Airport Lounge Access Guide

Using airport lounges is a great way to de-stress your travels, providing a serene break from hectic airports and saving money on food and drink. If you are a frequent traveler, you may want to consider a membership to a lounge network.

Many major airlines offer these luxurious cabins, as well as many private chains. Some memberships even let you access a wide range of lounge brands, increasing your chances of finding a place to relax wherever you are.

So how do you decide which of these programs is best for you? It comes down to amenities, membership cost, and location convenience. Read on to find out more about the largest airport lounge networks and decide which one is best for you.

Major airport lounge networks

Most major airports have lounges, but there are hundreds of different brands. Many networks are operated by individual airlines or aviation alliances, while others are a collection of private brands. Here is a brief overview of some of the largest lounge chains, what perks they offer and their coverage.

As you can see, all these lounge chains offer valuable benefits for travelers, but their reach is changing dramatically. But apart from location, there are several factors to consider when choosing an airport lounge.

Choosing an airport lounge

While it may seem like you should purchase a lounge membership depending on which airline you fly with the most, this is not always the case. Many airline lounge networks allow anyone flying with a partner airline to enter, meaning you can choose another airline in the alliance if their lounges are more suited to your needs. Private lounge networks can also provide greater coverage to areas you frequently travel to, and they provide access for passengers on any airline.

Before you purchase a membership to any lounge network, carefully consider the following factors:

• Do the lounges offer the amenities you need while traveling?
• Are there lounges at the airports you frequently visit?
• How expensive is a lounge membership and does it fit your budget?
• Can you get a free or discounted membership with an airline elite status or a luxury credit card?

If any lounge chain meets most or all of these requirements, it’s probably a good choice for you.

Gaining access to the airport lounge

Once you have decided which airport lounge chain is best for you, there are several different ways to start taking advantage of its location. You can purchase a daily or yearly subscription for most brands. Alternatively, you can get free or discounted access using Elite status in an airline loyalty program or the benefits of a luxury credit card.

Buying a membership

Below is a quick overview of the cost of visiting some of the most popular airport lounges, broken down by day or yearly membership.

Elite Status

You can get discounted or free airport lounge access by reaching Elite status with an airline. Each loyalty program has its own rules, described below:

• United Club allows access to Gold or higher members (with any Star Alliance airline) – international travel only.
• Alaska Airlines lounges offer discounted memberships for all elite status levels, but none include free access.
• Delta Diamond Medallion members may choose Sky Club membership as one of their selection benefits. In addition, Elite Members of other SkyTeam Partners may qualify for entry.
• The American Airlines Admirals Club offers discounted memberships for all elite status levels, but none of them include free access. Some international routes allow access to members with Platinum status and above. Some of the other benefits of being a oneworld partner allow you to participate.

First class flight

In some cases, airline lounges provide free access to first class passengers. Some airlines only offer this privilege on international flights, others are more lenient:

• United Club offers complimentary access for business and first class passengers on premium international or transcontinental flights. You can find out if your domestic flight qualifies for premium class on the United Airlines website.
• Alaska Airlines passengers traveling with a first class ticket may access the Alaska Lounges on the day of departure.
• Delta Sky Club offers access to travelers with a Delta One ticket, whether on an international or domestic flight. Travelers with another SkyTeam airline who have a first or business class ticket on an international flight are also entitled to free access.
• The American Airlines Admirals Club also offers free access for first and business class travelers, although you must have an international or transcontinental ticket. Find suitable routes on the Admirals Club website.

Credit cards

In some cases, you may be able to get free access to one or more of these lounges simply by having a valid credit card. Airline cards often advertise discounts or free access to their lounge programs as a top perk, while luxury bonus cards boast access to a network of lounges.

For example, if you’re looking for a way to access American Airlines, Delta or United lounges and earn miles on purchases, you can get a Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® or Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express card. Map.

If you’re not loyal to a particular airline and could benefit from greater lounge access, luxury cards, including the Citi Prestige® Card* and Chase Sapphire Reserve®, offer Priority Pass lounge access.

If you’re new to airport lounges, the American Express® Green Card* can be a good entry-level option with up to $100 per year LoungeBuddy credit that allows you to book one-time lounge access. There is a $150 annual fee for the card, and the included credits should be enough to gain lounge access two to three times a year, depending on which lounges you book.

However, perhaps the best value card for business lounge access is The Platinum Card® from American Express. This card includes not only access to the luxurious Centurion and International American Express lounges, but also access to the entire Priority Pass network, Escape Lounges and the Delta Sky Club. The Platinum Card charges a steep $695 annual fee, but its travel perks are incomparable.

bottom line

No matter where you choose to travel, there are luxurious airport lounges around the world designed to de-stress your next trip. You can enjoy perks such as free Wi-Fi, free food and drink, and quiet areas where you can work. But with so many great lounge networks out there, you should weigh membership cost, amenities, and coverage carefully before deciding what’s best for you.

*All Citi Prestige® and American Express® Green Card information has been independently collected by CreditCards.com and has not been verified or approved by the issuer.

Emily Sherman is a senior editor at CreditCards.com, specializing in news and product recommendations. She is also a founding member of To Her Credit, a two-week series of women’s financial advice for women. When she’s not writing about credit cards, she’s spending her points and miles planning her next big vacation.