UAE Airport Lounges Ranked: Marhaba, Ahlan, Al Reem, Plaza Premium, Emirates Business

Lounge access is the most popular premium card benefit in the UAE. For a Mashreq Solitaire cardholder transiting DXB with three hours spare, there are four or five lounges in the same terminal to choose from: Marhaba, Ahlan, Al Reem, Plaza Premium and the airline-specific Emirates First / Business / Skywards options. They are not the same. Some are exceptional. Some are tight boxes with a buffet gone by 6 AM.

This article ranks the lounges that UAE-issued credit cards usually get you into, by terminal, with notes on what cards unlock what doors.

Dubai International (DXB)

DXB is home to the UAE's largest lounge network, spread across Terminal 1, Terminal 2 and Terminal 3.

The Emirates Business and First Class lounges (Terminal 3, Concourse A and B) are the gold standard, multi-floor spaces with extensive dining, a la carte menus in First, spa treatments, dedicated boarding to the aircraft from the lounge floor. Access is for Emirates premium cabin and Skywards Gold/Platinum members, including those who have received this status via Emirates NBD Skywards Infinite or Emirates Islamic Skywards Black status fast-tracks.

For credit card holders, the most reliable paid-access option is the Marhaba Lounge (Terminal 3, Concourse A and B). Marhaba has many locations across DXB and they are open almost 24/7. Buffet is good, not amazing. Reliable Wi-Fi. Most UAE premium cards provide 1 to 8 Marhaba visits per year (Mashreq Solitaire, Standard Chartered Visa Infinite X, ENBD Skywards Infinite, FAB Etihad Guest Infinite, HSBC Premier World Elite all have access at varying tier).

If you are flying on a non-Emirates carrier, Plaza Premium Lounge (Terminal 1) is the better choice. Cleaner design, better food than Marhaba, smaller capacity. Priority Pass and LoungeKey members have access. Priority Pass is included with Citi Prestige, Mashreq Solitaire and HSBC Premier World Elite.

The Dnata budget choice is Ahlan Lounge (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2). Acceptable, but the busiest option during rush hours. Some UAE cards have limited Ahlan visits as a starter benefit.

Abu Dhabi International (AUH)

AUH lounge access is dedicated to the Etihad Premium Lounges (Terminal A from late 2023 onwards, following the major terminal opening) and the Plaza Premium spaces.

The Etihad First and Business lounges in Terminal A are competitive, sometimes better than the Emirates Business equivalent in DXB. Spa, fine-dining option, kids play area in Business. Access with Etihad premium cabin or Etihad Guest Gold/Platinum status. The FAB Etihad Guest Infinite Card provides status fast-tracks that really change which lounge you can access on a regular Economy ticket.

Plaza Premium AUH has a Terminal A lounge that is accessible via Priority Pass and a few card-bundle programmes. The quality is good, the capacity is medium.

The third option is the Al Reem Lounge, Dnata's version of Marhaba in AUH, available to many premium card holders in the UAE. It is functional rather than exceptional.

Sharjah (SHJ)

Sharjah airport has one full-service lounge, typically branded Plaza Premium or its previous operator, open to holders of Priority Pass cards including Citi Prestige and Mashreq Solitaire. The food is fine, the seating is comfortable, the showers exist. Don't expect Emirates Business calibre.

Ras Al Khaimah (RKT) and Al Maktoum (DWC)

RKT has limited or no lounge facilities for general arrivals and departures, but some cards offer access to an arrivals lounge for premium cabin passengers. DWC has restricted lounge presence given its current passenger volume, so confirm at booking; the airport's expansion plans will materially change lounge density over the coming years.

Ranking by overall quality (UAE network)

• Emirates First Class Lounge, DXB Terminal 3 Concourse B — best overall in the UAE
• Etihad First Class Lounge, AUH Terminal A — strong second
• Emirates Business Class Lounge, DXB Terminal 3 — consistent quality at scale
• Etihad Business Lounge, AUH — modern, less crowded than DXB Business
• Plaza Premium, DXB Terminal 1 — best non-airline lounge
• Marhaba Lounge, DXB Terminal 3 — most accessible via UAE cards
• Plaza Premium AUH — solid backup
• Al Reem AUH — adequate
• Ahlan, DXB Terminal 1 and 2 — last-resort

Best UAE cards for lounge access

Unlimited Priority Pass access (the one best benefit): Citi Prestige, HSBC Premier World Elite, Mashreq Solitaire, Standard Chartered Visa Infinite X.

Unlimited LoungeKey: Mashreq Solitaire (select periods), FAB Etihad Guest Infinite at top tier.

For airline lounges: an Emirates Skywards or Etihad Guest fast-track through the relevant UAE co-brand card. The status, not the lounge benefit, is what unlocks the airline lounge.

For limited Marhaba visits on lower-priced cards: ADCB Touchpoints, RAKBANK World, Liv. Plus tier, usually 2 to 4 visits per year.

How to actually use the access

Arrive 90 minutes before your gate closes, too early and you lose lounge time waiting to board, too late and the showers are full. The 5 to 8 PM window is the busiest slot at DXB for Marhaba and Plaza Premium. The rush for airline lounges is the long-haul departure block (10 PM to 1 AM at DXB, when 12 long-haul flights board within an hour).

Most guests are paid entries at AED 100 to 200, however several UAE cards give one or two free guests per visit. Historically, the Mashreq Solitaire includes a complimentary guest under Priority Pass. Read the cardholder agreement; that is the difference between a free visit for two and a paid visit for the companion.

The most reliably valuable lifestyle benefit on a UAE card is lounge access. Use it.