The all-purpose lounges are those run by Aspire and many others around the globe. They provide a service for carriers who need a Biz lounge but only have one rotation a day. They also contract with Priority Pass, credit card companies and others. The problem is that they now offer deals to numerous carriers who will up sell, "Why not start your holiday with a lounge visit?" This really caught on after Covid. Then they also started selling direct through websites. Consequently, they are always full. If you want to use and are, say in PE, then you have to book and pay in advance. The time of just presenting your Priority Pass (or other) card are long gone. I used P.Pass a great deal when commuting LTN-EDI on EZY and MUC-LHR as always in Y. Worked a treat and worth the extra that I paid for the card at that time. The LTN lounge has also gone down the sell seats and has been full on last coupe of visits but not used since October 2024.
In September this year I was going PE and used the LHR Aspire in T5 (south side of main building) and it was rammed with a queue outside. I only got in as I had booked, that was a freebie from AmEx as I would no longer pay for that lounge. Family who used it in November had it as a gift as they were in long haul Y. They were very dissapointed from when we had all used it in Feb 2020. Further, I have found that their food and beverage offerings have gone way down. I will not use them again. Recently, a friend used the Plaza Premium lounge, on the north side of main building in T5 and said it was still OK.
I agree that BA at LHR T5 are not nearly as good as they were. The North, last time we used, was still doing Covid style order through your phone. The South (Nov 2024) was busy but good buffet selection of food and beverages, which could be why it is so popular! However, the death of a thousand cuts is showing.
If going long haul from T5 in Y or PE, it would be simplest to go to the B or C building as soon as you can. MUCH quieter and get a seat. Dependng on time of day, shops may still be open.
I have not had the opportunity to use AmEx lounges since 2016. The one in SYD was very good.
As regulars may recall, my most frequent route is to JNB and CPT, also internal flights between them. The Bidvest lounges, access with Priority Pass, are BRILLIANT in both the international and domestics sides. The food etc should be checked by their competitors on how to do it properly. When leaving JNB for LHR, I think their Shongololo lounge is better than than the BA. The VS lounges in JNB+CPT are OK but nothing special.
Agreed that VS at LHR T3 is a cut above. I did use the CCR once in T4 but not in it's present iteration.