@thepositiveside2197]

Hi! I'm having a similar situation, were you able to access the lounge in terminal 3 (arrival) ? Thanks

[@Austinjack6718]

When we arrive into Dubai, can we wait in the lounge until our hotel room is ready?

[@doolyb]

No unfortunately, unless you have an onward flight you won't be able to go to the lounge as it is not an Arrival Lounge.

[@senthilkumarn7183]

Is Ahlan Lounge in terminal 1 of DXB available for passengers traveling in any class or only the business class passengers allowed?

[@doolyb]

Unfortunately only business class or if you have a pass like dragon pass or priority pass. These can be bought annually or you get them free with certain credit cards. Of course you can also just pay to go in (if they are not full and they usually aren't)

[@senthilkumarn7183]

@@doolyb I do have a priority pass. Thanks for the info. Will try it

[@doolyb]

@@senthilkumarn7183 ah sorry I misunderstood! T1 Ahlan is unfortunately a bit smaller but I was only there for breakfast. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hJWUd6FuZpidr8U

[@inukadistributorfragrances8513]

Beautiful 😊

[@doolyb]

Many thanks!

[@AG-so4gl]

Will spend 9hrs at Dubai Airport this weekend. A lounge is a must 😊

[@doolyb]

For that much time, lounge for sure!

[@parama2all]

I see there are limits to how long you can stay in a lounge - did you spend the whole 9 hrs in a single lounge ?

[@doolyb]

@@parama2all maybe the OP will answer whether he stayed 9 hours but there is a 3 hour limit if you are using priority pass. I don't know if they enforce that rule but it shouldn't be a problem to move from one lounge to another. Booking directly with the lounge and paying might guarantee more hours.

[@amanmishra1158]

Everything is free if we have priority pass right ?

[@lars5727]

Hello we land in Terminal 3 I would like to visit Ahlan business class Lounge with my priority pass. Its it easy to acces from Terminal 3 to 1? I have a connected flight also on terminal 3.. Thanks!

[@doolyb]

Hi! Terminal 1 and 3 are well-connected, and takes 5 to 30 minutes on foot on way , depending on which part of the terminal you are in and which Ahlan lounge you want to visit. Best Ahlan lounge in my opinion is the one in Terminal 1 Concourse D!

[@lars5727]

@@doolyb Thanks for the quick response. Yes that's the one we want to visit! Plaza Premium is also an option its a little closer to our terminal.

[@doolyb]

@@lars5727 no problem, that's what I'm here for 😅 How much time do you have? Also I guess you won't know exactly which gate you will arrive at and fly from until you get there so it might end up being a spontaneous decision!

[@lars5727]

I’m flying tomorrow I’ll think we go to the premium plaza at terminal 3, we only have 3-4 hours for our next flight..

[@doolyb]

@@lars5727 4 would be ok but better safe than sorry! And although I havent been to the plaza premium lounge I'm sure it will be fine! In fact please let me know how it was!

[@malysianfoodexpo]

How much pay for this lounge entry fee

[@doolyb]

Which one? I got into both for free thanks to the priority pass from my credit card.

[@kbboy101]

@@doolyb How did you manage to visit both of them? Isn't there a 2-hour gap being enforced in between visiting lounges? Unless you're using multiple memberships to access the different lounges.

[@doolyb]

@@kbboy101 I have never heard of such a rule! I have visited 4 lounges in less than 2 hours before in Bangkok using my priority pass that comes for free with my amex card. I can also take 1 guest for free. I would actuslly say that I usually visit more than 1 lounge every single time I fly and haven't had a issue yet.

[@kbboy101]

@@doolyb I live in Dubai. Almost no bank gives Priority Pass but I have both LoungeKey (owned by the same company as PP) and DragonPass. My app shows that a minimum of 2 hrs gap is needed between claiming different lounges or lounge/spa/hotel. It also has unlimited access. Maybe it is just a way to discourage and they may or may not apply charges.

[@doolyb]

@@kbboy101 oh really! I didn't know that lounge key would have limitations. But then again there are even different rules for amex priority pass depending on where they were issued. With lounge key do you have a bar code or qr code to scan when you get into a lounge? That's how the priority pass works and you cqn use the app or the actual card to get in. What happens if you try to change lounges within the time period? Does it refuse or do you get charged?

[@antonymugambi389]

Seen the Kenyan bracelet! 😁

[@doolyb]

Lazima! 😎👍🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪🇰🇪