Review | All-New Plaza Premium First Jakarta

A close friend’s wedding recently brought me back to Jakarta for the first time in years.

Flying halfway across the world from London and back within a week was nothing short of exhausting—but the trip was made infinitely more bearable thanks to the all-new Plaza Premium First Lounge at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.

Lounges like these remind you why you collect miles, chase credit card perks, and endure hours in the air—because when you depart from these airports, there’s a sanctuary waiting.

In the past, Plaza Premium operated a lounge at the far end of Terminal 3 near Gate 1, which I reviewed right after the pandemic. That lounge is now gone—but fear not.

In its place, Plaza Premium has unveiled a brand-new complex near Gate 6. And let me tell you—it’s majestic.

The new area houses three distinct zones: the standard Plaza Premium Lounge, the elevated Plaza Premium First, and a third lounge space catered to Priority Pass and LoungeKey guests.

Entrance to the Plaza Premium First, with the Plaza Premium Lounge in the background

All three lounges are developed in collaboration with Saphire Group, maintaining the strong local partnership.

Access

Now here's where things get interesting.

The Plaza Premium First Lounge in Jakarta wasn’t even supposed to be open yet—it was scheduled for a June 2025 launch and was initially meant to be reserved for Business and First Class passengers flying with premium carriers like Qatar Airways. But thanks to CIMB’s longstanding partnership with Plaza Premium Group, Malaysian cardholders get an exclusive pass.

To be specific: CIMB credit cards are the only Malaysian credit cards that grant you access to Plaza Premium First in Jakarta.

EDIT: Maybank has updated its lounge access list to also include the Plaza Premium First in Jakarta, specifically for Maybank World Elite cardholders.

Despite transitioning to a UOB-focused miles strategy this year, I’ve kept my CIMB Travel World Elite and CIMB Preferred Visa Infinite cards for exactly this reason. And they did not disappoint.

During my visit on a Saturday morning, the regular Plaza Premium Lounge was packed—but Plaza Premium First? Empty.

I was literally the only guest. The experience was so exclusive, in fact, that the staff had to unlock the lounge just for me. I felt like a VIP breaking into a secret club. You really can’t make this stuff up.

Adding to the exclusivity, the glass doors leading into Plaza Premium First are sealed from the inside, requiring staff assistance for entry or re-entry. Slightly inconvenient? Maybe. But it does give the whole setup a members-only speakeasy vibe. And let’s be real—that’s half the appeal.

Lounge

Let’s get into the heart of the lounge. Upon entry, you’re welcomed by a statement bar right in the middle of the space, with surrounding lounge chairs and elevated seating areas on an upper level.

Toward the rear, there’s a dedicated restaurant-style dining area with an open kitchen setup that mirrors what you’d expect from top-tier lounges like Qantas First Lounge in Singapore or Cathay’s The Pier in Hong Kong.

Here’s the headline grabber: an Infinity Room is planned!

If you’ve ever been to the Plaza Premium First Lounge in Hong Kong, you’ll know what this means. It’s an ultra-exclusive, by-invitation-only section featuring elevated dining that rivals The Private Room by Singapore Airlines.

Infinity Room, Plaza Premium First Hong Kong International Airport

Think high-end champagne, multi-course gourmet meals, and a level of luxury I usually only experience vicariously through YouTube reviews. If Jakarta’s Infinity Room ends up anything like its Hong Kong sibling, this could be one of the best lounges in Southeast Asia.

I previously talked about my Infinity Room experience in my 2025 Airline Miles Strategy Part 2 article, so do check that out if you'd like more context on this.

As for food, the menu is still a work in progress.

I sampled the Taiwanese Soy Sauce Chicken with Steamed Rice—comforting, flavorful, and beautifully plated. But the real highlight? The service.

The lounge attendant brought a portable table over to my sofa so I wouldn’t have to move to the dining area—now that’s hospitality.

The portions are small, but remember, you can essentially order and sample an unlimited amount of food. Given my 13 hour return to London, I decided against stuffing myself so early in the morning.

We had some great chats (again, I was the only person there), and he even gave me a full wine tour, proudly recommending local options.

Yes, I took a sip. Yes, it was surprisingly decent. And no, I’m not a sommelier—I’m the guy who just picks whatever Sauvignon Blanc is on the menu and hopes for the best.

I did ask for still water with my meal and jokingly noted the absence of Acqua Panna. Don’t worry—it hydrated just the same.

Shower Suites

Other facilities include gender-separated bathrooms and individual shower suites tucked behind the dining section—clean, private, and thoughtfully designed.

Each shower suite comes fully loaded with key amenities, such as a toothbrush, shaver, comb, and so on.

Final Thoughts

The new Plaza Premium First in Jakarta is not just another lounge—it’s a statement. Exclusive access, beautiful interiors, exceptional service, and that hush-hush Infinity Room on the horizon? It’s the kind of place that makes even the most chaotic airport experience feel luxurious.

But let’s be honest: this isn’t just a review about a lounge. It’s a reminder that CIMB credit cards punch way above their weight in terms of lounge access.

So if you’re still holding onto your CIMB Travel or Preferred Visa Infinite cards—there might actually be a compelling reason to continue doing so.

For the likes of UOB and Maybank cardholders, just be careful of the glass doors, and make sure to enter the correct lounge at Jakarta 😁