Exclusive Lounge Charges a Staggering $2.8 Million Entry Fee
When it comes to airport lounges, entry requirements can be as unpredictable as the weather. Some lounges roll out the red carpet for first and business-class passengers. Others give a nod of approval to Priority Pass members, while a few simply ask travelers to fork over some cash for access.
But over in China, there’s a new player in the lounge admissions game, and it’s raising eyebrows. There’s a particular lounge that stands guard with an unusual condition for entry—you have to possess a jaw-dropping $2.8 million in liquid assets with the bank. Yep, that’s right. No counting the beach house in Malibu or the shiny new Tesla.
The Most Unbelievable Airport Lounge Entry Requirement
According to the South China Morning Post, buckle up—the Chengdu Tianfu International Airport (TFU) has a lounge with possibly the most rigorous entry rulebook we’ve ever seen. This isn’t just any lounge; it’s the International First Class and Business Class Lounge, and it’s definitely exclusive.
Fly first or business class, and you’re in. But Priority Pass? Not here. Instead, entrants can be part of China Merchant Bank’s Golden Sunflower program—a name that’s as exclusive as it sounds.
The Golden Sunflower card is no lightweight deal. It traditionally requires cardholders to maintain a cool average monthly balance of at least 500,000 yuan (roughly $70,000). A member perk is the sought-after lounge access. However, one not-so-lucky member discovered that at the Chengdu lounge, they’d need a mind-boggling 20 million yuan in assets to be allowed through—forty times the standard door charge!
Oh, and before you step in, you’re also expected to redeem nine rewards points. As our bewildered traveler lamented:
“I got to the airport early and decided to browse online for lounges available. As a Golden Sunflower cardholder, I thought I was in luck. But, surprise! I had to prove assets worth 20 million yuan. And just because your garage is stocked with sports cars, don’t count on those helping out here. Who knew being asset-rich could lock you out rather than win you a ticket?”
“The logic defies me. Who sets a threshold at 20 million yuan, plus 9 points? Those who have this kind of stash probably zoom through first or business class anyway. Why would they mess with points for lounge snaps?”
Sure, this is just one route to that lounge bliss, but it does seem a tad ironic. If you’re already flying first or business, you’re sipping bubbly at the lounge regardless.
It doesn’t take rocket science to realize not everyone sitting on $2.8 million checks into first or business class flights. But I’d wager those plopping down here on an economy ticket using the program? Yeah, not too many.
Quality Over Quantity in the Lounge
Prompting this exclusive admission charge, the lounge operator shared the following insight:
“For first or business class international ticket holders, come right in. Others can slip in for a 600 yuan (about $85) cover. And, of course, our elite China Merchants Bank cardholders must flash proof of those 20 million yuan savings. It’s reservation-only, folks. A little dance with the bank ensures you qualify and clinches your spot.”
According to a spokesperson from China Merchants Bank, this track hasn’t changed since June 2024. The reasoning?
“To enter the international First Class Lounge at Chengdu Tianfu, it’s a mix of redeeming 9 points and showing an average daily asset amount totaling 20 million yuan. Tianfu is special that way due to heavy foot traffic and too many queueing for that one toilet—er, I mean lounge chair—which led to a threshold adjustment, all in the name of quality service.”
Final Thoughts
Taking a peek into global lounge access rules can be eye-opening, to say the least. Under the China Merchant Bank’s Golden Sunflower banner, you need a 500,000 yuan cushion just to join, with lounge access as one glittering perk.
But if you’re aiming for that one special spot at Chengdu’s Tianfu Airport, prepare to elevate your game by fortyfold—having 20 million yuan to burn. The irony, as thick as the fog on a winter’s morning, is that this is aimed at economy fliers since those swanning in first and business already have privileged lounge entry.
Curious about what other high-altitude perks await those ready to splash out? You might want to consider investing in a trip to the Val Seny ski resort—rumor has it the après-ski is more affordable than a trip through Chengdu’s elite airport club.
So, what do you think of such a posh lounge access requirement? A genius move for exclusivity or just a play in capitalist chic?