{"id":865732,"date":"2026-07-12T16:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=865732"},"modified":"2026-07-10T16:45:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T14:45:16","slug":"south-africa-ranks-in-first-place-for-another-global-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/865732\/south-africa-ranks-in-first-place-for-another-global-award\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa ranks in first place for another global award"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>South Africa&#8217;s Bidvest Premier Lounge at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg has been ranked as the best airport lounge in Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the recently released 2026 Priority Pass Excellence Awards, the Bidvest Premier Lounge at Johannesburg&#8217;s airport secured first place in the Middle East and Africa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This year&#8217;s rankings are based on over 700,000 reviews from Priority Pass members.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The awards are categorised into five groups:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Regional Winners: This includes an overall global winner.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Highly Recommended Lounges: These are the runners-up.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pioneer of the Year: This recognition is for innovation.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All-Star of the Year: This award focuses on outstanding customer service.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>One to Watch: This category honours lounges that have demonstrated significant improvements.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The overall global Priority Pass Excellence Awards winner for 2026 is the Escape Lounge located at Portland International Airport in Oregon, United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The regional winners for 2026 are as follows:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Asia: Lounge Fukuoka at Fukuoka International Airport, Japan&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Latin America and the Caribbean: Club Kingston, Norman Manley International Airport, Jamaica&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Europe: Vienna Lounge at Vienna Schwechat Airport, Austria, which was also the global winner in 2024.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In the category of highly commended lounges for 2026:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Asia: Kyra Lounge at Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport ranked first.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Latin America and the Caribbean: The Advantage VIP Lounge at Campinas Viracopos International Airport in Brazil took the top spot.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Europe, Middle East, and Africa: No. 1 Lounge Jersey at Jersey Airport in Jersey was ranked first.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>North America: Escape Lounges at Kansas City International Airport in the United States was recognised as the most highly commended lounge.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This year introduced a new category called \u201cOne to Watch,\u201d which highlights lounges that have significantly improved their overall experience within the Priority Pass global network, as reflected in customer reviews.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this category:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Asia: Kocoo Lounge at Narita International Airport in Japan ranked first.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Americas: Advantage VIP Lounge at S\u00e3o Paulo Congonhas Airport in Brazil was recognised as the best.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Europe: VIP Lounge \u2018Angelo D&#8217;Arrigo\u2019 at Catania Fontanarossa Airport in Italy took the top spot.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bidvest Premier Lounge South Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-09T092524.706.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-09T092524.706-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-865876\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-09T092524.706-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-09T092524.706-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-09T092524.706-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-09T092524.706-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Untitled-design-2026-07-09T092524.706.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Bidvest Premier Domestic Departure Lounges are located in all major South African airports, including Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, Port Elizabeth, George, East London, Mpumalanga, and Bloemfontein.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The group\u2019s International Departure Lounges are located in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Mpumalanga.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cThe main purpose of our Bidvest Lounges is to offer an oasis of comfort in the hustle and bustle of the airport. Smoking areas are available in most lounges,&#8221; said Bidvest Premier Lounge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bidvest said it has established long-standing relationships with various airlines and corporate partners, including Diners Club, ABSA, Investec, Nedbank, Standard Bank, and the Collinson Group.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These partnerships, according to Bidvest, allow cardholders access to our lounges, subject to the specific terms and conditions set by each partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Walk-in visits are permitted, and lounge entry is granted on a first-come, first-served basis, subject to availability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The lounge facilities include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Designated smoking areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Showers and toilets<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Accessibility options for disabled guests<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Free Wi-Fi<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complimentary access to Press Reader<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complimentary food and beverages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The corporate lounge rates are R300 for two hours for domestic flights and R638 for four hours for international flights.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The walk-in rates are R334 for domestic flights and R708 for international flights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Children under two years old can access the lounge for free, while children over two years are subject to the standard walk-in rates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Photos of the commercial Bidvest Premier Lounge at OR Tambo International Airport<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-865878\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-865879\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-865880\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/3.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-865882\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/4.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a  data-lightbox=\"post-image\" href=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1024x576.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-865883\" srcset=\"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/5.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>South Africa&#8217;s Bidvest Premier Lounge at has been ranked as the best airport lounge in Africa.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":127,"featured_media":865897,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":true,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_sma_x_autopost_status":"posted","_sma_x_autopost_error":"","_sma_x_post_id":"2076305839376285916","_sma_x_attempts":1,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9876],"tags":[25778,19767,25779],"class_list":["post-865732","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","tag-bidvest-premier-lounge","tag-or-tambo-international-airport","tag-priority-pass-excellence-awards"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865732","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/127"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=865732"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865732\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":865899,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/865732\/revisions\/865899"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/865897"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=865732"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=865732"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=865732"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}