Review | Travel Club Lounge KLIA Terminal 1 Satellite

After a long wait, I finally got the chance to visit the Travel Club Lounge at KLIA Terminal 1 Satellite. I have been eager to review this lounge for quite some time; however, most of my flights have typically departed from the Main Terminal Building.

This review will be brief, mainly because my experience was extremely underwhelming. I spent a mere 10 minutes in the lounge before feeling the need to leave and stroll around the terminal.

Despite having heard overwhelmingly negative feedback from friends and family, I entered the lounge with an open mind. After all, I doubt anything could be worse than shoulder-to-shoulder lounges in the West!

Unfortunately, as the sole private lounge operator in KLIA Terminal 1 Satellite, the Travel Club Lounge did not quite meet my expectations.

Access and Entry Requirements

There are several ways to access the Travel Club Lounge. Today, I used a complimentary pass obtained through flying Qatar Airways Business Class to Doha. Numerous credit cards also offer complimentary access to Travel Club Lounges across Malaysia.

The lounge entrance features clear signage for easy visibility. For those with the Alliance Bank Visa Infinite credit cards, it’s important to note that you are entitled to only one access per year to any Travel Club Lounge in Malaysia. I recommend considering whether you have sufficient time to justify using the lounge before using your credit card to gain entry.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that many airlines direct their business and first-class passengers to this lounge at KLIA Terminal 1 Satellite. You might find yourself there during peak times, coinciding with several international departures.

Be sure to check out my Ultimate Airport Lounge Guide to compare the best credit cards for airport lounge access in Malaysia.

Seating Area and Buffet

The lounge boasts a reasonably spacious seating area, certainly more expansive than the now-closed Plaza Premium Lounge at the Satellite Terminal, though the layouts differ.

For those who enjoy a good view, I highly recommend the sofas next to the windows overlooking the gates, which offer excellent vistas of the tarmac.

The lounge features a unique design with the bar squared off in one corner, surrounded by seating and the general walkway.

There are also seats at the bar counter for those who prefer.

In terms of food and beverage, the offerings included a mix of Western and Asian choices. I tried several dishes but found the flavors to be lackluster at best, especially when compared to the fare at the Plaza Premium Lounge in the Main Terminal Building.

Additionally, the lounge served a variety of cold cuts, pastries, salads, and bite-sized sandwiches.

The beverage menu includes a wide range of alcoholic options, from cocktails to cognacs. Complimentary barista-made coffee, tea, and beer are available directly from the bar.

Other soft-drinks are available self-serve.

Final Thoughts

Overall, while the Travel Club Lounge fulfills its role as one of the only private lounges at KLIA Terminal 1, it was certainly underwhelming to say the least. I barely spent more than 15 minutes in the lounge in total, and opted to go out for a walk instead.

After leaving the lounge and exploring the Satellite Terminal, I noticed that new lounges had opened, notably the Global Lounge First and Global Lounge.

At the time of writing, I am uncertain if these lounges accept access through credit cards or major lounge operators like Priority Pass, DragonPass, or LoungeKey. However, it is encouraging to see more lounge options at KLIA Terminal 1 Satellite, given the lacklustre experience I had today.

Competition invariably benefits us as consumers, and given the current offerings at the Travel Club Lounge, I am unsure about returning. I'd rather much just visit the Plaza Premium Lounge which had far superior vibes and F&B offerings, and shuttle over to the Satellite Terminal afterwards if I had a flight departing from here.

To be clear, the Travel Club Lounge isn’t terrible, but given its lackluster food and beverage options and service, I would prefer to use my credit card lounge access passes elsewhere, such as at Plaza Premium First—especially since I hold the CIMB Travel World Elite.