Planning a Sandals vacation in Jamaica? If you’re landing in Montego Bay, you’ve probably come across two options to enhance your arrival and departure experience at Sangster International Airport: the Sandals Arrival Lounge and Club Mobay VIP Services.
Both are designed to bring convenience and comfort to your travels, but they offer very different services. It is common for honeymooners and luxury travelers to use both.
By the time you finish reading this guide, you’ll know exactly which option fits your needs so you can start (and end) your vacation stress-free and in style. Spoiler alert: Club Mobay might just surprise you with its VIP perks! ✨
It Starts When You Land
When you land in your Jamaican paradise, the truth is, vacation mode doesn't start quite yet- you first have immigration, baggage, and customs to get through.
Club Mobay is a fast-track VIP experience that starts right at your gate with a personal VIP representative taking you every step of the way- gate to transportation- so your vacation starts the moment you land.
Club Mobay also offers a departure service with enhanced luxury while you wait for your flight home.
Sandals is an arrivals lounge to sit in while you wait for your transportation to the resort after you've cleared immigration, baggage, and customs on your own.
Sandals does not include the airport VIP experience, nor a departure option with their services.
Let’s break down the arrival and departure options of each, starting with Sandals.
The Arrivals Experience with Sandals
Upon your flight’s arrival at Sangster International Airport, you will exit the plane and walk to immigration for processing. There is a line at immigration and it varies from 20- 50 mins depending on the season and time of day.
After being processed by Immigration, you will collect your bags and head to Customs. Customs lines are often 5-15 mins long. Once through, you will enter the main terminal area where you will see the Sandals Lounge on your right.
Sandals’ guests check-in for their transportation at the lounge, and then enjoy the seating area until their shuttle departs. Guests may sip on drinks and nibble on snacks while lounging.
Most Sandals’ transit leaves within 10-20 minutes of check-in at the lounge.
The Departure Experience with Sandals
Jamaican travel guidelines recommend that travelers arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before an international flight. Your resort’s shuttle will aim to have you at the airport around 2-2.5 hours before departure to comply with these guidelines.
Sandals’ guests are dropped off at the main entrance to check in with their airlines. There is no additional service after.
You will have a standard airport experience of check-in, security, and finding an open seat where you can, or roaming the terminal until your flight departs.
Sangster International Airport is not air conditioned (Except for the Club Mobay Lounge) and seating is limited in the terminal. There are some shops with local goods, fast food counters, and restaurants to help pass the time till your flight departs.
Check out my article on things to do in the Montego Bay airport here.
The Arrivals Experience with Club Mobay
The Club Mobay Arrivals experience begins at your arrival gate, where a personal VIP Representative will meet you at your gangway.
From there, your Club Mobay representative will collect your passport and customs forms before leading you through a series of VIP experiences.
First, Club Mobay has a separate immigration line. You get to fast-track immigration entirely.
Club Mobay limits the number of guests who can reserve their arrival service to ensure your immigration processing is under 5 minutes.
Once through, your Club Mobay Representative will get a cart for your bags and bring them to Customs for you.
There is a separate Club Mobay Customs line that allows Club Mobay guests to skip to the front of the line, saving you another 10-20 minutes of lines.
After you pass immigration and customs, your personal Club Mobay representative will answer any additional questions you may have, show you how to access your shuttle transportation to your resort, and then they will walk you to the private Club Mobay Arrivals Lounge.
Once seated, a server will approach you and offer to bring you over any drinks you’d like. You will also have access to tapas and wifi until your shuttle departs.
When you book Club Mobay, your vacation starts the moment you step off the plane. There’s no waiting or hassle—just pure Jamaican vibes.
Learn more about what's included in Club Mobay's arrival experience in my article here.
Booking Club Mobay Arrivals
Club Mobay Arrivals is $50 per Adult and $25 for children 2-12.
You can book at their site here.
Pro Tip: Book as soon as you have your flight info. Club Mobay sells out due to the limited spots each hour, as many flights arrive in close proximity.
Changes and cancellations are free and easy. You can learn more in my Club Mobay FAQ article here.
Sandals Arrival vs Club Mobay Arrival Service Snapshot
|
Feature |
Sandals Arrival |
Club Mobay Arrival |
|
VIP Airport Escort |
No |
Yes |
|
Fast-Track Immigration |
No |
Yes |
|
Fast-Track Customs |
No |
Yes |
|
Baggage Assistance |
No |
Yes |
|
Air-Conditioned Lounge |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Included Food/Drinks |
Yes |
Yes (upgraded options) |
|
Rate |
Included in Sandals Booking |
$50 adult, $25 child |
Verdict:
Choose Sandals Arrival Lounge if you’d like a simple base, and you don’t mind navigating immigration lines yourself. Opt for Club Mobay if you want the red-carpet treatment from the moment you land.
The Departure Experience with Club Mobay
Once your shuttle drops you off at the airport and you check in with your airline, you will meet your Club Mobay representative who will walk you through a security fast lane exclusively for Club Mobay Departure guests.
This security fast lane is the Jamaican version of TSA precheck. The Club Mobay security line is 2-10 minutes to clear.
The regular line takes 15 mins- 1 hour, depending on the day. The average is 20-40 mins.
Once through security, you will be escorted to the air-conditioned Club Mobay Departure Lounge where you will be seated at a reserved spot, have a server to bring you your drinks, as well as unlimited food, and wifi while you await your flight.
Another perk of the Club Mobay Departure Lounge is that there are separate adult-only and family rooms, and both have designated seating, ensuring everyone stays in their worry-free vacation mode.
It’s the only lounge in the departure terminal and ensures you stay relaxed. No fighting for a seat or charging outlet here!
Learn more about Club Mobay's Departure Service in my article here.
The Club Mobay Departure rate is $35 for adults, $20 for children 2-12.
Here’s a link to the official booking site: Club Mobay Departure Lounge Reservations Link
Comparison of Sandals Departure vs Club Mobay Deaprture Lounge
Sandals does not offer a departure service for the back end of your stay. Club Mobay is the only airport lounge or fast-track security line option for your return flight.
Guests traveling with Sandals will be dropped off at the terminal and will ahve a standard airport experience from there.
|
Feature |
General Terminal (Sandals) |
Club Mobay Departure |
|
Fast Pass through Security |
No |
Yes |
|
Air-Conditioned Lounge |
No |
Yes |
|
Unlimited Food/Drinks |
No |
Yes |
|
Free WiFi |
No |
Yes |
|
Rate |
None |
$35 adult, $20 child |
Without Club Mobay, there’s little choice but to endure a crowded terminal with limited seating. Club Mobay ensures that your vacation doesn’t end until your plane is in the air.
Pro Tip: Similar to arrivals, departure reservations can sell out. Book early to guarantee your spot!
Can’t Decide Sandals vs Club Mobay? Here’s What to Consider
Are you budget-conscious or experience-driven?
Club Mobay offers unmatched luxury and convenience, while the Sandals lounge keeps it simple and cost-effective.
Do you want your vacation to start upon landing or after immigration?
Your Club Mobay representative will meet you at your gate, ensuring your VIP experience starts the moment you land.
Do you have a preference for standing in immigration and customs lines or navigating them yourself?
Club Mobay cuts out the stress of immigration and customs with fast lanes and personal assistance.
When do you want your vacation to end?
With Club Mobay Departure, your final hours in Jamaica are just as relaxing as your stay.
Taking your first steps (or last) in Montego Bay should feel like part of the adventure, not a hassle. Whether it’s VIP arrivals or departures, Club Mobay turns moments of waiting into moments to remember.
The Sandals Arrival Lounge is a seating area with snacks, drinks, and wifi for you to enjoy while you await your transit.
Club Mobay is a VIP airport arrival experience, fast track through processing, and a lounge with snacks, drinks, and wifi. Club Mobay’s lounge is a bit larger than Sandals’ Lounge, is often less crowded, and offers more premium drinks.
The true benefits of the Club Mobay experience over the Sandals’ lounge is the fast track and personal escort through immigration and customs, as well as assistance with your luggage.
The two lounges, Sandals’ and Club Mobay’s are close to each other in the same area of the arrival terminal just steps apart and close to the ground transportation area.
Sandals Arrivals |
Club Mobay Arrivals |
|
| VIP Airport Escort | X | Yes |
| Fast Track Immigration | X | Yes |
| Fast Track Customs | X | Yes |
| Baggage Assistance | X | Yes |
| Air Conditioned Lounge | Yes | Yes |
| Food & Drink Included | Yes | Yes |
| Rate | Included w Sandals Booking | $50 Adult, $25 Child |
Can’t Decide?
Are you looking for luxury and spender from your first step in Jamaica, or are you more budget conscious?
Do you want to start your vacation once your flight lands, or when you are through border patrol?
Club Mobay makes you feel like a VIP from the moment you step off your plane. You will have a personal representative handle nearly everything for you from the moment you land till your shuttle whisks you off to your resort. Not to mention that upgraded drink as your welcome to Jamaica.
Its no wonder celebrities like Ryan Gossling and 50 Cent use Club Mobay!
Sandals’ arrival experience begins once you have collected your luggage and cleared immigration and customs.
Note: Club Mobay Arrivals regularly sells out during busy season and popular travel times. We recommend you book as soon as you have your flight information.
You can cancel anytime up until 48 hours before your travel date.
Book Club Mobay Now. You can cancel anytime up until 48 hours before your travel date.
