Icelandair Saga Premium bidding question

This is a bit of a gamble. I have been to this lounge once and it was nice. However, the second time I would have been eligible, it would have required entering through immigration to get to that part of the airport from the secure area where I was. I decided that it just wasn’t worth the hassle.

I would probably spend any money on purchasing extra legroom seats.

You'll be going through immigration at KEF since that is where you enter Schengen.

I've been to the lounge a few times. It's nice and the offerings are good. It can get very crowded during that period where North American flights arrive and flights to Europe depart.

Normally, flying in Saga does get you access to the lounge.

For whether or not you'll be allowed, that's best answered by Icelandair. I'd suggest contacting them.

I don't remember about the lounge, but KEF has different restaurants and snack bars for arriving-only passengers and departing-only passengers. We booked Business-class, but I don't remember using the lounge. We needed food because the onboard breakfast was minimal. So I suspect it was not available. (?)

I am suggesting that the lounge is in a departure corridor and not accessible to arriving non-Schengen flights. (?)

I am not 100% sure, but pretty close, that you need to be in Saga class for that second leg to be able to use the lounge at KEF.

I have bid a few times, but it has never happened for us yet. I keep my bid to about $300, and that is flying from SEA to KEF.

Even if you are not able to use the lounge, don't worry, there is plenty to keep you busy at KEF. We usually pass through the duty free store, grab a bite to eat and shop/wander a bit. There is a variety of art there as well that you could check out.

Thank you for all who have responded..

I was thinking of bidding for $400 pp.. for one leg of the trip.. not sure if that'll do it..
Another alternative is to buy seat assignments close to front.. When I see seat map for purchase, there are many rows in front of the plane.. perhaps, we can buy window and Aisle seat, and hope nobody will be assigned the middle seat??? The seat only cost $45 PP...
If I can't have access to the lounge, maybe purchasing seat assignments are way to go??
How comfortable are Saga premium seats? vs. regular seats?? - is it worth the $400 vs. $45 price difference??

FWIW we have done the $45 seats before but didn’t find any difference from regular economy. I have not flown Saga but have flown economy to Iceland many times with no issue. It’s just a personal preference of course.

Oh and I would expect all seats to be filled. I can’t think of a recent flight with them that was not full.

Apparently now there are 2 Saga classes, needs to be premium level for lounge access.

https://www.icelandair.com/support/airports/saga-lounge/#do-i-have-access--can-i-invite-a-guest-

I agree with mikliz97, usually your eligibility for lounge access depends on the flight you
are departing on, not the one you arrived on, if you have no other means of gaining access.

Not quite sure about Toby's reply; OP does not have any status in Icelandair frequent flyer plan
(silver or gold), so no-go there for lounge access. Saga Premium is their business class which
would get access if the bid is successful.

I would add that with the problems at EWR these days, bidding for Premium class to get lounge
access could turn out to be marginally useless if your flight arrives late and your stopover is
so short you can't really enjoy the lounge.

Depending on your return schedule, getting into business class for the long flight back does
get you lounge access.

I pay for extra legroom seats in economy and am always glad that I did.

Saga Premium is their business class

There are 2 Saga fare classes now, premium and premium flex. Both allow lounge access at KEF however. Only flex allows other airport lounge access.