Visiting an airport lounge is an option if you are waiting for connecting flights or arrive early for your flight. Although some lounges are either exclusively for first-class passengers, or only available to members of clubs like Sky Club, many are not as expensive as you may think. Priority Pass members receive good value for the money.
Frequent flyers are more inclined to use airport lounges than the person going on a flight once or twice a year, but it is worthwhile to consider your options on how to get access to a lounge.
The first step is to consider the advantages of using airport lounges, and then to look at access options.
Why you need an airport lounge
Quiet space to relax and refresh
The lounge is a quiet oasis where you can relax in comfortable chairs and escape the hustle of a jam-packed airport.
Most lounges, like Delta Sky Club and Priority Pass lounges, provide complimentary snacks and beverages. Normally they feature satellite TV, free Wi-fi, magazines and newspapers. Complimentary beverages and snacks are available.
More luxurious lounges provide additional exclusive amenities such as showers with hotel-quality toiletries that you can use free of charge. At some lounges, you can even book a spa treatment in advance, then take a nap in one of the sleep rooms, and afterwards shower or relax in a bath.
A place to prepare for your business meeting
For the busy business person, most lounges also offer workspace that will allow you to do your final preparations for your meeting at your next destination. You can reserve a space beforehand and with free Wi-fi, it is easy to get online and you are as good as in your office.
Personal assistance
Lounges that are tied to airlines sometimes offer a staff member to assist with problems from booking a new flight to changing seats on the next flight.
VIP treatment in some airline-linked lounges for first-class passengers starts even before entering the lounge. If you arrive by car for your flight a valet parks your car, then a personal assistant checks you in and accompanies you through security.
Flight recovery for kids
If you are travelling with kids, many lounges offer children’s rooms where they can decompress and you can relax with a quiet drink.
How to get access to an airport lounge
Now that you know what an airport lounge offers, you have to find a way to access a lounge. There are options more suitable for frequent flyers, but there are also options for a one-off visit.
Airlines’ lounges
If you fly international business or first-class on most major airlines, your boarding pass will give you access to that airline’s lounge.
Delta Airlines, offers Delta Sky Club membership with several ways to enter a Delta Sky Club lounge. You can use your lounge membership, travel in first or business class on some airlines and routes, use your airline miles, use a credit card, or use your frequent flyer elite status.
Priority Pass lounges
Priority Pass is a subscription-based airport lounge network with over 1,000 lounges. Most of their locations are outside the U.S. They offer four different membership plans with membership open to all travelers. Three of the plans require an annual membership fee, and there are certain restrictions on how many times a member may visit a lounge free of charge. The fourth plan is free, but you can only qualify if you own a credit card or have a bank account that offers this benefit.
Credit and other cards
Visa and American Express cardholders can under certain conditions access specific airport lounges. Some clients of Chase Sapphire Reserve cards have the same privilege.
Other methods to gain access
The Club is a chain of day-pass lounges at certain U.S. airports. Airspace Lounge is another day-pass group in the U.S. Some lounges also allow travelers to buy a day-pass on entry.
Hotels, like the Four Seasons Resorts Lanai, have airport lounges for their guests.
You can also access most lounges if you are travelling with a person with access. Some lounges will charge a fee for the guest.
