Melbourne Airport (MEL): Paid Access Lounge Guide

Melbourne Airport (MEL), also known as Tullamarine Airport, is the main international airport serving Melbourne, Victoria, in Australia.

It is the second busiest airport in Australia by passenger traffic, handling over 36 million travellers annually. The airport is a major hub for airlines Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia.

It has four terminals consisting of one international terminal, one budget domestic terminal, and two full-service domestic terminals.

This guide covers all five of the paid lounge access options at Melbourne Airport. It includes information on each lounge’s location, hours, access rules, and amenities to help you make the most of your travel experience.

Terminal 2 handles all international flights at Melbourne Airport, and there are three paid access lounges in this terminal.

All guests to the lounges must be travelling on an international flight.

The Marhaba Lounge is generally considered one of the better paid access lounges at Melbourne Airport.

You can sink into the leather armchairs with unobstructed runway views, and enjoy a modest buffet selection.

Located in Terminal 2 departures, between Gates 9 and 11. Take the escalator up to Level 3. 

• Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 04:00–00:00 (4am-midnight)

• Thursday, Sunday: 04:00–01:00 (4am-1am)

• Tuesday: 03:00–01:00 (3am-1am)

• Saturday: 03:00–00:00 (3am-midnight)

Guests can stay at this lounge for 3-6 hours depending on their access method.

• Hot and cold food options

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages (including Australian wines)

• Showers (complimentary)

• Family room

• Prayer room

• Massage chairs

• Wi-Fi

• TVs

• Luggage storage

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Other Advance Purchase Options:

  • Book 4- to 6-hour stays via the Marhaba website, starting from AU$71 (US$50) for 4 hours.

  • You can also pay for a pass using your Emirates Skywards miles instead of cash, but must purchase in advance.

  • Lounge Pass offers 3-hour access for US$50 per adult, and US$15 per child aged 2-11.

  • These options require you to book a time and date in advance.

• Memberships:

  • Priority Pass and Dreamfolks members can access this lounge as per their membership benefits.

  • A Dragonpass membership plan will get you entry into this lounge, for a maximum 3-hour stay. You can also purchase a one-off walk-up pass for US$55, without a membership.

  • Complimentary guest entitlements will depend on how you have obtained your membership with these programs.

• Cardholders:

  • Access is available with cards offering Priority Pass, LoungeKey, or Dragonpass memberships. Examples include:

    • Dragonpass via Visa Airport Companion (Visa Platinum/Infinite/Signature)

    • LoungeKey via eligible Mastercards

    • Mastercard Travel Pass

    • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk Up Access: You can purchase access at the reception desk directly.

Children under 2 years old are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

The Plaza Premium Lounge resembles a business class suite with plenty of secluded alcoves and a complimentary selection of beers and wines at the bar.

It does have limited natural light, however, so if you're looking for a runway view, you might want to check out the Marhaba Lounge instead.

Located in International Departures, Terminal 2 (near Gate 9)

08:30–23:00 daily (8:30am-11pm)

Guests can stay at this lounge for 2-5 hours depending on their access method.

• Hot and cold food options

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• Bar with complimentary selection of local and imported beers and wines

• Wi-Fi

• TVs

• Printers and photocopiers

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Other Advance Purchase Options:

  • Book via the Plaza Premium website for ~AU$66 (~US$47) for a 2-hour stay package, or AU$80 (~US$56) for 5 hours.

  • Lounge Pass offers 3- to 6-hour stay packages starting from US$49 for 3 hours.

  • These options require you to book a time and date in advance.

• Memberships:

  • Priority Pass and Dreamfolks members can access this lounge as per their membership benefits.

  • Complimentary guest entitlements will depend on how you have obtained your membership with these programs.

• Cardholders:

  • Access is available with cards offering Priority Pass, or LoungeKey memberships. Examples include:

    • LoungeKey via eligible Mastercards

    • Mastercard Travel Pass

    • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk Up Access: You can purchase access at the reception desk directly.

Children under 2 years old are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Located in Terminal 2 (International) after security on Level 1. After clearing immigration, follow the signs for 'Lounges' and make your way to Level 1. From there, follow the signage to the Aspire Lounge.

07:00-00:00 daily (7am-midnight)

Guests can stay at this lounge for a maximum of 3 hours.

• Hot meals and cold snacks

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• Showers (subject to additional payment)

• Wi-Fi

• TVs

• Flexible Day Pass:

• Other Advance Purchase Options:

  • Book a 2-hour pass via the Aspire website for AU$72 (US$51).

  • Lounge Pass offers 3-hour stay packages for US$50 per person.

  • These options require you to book a time and date in advance.

• Memberships:

  • Priority Pass and Dreamfolks members can access this lounge as per their membership benefits.

  • A Dragonpass membership plan will get you entry into this lounge, for a maximum 3-hour stay. You can also purchase a one-off walk-up pass for US$55, without a membership.

  • Complimentary guest entitlements will depend on how you have obtained your membership with these programs.

• Cardholders:

  • Access is available with cards offering Priority Pass, Dragonpass, or LoungeKey memberships. Examples include:

    • Dragonpass via Visa Airport Companion (Visa Platinum/Infinite/Signature)

    • LoungeKey via eligible Mastercards

    • Mastercard Travel Pass

    • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk Up Access: You can purchase access at the reception desk directly.

Children under 2 years old are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Terminals 1, 3, and 4 handle domestic flights at Melbourne Airport.

T3 and T4 are combined with a common security checkpoint. There is one paid access lounge located Terminal 3, and one in Terminal 4.

All guests to the lounges must be travelling on a domestic flight.

Located airside in Terminal 4, Domestic Departures. The lounge is located near Gate 30.

• Monday to Saturday: 06:00-19:00 (6am-7pm)

• Sunday: 10:00-19:00 (10am-7pm)

Guests can stay at this lounge for a maximum of 3 hours.

• Continental breakfast (available until 10am)

• Brunch/supper refreshments (from 10am)

• Bar (from 3pm)

• Wi-Fi

• Meeting room available for bookings (for up to 8 people)

• Memberships:

  • Annual Rex Lounge memberships are available from AU$329 (US$238). Members can access any Rex Lounge when departing or arriving on a Rex flight.

    • Each visit includes one complimentary guest, with a second guest able to enter for AU$22 (US$16; subject to availability). Both guests must be traveling on Rex flights.

  • Priority Pass members can access this lounge as per their membership benefits.

• Cardholders:

  • Access is available with cards offering LoungeKey and Priority Pass memberships. Examples include:

    • LoungeKey via eligible Mastercards

    • Mastercard Travel Pass

    • Priority Pass‑linked cards like American Express Platinum and Diners Club

• Walk Up Access:

  • One-time lounge access for 2 hours may be purchased by Rex customers with a same-day boarding pass for AU$33 (US$24).

  • Can be purchased at check-in, the lounge entry or a Rex Service Desk. (Entry is subject to space availability.)

Children under 12 years old are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Located in Terminal 3 Domestic. Turn right after exiting the security screening area.

Open daily from 60 minutes before first Virgin Australia flight departure until the last flight boards.

• Food

• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

• Shower facilities (charges apply)

• Wi-Fi

• Internet terminals

• Conference rooms (charges apply)

• TVs

• Printers and photocopiers

• Memberships:

  • Velocity Platinum and Platinum Plus members receive complimentary lounge access before a same-day Virgin Australia flight.

    • They can also bring up to three additional guests, along with up to three children aged 2 to 17. Infants under 2 are admitted free.

  • Velocity Gold members also receive complimentary lounge access.

    • They may also bring one additional guest, along with up to three children aged 2 to 17. Infants under 2 are admitted free.

  • Velocity Silver members can access the lounge before a same-day Virgin Australia flight by using one of their two annual single-entry passes.

  • Lounge members, Lifetime Lounge members and Senior Lifetime Lounge members receive complimentary access before a same-day Virgin Australia flight.

    • This includes entry for the member and one guest, as well as up to three children aged 2 to 17. Infants under 2 are admitted free.

• Travel Class or Airline Status:

  • Eligible partner airline members receive complimentary lounge access before a same-day Virgin Australia flight.

    • If your eligible partner airline membership allows you to bring in a guest, they must be travelling on the same Virgin Australia flight. 

      • Partner Airlines:

        • Air Canada

        • Qatar

        • Singapore Airlines

        • South African Airways

        • United Airlines

        • Virgin Atlantic

• Cardholders:

  • Access is available to the following cardholders before a same-day Virgin Australia flight:

    • Westpac Altitude Velocity Black Mastercard and Virgin Money credit card holders

    • American Express Velocity Platinum, Gold and Business

    • Amex Centurion, Platinum, Platinum Business and Amex Platinum Corporate cardholders

• Walk Up Access:

  • Single entry lounge passes can be purchased at reception for AU$65 (US$47) for adults and AU$45 (US$33) for children aged 2 to 17.

Children under 2 years old are admitted free when accompanied by an adult.

Melbourne Airport currently offers five main paid access lounge options, each catering to slightly different priorities but all providing an escape from the busy departures area.

If you're travelling internationally, Terminal 2 is home to three paid-access lounges:

The Plaza Premium lounge delivers a more polished space, but lacks showers and natural lighting.

Aspire, meanwhile, is in a temporary setup during renovations, so while it remains accessible via paid access passes or programs like Priority Pass, it is more limited than usual.

The Marhaba lounge is the most practical experience, with airspace views and complimentary shower facilities.

For domestic travellers passing through Terminals 3/4, the Rex and Virgin Australia lounge round out the options, offering a more traditional domestic style setup that can sometimes be accessed via paid programs or passes, depending on availability.

Whichever lounge you choose, they are all an easy way to make the time before boarding a bit more enjoyable.