Lois Larson
Access to airport lounges can elevate your travel experience, offering a quiet and luxurious space to relax or work before your flight. While lounge access has traditionally been reserved for first-class or business-class travellers, there are now various ways to gain entry to these exclusive spaces. One option is to use rewards points or memberships, such as Avios, to purchase lounge access. Avios points can be collected through various means, including frequent flyer programs, credit card rewards, and online shopping. By accumulating enough Avios points, you may be able to access airport lounges without any additional cost, providing a VIP experience to enhance your next trip.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Avios points collection | Through purchases in over 1000 online stores, Tesco’s Clubcard, Amex British Airways credit card, and certain International Frequent Flyer memberships |
| Avios points redemption | Can be used to pay for access to airport lounges, starting at 3250 Avios |
| Lounge access alternatives | Priority Pass, Lounge Buddy app, Lounge Pass, Plaza Premium Group, DragonPass, credit cards with lounge access perks |
| Lounge access through airline alliances | Collecting points through airline alliances (OneWorld, Skyteam, Star) can provide benefits like lounge access |
| Lounge access through credit cards | American Express Platinum credit card, American Express Preferred Rewards Gold credit card, Chase Sapphire Preferred Card |
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What You'll Learn
Collecting Avios points through purchases
Avios points can be collected in a variety of ways, including through purchases. Here are some ways to collect Avios points through purchases:
Shopping Online
Avios points can be collected by shopping online at selected retailers. For example, Aer Lingus has an eStore with over 100 stores where you can collect Avios points while shopping online. British Airways also has a similar offering, with selected retailers such as Apple, Home Depot, and Macy's.
Using Credit Cards
Using credit cards is another way to collect Avios points on purchases. For instance, the American Express Platinum credit card offers sign-up bonuses that can be converted into Avios points, and the Aer Credit Card offered by Aer Lingus allows users to collect 1 Avios for every €1 spent with the airline and 1 Avios for every €4 spent on other transactions.
Tesco Clubcard and Amex British Airways Credit Card
Tesco's Clubcard and the Amex British Airways credit card are also mentioned as ways to collect Avios points through purchases.
Booking Travel Extras
Booking travel extras like airport parking, rail transfers, and more can also earn you Avios points.
Hotel Stays
Avios points can be collected by staying at partner hotels worldwide.
While collecting Avios points through purchases is a great strategy, it's important to note that there are also other ways to collect Avios points, such as flying with partner airlines, that can help you achieve your goal of purchasing airport lounge access or other rewards.
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Using Avios points to upgrade travel class
While it is not possible to use Avios points to buy access to an airport lounge, you can use them to upgrade your travel class. British Airways, for example, allows you to upgrade your flight with Avios either at the time of booking or later, depending on availability.
To upgrade with Avios, log in to "Manage My Booking", select your flight, and choose "Upgrade this flight with Avios" to see if your flight is eligible. You can also use the book and upgrade form to search for availability and make your booking.
It is important to note that only the lowest economy (World Traveller) fares (Q, O, and G) cannot be upgraded with Avios at any time. There must be Reward Flight availability in the next cabin for you to be able to upgrade using Avios. Additionally, you won't be able to upgrade with Avios at the airport or on board.
Finnair also offers the option to use Avios to upgrade your travel class. You can request an upgrade from Economy Class to Premium Economy or Business Class, or from Premium Economy to Business Class. These upgrades can be requested through Finnair's online upgrade service or their mobile app after booking your flight.
When upgrading your travel class with Avios, it is recommended to check the availability of seats in the cabin you wish to upgrade to. Tools like SeatSpy.com and RewardFlightFinder.com can help you find seats available for booking or upgrade using Avios.
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Membership options for lounge access
There are several membership options for lounge access. Firstly, you can collect Avios points through frequent flyer programs, Tesco's Clubcard, or the Amex British Airways credit card. These points can be redeemed for lounge access, with prices starting at 3,250 Avios for access to No.1 Lounges. Lounge Pass and Plaza Premium Group offer extensive coverage, with 540 lounges between them.
Another option is to obtain a Priority Pass, which provides access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide. Membership options range from £69 per year plus £15 per lounge visit to £259 for unlimited access. The American Express Platinum credit card offers Priority Pass Prestige membership with a free guest allowed per trip, while the American Express Preferred Rewards Gold card provides two free lounge passes via Lounge Club.
For those based in China, DragonPass offers access to over 900 lounges across 450 airports and high-speed train stations worldwide. Membership options start at USD 99 per year plus USD 27 per visit, with the first visit free, while unlimited access is USD 399 per year.
Additionally, some airline clubs offer single-day passes for those who cannot justify the cost of an annual membership. However, the average daily lounge access fee can be quite high, typically around $50.
Finally, for those who frequently fly with a specific airline, joining their loyalty program can lead to benefits such as lounge access. By travelling with airlines within the same alliance (OneWorld, Skyteam, and Star), you can build points and gain access to lounges across multiple airlines.
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Airline alliances and their benefits
Airline alliances are agreements between two or more airlines to cooperate on a substantial level. They were created to address the fact that it is highly unlikely for any single airline to cover every region and destination in the world. As of 2025, there are three major alliances: OneWorld, SkyTeam, and Star Alliance.
OneWorld was formed in 1999 and includes airlines such as American Airlines, British Airways, and Qatar Airways. SkyTeam was formed in 2000 and includes airlines such as Delta Air Lines, KLM, and Air France. Star Alliance, the largest and oldest alliance, was formed in 1997 and includes airlines such as United Airlines, Lufthansa, and Air Canada.
The benefits of airline alliances include:
- Increased market coverage: Airlines can expand their networks and offer new destinations and longer routes to their passengers by connecting with existing partner flights.
- Lower operational costs: Airlines can share resources and facilities such as transit lounges, terminal space, ground handling services, and maintenance bases.
- Customer satisfaction: Passengers can benefit from a larger choice of destinations and flights, a smooth travel experience with reduced waiting and transfer times, and perks such as priority boarding, extra baggage allowances, and lounge access.
- Enhanced mileage rewards: Passengers can earn miles for a single account on several different carriers, allowing for faster accumulation of rewards.
- Round-the-world tickets: Alliances enable travellers to fly around the world for relatively low prices.
It is important to note that airline alliances may also have disadvantages, such as higher prices due to reduced competition on certain routes or less frequent flights.
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Credit cards with airport lounge perks
Credit cards with airport lounge access as a perk can elevate your experience when travelling. Airport lounges offer a respite from the chaos of the airport, providing a quiet place to relax, work, or enjoy refreshments before a flight. While you can pay for access to many lounges, it is also a benefit offered by select credit cards.
The American Express Platinum credit card is one such card. It comes with two free Priority Pass cards, allowing unlimited access for four people. The Amex Gold card also includes a version of the Priority Pass airport lounge card, with the first four visits free and subsequent visits charged at £24. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is another option, ideal for those who frequently fly with American Airlines and want access to their Admirals Clubs. For Delta Air Lines flyers, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card includes 15 complimentary Sky Club visits per year, with unlimited visits if you spend $75,000 on the card annually. The United Club Card or the United Club Business Card are great choices for United Airlines flyers, offering United Club membership as one of its perks.
If you are a frequent flyer with a particular airline, it is worth considering a credit card with airline-specific lounge access. Alternatively, cards like the Platinum Card® from American Express offer access to a wide range of lounges, including the issuer's 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. The Capital One Venture X card also provides unlimited free access to Capital One Lounges, and you can add up to four authorised users with their own lounge access for no additional cost until February 1, 2026.
When choosing a credit card for airport lounge access, consider the airports you frequently travel through and the lounges available there. Also, keep in mind that some cards may require enrolment in programmes like Priority Pass Select, and access policies can vary, so be sure to understand the benefits your card offers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can use Avios points to get into an airport lounge. You can collect Avios points through certain International Frequent Flyer memberships when you book flights with your chosen airline and its partners, as well as through hotel bookings, car rentals, and online shopping.
The price starts at 3,250 Avios and includes access to some No.1 Lounges.
The lounges you can access with Avios points vary depending on the airline and airport. British Airways, for example, offers access to its lounges at London Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Other lounges that may be accessible with Avios points include the Plaza Premium, Aspire, and No1 Lounges.
You can use a service like DoNotPay to search for lounges that accept Avios points. Alternatively, you can check with your airline or alliance to see if they offer lounge access and which lounges are included.
Yes, there are other ways to gain airport lounge access. You can purchase a Priority Pass or DragonPass membership, which provides access to a network of lounges worldwide. Alternatively, you can apply for certain credit cards, such as the American Express Platinum or Gold card, which offer lounge access as a perk. Some airlines also offer lounge access to Business or First Class passengers or those who belong to their loyalty programs.
