CONNECT at Changi Lounge Review: A coworking space on Priority Pass

Priority Pass has added some interesting options at Changi Airport of late, such as tie-ups with four different restaurants including Crystal Jade in Terminals 1 & 4.

Now comes another potentially useful option: CONNECT at Changi Airport, a coworking space at Terminal 2 (not to be confused with the failed money pit that was Connect @ Changi). CONNECT is a collaboration between the Changi Airport Group and Garage Society, which runs other coworking spaces in Hong Kong.

Yes, you can always send emails from a lounge, but lounges aren’t always the most conducive place for getting work done, especially those with form-over-function seating, noisy kids and spotty Wi-Fi connections.

I visited this lounge en route to Kuala Lumpur, and I think it’s an excellent option to have at your disposal.

CONNECT at Changi Lounge: Location

The CONNECT at Changi Lounge is located in the Terminal 2 transit area, after immigration clearance on Level 3. 

After clearing immigration, turn left and take the escalator up one floor. You’ll see CONNECT, with 7-Eleven on the right.

CONNECT at Changi Lounge: Access and Operating Hours

The CONNECT at Changi Lounge is open from 6.15 a.m to 7 p.m daily. 

Complimentary access is available to Priority Pass and LoungeKey members, who enjoy:

• three hours of workspace use
• a S$20 F&B credit
• a free flow of coffee, tea and selected snacks

There is no access for DragonPass members at this point in time.

Do note that you will not be able to visit this lounge with a Priority Pass issued by American Express, because CONNECT is considered to be a “non-lounge experience” (probably because of the fixed F&B credit offered).

This effectively leaves the following credit cards:

Card	Free Visits (Per Year)
	Principal	Supp.
Citi PremierMiles	2*	N/A
DBS Altitude Visa	2	N/A
SCB Journey Card	2	N/A
Maybank Visa Infinite	4	N/A
UOB Lady’s Solitaire Metal Card	6	N/A
SCB Visa Infinite	6	N/A
DBS Vantage	10	N/A
SCB Priority Banking VI	12^	N/A
HSBC Visa Infinite	Unlimited	Unlimited
Citi Prestige	Unlimited + 1 guest	N/A
*Allowance follows calendar year instead of membership year ^With min. AUM S$200K. If AUM falls under S$200K, then two visits

CONNECT at Changi Lounge: Overview

CONNECT at Changi Airport is basically one long rectangular space, with the reception and café section at the front, and the coworking space at the rear.

The café section is open to the general public. Anyone who makes a purchase is welcome to sit at the round tables, bar seats, or amphitheatre. 

At the rear of the lounge is a roped-off area with the workspace proper. This is reserved for Priority Pass & LoungeKey members, or those who purchase a Work Desk Package which starts from S$16 for a 90-minute slot. The furniture here is much more conducive to working, with adjustable height swivel chairs and power outlets built into the communal work desks.

CONNECT also has three private rooms, which can be booked from S$35 per hour. One is suitable for small meetings, one is an individual productivity pod, and one is a napping nook.

CONNECT at Changi Lounge: Food & Beverage

Priority Pass & LoungeKey members, as well as those who purchase a Work Desk package, are entitled to a free flow of complimentary coffee, tea and snacks. These can be found in the workspace area.

Don’t expect anything too fancy though, it’s more like Apollo wafer sticks and assorted candy.

If you need something more substantial, head to the café section to spend your S$20 credit. This will cover a couple of coffees and a pastry, or just shy of a beer and turkey wrap. 

Here’s a copy of the pricelist; remember to add 8% extra for GST (9% if you’re reading this from 2024 onwards).

I had a Perrier, double chocolate chip muffin and turkey wrap, which came up to S$18.80. As for the food quality, let’s just say the catering isn’t meant to be the main draw of the CONNECT Lounge. If you want better food, you should probably use your lounge visits for a set meal at one of the participating restaurants in the terminal.

CONNECT at Changi Lounge: Wi-Fi and Power

Given its focus on productivity, you’d expect the CONNECT Lounge to offer decent Wi-Fi, and it doesn’t disappoint. I clocked a beefy 232 Mbps down and 127 Mbps up, even zippier than the public Changi Wi-Fi network. 

Universal power outlets with Type-A USB ports are scattered throughout the lounge, together with a few wireless charging pads. 

Conclusion

The CONNECT at Changi Lounge is a great addition to the Priority Pass network, giving members a quiet, work-focused space to churn out slide decks or send “noted with thanks” emails. 

In fact, I wish we’d see this at more airports, since lounges can have hit or miss productivity credentials.

The only caveat I’d add is that you don’t need to burn a Priority Pass or LoungeKey visit to come here, because the café area is open to the general public. However, the furniture here is less comfortable for prolonged work, and if you have very particular ergonomic needs (like me), then you’ll want to be able to access the workspace area at the rear.