Having airport lounge access can be a game-changer when you’re travelling – the way you start your journey can set the tone for the whole trip.
Instead of dealing with loud announcements, slow charging outlets, frenetic travellers and mediocre food, airport lounges can offer a peaceful oasis, whether you’re on a much-needed holiday or a work trip.
Remember though, airport lounges aren’t created equally – some offer five-star amenities, while others may be no frills – so it doesn’t always pay to go premium.
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While many airport lounges offer one-off entry fees, there are various workarounds to get access for less. For instance, if you’re a frequent flyer, with the right credit card or loyalty rewards membership, you may be able to get airport lounge access for a reduced rate, or even for free.
Ways to get airport lounge access for less
1. Credit card rewards
Credit cards can be your golden ticket to accessing airport lounges. Travel credit cards often come with lounge access as a perk, letting you enjoy a bit of pre-flight luxury for a small fee. Some services extend beyond lounges, where you also get discounts on restaurants that are within the airport terminal. But how exactly do you access this perk?
Here are a few ways you can use credit cards to get airport lounge access:
With the Amex Platinum Card, card members can access over 1,550 airport lounges across 140 countries.
This includes access to the Centurion Network, with more than 24 lounges worldwide in top locations like New York, London, Hong Kong and Mumbai. It offers amenities from high-speed Wi-Fi to gourmet meals and cocktails, spa services and even conference rooms for business meetings.
However, this credit card has a hefty price tag; the annual fee for the Platinum Card from American Express is £650.
A cheaper alternative is the Amex Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card, which costs £195 per year, but is currently offering the first year with a £0 annual fee. You can get four complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge visits per year at up to 1,700 lounges around the world.
Capital One lounges
If you hold a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (which has a $395 annual fee), you have unlimited complimentary access to Capital One lounges within three hours of your flight. Other Capital One cardholders have limited access, as they can purchase passes for $45 for themselves and each guest, or $25 for those 17 or under. Kids up to the age of two can go free.
The lounges offer premium chef-inspired food, relaxation and fitness spaces and custom cocktail bars. Some even offer showers, spas, and play areas for kids.
From 1 February 2026, Capital One is limiting lounge access on its Venture X cards. This means that while primary cardholders still retain full access to lounges, each additional cardholder would need to pay an annual fee of $125 to maintain their access. Guests on these cards will also no longer receive complimentary access to Priority Pass lounges, and will be eligible for a $35 charge per visit.
Chase lounges
Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card holders can take advantage of free lounge access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with up to two guests. The annual fee for this card is $795, and an additional $195 per authorised user.
You can also get complimentary access to certain Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and Air Canada Cafes when you’re departing on a Star Alliance member flight.
2. Packaged bank account perks
While packaged bank accounts come with a monthly fee, they can offer great value. From just around £15, you could get travel and home insurance, car breakdown cover, cashback, freebies and some of the best savings rates. In some cases, you can also get free access to airport lounges, which can be a great perk if you travel often.
The Barclays Travel Plus Pack, for instance, costs £22.50 per month and gives you six free airport lounge passes annually, valid at over 1,000 lounges with the DragonPass Premier Plus app.
The NatWest Premier Reward Black account, which has a £36 monthly fee, also offers worldwide lounge access through DragonPass Premium Plus.
3. Get a membership
Travellers who don’t think they will get their money’s worth out of a credit card, might consider purchasing a membership to an airport lounge. Executive Lounges by Swissport is not currently accepting memberships, but it usually costs £260 a year.
Alternatively, a Priority Pass could be a better fit. This pass grants access to over 1,700 lounges worldwide, from JFK and Heathrow to Doha, Hong Kong and Sydney. You don’t need to be a business class flyer – anyone can buy a membership.
Here are the three different memberships available, depending on how frequently you travel:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
Priority Pass tier
Annual fee
Member and guest fee
Standard
£69
Both: £24
Standard Plus
£229
Members: 10 free visits, then £24
Guests: £24
Prestige
£419
Members: All visits complimentary
Guests: £24
Meanwhile, a DragonPass membership offers the following benefits:
Swipe to scroll horizontally
DragonPass tier
Annual fee
Member and guest fee
Classic
£68
Member: 1 free visit, then £24
Guests: £24
Preferential
£168
Members: 8 free visits, then £24 fee
Guests: £24
Prestige
£379
Members: All visits complimentary
Guests: £24
If you’re going to use a lounge more than a handful of times a year, you might find better value in a credit card that offers lounge access, given the extra perks on top.
4. Fly premium
Your boarding pass can make all the difference. Many airlines offer VIP lounge access to first-class and business-class passengers, like the Admirals Clubs by American Airlines, Sky Clubs by Delta Air Lines and United Clubs by United Airlines.
However, note that for domestic and short-haul flights, a business class ticket might not always grant lounge access – you often need to be flying internationally.
Some airlines really go the extra mile for their top-tier flyers. Cathay Pacific's The Wing, First (currently under works), for example, is a first-class lounge with an à la carte menu, champagne bar, private workstations and luxurious cabanas with rain showers.
Similarly, Air France’s La Première lounge offers fine dining, beauty and botanical treatments, and even a personal chauffeur who drops you off at the airport. But be prepared to splash out.
5. Have airline elite status
Airlines often reward their most loyal customers with an ‘elite status’. This is basically where you get a host of benefits depending on how frequently you fly with them, and the rewards can range from complimentary checked baggage to priority check-in and even free access to its lounges.
British Airways extends complimentary lounge access to Emerald and Sapphire level members of any Oneworld airline frequent flyer programme on a flight operated by BA or a Oneworld partner.
United Airlines provides United Club access to Premier Gold, Platinum and 1K members flying internationally on Star Alliance flights, with one guest allowed.
How to get one-time airport lounge access
If you’re only after a one-off visit, a single lounge pass might be cheaper than buying food and drinks at the airport, from sites like Lounge Pass, LoungePair and Holiday Extras.
Prices usually start around £20 but can vary depending on the lounge and its services. As a rule of thumb, it’s best to book in advance, as prices on the day of travel are typically more expensive.
If you’re unsure about which airport lounge you’re looking for, it’s a good idea to check directly with the airport you’re going to be visiting. Alternatively, you can check out Which?'s round-up of the best airport lounges in the UK based on cost, amenities, and refreshments.
Can you get airport lounge access for free?
It is possible to visit an airport lounge without having to pay an entry fee. If you’re flying business or first-class, or have a credit card that includes lounge access (like the Platinum Card from American Express Gold), you could get complementary access. Some lounge memberships let you bring a guest at no charge, and military members often enjoy free access.
It’s also worth looking out for discounts. For instance, you can get 10% off if you sign up for No1 Lounges’ newsletter, and 15% off for Stansted Airport’s mailing list.
Ultimately, whether you’re looking to relax in style or just dodge the crowds, there’s an option out there to suit every traveller.
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Oojal has a background in consumer journalism and is interested in helping people make the most of their money.Oojal has an MA in international journalism from Cardiff University, and before joining MoneyWeek, she worked for Look After My Bills, a personal finance website, where she covered guides on household bills and money-saving deals.Her bylines can be found on Newsquest, Voice Wales, DIVA and Sony Music, and she has explored subjects ranging from politics and LGBTQIA+ issues to food and entertainment.Outside of work, Oojal enjoys travelling, going to the movies and learning Spanish with a little green owl.
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