British Airways First Class LHR-PHL

Featured in this post: American Express Membership Rewards

Every other summer as a child, while connecting in London on the way to visit my grandparents in France, I would pass this nondescript door just outside of security at Heathrow's Terminal 5.  Dubbed "Millionnaire's Door" by travel enthusiasts...beyond it lies British Airways' exclusive Concorde Lounge.

Available only to British Airways long-haul First class passengers (no reciprocity for partner elite status holders), I was finally able to satiate my curiosity on a recent trip home from Belgium.

Once inside, you find yourself in an inviting lounge with a full bar, table service restaurant, and spa.

The signature drink at the bar is the BA175, made from pink grapefruit juice, apricot liqueur, and Tangueray No. Ten gin, topped with Champagne.  Its namesake is flight no 175 on BA's flagship route from LHR to JFK.

From the Concorde room, BA First Class passengers can make their way to the private terrace, overlooking the rest of the terminal.

When it was time to board, I was pleasantly surprised that our plane was awaiting at one of the main gates.  In trips past, more often than not, we were bused to a remote stand.

One of my favorite parts of the experience is immediately upon boarding.  While all other passengers enter the plane and turn right, the 14 first class passengers are ushered left into a private cabin in the very front of the 747 (ahead of the pilots who sit overhead).

Once in my seat (2k), I sank into a spacious pod with plenty of room to spread out my things.  Each seat has two windows and as it was a daytime flight, I shut the power shades and was greeted with some soothing ambient lighting.

Prior to takeoff, we were offered a welcome beverage and I simply chose water to stay hydrated.  British Airways does not offer its most premium beverages prior to takeoff due to taxes they are required to pay when serving on the ground.

Once airborne, I ordered a Johnny Walker Blue which was served with warm nuts.  Because of the small cabin, First Class passengers can effectively dine when they like.  That said, rather than eating a full three course meal, I spread out my courses over the flight and finished with a cappuccino before landing...the perfect way to spend eight hours on a flight home.

Thanks to a promotion transferring points to British Airways, I was able to book this dream flight for only 54,000 American Express Membership Rewards points!