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.
“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.
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.