Complimentary fax or phone services 6. Lounge access fees are non-transferable, non-refundable and subject to change with or without written notice. Conference seating 7. Please see our Advertiser Disclosure for more details! And believe us — they sure beat waiting at the gate for boarding. Le Clos Wine Cellar. Thanks for a good article, as at least I have some options for when my AMEX Platinum comes up for renewal. West Midlands. Airline credit cards can come with airport lounge perks, too. Airline club memberships also give you access into alliance lounges, including the Star Alliance and Oneworld airlines, which will help a lot if you’re traveling internationally. Now that you know a few of the best methods for accessing airline lounges when you travel, you can relax more and stress less. And if you aren’t sure, try a day pass somewhere to see if you find it worthwhile. Complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages 4. They include a premium bar and buffet food, in addition to spa services at select airports. Another nice thing about the Priority Pass is that it includes many of the airlines’ own lounges, such as Air France’s airport lounges at JFK, O’Hare, and San Francisco. The main problem you might encounter is at a large airport with separate terminals: If you can’t find an airside lounge in the terminal you’re using, you may have to go outside security to a different terminal, go through security there to gain access to the lounge, then repeat the process to get back to the terminal you’re using. access to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide: The Platinum Card® from American Express. On Delta, this would be for Gold Medallion, Platinum Medallion, and Diamond Medallion members. Location. At Cleveland’s airport, for example, you can enter the Airspace Lounge after security in the main terminal and pay from $20 per day. Several airlines sell day passes to their airport lounges, allowing you to relax in comfort without a long-term commitment. I’ve been extremely disappointed with the lounge options I receive through my membership. To top it all off, AMEX Platinum doesn’t offer one bit of travel insurance as part of the card benefits. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, United, For rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click, For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, click. Editorial Disclosure: The content featured on UpgradedPoints.com has not been provided by the credit card companies mentioned. While the above airlines all have restrictions in place about having to fly the actual airline in order to access the first class lounge, Swiss takes it a step further. Sometimes these paid memberships allow you reciprocal access to other airline lounges, too. (Airspace also has a lounge at San Diego International Airport.). Advertiser Disclosure: Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive compensation. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. Email needed if you'd like comment updates. However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. All Rights Reserved. This is a third-party membership program that has a large network of more than 600 airport lounges worldwide. All Rights Reserved. Keep in mind, however, that most of these airline passes are limited to U.S. domestic airport lounges. To access the lounge, present the email along with your boarding pass at the lounge entrance. Restrictions apply for Domestic First Class passengers travelling with United Airlines in the United States, where Domestic First Class customers do not have access … The First Class Lounge in the Terminal 2-Satellite can be accessed on the Schengen level next to Gate K11 and on the non-Schengen level next to Gate L11. Participating lounges include a mix of airline, airport, and independent locations, mostly in international departure areas. For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, click here. Chris Gray Faust, Ed Perkins, and Margaret Leahy contributed to this story. For more information on our advertisers, see here. That means you can purchase a United Club membership and access their lounge even if you’re flying on Southwest at the time. Some member airlines offer lounge access at the airport where your flight departs, if you are travelling in Domestic First Class. This is a terrific benefit, and it comes in handy at airports like Washington Dulles, where there is a United hub and also a Turkish Airlines lounge. Most airlines offer airport lounge access to their customers who make elite status, with benefits that extend throughout the network. There are thousands of lounges worldwide, and there are a number of ways to get into them without having to fly first class or business class. Check LoungeBuddy or LoungeReview, where you’ll find everything you ever wanted to know about lounge access. For starters, airport lounges are great for removing most of the stress of air travel and making it an all-around more pleasurable experience. For a $550 annual fee, the card gives you VIP access to hundreds of airport lounges around the world, through Priority Pass, Airspace, and Escape Lounges, as well as access to American Express Global Lounges. For details please see our Lounge Access Policy. Lounge Pass: Which Is Better? It offers 4 membership levels: The Standard, Prestige, and Standard Plus passes allow access to all Priority Pass lounges. There are also numerous independent lounges worldwide that sell day passes, including: Day passes generally run between $29 and $75 per entry. Our elite lounge puts the Al Safwa First Lounge in a class of its own. Chase’s premier travel rewards card, the Chase Sapphire Reserve®, comes complete with tons of travel benefits for a steep annual fee that also includes access to Priority Pass Select lounges. In addition, as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Before shelling out, check to make sure that the destinations you visit the most actually have airport lounges; as a rule, you’ll only find these types of clubs in the world’s busier airports. To do so, present your valid Lufthansa boarding pass at the lounge entrance, and simply pay by credit card or book lounge access directly when you book your flight, or add lounge access at My bookings . Entrance to most airport lounges usually comes free for those carrying a first- or business-class ticket (and often, for economy-class flyers carrying an active military ID). Hot Tip: Day passes can get expensive, so if you think you’ll be using them often, you may want to consider an annual membership! I won’t be renewing and will be looking for a better card, indeed. Following are seven ways that savvy travelers can get into airport lounges, even if their tickets read “coach.”. This could be an excellent value if you fly a lot. (Guest must be travelling on British Airways or one of our oneworld partners). In some airports, public lounges—which let you pay a fee for comfortable chairs, snacks, Wi-Fi access, small meals, and non-alcoholic beverages—are giving the legacy airport lounges a run for their money. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. Maple Leaf Lounges are subject to varying hours of operation and amenity services. Regardless of whether you are traveling for business or leisure, lounge access can help you make the most of your airport experience. Right now, only certain United Club locations are open so we can focus on putting health and safety at the forefront of your experience. As an Emerald member, you are welcome to invite one single guest per each departure flight to join you in the First lounge. In addition to entry to traditional lounges, members receive a one-time per-visit credit of $28 – $30 toward food and beverage bills at participating airport restaurants and bars. If you have an Alaska Club membership or a Qantas Club membership, interestingly enough, you’re also allowed to access American Airlines Admirals Clubs across the globe. Comfortable seating 3. Using LoungeBuddy, you can purchase access into lounges you don’t already have access to for a nominal fee (usually as low as $20). Priority Pass vs. In order to qualify for Club access, the customer must be confirmed in the First or Business class cabin for the international segment of their journey; Find the list of SkyTeam member airlines here. A company called Priority Pass offers access to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide for an annual fee. What else is … This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. Rates vary by location. Allegiant, Frontier, JetBlue, and Southwest do not operate their own lounge programs, though JetBlue partners with programs in Montego Bay and Kingston, Jamaica. The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, UnitedSM Explorer Card, Citi Prestige® Card, United MileagePlus® Club Card by Chase, and Centurion® Card from American Express was independently collected by Upgraded POitns and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.Â, For rates and fees of the The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here. Dedicated restrooms 8. LNER First Class Lounge Pass email (no ticket required) Weekend First and Inclusive Tour Tickets *Your ticket has to be worth more than £10 to qualify for Lounge access (Rewards tickets count, though). If you fly one airline exclusively, however, an airline membership is still something to consider. Once you buy access, you’ll be given a barcode you scan when you arrive at the lounge. Typically, you need to show a boarding pass for a flight on the day you enter. Priority Pass membership does not include access to United Clubs. Following a legal challenge in 1966, though, the lines switched to annual paid memberships. There are a number of premium credit cards that have the ability to get you access to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide: The Platinum Card® from American Express or Centurion® Card from American Express give complimentary access to the Amex Centurion Lounge network. Any and all options, reviews, comments and analyses are the responsibility of the author(s) and not any Advertiser or credit card issuer. We take your comments very seriously as they really help us to improve the site. access to the BAR at Dubai and Singapore is restricted to guests travelling in our First cabin. Cigar bar. Qatar Airways and oneworld First Class and Business Class (Elite, Comfort) passengers can access this lounge at no additional cost, while Business Class (Classic) and Economy Class passengers throughout the network can purchase lounge access online, at the check-in counters, preferred travel agents, or Qatar Airways' sales offices. Be the first to discover secret destinations, travel hacks, and more. Presumably, you don’t need to be convinced that airport lounge features are desirable, but you might have to be convinced to pay up to $450 a year to take advantage of those features. Customers flying First or Business Class have access to the equivalent class of lounge regardless of their frequent flyer status. Excellent food and cocktails in a comfortably sumptuous atmosphere will do that! Just type in … By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Some only offer access to passengers flying within that country, so check before you buy. Day passes are sold by United and American in an attempt to entice non-members to visit the lounge in advance of their flight, even if they aren’t flying business class. For example, if you arrive in first class from New York and fly on to Barcelona in economy or Club Europe, you’d be eligible to access the Galleries First lounge in Terminal 3. Once the pass has been linked to your booking, you'll receive a confirmation email. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). There's more than one way to get access to Delta Air Lines' branded Delta Sky Club lounges. Customers traveling on a same-day international First or Business class ticket on a SkyTeam-operated flight. For example, American Airlines has 4 public elite statuses that are open to all flyers who meet the requirements: To access both the Admirals Clubs and the Oneworld business class lounges (such as SFO’s Cathay Pacific Lounge), you have to reach AAdvantage Platinum or better. © 2021 Upgraded Points™, LLC. Take the American Express Platinum Card. For the most part, these programs operate on either a day-fee or airline-referral basis rather than on annual memberships. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. For the most part, though, the majority of international first class tickets will let you access these lounges with the ability to bring 1 guest (who doesn’t need to be a first class ticket holder). Which Airport Lounges Can I Access With The Amex Platinum & Business Platinum? Alaska Airlines sells day passes for the airline’s lounges for $50, as does American, while United charges $59 per day. What’s nice about Priority Pass is that you can choose from several membership levels. Make Altitude Elite 50k status on Air Canada or Premier Gold on United, for example, and you’ll get access to most of the Star Alliance airport lounges around the world (there are limitations, however, as some lounges restrict Gold access to passengers flying internationally). In addition, as a passenger arriving from a non-EU country, you can reach the lounge directly via the Arrivals … Dine, unwind or catch up on business at Emirates Business Class lounges and Emirates First Class lounges for up to four hours before your flight.. Lounges were first launched in 1939 by the then-giant airlines as facilities for VIPs and recognized frequent flyers. Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. Unlike the paid membership, this does not include access to any partner airline lounges. The SkyTeam Airline Alliance, made up of Delta, Air France, KLM, and other airlines, offers airport lounge access for certain elite members, as does the Oneworld alliance, which is spearheaded by American Airlines. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. No more lousy airport food and crowded seating while you wait for your flight. It’s worth noting that both of these cards come with large annual fees, so consider if a credit card is how you will get lounge access. Disclaimer: Upgraded Points, LLC and its website, UpgradedPoints.com, provides information on credit cards, reward programs, travel information and ancillary information concerning travel and credit cards.  The information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, tax or legal advice. Passengers traveling on a paid first-class ticket or a first-class award ticket — specifically fare codes: A, D, F, P, or I — can access Alaska lounges on the day of their flight. If you have a Priority Pass Select Card, you’ll also gain access to additional lounges (though without free guest privileges). Bottom Line: Everyone can access airline lounges with a paid membership. It will NOT be published. They are stylish, peaceful spaces designed to allow you to relax before your flight, away from the bustle of the main airport. Having elite status with a specific airline is a popular way to access lounges for many frequent flyers. The majority of these lounge memberships will also allow you to bring your spouse, domestic partner, and/or children with you (or 2 other guests total). Some U.S. carriers, like United and Delta Air Lines, are now requiring an international itinerary to access lounges even with elite status (in some cases, this excludes Mexico, Canada, and the Caribbean). It’s also because most of them include not only snacks and premium drinks, but complimentary Wi-Fi and some exceptionally comfortable spaces that promote relaxation and/or productivity. If you’re traveling internationally, check out Lounge Pass, which sells day passes to hundreds of airport lounges worldwide, including several at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. A FlyerTalk member reported that he asked about this at the business class lounge, and they told him he could buy access for 350QAR (~96USD). But many of them — including Oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam — will let you bring a guest for no additional charge. Opening times. The no-fee airport lounge membership system was by invitation only. Disclaimer: Any comments listed below are not from the bank advertiser, nor have they been reviewed or approved by them. It has been updated to reflect the most current information. As you plan your next visit, learn how we're putting your health and safety at the forefront of your United Club experience. Lounge access for Economy Class passengers You can visit the Lufthansa lounges in Frankfurt and Munich from just 39 euros (limited availability). Many domestic first class passengers wonder whether or not they will have lounge access. We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Instead, you can enjoy peace, tranquility, and everything else you thought only first-class passengers were entitled to! So relax and make yourself at home. Table service dining or buffet-style food 2. Click here to see a list of advertisers that we work with. Due to the stricter entry requirements to gain access to the Concorde Room it is generally a lot quieter than the BA Heathrow First Class lounge. Our online Lounge Finder helps you to identify those lounges you will have access to before a specific flight. Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. They can also bring in a guest or two for free. To gain access to the Concorde lounge you either have to be travelling in First Class, have a Concorde Lounge Card or be invited. Almost all airlines have several tiers of elite status, and they usually require that you meet or exceed their mid-tier elite status before getting lounge access when you fly their airline/alliance. First Class passengers may use a Business Class or frequent flyer lounge if a First Class lounge is not available. At Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, you can buy a day pass to The Club, which proffers shower facilities, free Wi-Fi, and complimentary snacks and beverages for $40. The pass doesn’t guarantee that you’ll gain access to all of the airlines’ lounges, however, so you’ll have to check in advance to make sure. Full Disclosure: We may receive financial compensation when you click on links and are approved for credit card products from our advertising partners. For more information on our advertisers, see here. Complimentary Wi-Fi. While you’re waiting out a long layover, nothing seems more enticing than an airport lounge. Best for: People who don’t mind asking strangers for favors. Click here to see a list of advertisers that we work with. These lounges are typically very crowded due to their popularity. For the safety of our younger guests, each lounge strictly adheres to local laws and regulations regarding the serving of alcoholic beverages. Your Select membership benefits are similar to those of the Prestige level, and all of the Priority Pass levels require payment of $27 for each guest. Best for: Frequent air travelers who take different airlines. Travel Smarter! First Class passengers may invite one guest to join them in the lounge. These lounge memberships can be purchased outright with cash, you can use miles to buy them (usually a bad value! There is only one “free” way to get in – ask someone flying first class to take you in as their guest. Typical benefits at a paid U.S. lounge include: As you enter lounges internationally, you’ll experience much better benefits (even for a paid membership). You can also inquire in the individual airline clubs directly regarding access, including the legacy carriers within the United States. It used to be that all business travelers worth their salt carried a lounge membership card with their preferred airline, often purchased on their company’s dime. The most popular annual lounge memberships are: Your annual membership fee allows access to any of the lounges that are operated by that airline, as well as a number of partner lounges (excluding some first class lounges). Best for: Travelers who want more flexibility than airline lounges provide. Caveat: Before you apply for any credit card, read the fine print to make sure that your spending and traveling habits make getting a card worthwhile. Annual deals look pretty good if you travel often: Check out programs on the airlines you fly the most and on premium credit cards. Another US lounge was closed to Priority Pass members by 3:00 pm. Also, I am finding that more and more lounges I access through my accompanying Priority Pass membership are putting severe restrictions upon the holder. [We Found 12 Options], Full List of U.S. Alaska Lounge Locations, Hours, Amenities, & Partners, Full List of U.S. United Club Lounge Locations, Hours, and Amenities, Full List of American Airlines' Flagship Lounges - Locations, Hours, & More. Lounge memberships usually run between $350 and $500 annually, but they could quickly pay for themselves in comparison to day passes (or having to spend thousands on business or first class tickets). Quiet area. Arrive Early and Unwind. When you spend time in our First Class Lounge in Dubai, you can enjoy special touches while you wait to board. Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card, Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®, Alaska Airlines Review – Seats, Amenities, Customer Service, Baggage Fees, & More, What Are the Best GoPro Alternatives in 2020? Typically, you will need to be flying internationally to get access. The card also provides free entry into Delta Sky Clubs, waives foreign transaction charges, and gives you $200 in credits toward airline fees, such as those imposed for checked bags. Current locations include various airports in Canada, China, Australia, Malaysia, India, and more. If you don’t travel that often, you can pay $299 for 10 free airport lounge visits, with additional visits beyond that costing $32 each. Top airline credit cards, AmEx Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards, and several other premium cards include Priority Pass membership. When you’re the one sinking into a cushy armchair instead of clamoring for a seat at the gate, you’ll be glad to have airport lounge access as a respite from the usual airport irritations. Follow us across social media on YouTube, Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at editor@smartertravel.com! Most of the lounges that sell day passes belong to U.S.-based airlines like Alaska Airlines (Alaska Lounge), American (Admirals Club), and United (United Club). You can only access the Swiss First Class Lounge in Zurich & Geneva if you’re traveling on a Swiss operated and marketed flight. You know where I'm going with this. When it comes to elite status lounge access, I think there are 2 main favorites: Bottom Line: Oneworld has a great selection of first class lounges, while Star Alliance allows domestic U.S. lounge access. However, some airline-branded credit cards give you 2 free lounge passes for every year that you renew your card (like the UnitedSM Explorer Card). This lounge is located in Terminal 1 of Dubai Airport. Immediate family (spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18) or up to 2 guests. The Club also has lounges at 12 other U.S. airports (including in Boston, Las Vegas, Orlando, and Seattle) as well as at London’s Heathrow and Gatwick airports. Note that you may have to pay per visit after a certain threshold, which can get expensive depending on the card you have. Things you buy may earn us a commission. However, the credit card information that we publish has been written by experts who know these products inside out, and what we recommend is what we would (or already) use ourselves. Locations and opening hours . You can enjoy our lounges for an hour before departure during peak times, and two hours off peak. Those perks are mostly gone now, with road warriors finding more flexible ways to gain access to airport lounges (see the “Elite Status” and “Credit Card” sections below). We are the editors of SmarterTravel! This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. And if you add any of your elite statuses, LoungeBuddy will tell you all the lounges you can access, as well as how many complimentary guests you’re allowed to bring in.