How to get airport lounge access

Let’s face it – nobody loves the typical airport grind, so having airport lounge access can be a game-changer when you’re travelling. 

Everyone loves a good break, and whether you’re jetting off on a cheap, last-minute holiday or travelling for work, 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 be a peaceful oasis.

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 fare – or even free. 

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

However, not all airport lounges are created equal. Some provide luxurious five-star amenities, while others may be more no-frills. And it doesn’t always pay to go premium. A recent investigation by Which? into UK airport lounges revealed that despite charging upwards of £40, some lounges lack essentials like toilets, quiet zones or family areas.  That’s why it’s essential to know how you get into the best airport lounges without breaking the bank. Here are five ways to get airport lounge access.

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 their maximum potential when it comes to lounge access: 

American Express lounges

American Express (Amex) credit cards regularly feature in our best cards to use for travel guide. For instance, with The Platinum Card from Amex, card members can access over 1,400 airport lounges across 650 cities in 140 countries. 

This includes access to the Centurion Network, which is known as one of the flashiest lounges with top-quality service. They offer amenities from high-speed Wi-Fi to gourmet meals and cocktails, spa services and even conference rooms for business meetings. At the moment, there are 24 Centurion Lounges worldwide, including New York, London, Hong Kong, Mumbai and Sydney. This does come at a price, of course, the annual fee for the Platinum Card from American Express is £650.

You can get some free lounge passes if you’re an Amex Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card member. With this, you can get four complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge visits per year. It’s a great deal if you’re not a frequent flyer. 

Capital One lounges

If you hold a Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, you can visit one of its all-inclusive lounges with unlimited complimentary access for you and two more guests per visit. It offers premium chef-inspired food, relaxation and fitness spaces and custom cocktail bars. You can visit one of their lounges in Washington (Dulles), Denver, New York and Las Vegas. Holders of the Venture X card also get a free Priority Pass membership with access to over 1,400 airport lounges in nearly 150 countries.

Chase lounges

In recent months, Chase – a MoneyWeek Readers' Choice favourite, has pulled some of its best savings deals due to a Bank of England interest rate cut. However, Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card holders are still in luck. You can take advantage of complimentary lounge access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide with up to two guests. If you hold a Priority Pass from another credit card, you can visit Chase lounges in the US once a year. 

While the annual fee for the card is high ($550), you also receive up to $300 in annual travel credit and significant welcome bonuses, which can help justify the expenses.  

2. Get a membership  

For those who don’t think they will get their money’s worth out of a credit card, consider purchasing a membership to an airport lounge. Executive Lounges by Swissport offers a membership of £260 a year, though you’d need to use it at least 15 times to get your money’s worth.

Alternatively, a Priority Pass could be a better fit. This pass grants access to over 1,600 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, and you get services like spas, sleeping pods and fine dining to elevate your journey. 

Many credit cards like the Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card also let cardholders register for Priority Pass Select memberships. 

Here are the three different Priority Pass memberships depending on how frequently you travel:

If you’re not a frequent flyer, a lower-tier membership like DragonPass might be more beneficial. Starting at £68 for a Classic membership with an additional £24 for each guest, you get one free lounge visit included, and depending on your plan, up to eight free visits a year. 

But 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.

3. 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, 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 – this lounge can set you back around €800 (or £673) for access. 

4. 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. 

For example, 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. 

5. Tap into your packaged bank account perks 

Packaged bank accounts, while they come for a monthly fee, 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. The NatWest Premier Reward Black account with a £36 monthly fee also offers lounge access, but not everyone is eligible. You need to pre-book your lounge entry for £5 per person via the DragonPass Premier Plus app, and it costs £24 to bring a guest.

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. Sites like Lounge Pass, LoungePair and Holiday Extras let you book these, or you can book directly through lounges such as No1 Lounges or Executive Lounges by Swissport. 

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.

Can you get airport lounge access for free? 

Sometimes. 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 in for free. Some lounge memberships also allow free entry for guests, and military members often enjoy complimentary access. 

Ultimately, whether you’re looking to relax in style or just dodge the crowds, there’s an option out there to suit every traveller. Bon voyage!