The Premier Lounge

United and Lufthansa both send premium passengers here when BA fills up

The Premier Lounge in Cape Town International’s International terminal sits airside after immigration and security, used as the contract lounge for carriers like United and Lufthansa when the British Airways lounge is crowded or shut. It also sells day passes, so any passenger on an international flight can pay at the desk or walk in using a pre‑paid lounge card such as Priority Pass.

There are actually two Premier/Bidvest lounges past immigration. One sits to the right behind the big Bidvest sign, while the quieter “premium” one hides to the far left of the pier, next to the BA lounge and up a flight of stairs. Both are post‑security, so you’re already at your gate side of passport control before you pick one.

Frequent flyers report that the signed lounge to the right gets busier around the evening long‑haul departure bank, roughly 18:00–22:00, as multiple international flights leave CPT. The left‑hand lounge near BA tends to stay calmer, with more open seating and easier access to power outlets, which matters if you still have an 11‑hour overnight to Europe or the US ahead.

The food setup follows the standard South African contract‑lounge pattern: a self‑serve buffet with hot dishes at main mealtimes, sandwiches, and snacks, plus a self‑pour bar. Soft drinks, local beer, and basic spirits are included in the day‑pass price, while some premium labels can carry a surcharge of around ZAR 40–60. Quality is functional rather than memorable, so treat it as a step up from terminal food court options rather than a destination restaurant.

Access works three ways: airline‑invited premium cabins (for example, UA Polaris or LH business on certain days), pre‑paid cards such as Priority Pass, and straight paid entry at the door. Reviews mention staff processing walk‑ins efficiently even close to departure banks, though they can briefly meter entries when the main lounge hits capacity.

What regulars do: they ignore the big Bidvest sign pointing right and walk left after immigration to the very end of the pier, then head upstairs by the BA lounge doors. That unsigned “second” Premier Lounge is where UA and LH flyers often retreat when the first room feels too packed or noisy.

Watch out for confusing signage: several flyers say only one Premier/Bidvest lounge is clearly marked, so budget an extra 5–10 minutes the first time through CPT International to find the left‑hand lounge and still board when your group is called.

Practical tip: clear immigration early, then check both Premier lounge entrances; pick the quieter one and sit near the screens so you don’t miss a gate change announcement, which is common during peak evening waves.