How to Ensure Airport Lounge Access Before Your Next Flight
Published by FareCompare on September 9, 2024
Travel is a glorious experience, but sometimes the process leading up to arriving at your final destination is less than glamorous. A nice way to take the edge off before takeoff is to relax at an airport lounge, where you can have something to eat and drink, freshen up, and prepare for your journey ahead. By the time you're ready to board, you'll be in a much calmer mindset and ready to put your best foot forward.
But how does one gain access to these elusive and exclusive spaces? It's not as difficult as you think! Especially with some smart planning and research, you can ensure that you'll always have the chance to hang out in a lounge before takeoff.
How to Make Sure You Have Lounge Access Before Flying
Our top tips for increasing your chances of a super-relaxing pre-flight routine.
Fly In the Correct Service Class
Most airlines provide lounge access to international business- and first-class passengers. However, if an airport is small there might not be a lounge in which to hang out! Whether you've booked your ticket with cash or using points/miles, you should be entitled to using the lounge.
Depending on the airline, class of service, and airport, you might have access to only one lounge, or may have several from which to choose, so you will want to do some research beforehand to determine the best option. If you've got an extra-long layover or managed to arrive to the airport with plenty of time ahead of your flight, you should be able to visit more than one lounge if available. Some lucky premium economy passengers flying with airlines like All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines often receive lounge access, though this is not a standard industry practice.
What to keep in mind? Though an international first-class ticket guarantees you lounge access, domestic first-class tickets are subject to the airline's discretion, so you might not always make it in.
Have Airline Status
Similar to how premium-ticketed passengers are typically guaranteed lounge access, having the right elite status with an airline could also give you access to the same lounges. Don't forget, each airline has different status levels, lounge options, and access rules. Cover your bases ahead of time and check if your elite status will provide access at a certain airport.
For example, travelers with United MileagePlus Premier Gold status and above who fly on Star Alliance airlines, such as Singapore Airlines and Lufthansa, can access lounges marked with the Star Alliance Gold logo before their flights. Several airlines have a handy lounge checker online to show you if you'll have access, based on your status and ticket type.
Buy a Lounge Membership
Several airlines offer a paid lounge membership program, regardless of status or ticket class. These memberships can be expensive, however, so they are most beneficial for travelers who fly enough to use them regularly but wouldn't otherwise gain access via airline status or premium ticket class.
As stated before, each airline will have its own rules about when and how you can access each lounge with a paid membership. It's often restricted to the airline's own lounges, and you'll likely need a ticket on either that airline or a partner airline to enter.
There are also independent – meaning, paid – lounge programs like Priority Pass and LoungeKey, which provide access to dozens of airport lounges worldwide. The best part is that you can access lounges regardless of airline or class of service. Best of all, it may be an already-included perk on your travel credit card.
Some Priority Pass lounges belong to carriers like Air France and KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. In other cases, certain lounges aren't associated with a specific carrier. If you aren't sure, check the airports where you'll be flying ahead of time on the online or the app to see which options might be available to you.
A very important thing to keep in mind! Some lounges may restrict entry to members when they are full, prioritizing passengers with higher class or status ahead of others. You might be able to pre-book your spot by paying an additional fee in advance, but it's not a guarantee.
Buy a Lounge Pass
Some lounges sell single-entry passes for certain passengers. Airline-run lounges may sell passes only to those passengers flying on that airline (or a partner carrier) who don't have access due to their class of service or lack of elite status.
Third-party lounges often sell lounge passes to anyone, regardless of the passenger's airline or final destination. You might be able to buy a pass online ahead of time or pay at the entrance. Some airlines and credit cards will provide a couple of these passes either by applying for the right credit card or reaching a certain status. The use and purchase of these lounge passes will be subject to the lounge's capacity. They won't be sold if the lounge is already full with status-holding passengers.
Have the Right Credit Card
Don't have elite status? Flying in basic economy? Don't worry! You can access lounges by having the right credit card in your wallet.
Some of the most popular and recommended:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Capital One Venture X Rewards
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express
- Platinum Card from American Express
Depending on the card you will gain entry to either airline-specific lounges or unlimited Priority Pass access.
