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Airport lounges are quiet areas inside terminals where passengers can relax, eat, work, and even shower. They are usually exclusive to first or business class passengers, members of specific airline programs, or cardholders of certain travel cards. While lounges are typically located within the secure area of the airport terminal, some travellers wonder if they can access a lounge in a different terminal. This may be because their terminal does not have a lounge or because they want to access a specific lounge.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Airport lounge access | Fly in first or business class, use a credit card with lounge membership, or purchase a membership |
| Credit cards with lounge access | The Platinum Card from American Express, Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
| Annual membership costs for non-elite status flyers | Alaska: $550, American: $850 or 85,000 miles, Delta: $695 or 69,500 miles, United: $750 or 94,000 miles |
| Other ways to access lounges | Military membership, elite status, lounge passes, flying with a carrier or carriers in the same alliance |
| Lounge features | Quiet areas, snacks, Wi-Fi, showers, ironing services, conference rooms, buffet and à-la-carte food and drink options |
| Lounge access after security | Yes, in most cases |
| Lounge access with a same-day boarding pass | Yes |
| Lounge access in a different terminal | Yes, but may require additional security checks and may not be worth the effort |
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What You'll Learn
Accessing airport lounges with a credit card
Airport lounges are a great way to escape the chaos of busy terminals, especially during long layovers or early arrivals. While traditionally, only first or business class passengers or elite status members had access to these lounges, nowadays, many credit cards offer lounge access as a benefit.
When choosing a credit card for airport lounge access, it's important to consider your travel habits, such as how often you travel, which airlines you fly, and who travels with you. Some credit cards offer access to specific airline lounges, while others provide access to third-party lounge networks like Priority Pass. If you frequently fly with the same airline, consider a co-branded airline card that offers access to their lounges. On the other hand, if you fly with different airlines, a card with a third-party lounge membership like Priority Pass may be more useful.
- The Platinum Card from American Express: This premium card offers access to over 1,400 airport lounges, including their own Centurion and International American Express lounges, as well as Delta Sky Clubs and lounges in the Priority Pass, Escape, Plaza Premium, and Air Space networks. It also provides elite status perks and valuable statement credits.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®: This card is ideal for frequent American Airlines flyers, offering access to American Airlines lounges and potentially those of their partners.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: This card is perfect for frequent Delta Air Lines flyers, providing access to Delta Sky Clubs and 15 visits per Medallion Year to the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta.
- The New United Club℠ Card: This card grants unlimited access to United airline's airport lounges, including over 45 United Club locations and lounges of participating partners in the Star Alliance group.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This card offers complimentary Priority Pass Select Membership lounge access to 1,300+ VIP lounges worldwide.
When applying for a credit card with airport lounge access, be sure to review the terms and conditions, as some cards may require enrollment or have specific eligibility criteria for lounge access. Additionally, consider the annual fees associated with these cards and weigh them against the benefits offered to make an informed decision.
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Lounge access for military members
Military members and their families can gain access to airport lounges in various ways. Firstly, airport lounges specifically for military personnel exist and are operated by organisations like the USO. These lounges are havens for military members and their families, offering internet access, sleeping areas, small libraries, mini-theatres, snacks, and other location-specific services. To enter, you'll need to be a currently serving military member with an unexpired ID card.
Additionally, some airline lounges offer complimentary access to military personnel. For instance, U.S. military personnel travelling in uniform can access American Airlines' Admirals Club lounges, with some exceptions, and United Airlines' United Club lounges. Military members can also purchase discounted day passes for certain lounges, such as the Alaska Lounge.
It's worth noting that military members can also benefit from having a government travel charge card, which can help build a good credit history. This may, in turn, make them eligible for credit cards that offer perks like membership rewards and access to airport lounges.
In general, gaining access to airport lounges can be achieved through flying first or business class, owning eligible credit cards, purchasing memberships or day passes, or participating in frequent flyer programs. Lounges offer a peaceful environment with amenities like free Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, and shower facilities.
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International airport lounge access
Gaining access to an airport lounge can significantly enhance your travel experience, providing a peaceful environment to relax in before a flight or during a layover. While the specific means of accessing airport lounges differ, there are some general methods that can be used to gain entry to most airport lounges.
One of the most reliable ways to gain access to an airport lounge is to fly first or business class, particularly on international routes and select transcontinental flights. If you have airline miles, you can often purchase your flight with these, and your ticket will still grant you entry to a lounge, either for your carrier or one of its partners. Additionally, frequent flyers are usually rewarded for their loyalty, so if you fly enough with one carrier or multiple carriers in the same alliance, you can often enter airline lounges when flying on select routes. For example, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Platinum elite members of the American Airlines AAdvantage program can enter an Admirals Club on qualifying international flights operated by American or Oneworld partners, even if they fly economy, and they can bring one guest.
Another way to gain access to airport lounges is through credit card memberships, elite status, and lounge passes. Many premium cards offer some form of lounge access to cardholders, with premium co-branded airline cards typically offering access to the respective airlines' lounges, and bank cards usually offering access to their own lounges and to lounges in the Priority Pass network. For example, the Platinum Card from American Express and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offer access to airport lounges.
In some cases, you may be able to purchase access to an airport lounge. For instance, passengers who do not qualify for access to the Swiss Arrivals Lounge in Zurich International Airport can purchase access through the Swiss website for 69 Swiss Francs. Additionally, certain lounges, like the LuxxLounge in Zurich International Airport, allow you to book a conference room for an additional fee.
Finally, some airport lounges offer complimentary access to military personnel. For instance, USO airport lounges are designed for active-duty service members and their families stationed around the globe, and Admirals Clubs offer complimentary access to U.S. military personnel in uniform traveling on American Airlines flights. United also provides complimentary access to U.S. military personnel at its United Club locations.
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Lounge access for economy passengers
While airport lounges are typically reserved for those flying in first or business class, there are still ways for economy passengers to gain access. One of the most reliable ways is to obtain a membership or eligible credit card. Many premium credit cards offer lounge access to cardholders, such as the Platinum Card from American Express, which offers access to American Express Centurion Lounges. Additionally, some airlines have their own branded credit cards that provide lounge access, like the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, which grants access to Delta Sky Clubs. Holding certain elite statuses can also grant you access to lounges. For example, Star Alliance Gold customers can access third-party contract lounges when flying with a Star Alliance member airline. Similarly, Oneworld elite members can access partner lounges when flying with a Oneworld carrier. Military personnel may also enjoy complimentary access to specific lounges, such as the USO airport lounges and United Club locations.
Another way to gain lounge access is to purchase a membership directly from the airline. For example, an annual airline lounge membership for Alaska Airlines costs $550, while American Airlines charges $850 or 85,000 AAdvantage miles. Some airlines also allow passengers to purchase lounge access through their website, such as the Swiss airline, which offers access for 69 Swiss Francs. Alternatively, some lounges may allow you to pay a fee to pre-book your spot, ensuring access even if you don't have a membership or elite status.
Lounge pass programs, such as Priority Pass, also offer access to lounges independently of airlines. Priority Pass has over 1,300 locations worldwide, and access can be gained through specific credit cards or purchased directly. Additionally, some lounges are accessible to all passengers, such as the Narita Airport IASS Executive Lounges, which offer free Wi-Fi, seating, and complimentary drinks. However, these lounges may have certain restrictions, such as limiting alcohol to a single drink.
Lastly, some airlines reward frequent flyers for their loyalty. For example, American Airlines' AAdvantage program allows Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Platinum elite members flying in economy to access the Admirals Club when departing or arriving on qualifying international flights, even allowing them to bring a guest. Similarly, Star Alliance member airlines may offer lounge access to passengers travelling in Domestic Business Class, though this may exclude certain airlines like United Airlines in the United States. It's always best to check the airline's lounge directory or use their lounge checker to see if your status and ticket type grant you access.
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Membership programmes for lounge access
While airport lounges are typically reserved for those flying in first or business class, there are several membership programmes that can grant you access.
One way to gain access to airport lounges is through credit card memberships. Many premium cards offer some form of lounge access to their cardholders. For example, the Platinum Card from American Express and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card offer travel benefits, including lounge access. Similarly, the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card offers flexibility, point transfers, and a large bonus. In addition, some bank cards offer access to their own lounges and to lounges in the Priority Pass network.
Another option is to purchase an annual airline lounge membership directly from the airline. For example, Alaska offers a membership for $550, American for $850 or 85,000 AAdvantage miles, Delta for $695 or 69,500 SkyMiles, and United for $750 or 94,000 MileagePlus miles. These memberships typically provide access to the respective airline's lounges, and some may also include access to partner lounges.
Additionally, certain elite status programmes can grant lounge access. For instance, the American Airlines AAdvantage program offers Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, or Platinum elite membership, which includes access to Admirals Clubs on qualifying international flights, even when flying economy. Similarly, the British Airways Executive Club Gold cardholders can access the British Airways Galleries Arrivals Lounge when arriving on long-haul flights.
Finally, some lounges offer pay-per-use options. For example, the Swiss Arrivals Lounge in Zurich International Airport can be accessed by purchasing a pass for 69 Swiss Francs. Similarly, the LuxxLounge in Zurich Airport offers a conference room for an additional fee.
It's important to note that access to lounges may be subject to space availability, and some locations may require pre-booking for a small fee. Additionally, certain lounges have specific requirements, such as presenting a valid eligible paid lounge membership card and a boarding pass for a Star Alliance flight.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can access airport lounges in different terminals, but it may not be worth the effort as you will have to go through security again and walk between terminals.
There are many ways to gain access to an airport lounge. These include flying first or business class, purchasing an annual membership, obtaining elite status, or buying a lounge pass or a Priority Pass membership. Some credit cards also offer lounge access as a benefit.
Airport lounges offer a quiet environment to relax before or between flights. They often include amenities such as free Wi-Fi, snacks, drinks, and shower facilities.
Popular airport lounge programs include Priority Pass, Lounge Pass, American Express Centurion Lounges, and airline-specific lounges such as the British Airways Galleries Lounge and the Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge.
