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I am doing this review of my visit to Jamaica a bit backwards. I first covered my American Airlines business class flights and meals as well as my, shall we say, interesting return flights. I will cover my simply amazing stay at the Hilton All-inclusive Montego Bay soon but I have something like 100 photos and the post is going to take a while (it will be the most photos of any post I have ever published). But now the departure lounge review.
One thing about Jamaica I don’t care for, despite how lovely the island is, is how fee crazy they are on things that should not be so darn high. I mean just look at the breakdown of the costs to fly in and out and this is on a “FREE” American Airlines award ticket!
If you look at the featured photo at the top of this post you will see security to get to the gates. What you do not see are two other things. First, the line behind me snakes back and forth as far as the eye can see and this is why they maybe recommend you arrive 3 hours before your flight. The other item not in the photo is to the left, that is, the “fast track” security line with almost no one in it. Flying business class? Nope, still can not use it even with the hefty $20 “Tourism Enhancement Fee” you paid.
To have access to this you have to pay up sucker to the tune of $33 per person and that is a discount over the non-pre-booked price.
Oh, but wait this is a Priority Pass lounge – just flash your card from any number of high-end travel credit cards?
Riiiggghhttt…
NOPE!
Why you ask?
This club on a Saturday was fully packed with pre-books. As a Priority Pass holder, I would not get access to fast-track security and would have to wait my turn for a chance to get in.
Did we get in? Yes, but we would only have about 30 minutes to “enjoy” the lounge.
When I say enjoy, let me share that it took about 15 minutes to check in using my Priority Pass card and then we were escorted to an open seat vs. just going to find one.
This lounge is at ground level and feels cramped and uninviting. I had little to no time to visit so I at least wanted to get some food shots to see what you could expect. See if you are inspired.
I ask you would you pay $33 for this? Now I know many will say the real value is not the lounge (and you would be right) but the fast track security so you don’t have to wait in line so long. That I understand but it is a high fee to save yourself around 30 minutes in line.
Have you visited this lounge? Were you impressed? – René
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I had a lovely stay there before a condor flight to Frankfurt
We were a group of four with priority pass and were in in 2 minutes. We were the only guests and get special drinks made from the Barkeeper just for us.
Happy stay!
Agreed. I really like this lounge and I also use my Priority Pass to access it (8 times in the past year). In comparison to the PP pass lounges in Cancun, San Juan, etc., I think Club Mobay is great value.
I have been there, and maybe as it was a weekday it was not nearly as bad. I used Priority Pass, but I was also going to be let in anyway (found out after the fact) as a guest of the station manager for the US carrier I was flying (I worked for that airline and was there on company business), so she took me up directly to the registration desk outside of security.
Entry to the lounge took a couple of minutes not because there was more than one person in line to check in, but because there was someone who had been assigned to be the one to take me to a seat. I wanted a power outlet so they placed me at a standard restaurant-type two-top in the middle of the food area you pictured. Windows weren’t far but it seemed they had that area (with barstool type seating up to the windows) reserved for larger groups. The bathrooms were clean, which was a plus.
Food was very similar but had some semblance of order. Not that it looked terribly good but it was at least not a mess. I think I had a couple of sandwiches – breakfast that morning at the all-inclusive Holiday Inn was “too cheap to be worth it” (I didn’t know Holiday Inn did all-inclusive resorts, and now I know why I wouldn’t look for one).
Wifi was pretty bad but I had a hotspot for international travel.
That may be the saddest paid “free” lounge, but the worst lounge has to be the one at SJU (San Juan). Have you ever been to that one? They serve the food to you (very small selection), and there are about 10 bottles of liquor on 1 shelf (total), and nothing good (no scotch or bourbon, just rum, tequila, amaretto, etc). It was truly free, as I was on Jet Blue and got in from the Priority Pass courtesy of Amex Platinum.
For priority pass members, you can reserve the departure lounge for just $5 from the club mobay website. I will try this next time (I didn’t get in last time due to all the prebooks)
@Sinclair – They were too full to allow that.
Why am I not seeing an option to pre book for $5 for departure?
This is still better than OGG
@JB @Scott – Maybe we need to start of list of the top 10 worst lounges on the planet?
That sounds like a good public service.
We booked Club Mobay for departure in February and were pleased to fast track through security. However, when we arrived at the lounge, they escorted us down the elevator to basement/ground level lounge even though we asked to be seated in the adults only section upstairs that gives you views of the runway. We were told that lounge didn’t have space for us. I think the lower level is the same one you were in based on your pictures. The lower level lounge was so overcrowded, it was really hot and the food looked awful. We turned around, took the elevator back up and walked ourselves into the adults only section. Needless to say, it was clean, bright and there were at least 8 empty tables (not full at all). We sat ourselves and the server appeared almost instantly. The drink service was great. The food was so-so, but better than the lower level. If you go back, try to insert yourselves upstairs. At the very least ask to see it so you can determine for yourself if there is room. In our travel experiences, the Priority Pass Lounge at the St Lucia airport is the worst we have ever been in.
Exactly. Clearly Rene has never been to OGG, CUN or any lounge at LOS. Looks pretty nice if you ask me.
@Boraxo – I have been to OGG but did not have time to “enjoy” that lounge. I only ever visit Mexico to transit (clearly not safe to visit Mexico now other than airports) so will take your word for CUN club.
Personally the inbound club mobay is small but I would gladly pay the $33 for the fast track. Then to grab all the snacks and drinks before I head to my resort. As I said before true it’s small but the outbound is way bigger. I have purchased this every time and it’s been 7 yrs counting and 8 in July. Sometimes the other customs line isn’t long but I’ve seen it snake as you said, which can take a extra 2-3 hrs. That’s hrs away from the island experience that I don’t want to give up. That’s my experience and opinion. I wish you would have enjoyed it tho. Thank you for your opinion.
I’ve been to Jamaica quite a number of times and Saturday is a pretty miserable day to fly to or from there. Fly midweek and it’ll be much better.
If you used their full package where they meet you at the gate and escort you through customs, you would not be complaining. We just went through there last week and it took us 10 minutes to get through customs, where others not using the service took over 3 hours.
@Nate – The idea with Priority Pass is so you do NOT have to pay extra to use a lounge.
Beyond that, if you see the beginning of my post, Jamaica already extracts enough cash from me in fee’s just to get there!
Rene, the arrivals service is not included as part of the Priority Pass benefit.
This.
The entitled “I have Priority Pass so put me in the lounge ASAP!” attitude notwithstanding, the entire value in Club Mobay is bypassing long security and passport control lines, and that is not something one should expect to be included with lounge access.
Club Mobay is great if used for the proper purpose. We use it on every trip to Jamaica and swear by it. We’re on vacation to be on vacation, not stand in a queue.
@Darth – If you are paying big bucks por a premium travel credit card then the value of Priority Pass is part of the equation and one expects value.
Also, as stated in post, clearly the value of the club is the perks not the club itself.
I am trying to recall if the lounge I was forced to visit when I was following this Delta blogger dude around the world late at night was a P Club … but it had peanuts to eat and the chairs were made out of CONCRETE with real thin cushions. This after attempting to open every closed and locked door we passed to find this hidden gem. Did I mention that the seats were made of CONCRETE? I am sill so traumatized that I cannot recall what country or hemisphere I was in!
@Bob – It was in NRT. Here is the review: https://eyeoftheflyer.com/2016/06/05/delta-million-miler-flight-iass-priority-pass-lounge-review-nrt-narita-airport/
It may be one of the worst ever yes!
I wholeheartedly agree! I visited Jamaica for the 3rd time this past January and Club MoBay is the most substandard lounge I have ever visited. It’s just sad.
Club Mobay is great when used correctly. Their arrivals service is not included in Priority Pass, but is great insurance, especially if you travel on a Saturday and/or during peak travel periods when the immigration lines can be hours long.
The departure service is included with Priority Pass, and can be booked ahead of time on their website. It is capacity controlled to avoid overwhelming the fast track of security, etc.
The review though, I don’t get. You didn’t book early enough and the service was full when you tried to prebook. When you went to walk in, they again told you that it was full. They allowed you to come in, even though it was full, and escorted you to an empty table, so you didn’t have to wander around looking for a seat in the crowded lounge or clear a dirty table yourself. The food isn’t inspired. The bar is complimentary. There’s a food menu you can order off of. They provide waiter service. There’s a separate kids playroom. There’s an adults only room, and a family room.
Lovely stay at Club MoBay. Amazing strawberry mango margarita and pretty good quesadilla. Shared table with another couple who needed to eat and run but enjoyable none the less. Took brochure home to tell neighbor to look into this. Btw salads were fresh and delicious!!!
@Judy – Really? Same club?
Had no problems. Nice lox available. Worst lounge is in the Galapagos. No AC, chain link fence separates lounge from non- lounge areas and they charge for alcohol.
I thought it was just me. I thought maybe they were undergoing renovations. I was wrong. Compared to few other lounges I’ve been to, the Departure Lounge was subpar. We purchased ours via our resort ahead of time. The great part was not standing in the long line.
I’ve never had an issue using priority pass. You can actually prebook using priority pass to avoid not being allowed in if crowded. I’ve seen much worse by way of lounges try Cartagena in Colombia horrible!!! I’ve only had good experiences in this lounge.
Hands down a beautiful lounge and excellent customer service!! As for the taxes to be fair any 3rd world Caribbean country you visit have taxes to deal with. I am a priority pass member and have been turned away once due to capacity so moving forward I pre book or do an earlier check in. I enjoy the atmosphere and the view from this lounge. It actually has 2 levels so I think you might have been 2 busy or in a hurry to take notice. I agree the checkin process can be quicker but it never take me over 5 minutes and I fly into Montego Bay once a month. I recommend going back when you have some quality time to enjoy the atmosphere. For the food photos it doesn’t really give a true reflection. You could have taken the photo at a busy period before the trays got refilled.
@Rohan – You work for the club? Can I get a kitten with next visit or a puppy?
BTW food shots from all over club. Maybe they should pull staff from over priced escorts to offer decent food?
Also calling a developing country 3rd world is really insulting. I think the island is amazing!
The saddest PP lounge is still the Honolulu IASS “lounge” at HNL – there is no food, a small refrigerator with drinks, a flatscreen, chairs and a couple of rubbish cans.
They may have added another flatscreen since I was last there.
Club Mobay is a must for my family.
Yes once we did not book and could not be accommodated. We learned our lesson.
We find the staff superior to the other airport lounges we use and they have great snacks.
As a business traveler to Jamaica several times a year, I have never failed to utilize Club Mobay for both inbound and outbound services. I find the club to be extremely friendly, well staffed, and committed to the Guest experience. I couldn’t imagine not utilizing Club Mobay throughout my travels to Jamaica. The fact that I have a quiet respite, an inviting snack and beverage is a huge plus for me! Sure beats a cramped & loud space in the gate area.
As a Priority Pass card holder, I have enjoyed the service afforded me!! During “peak times” you might be better served to pay for the service, as like all Priority Pass Clubs there are capacity controlled limits placed on head counts. Once during the holidays, this was the case. However, we patiently waited our turn to be ushered in and within 15 minutes we were enjoying the clubs amenities.
I have often seen in travel blogs the question asked, is Club Mobay worth it! My answer is always Giant yes! If you’re asking the question, chances are you attempting to talk yourself out of the service any way!
Travel safe, enjoy the beauty of Jamaica, and enjoy Club Mobay every chance you get! You won’t be disappointed with their service level. Cheers, and yes I would like another round!!
I visit the Club Mobay lounge every 6-7 weeks using Priority Pass and have consistently had positive experiences. (I do book ahead when I remember to do so, as it seems all airport lounges are very busy these days.)
The Club Mobay priority access at security saves us so much time and the staff members in the lounge are really pleasant and service-oriented. They often go out of their way to run downstairs to get me something (e.g. decaf espresso, which is a rarity in Jamaica) when it’s not available upstairs.
In my experience, food and drink options are very good and include a la carte menu items as well as the buffet. They offer far more options than I encounter at many lounges — Jamaican patties, soup, sandwiches, salads, pastas, quesadillas, plantain chips, etc.
The lounge can get busy during high season, but I don’t find it overcrowded and I’m glad that they limit capacity. I also use the Club MoBay arrival service, which is worth every penny — especially on weekends.
I’d like to add that given the long history of the West extracting resources from Jamaica, I have no problem paying the airport fees as a visitor — especially if some of those fees go toward supporting the local economy and creating jobs. Tourists/visitors wander the island with so much privilege including staying in high-value All-Inclusive hotels that do not pay livable wages and having access to beaches and products that locals cannot afford. (For context, I’m based in Canada and my family is from Jamaica.)