Guide to airport lounges

Tired of jostling through crowded terminals, paying top dollar for airport food and having nowhere to relax comfortably while you wait for your flight? Airport lounges will change how you travel, and the right credit card will grant you membership for free.F

If you haven’t entered a lounge before but you’ve seen the signs when passing through the terminal, you’re probably wondering how it all works. For the most part, airport lounges are spaces — operated either by airlines or other companies — that offer an escape from the chaos found elsewhere. They give you a comfy spot to sit and recharge — both yourself and your phone, tablet or laptop. Airport lounges also offer free food and drinks, and who doesn’t want that?

It’s important to note that there are different types of airport lounges available, and that membership programs and included access can vary.

For example, Priority Pass Select is the most popular airport lounge pass offered through credit cards, and it enables members to visit more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world. Most Priority Pass Select memberships offer unlimited visits, while some credit cards provide passes for a certain number of visits per year (typically 10).

In the meantime, there’s a program called LoungeBuddy that lets you visit a similar selection of airport lounges. However, credit cards that offer this benefit typically limit your lounge visits each year. There’s also LoungeKey, which grants access to 1,000 airport lounges worldwide.

Finally, there are airport lounges offered through specific frequent flyer programs or through credit card programs.

This chart shows a general overview of airport lounge membership options and how they work:

How to get into airport lounges

Many airport lounges offer a pay-per-visit rate for everyone, or for customers with credit cards from certain issuers. This is great for anyone who’s simply curious about lounges. Conversely, you can also purchase an airport lounge membership outright in many cases, but not all.

For example, Priority Pass offers three tiers of membership that cost between $99 and $429, although the top-tier Prestige membership is the only one that allows unlimited visits.

Capital One airport lounges let anyone enter for a per-visit rate of $65. Further, individuals with the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or the Capital One Spark Miles for Business can enter lounges for a reduced per-visit rate of $45, after two complimentary visits in the same year.

You can also gain free entry to airline-specific lounges by flying internationally in first or business class. Some frequent flyers with elite status may also enter when they fly on an eligible itinerary.

Still, the easiest way to get into an airport lounge is by having the right travel credit card. However, you’ll want to choose cards carefully to ensure the membership you receive has locations in places you travel, including your home airport.

Is it worth paying for a lounge?

As we’ve discussed, you may pay for a day pass to some lounges. However, is the entrance fee worth it?

The most important factor in deciding whether to pay for a lounge is how much time you’ll spend in the lounge. If you’re only going to be at the airport for an hour or so, it’s probably not worth the price to buy lounge access — unless you’re flying with a baby or small kids and could use the quiet environment of a lounge to work or rest.

However, we should note that many airport lounges have a time limit of two to three hours, whereas others offer extended stays for five hours or more. Most lounges do not open overnight, so you shouldn’t aim to spend the night there. But, if you have a long layover or arrive at the terminal early, it’s probably worth paying for lounge access.

Another factor to consider is the cost of food and drink at the airport. If you know you’ll have a long layover, you may find that you can get a meal and a glass of wine in the lounge for less than you would pay in the terminal.

Finally, consider the amenities offered by the lounges. If the lounge offers a calm environment, comfortable seating, fast Wi-Fi and access to business equipment, it may be worth the price.

Here’s a rundown of the main travel credit cards that offer airport lounge membership benefits:

Airport lounge perks and features

One of the main perks of airport lounge access is the free food and drinks. You can help yourself to a spread that often includes cheese cubes, crackers, chips, hummus, veggies and dip, soups and salads. Some airport lounges also offer a lot more food options, including a selection of dishes or even a hot meal.

And there’s typically also a bar that serves wine, beer and house brand liquor at no charge (though some specialty drinks may cost you), which can be a huge relief when you’re struggling to get through a heavy travel day. If you’re trying to power through jet lag or a stopover after a red-eye flight or are gunning to finish up some work, many lounges also have coffee stations.

In addition to the sustenance that bolsters tired travelers, airport lounges also offer other perks that may include:

• Free Wi-Fi: You’ll get a code when you enter the lounge so you can surf the web, watch a movie or hop onto a Zoom work meeting.
• Showers: Lounges in hub and international airports often have showers where you can clean up and refresh yourself.
• Work areas: You’ll find desks and a printer in many lounges. Some even have designated quiet rooms for you to focus on productivity.
• Spa services: Some fancier lounges even offer free facials, massages and mani-pedis, whereas others provide spa services for a fee.
• Nap rooms: Though rare and not widely discussed, some lounges have nap rooms that you can rent by the hour if you really need to recharge before the next leg of your travels.

Drawbacks to airport lounges

But airport lounges also have their downsides. First, these spaces can get really crowded because many travelers get access through credit cards. During busy travel times, you may even find that visiting some airport lounges isn’t worth it due to the lack of extra space. In others, you may find that lounges limit entry based on capacity. In other words, they won’t let you enter because they’re really full.

The quality of lounges also can vary widely, which is something you’ll quickly notice if you use more than a few lounges throughout the year.

For example, Priority Pass has lounges that offer little more than a pot of old coffee, a handful of soft drinks and snacks and free internet access. However, Priority Pass’ nicer lounges can feel like a palace within the airport thanks to comfortable seating and full buffets of premium foods.

How to make the most of airport lounges

Nervous about stepping into an airport lounge for the first time? Here are five tips on how to maximize your lounge benefits like a pro even when you’re new to lounges:

1. Not sure if you can get into the airport lounge? Just ask

If you’re confused about your lounge access, you can contact your airline or your credit card issuer before your trip. If you’re already at the airport, just walk up to the lounge entrance and ask if you’re eligible for entry.

If you are, note that you will need to present your access credential (such as the credit card that includes access or your Priority Pass card), your photo ID and your boarding pass.

2. Scope out lounge offerings before you go

You may only have one lounge choice or even none at all, based on the airport. There may be times where the one lounge you can access is in a completely different terminal from yours.

If you have lots of options, on the other hand, it can help to gauge what’s available ahead of time. You can use the Priority Pass app or the LoungeBuddy app to quickly search for available lounges near your gate or to compare offerings in terms of food and available seating.

3. Factor in lounges when booking your flights

Setting aside time to kick back in the lounge can help you arrive at your destination refreshed and relaxed. To be as prepared as possible, look for flights with layovers where you know a solid lounge is available.

On the flipside, you’ll also want to be sure your home airport has at least one lounge you don’t mind visiting. If not, then perhaps signing up for a credit card with airport lounge access or buying a lounge membership outright won’t be worth it.

4. Get help from lounge staff to iron out travel glitches

Lounges can help you get where you’re going faster. If your flight gets canceled or delayed, for example, your airport lounge customer service agent may be able to help or give you advice.

This is especially true in airline-specific airport lounges since customer service reps can log in to look at your specific itinerary and your options on the spot.

5. Not traveling solo? You may be able to bring guests

Some credit cards that offer free lounge access also allow you to bring a few guests with you for free. In other cases, your companions must pay.

For example, the Citi / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard offers complimentary Admirals Club access to authorized users. Meanwhile, most credit cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership let you bring in two guests for free.

Check your card benefits to see if your traveling companions can get access and at what cost.

Bottom line

Airport lounges can give you a place to escape when you’re stuck killing time in an airport, and you don’t even have to pay for membership if you don’t want to. Many credit cards offer access for free, as well as rewards on your spending and other travel perks you’ll enjoy.

But, don’t take our word for it. Compare the best credit cards with airport lounge access and all they have to offer, and you could be enjoying some peace and quiet in between flights in no time.

*Information about the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, HSBC Elite Credit Card and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card has been collected independently by CreditCards.com. The issuer did not provide the details, nor is it responsible for their accuracy.