Roberta Aguirre
Airport 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. There are several ways to access airport lounges, including flying first or business class, purchasing a membership or day pass, or obtaining elite status through a credit card or airline loyalty program. Some lounges, such as Priority Pass, offer access to over 1700 lounges worldwide with premium amenities like spa treatments and conference rooms. Lounge access policies vary, with some requiring specific memberships or allowing access based on flight class or frequent flyer status.
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What You'll Learn
Paid memberships
One option is to buy a membership directly from an airline. This is a good choice if you frequently fly with the same carrier, as it will grant you access to their lounges worldwide. Prices vary depending on the airline, with some offering discounts to elite status holders and U.S. military members. For example, an Alaska Lounge+ membership costs $650 to $750, while American Airlines charges $850 or 85,000 AAdvantage miles. Some airlines, like Delta, may also offer annual memberships to certain credit card holders.
If you don't fly with the same airline consistently, you may prefer to purchase a third-party lounge membership. Priority Pass, for instance, offers access to over 1,500 lounges worldwide, including in Las Vegas, JFK, San Francisco, Atlanta, Heathrow, Manchester, Edinburgh, Dubai, Doha, Hong Kong, and Sydney. A standard Priority Pass membership costs $99 per year, plus a $35 member visit fee and $35 per guest. Alternatively, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card offers four free visits to Priority Pass lounges per year with a $0 annual fee.
Another way to obtain lounge access is through a credit card that includes it as a perk. Many premium credit cards, such as the Platinum Card from American Express, offer Priority Pass membership, as well as access to select airline lounges. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, for example, grants cardholders access to Capital One Lounges and Landings, as well as Priority Pass Select lounges. Additionally, certain cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve offer Priority Pass Select membership as a complimentary benefit.
Regardless of which option you choose, paid memberships can offer a tranquil escape from the bustling airport, with amenities like complimentary food and improved Wi-Fi.
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Premium credit cards
Airport lounge access is a common feature of premium credit cards. These cards are designed for frequent travellers, providing a respite from the usual airport environment. The airport lounges offer a multitude of premium services, including comfortable seating, complimentary meals, Wi-Fi, and even shower and spa facilities.
There are different types of airport lounges, including airline lounges, Priority Pass lounges, and card issuer lounges. Airline lounges are owned and operated by specific airlines, and membership is often included with business or first-class tickets, airline loyalty programs, or travel rewards credit cards. Priority Pass is an independent network of international airport lounges, with a presence in hundreds of cities. Cardholders of select credit cards can enjoy complimentary membership, granting them access to hundreds of lounges worldwide. Card issuer lounges, as the name suggests, are owned and operated by credit card issuers themselves, and are typically accessible only to their cardholders.
The Platinum Card from American Express, or Amex Platinum, is a premium card that offers extensive airport lounge access. Cardholders can enjoy access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs, Lufthansa Lounges, Escape Lounges, and more. The card also provides statement credits for purchases made with select partners, such as Saks Fifth Avenue, and elite status perks.
The Capital One Venture X card is another excellent option for airport lounge access. Cardholders can access over 1,300 lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass lounges. The card also offers elevated travel rewards, such as unlimited miles, travel credits, and the ability to transfer miles to various travel loyalty programs. Additionally, cardholders can enjoy premium benefits like a $100 experience credit with hotel and vacation rentals, and credits for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck.
Other notable mentions include the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, which grants access to Chase Sapphire lounges and offers travel credits, and the BOA Premium Rewards Elite card, which provides a high fee offset by credits for lifestyle, streaming, airline, and TSA credits.
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Frequent flyer status
Gaining access to airport lounges through frequent flyer status is a popular method for many travellers. While the specific mechanisms vary, most airlines have several tiers of elite status, and they usually require that you meet or exceed their mid-tier elite status before granting lounge access when flying with their airline or alliance. For example, American Airlines has four public elite statuses that are open to all flyers who meet the requirements. To access both the Admirals Clubs and the Oneworld business class lounges, you need to reach AAdvantage Platinum or better. Similarly, travellers must attain AAdvantage Executive Platinum status to utilise the AA Flagship Lounges or Oneworld first-class lounges.
Oneworld offers exclusive access to premium airport lounges worldwide with its Emerald or Sapphire frequent flyer tier status. Members of oneworld airline frequent flyer programmes with Emerald or Sapphire tier status can use lounges offered by oneworld airlines when departing on any flight marketed and operated by a oneworld member airline, regardless of cabin class (with some exceptions). Emerald tier members can access First Class, Business Class, or frequent flyer lounges, while Sapphire tier members are welcome in Business Class or frequent flyer lounges. Both Emerald and Sapphire members may invite one guest, who must be travelling on a flight operated and marketed by a oneworld carrier.
Star Alliance also provides lounge access based on frequent flyer status. Non-revenue customers with Star Alliance Gold status can access member airline-owned Star Alliance Gold lounges and specific contract lounges. International First Class customers with a boarding pass for a Star Alliance member airline-operated flight can enter International First Class and any Star Alliance member carrier's lounges at the departure airport (excluding ultra-premium exclusive lounges). International Business Class customers with a Star Alliance member airline-operated flight boarding pass can access any Star Alliance member carrier's Business Class lounges at the departure airport.
In addition to elite status, purchasing an annual lounge membership can be a cost-effective option for frequent travellers, especially if you frequently fly with a particular airline. For example, Alaska Airlines offers lounge access for $550 per year, while American Airlines charges $850 or 85,000 AAdvantage miles.
Credit cards can also provide a pathway to airport lounge access. Certain premium credit cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express, offer complimentary lounge access as a perk. The Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® grants American Airlines flyers unlimited Admirals Club access. Similarly, U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card holders gain access to more than 1,500 lounges worldwide through Priority Pass Select benefits.
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Business/first-class tickets
If you are a business or first-class traveller, you can access airport lounges by presenting your boarding pass. However, this is subject to certain conditions and exceptions.
For instance, Star Alliance offers access to its lounges if you are an International First Class Customer. You must present a boarding pass for a Star Alliance flight departing from the local airport, operated by a carrier that has a contract with the third-party lounge. You can bring one guest, but they must be travelling on the same Star Alliance flight as you.
Similarly, oneworld offers access to its lounges for customers travelling in a First or Business Class cabin on any oneworld member airline. However, this is only available at the airport from which the oneworld flight is departing.
In addition, some airport lounges are accessible based on the class of service, such as business or first-class tickets. For example, certain exclusive lounges like the Lufthansa First Class Terminal at Frankfurt Airport and the British Airways Concorde Room at London Heathrow Airport, seem to only grant entry to first-class ticket holders.
Furthermore, some credit cards, such as The Platinum Card® from American Express or Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offer complimentary lounge access as a perk.
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Day passes
- American Airlines offers day passes for $79 or 7,900 AAdvantage miles. These passes are valid for 24 hours and allow access to multiple Admirals Clubs within that period.
- United Airlines sells one-time passes for $59 that allow entry to a United Club a single time, either before your flight or on a layover.
- Alaska Airlines sells single-entry day passes for $60. These passes are valid only at the location of purchase and are based on space available to guests flying on Alaska, oneworld, or their global partners.
- Delta Air Lines no longer sells single-visit passes to Delta Sky Clubs, but they offer an annual membership to Medallion members and credit cardholders.
It's important to note that day passes may not always be available, depending on the lounge capacity. Additionally, some lounges may require a same-day boarding pass or certain credit cards for entry. It's best to check the policies of the specific lounge you're interested in before purchasing a day pass.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to get access to airport lounges. These include flying first or business class, purchasing a membership or day pass, obtaining elite airline status, or acquiring premium credit cards. Some lounges also allow access based on your frequent flyer status or if you have an international itinerary.
Airport lounges provide a quiet and comfortable space to relax or work before your flight. They typically offer complimentary snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi, and charging points. Some lounges may also provide additional amenities such as spa treatments, conference rooms, and pre-flight dining.
Yes, there are various types of airport lounges, including premium lounges, business class lounges, and first-class lounges. Some lounges are operated by specific airlines or alliances, such as the oneworld lounges, while others are independently operated, like the Priority Pass lounges. Each lounge may have different access requirements and benefits.
