What is an airport lounge pass?
Airport travel can potentially mean waiting in long lines, navigating crowded terminals and waiting for hours in an uncomfortable waiting area.
Fortunately, airport lounges can provide a respite from all the crowds and chaos. These lounges can help alleviate the inconveniences travelers might experience while navigating an airport. In addition, they can provide a great value for those who maximize the amenities, especially when complimentary food and drinks may be provided.
In this article, we'll share more about how to access these lounges either through a lounge pass or by becoming a network member.
What does an airport lounge include?
Each lounge is slightly different, offering unique features depending on the city and the lounge itself. However, many airport lounges include the following amenities:
- Complimentary refreshments, usually including alcohol
- Spacious and comfortable lounge areas to stretch out
- Spaces to rest, eat, work or read
- Workstations
- Outlets for charging your devices
Lounges are not in every airport, so be sure to find out ahead of time if there is one at your departure airport and destination.
Can anyone use an airport lounge?
While airport lounges typically require a paid membership or day pass for access, there are alternative methods available for entry.
Keep in mind that your boarding pass alone will not get you in to some of these locations. Even if you are a first-class traveler your boarding pass does not always guarantee lounge access.
Accessing airport lounges
When it comes to accessing an airport lounge, some frequent travelers prefer to get a membership at either a network of lounges, or through their preferred airline. If you're a less frequent traveler, you may find that day passes are more economical. Below, we’ve outlined several ways to access a lounge.
Priority Pass™
Priority Pass is a network of over 1,300 lounges across the globe. With that kind of footprint, it’s possible you’ll fly through an airport with a lounge participating in the Priority Pass network. Each lounge is slightly different in layout and features, but generally includes amenities such as free refreshments, Wi-Fi and comfortable places to relax.
The cost of Priority Pass includes an annual fee, plus depending on the membership tier, there may be an additional fee for each visit. If you have a Priority Pass membership, you're able to utilize their participating lounges regardless of the airline you're flying or the class of your ticket.
Lounge Pass
Lounge Pass is an online airport lounge booking service that anyone can use. This service allows individual travelers, tour companies and businesses to reserve a spot at airport lounges around the world ahead of a trip.
It doesn't matter which airline you are flying with, or the class of ticket you have.
Day passes
As mentioned above, most airport lounges have a day pass option, even if you're not flying with that particular airline. You can purchase a day pass in advance online, or using the various apps listed above, or you can walk up to the front desk of any lounge to inquire about availability for that day.
This could be a great option if you're not ready to commit to one specific network of lounges or a single airline.
Visit limits can vary by lounge, some may be 6 hours or some may have no limit as long as it's within the same day. You can check the visit limit terms ahead of booking.
Get a credit card with complimentary Priority Pass membership
Many popular travel rewards credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card, come with complimentary access to the Priority Pass network of lounges. This membership tier is not available for purchase and is available to U.S. banks and financial institutions.
Like most travel rewards cards with complimentary Priority Pass membership, Sapphire Reserve has an annual fee. You may find the membership and other travel benefits are worth the annual fee. Learn more about Priority Pass with Chase Sapphire Reserve® card.
Earn elite or loyalty status with an airline
If you have a preferred airline that you travel with often, you could sign up for their loyalty program. This allows you to earn points every time you fly. Over time, those points may be redeemed for discounted flights and it may also give you a certain status level with that airline.
You may find that you earn points faster when you use an airline's cobranded credit card and make purchases through their online shopping portals.
Be a guest of someone with lounge access
If you're traveling with someone who has a lounge membership, you're in luck. Most lounges allow guests, which means you can enjoy all the amenities by paying a guest fee when applicable.
In conclusion
There are many ways for today's traveler to obtain an airport lounge pass. Day passes may be a good option if you're an infrequent traveler and don't want to purchase a full lounge membership. Or you may want to consider applying for a travel credit card that offers complimentary membership to a network of lounges. Lastly, you could sign up for free airline loyalty programs where you can work toward earning a higher status each time you fly with that airline.
This article contains the most up-to-date information at the time of publication. Details since publication are subject to change. Visit Priority Pass' official website, for the most up-to-date benefits information.
