South African Airways The Lounge
★3.5(173 reviews)PLZ
A 2024-remodeled airline lounge for SAA premium, Star Alliance Gold and eligible Discovery and Investec cardholders.
South African Airways' lounge at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport in Port Elizabeth (Gqeberha), known simply as The Lounge, was remodeled in 2024 in partnership with Discovery and now sports a fresh look with upgraded amenities. It serves South African Airways premium-cabin passengers and Star Alliance Gold members, and — thanks to the Discovery partnership — also welcomes eligible Discovery Bank Platinum, Black and Purple cardholders and Investec Visa Infinite, Platinum, Business and Youth cardholders. Notably, qualifying cardholders can use the lounge no matter which airline they're flying, which makes it a viable option even if you're not on SAA. Inside, the refreshed space pairs a hot buffet with complimentary snacks and a bar serving soft drinks, house wine, beer and spirits — a comfortable place to eat and relax before a flight out of Port Elizabeth.
Crowding · generally calm
A comfortable spot to eat and relax before a flight rather than a dedicated work lounge — fine for a quick check of email, but expect a dining-and-relaxing focus over desks and power.
The 2024 remodel added a complimentary hot buffet alongside snacks, paired with a bar serving soft drinks, house wine, beer and spirits. That makes it more of a sit-down dining lounge than a snacks-only stop — a good place to eat a proper meal before a flight out of Port Elizabeth.
The lounge is in the single passenger terminal at Chief Dawid Stuurman International (PLZ); follow the airport's lounge signage and check your boarding pass for the latest directions.
- 01Check in at the Main Terminal
- 02Present your boarding pass and qualifying ticket, status or card
- 03Follow the airport's lounge signage
- 04Arrive at South African Airways' lounge
Landmarks: Main passenger terminal · Departures area
ℹ Chief Dawid Stuurman (PLZ)
Included: Complimentary snacks · Complimentary hot buffet · Complimentary soft drinks · Complimentary house wine and beer · Complimentary liquor
Pricing is confirmed at booking.
Instant confirmation · No hidden fees
Make the most of it.
Access is tied to SAA/Star Alliance status or a qualifying Discovery or Investec card — it isn't on Priority Pass or DragonPass.
Discovery Bank and Investec cardholders can use the lounge even when flying another airline — bring the card.
The lounge was remodeled in 2024, so expect a fresher interior than older reviews describe.
There's a hot buffet here, so it's a good option if you want a proper meal before departure.
If you only carry Priority Pass or DragonPass, head to the Bidvest Premier Lounge instead.
Quick answers.
SAA premium-cabin passengers and Star Alliance Gold members, plus eligible Discovery Bank (Platinum, Black and Purple) and Investec (Visa Infinite, Platinum, Business and Youth) cardholders. Cardholders can visit regardless of which airline they're flying.
No — this is an airline-and-cardholder lounge, not a Priority Pass or DragonPass lounge. For Priority Pass or DragonPass access at PLZ, use the Bidvest Premier Lounge.
Yes — South African Airways' lounge, The Lounge, was remodeled in 2024 in partnership with Discovery, with a fresh look and upgraded amenities.
Yes — the remodel added a complimentary hot buffet alongside snacks, with a bar serving soft drinks, house wine, beer and spirits.
