Ready for take-off?
We’re guessing you love to travel.
But let’s face it – flying can be stressful. Ticketing, checking bags, security lines, finding your gate, noticing there are not enough seats in the waiting area, kids crying, no electrical outlets, the coffee stand is 10 gates away, etc. And that is before you even get on the plane!
Frequent flyers know the benefits of airport lounges
Leave the noise, crowds and chaos behind once you step through the doors of an airport lounge. Most offer free wifi, drinks & snacks (or more!), and upgraded seats to relax in. Some have additional amenities including showers, sleep rooms, massages, & conference rooms.
How do I get into an airport lounge? Can I pay?
Great questions! Some airline tickets (usually first or business class) may come along with lounge entitlements. Additionally, frequent flyer programs, credit card holders and corporate travel organizations may offer up access to select travelers.
Don’t think you qualify? No worries – some lounges can be utilized for a daily fee, although participating locations and prices can vary. One program (an affiliate partner of ours) that we recommend to help get you in the door is Priority Pass. If you travel regularly, you should really consider their program. They offer a few tier options, starting at $99 annually (as of Dec. 2021) with possible additional costs depending on which tier option you select. Bonus: becoming a member also allows your guests to access the lounge for a standard $32 fee per visit.
Is airport lounge access worth the cost?
That’s up to you! But we’ll say this – if you travel regularly or if you have an extended layover (2/3+ hours) you really should consider a lounge stop or purchasing a pass. Even if you just try it once to see if it’s for you. It is nice to have a private, quiet place to go and relax and recharge for the remainder of your trip. We regularly see travelers spend hundreds (or thousands of dollars) on flights, but for just a tiny bit more their airport experience could be so. much. smoother. and. relaxing. We’ll also say this – once you try it, you’ll probably want to do it again and again. It is a particularly nice perk to have after a long flight – and is absolutely something to look forward to en route to your next stop.
Pro tip: Scout out the locations ahead of time to see what each lounge offers (here’s our master index of European airport lounges). And don’t be afraid to ask if you can look around! Worst case is they say “no”, but many lounges will let you take a peek inside to see if you think the price is worth the benefit before buying.
Last Updated: 20-Dec-2021