Ruth Haines
Yes, you can buy airport lounge passes. Access to airport lounges is not just for those flying in premium cabins. Lounges are quiet areas inside the terminal where passengers can relax before a flight or during a layover, eat snacks, work using the lounge's Wi-Fi network, and sometimes even shower. Typically, only paying members, passengers flying in business or first class, or cardholders of certain travel cards are allowed access. Lounge passes booked in advance typically start from about £13.50 and can go up to more than £40.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cost | Lounge passes start from £13.50 and can go up to £40 or more. |
| Booking | Passes can be booked in advance through websites or mobile apps. |
| Facilities | Food, drinks, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, TV, newspapers, magazines, showers, and spa treatments. |
| Access | Typically, only paying members, business or first-class passengers, or cardholders of certain travel cards are allowed access. |
| Examples of Cards | Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Citi Strata Elite, American Express, Citibank. |
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What You'll Learn
Lounge access costs and whether it's worth it
Airport lounges are private spaces reserved for passengers of a certain airline or airline alliance. Access is often restricted to elite members and those flying in business or first class, but some airline lounges sell day passes and memberships. The cost of lounge access varies depending on the lounge and the facilities offered. Some lounges offer basic amenities such as comfortable seating, light refreshments, drinks, Wi-Fi, TV, and magazines, while others provide a full VIP experience with spas, manicures, showers, and bubbly.
Lounge passes booked in advance typically start from around £13.50 to £20, but prices can vary depending on the lounge and can cost more than £40. It is usually more expensive to purchase a pass on the day of your flight. Children are allowed in many airport lounges, with under-twos typically entering for free and older children sometimes charged a discounted rate.
When considering the cost of lounge access, it is important to weigh the benefits against the price. Lounge access can provide a quiet and comfortable space to relax or work, with complimentary food and drinks, enhanced Wi-Fi, and other amenities. For frequent travellers, especially those who fly with the same airline or alliance, lounge membership may be a worthwhile investment. Some credit cards also offer lounge access as a perk, which can be a more cost-effective way to gain entry.
To determine if lounge access is worth the cost, consider the alternative options available at the airport. If a meal, drinks, and snacks would cost around £20 or more, then a lounge pass could be a good value. Additionally, if you require a quiet workspace, the amenities provided by airport lounges may justify the expense. Reviews from sites like TripAdvisor, Lounge Review, SkyTrax, or Lounge Buddy can also help you assess the quality and value of specific lounges.
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Different ways to buy passes
There are several ways to purchase airport lounge passes. One option is to buy them directly from the airport lounge operators, such as No1 Lounges, Executive Lounges by Swissport, or Lounge Pass. These companies offer access to lounges worldwide, and prices can start from as little as £13.50. It's a good idea to look out for special codes and discounts, as you can often find promotions and deals on their websites.
Another way to gain access to airport lounges is through credit cards. Many premium credit cards offer complimentary lounge access as a benefit. For example, the Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® provides cardholders with free Admirals Club membership, and the New United Club℠ Card offers United Club membership, which includes access to United lounges. The Priority Pass membership, included with some credit cards, grants access to over 1,500 lounges worldwide.
Additionally, some airlines sell single-entry or day passes to their lounges. For instance, United Airlines offers one-time passes to its United Club, while Alaska Airlines sells single-entry passes to its Alaska Lounge. American Airlines provides day passes that allow access to multiple Admirals Clubs within a 24-hour period. These passes can be a great option for occasional travellers who want to enhance their travel experience.
Finally, you can also purchase lounge passes through third-party websites or holiday sites, such as LoungePair or Holiday Extras. These sites allow you to search for lounges at your desired airport, purchase access, and receive a voucher that you can use to enter the lounge. This option provides flexibility and convenience, allowing you to compare different lounges and find the best deal.
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Airlines with tiered lounges
Virgin Atlantic
Virgin Atlantic's Clubhouse lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport offers decadent menus, chic cocktail bars, and rooftop seating. Their flagship Clubhouse at London Heathrow also features Peloton bikes. Access to the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse requires flying Virgin Atlantic Upper Class, Clase Premier on Aeroméxico, or Delta One, or a combination of high-end elite status with Virgin Atlantic or one of its airline partners.
Air France
Air France's La Première Lounge in Paris offers a luxurious point-to-point experience with spa treatments, Alain Ducasse dining, a personal concierge, and more. Their First Class Lounge in Paris provides a seamless and detailed ground experience, with select business-class passengers able to purchase access for €650.
Qantas
The Qantas International First Lounge in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX offers excellent food and drink options, as well as shower rooms for travellers. Access to the Qantas lounge in Los Angeles requires Qantas Platinum One or Platinum status, Oneworld Emerald elite status, or first-class travel on a Oneworld airline.
American Airlines and British Airways
These airlines jointly operate the Chelsea Lounge, a first-class lounge at New York's JFK Airport. The lounge features a Champagne bar and curated menus by Chef Ayesha Nurdjaja. Access is restricted to travellers flying in Flagship First Class on American Airlines, British Airways first class, or invitation-only AAdvantage ConciergeKey elites.
Delta Air Lines
Delta Air Lines has introduced a line of Delta One lounges exclusively for long-haul first-class passengers, with the first lounge opening in 2023 at New York's JFK Airport.
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Credit cards with lounge access
Access to airport lounges has become a popular perk of many travel credit cards. The right card can get you into a variety of airport lounges for free or for a small fee.
If you tend to stick to one airline, you might want to consider buying an airline club membership. These give you access to that airline's lounges and generally cost between $350 to $650 a year. If you fly with different airlines, you could buy an airport lounge membership. Third-party vendors like Priority Pass offer access to over a thousand lounges worldwide.
- The Platinum Card from American Express gets you access to more than 1,400 locations, including the issuer's own Centurion and International American Express lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, and lounges in the Priority Pass, Escape, Plaza Premium, and Air Space networks. However, the fee is very high at $695 or more.
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® is best for frequent American Airlines flyers.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is best for frequent Delta Air Lines flyers.
- The New United Club℠ Card gives you unlimited access to United airline's airport lounges for an annual fee of $695. This is less than the cost of a regular membership to United Club airport lounges.
- The New United℠ Explorer Card is a cheaper option that comes with two complimentary day passes each year. However, lounges often block access with day passes due to crowding.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers complimentary Priority Pass Select Membership lounge access to 1,300+ VIP lounges in over 500 cities worldwide. It also has an annual fee of $550.
- Capital One Venture X gets you access to Capital One lounges.
- AMEX Platinum gets you Delta lounge access and Priority Pass. However, the fee is very high and the credits may not be worth it.
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Lounge facilities and amenities
First or upper-class lounges are usually restricted to those with relevant tickets or elite frequent flyer status. They offer superior services and a full VIP treatment, including fancy spas, manicures, showers, bubbly, and free food and drinks.
Business-class lounges are typically available to those with business-class tickets or high or elite status on an airline's frequent flyer programme. They are usually very pleasant but may not offer the same VIP experience as first-class lounges. For example, the British Airways business-class lounge at San Francisco Airport has showers, but the one in Dubai does not.
Lounge passes can be purchased through holiday sites such as Lounge Pass or Holiday Extras, or directly through operators like No1 Lounges or Executive Lounges by Swissport. Prices vary, starting from about £13.50 to £20 or more, depending on the lounge and its facilities. Some lounges offer discounts for children, and it is always worth looking out for special codes and promotions.
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Frequently asked questions
Lounge passes booked in advance typically start from about £13.50 to £20, but prices vary depending on the lounge. The better the facilities, the more expensive it is. Some passes cost more than £40.
Airport lounges are quiet areas inside the terminal where passengers can relax before a flight or during a layover. They offer free food and drinks, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, TV, newspapers and magazines. Some lounges also offer spa treatments and showers.
There are several ways to get an airport lounge pass. You can purchase one directly from the airport or through a general holiday site such as Lounge Pass, Holiday Extras, No1 Lounges or Executive Lounges by Swissport. You can also access airport lounges by flying first or business class, purchasing a specific credit card or joining a frequent flyer programme.
