Most airport lounges allow free entry for first- or business-class passengers (and often, for economy-class flyers carrying an active military ID). If you’re near the back of the plane, there are methods to get into these luxurious areas without paying thousands of dollars for an upgrade. If you prefer a comfy armchair to a crowded gate, you’ll appreciate having access to an airport lounge to avoid the normal airport annoyances.
Here are six clever methods to get into airport lounges even if your tickets say “coach.”
Day Airport Lounge Passes
In order to relax in luxury, several airlines sell day passes to their airport lounges. Alaska Airlines sells passes for $50 per day.
Consider buying a day pass to one of the airport lounges at Heathrow or Gatwick if you’re flying overseas. These airport lounges normally cost $30-$60 to enter (with a few exceptions to the north and south), and most have time limits. Check before you buy.
Join an Airport Lounge
Even if you only travel one airline, an airline membership is worth considering. Members of airline clubs can access alliance lounges. In North America, Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, Hawaiian, and United States all have lounge programs with sites at key airports. Some other companies also offer lounge access at key airports.
A yearly membership will cost between $350 and $650, with an “initiation fee” of between $50 and $100. Before you pay, make sure the places you want to go have airport lounges; these clubs are usually only found in the world’s busiest airports and offer amazing experience of vip handling at airport.
Try a Third-Party Airport Lounge Access Vendor
If you can’t commit to one airline, a third-party airport lounge membership might be better. Several other providers offer access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. It includes a combination of airline, airport, and independent lounges, particularly in international departure zones, take part.
They also include numerous airline lounges, such as Air France’s lounges at JFK, O’Hare, and San Francisco. The pass does not guarantee admission to all airline lounges, so make sure to verify ahead of time.
Paying for Airport Lounges
In some airports, public lounges offer comfy chairs, snacks, Wi-Fi, small meals, and non-alcoholic beverages for a price. Their business strategy relies on two revenue streams: pay-to-play individual travelers and per-visit airline fees for premium-ticket fliers. Day charges start at $20, and some are hourly. Other North American airports have smaller chains and one-off lounges. A day-fee or airline referral program is more common than an annual membership.
Become an Elite
Loyalty has its benefits. Most airlines grant elite status holders access to airport lounges, with perks extending across the network. You can get the experience of experience of vip handling at airport.
Cardholders Can Access Airport Lounges
Getting an airport lounge credit card is one of the quickest methods to avoid the concourse, albeit some of these cards have high annual fees.
Take the Platinum Card from Amex. It costs $550 a year and provides access to Priority Pass, Airspace, and Escape Lounges as well as American Express Global Lounges.
Rules and Resources for Airport Lounges
In most lounges, there are a few ground rules. Most are created for security purposes, however, some major airports have them on the ground. A boarding pass for an aircraft is usually required for entry.
If you can’t find an airside lounge in your terminal, go through security there to access the lounge, then repeat the process to return to your terminal.
You probably don’t need to be convinced that airport lounges are nice, but you might need to be convinced to pay up to $450 per year to use them. If you travel frequently, look into annual promotions on airlines and premium credit cards. If you’re unsure, try a day pass somewhere.
