Review: The Rex Lounge at Sydney Airport

The Rex Lounge at Sydney Airport T2
The Rex Lounge at Sydney Airport T2. Photo: Matt Graham.

The Rex Lounge in Sydney Airport isn’t just for Rex Lounge members. Located in Terminal 2, the domestic terminal serving all airlines other than Qantas, you can also get in using Priority Pass – regardless of the airline you’re flying.

The Rex Lounge may not be the flashiest lounge in Sydney Airport, but it offers a comfortable, quiet space to wait for your flight with complimentary snacks and drinks included. There are also a few work stations, as well as clean bathrooms.

This review shows what you can expect when you visit the Rex Lounge in Sydney Airport Terminal 2…

Lounge Details

AirlineRegional Express (Rex)
AirportSydney (SYD), Australia
TerminalTerminal 2 (Domestic)
LocationLower level, near Gate G2
Star rating3 stars out of 5

Seating

The Rex Lounge in Sydney isn’t a huge space, but it is the biggest of the three Rex Lounges. It has enough seats for around 60 people, and with only three other people in the lounge when I visited on a Sunday afternoon, it was really peaceful and quiet. The only thing breaking the silence was the regular boarding announcements for Rex flights (and fair enough, too – after all, this is a Rex Lounge)!

As well as plenty of comfortable lounge chairs and some high tables with stools, there were three work stations at the far end of the lounge.

Work desks and a printer in the Rex Lounge at Sydney Airport
Work desks in the Rex Lounge in Sydney. Photo: Matt Graham.

The lounge offers a partial view of the runway and there’s a decent amount of natural light. This, combined with the dark blue and bright orange seating, makes the space airy and pleasant.

Ironically, the orange and blue colour scheme exactly matches Jetstar’s new brand colours. Should Rex go out of business and Jetstar would, for some reason, want a lounge in Terminal 2, this could easily be converted into a Jetstar lounge without the need to even buy new furniture!

Lounge Food, Drinks & Service

There’s a small self-service buffet selection including snacks and drinks. During my visit, the food options included apples, cookies, cheese, crackers, chocolates, yoghurt, instant noodles and fresh wraps.

It’s a fairly basic selection, but enough to tide over your hunger. The wraps in the fridge looked quite nice and were the pick of the bunch, in my opinion.

Food and drinks selection in the Rex Lounge in Sydney
Food and drinks selection in the Rex Lounge in Sydney. Photo: Matt Graham.

Tea and coffee was available.

Rex Sydney Lounge coffee machine
Rex Sydney Lounge coffee machine. Photo: Matt Graham.

There were also a range of cold drinks including water, juice and soft drinks. Beer and wine, including a red, white, rosĆ© and sparkling option, is available from 3pm. However, as I visited around 2pm, the fridge containing the beer and wine was padlocked shut. For what it’s worth, you can get beer and wine in the Qantas and Virgin Australia domestic lounges from around midday.

In Sydney, Rex unlocks the fridge with alcoholic beverages at 3pm
In Sydney, Rex unlocks the fridge with alcoholic beverages at 3pm. Photo: Matt Graham.

Rex does not allow outside food into its lounge, nor can you take food with you out of the lounge.

There was one staff member keeping the lounge clean and the fridges stocked. She was doing a great job – the place was spotless.

Lounge Facilities

The Rex Lounge offers most of the basics, including clean toilets, a few power points, a printer and a selection of magazines to read. There was a TV at one end of the lounge, switched to the ABC News channel.

Magazine selection in the Rex Lounge in Sydney
Magazine selection in the Rex Lounge.

There’s also a small display cabinet of Rex memorabilia.

Memorabilia on display in Rex's Sydney lounge
Memorabilia on display in Rex’s Sydney lounge. Photo: Matt Graham.

There doesn’t appear to be a dedicated Rex Lounge Wi-Fi network, but I was able to connect to the free Sydney Airport Wi-Fi. This is the only Rex Lounge without a massage chair.

Lounge Access

Rex passengers can access the lounge with a Rex Lounge membership or by buying one-time access. However, most passengers these days seem to be getting in with Priority Pass or LoungeKey. This is also how I got in.

To gain access, you just need to see the staff outside the lounge at Gate G2.

The entrance to the Rex Lounge in Sydney is beside gate G2
The entrance to the Rex Lounge in Sydney is beside gate G2. Photo: Matt Graham.

All of the Rex Lounges accept Priority Pass cards, which you can get by buying a membership or as a benefit with several different credit cards. In fact, if you have an American Express Platinum or Citi Prestige card, you can get in for free whenever you fly!

Credit Cards with Unlimited Priority Pass Lounge Visits

Citi Prestige Card
Earn
1

Citi Rewards (Prestige) Points on everyday purchases

Signup Bonus

Up to 200,000 bonus Velocity PointsĀ¹

Apply by 20th Jan 2025

Annual Fee
$700 p.a. ongoing
Go to offer
American Express Platinum Card
Earn
2.25

American Express Membership Rewards points on everyday purchases

Signup Bonus

150,000 bonus Membership Rewards points

Apply by 14th Jan 2025

Annual Fee
$1,450 p.a.
Go to offer

Rex Lounge, Sydney Airport
  • Seating
  • Food, Drinks & Service
  • Lounge Facilities
3

Final thoughts

Much like the airline, the best days of the Rex Lounge at Sydney Airport are probably behind it. Overall, I think it feels like a bit of a relic of the past. That said, it exceeded my expectations.

Getting in with Priority Pass was easy, and with so few Rex passengers using the lounge, it was a peaceful and pleasant place to wait for my flight. It was clean, there were enough snacks to keep me full, and space to get some work done. If I was flying Virgin out of Sydney after 3pm, I might even consider stopping in here on my way to the Virgin Australia Lounge for a brief moment of peace and quiet – and a decent glass of wine.

 

You can leave a comment on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum.

The editor of Australian Frequent Flyer, Matt's passion for travel has taken him to over 90 countriesā€¦ with the help of frequent flyer points, of course!
Matt's favourite destinations (so far) are Germany, Brazil & Kazakhstan. His interests include aviation, economics & foreign languages, and he has a soft spot for good food and red wine.

You can connect with Matt by posting on the Australian Frequent Flyer community forum and tagging @AFF Editor.
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Weirdly, the summary thumbnail box says Melbourne Airport. (EDIT: Just changed to Sydney airport)

As an aside, the Melbourne Airport Rex Lounge just had new furniture installed two weeks ago when I visited it. Looks much better. Similar bright coloured couches. I booked and used their meeting room which can seat 8 comfortably, although I was by myself for a few virtual meetings.

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Weirdly, the summary thumbnail box says Melbourne Airport. (EDIT: Just changed to Sydney airport)

As an aside, the Melbourne Airport Rex Lounge just had new furniture installed two weeks ago when I visited it. Looks much better. Similar bright coloured couches. I booked and used their meeting room which can seat 8 comfortably, although I was by myself for a few virtual meetings.

Yes! I noticed that too, They have out in new furniture.

Sad that they will take my $36 for priority pass, but my diamond status is useless!

Unless I fly rex.

šŸ¤£šŸ¤£

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Sad that they will take my $36 for priority pass, but my diamond status is useless!

I have both. With priority pass, are you saying I can use the lounge even if I'm not flying Rex?

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I have both. With priority pass, are you saying I can use the lounge even if I'm not flying Rex?

Yes! Any airline will do.

Reply 1 Like