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Airport lounges can provide a haven of quiet amid evermore crowded airports, but they don’t come cheap.
Lounges are privately operated hospitality clubs that typically cater to frequent flyers and passengers with business- or first-class tickets. Most are operated by airlines, such as Delta’s Sky Club, and are discretely tucked away in airport terminals.
Annual passes can set you back about $500 for individuals, but there are several less expensive ways to gain access, such as buying day passes or through credit card perks.
It might seem as if airport lounges are only for the rich, but they could be worth the money even if you fly just a few times per year or if you end up with long layovers. Airports are growing more crowded due to lower airfares and the stronger U.S. dollar. As a result, more travelers are turning to lounges to get away from congested terminals and tap amenities such as secure WiFi and comfier seating.
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“It’s about creating a space that allows travelers to break away from the chaotic sense of the terminal,” says Fern Fernandez, vice president of marketing for American Airlines, which saw a 12 percent increase in memberships last year. “People are looking for spaces to be productive while on their trips.”
Aside from offering more space and quiet than the terminal, airport lounges usually provide services that can make a trip flow more smoothly. Because lounges are geared to business travelers, they are often equipped with plenty of charging stations for laptops and other devices, as well as secure WiFi that’s often faster than the terminal’s network.
The entry price also includes food and beverages as well as private bathrooms and showers. On top of that, airline lounge staff can help with reservations, such as rebooking tickets or finding new seats for travelers.
If you're flying economy, the ticket doesn't include access to the airline’s lounge. Below are several ways to gain access without paying too much.
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Join a lounge network. For a more economical option, consider joining a lounge network such as Priority Pass or LoungeBuddy. Priority Pass’ least expensive membership costs $99 per year, and then you pay $27 each time you enter a lounge. Its most expensive plan costs $399 per year. With that plan, there are no additional charges to enter a lounge.
Priority Pass then offers you access to a network of more than 1,000 lounges across the world that include those run by Virgin, Air Canada, and Air France.
LoungeBuddy doesn’t require a membership; instead its app allows customers to buy lounge passes when they need them. Day passes cost about $50 each.
Another benefit: These networks typically have a much broader geographic reach than an individual airline's club. American Airlines has about 90 Admirals lounges around the world, but LoungeBuddy can give you access to more than 200 lounges in places like Brisbane, Australia and Anchorage, Alaska.
Buy a day pass. If you get hit by a long layover or unexpected delay, go to a lounge and ask to buy a day pass. Most lounges sell them for about $50 each. It generally doesn’t matter if you’re not flying on the airline that operates the lounge.
To find out which lounges are available at an airport, check the airport's website or do a search on LoungeBuddy, PriorityPass, or The Guide to Sleeping in Airports. LoungeBuddy and Sleeping in Airports even let you buy a pass on their websites.
Use credit card perks. Premium credit cards, such as the American Express Platinum card, include access to some airport lounges. Because these cards usually have a annual membership fee of at least $400, they appeal to consumers who want to pay more for such perks. Not all cards provide the same level of access, so read the fine print before signing up.
Splurge on a club membership. If you tend to fly on one particular airline, it might be worth buying access to its club network. These annual memberships usually cost about $500 for an individual and more than $900 for a family.
Do research before buying. Because of the rise in lounge use, there are more reports of crowded spaces, with some travelers reporting that it can be difficult to find seats. Travel websites such as One Mile at a Time and The Points Guy can give you a general idea ahead of time whether a lounge is likely to be crowded.
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