Review: the Escape Lounge at Bristol Airport

This is our review of the Escape Executive Lounge at Bristol Airport.

At the time this review was written, it was known as the Aspire lounge.  It was rebranded to Escape in May 2023, with the AspirePlus lounge next door rebranded as 1903.  The rest of this review refers to the lounge as Aspire.

Reader Wendy kindly sent us a review of the Aspire Executive Lounge at Bristol Airport.  We have previously covered the other lounge at Bristol, Aspire Plus, in this review.

You can find all of our other UK airport lounge reviews here.  We’re making good progress now!

Over to Wendy:

“The Aspire Lounge at Bristol Airport is located on the upper level past security and through the duty free shop. (Below is an official photo from the Executive Lounges website).  The AspirePlus lounge is nearby – this ‘premium’ lounge requires you to a pay a £10 cash supplement if you want to get access via Priority Pass or Lounge Club.

Whilst I have never been in AspirePlus, I was perfectly happy in the main Aspire lounge and didn’t see any need to pay the additional £10.  The Aspire lounge was quiet with plenty of free seats even though the airport itself was very busy.

There was a glass front with view into the main airport area which, to be honest, wasn’t very exciting.

Food and drink

There was a range of wines (two reds and two whites) and spirits (the usual mainstream brands) as well as beers.  Alcholic drinks must be ordered from the bar …..

…. or you can help yourself at the self-service area where you can get tea/coffee and soft drinks.

As my flight was in the afternoon the menu consisted of a cream tea, hot pasta dish, ham, cheese, olives, snacks and fresh rolls. It was a great selection of food in my opinion.  The lounge also has more substantial food available to order for an extra charge.

The Aspire Lounge has free wifi and a Quiet Zone if you need to catch up on work.  Overall I found it a very decent lounge and a great alternative to busy main terminal.”

Thanks Wendy.  You can access the Aspire Lounge at Bristol Airport via Priority Pass (buy one, or get one free with Amex Platinum), Lounge Club (free with Amex Gold) or you can book access for cash in advance via the Lounge Pass website here.

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How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (April 2025)

Here are the five options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,500 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Eurostar, Lufthansa and Delta Air Lines lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here.

You can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on American Express Platinum is increased from 50,000 Membership Rewards points to a huge 80,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (80,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

The Platinum Card from American Express

80,000 bonus points and great travel benefits – for a large fee Read our full review

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 27th May 2025, the sign-up bonus on the ‘free for a year’ American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card is increased from 20,000 Membership Rewards points to 30,000 points. Points convert 1:1 into Avios (30,000 Avios!) and many other programmes. Some people may see even higher personalised offers. Click here to apply.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold

Your best beginner’s card – 30,000 points, FREE for a year & four airport lounge passes Read our full review

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free Priority Pass card, allowing you access to the Priority Pass network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £290 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard

A good package, but only available to HSBC Premier clients Read our full review

Got a small business?

If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum which has the same lounge benefits as the personal Platinum card:

American Express Business Platinum

50,000 points when you sign-up and an annual £200 Amex Travel credit Read our full review

You should also consider the Capital on Tap Pro Visa credit card which has a lower fee and, as well as a Priority Pass for airport lounge access, also comes with Radison Rewards VIP hotel status:

Capital on Tap Pro Visa

10,500 points (=10,500 Avios) plus good benefits Read our full review

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.