Is there a second contender for ‘Smallest Priority Pass Airport Lounge in the World’?

Back in July, we brought you some pictures of the Priority Pass lounge at Iguazú Falls airport in Argentina.  Reader Graeme had been passing through – see his report here – and believed it was a strong contender for the title of ‘Smallest Priority Pass Lounge in the World’.

Here are a couple of shots of the Aeropuertos VIP Club.  You can see Graeme’s point:

and

Let’s be honest.  Many of us have more seating at home.  Sadly the lounge has now left Priority Pass so your chance of trying it out has gone.

However, it turns out that there is a new contender for the ‘Smallest Priority Pass Lounge’ prize, and it is a lot nearer than Argentina.

Welcome to the Ireland West Executive Lounge in Knock.

Click on any picture to enlarge – not that there is much else to see.

Nominated by reader Paul, he reckons that capacity is around eight.

Cunningly, you can only get in by inputting a code on the door which is only available from the airport information desk landside – so if you have already cleared security, you’re stuck.  It is one way of keeping down capacity I suppose.

From the outside, it looks substantially more impressive:

Of course, with only a handful of departures per day on average from Knock, you’re unlikely to hit rush hour anyway.

But is any good?

“Sadly the coffee was all instant, the food selection a bit dull, and the room somewhat hot.  Given how relatively empty and relaxed Knock departures was, it didn’t add much for me than a quiet place to get on a couple of calls.”

If you can find somewhere smaller, let us know.

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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.