It’s hard to find anything glamorous or good to say about the typical run-up to a flight. You lug your overstuffed carry-on through screening stations and on a mile-long march through the airport. Then, you get to jockey for a crumb-covered seat (or free USB plug) at the gate and try to find a bottle of water and snack that gives you change on a $20 bill.
No thanks!
There’s a better way. You might even find some moments of pre-flight relaxation if you know how to work an airport lounge. For those with access, these amenities can be an oasis inside the frenetic realm of airports. Have a comfortable seat, sip a glass (make that two) of wine, nibble at the buffet, and charge your electronics with minimal competition. Heck, you might even be able to get a mani or take a shower if you’re killing time during a layover.
Some of us may balk, thinking these lounges are beyond our reach, but in truth, there are an array of often affordable ways to waltz into a lounge. Consider these smart strategies to gain entry.
Read more: Gifts for Women Who Love to Travel
1. Carry the Right Credit Card
One of the most accessible routes to airport lounge access is through certain credit cards. Many premium credit cards (the ones you love for their cash back or hotel points) offer complimentary lounge memberships as a perk. These cards often target frequent travelers and come with a range of benefits tailored to make the journey smoother and more chill.
For instance, American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve are two popular options that welcome you to a vast network of lounges worldwide, including those affiliated with Priority Pass and Centurion Lounges. By simply holding one of these cards, you may be able to sashay through airport security and unwind in style before your flight.
2. Purchase a Day Pass
If you like to keep your options open or simply don’t travel often enough to make a premium credit card worth the membership fees, purchasing a day pass is a fantastic option. Many airport lounges allow travelers to buy single-day access, providing all the amenities and comforts enjoyed by frequent flyers.
A lounge can give you more for your money (Champagne bar, sushi, warm chocolate-chip cookies) plus peace and quiet
Day passes typically range from $50 to $100, depending on the lounge and its offerings. While it may seem like an additional expense, think about it: If you have a cocktail and a meal at an airport restaurant, boom! You’ve probably already spent a bundle. And a lounge can give you more for your money (Champagne bar, sushi, a cheese board, warm chocolate-chip cookies, etc.), plus reliable WiFi, quiet, and other amenities, like less crowded restrooms.
3. Join a Lounge Membership Program
If heading to the airport is a regular part of your life, it could be a smart strategy to join a lounge membership program. These programs typically offer varying levels of access and benefits, so you can pay for what you need, whether that means unlimited visits, guest privileges, or discounts on additional, travel-related services.
Popular membership programs like Priority Pass and LoungeKey provide access to a global network of lounges, ensuring that wherever your travels take you (perhaps NextTribe’s upcoming trip to Paris?), a tranquil spot is never far away. Programs can range from approximately $99 to $499 a year, depending on what perks you are seeking. Additionally, some airlines offer their own lounge membership programs, granting members exclusive access to their branded lounges worldwide.
4. Travel with a Friend or Family Member
Sharing is caring, right? Flying with a companion can open doors to airport lounge access, even for those without elite status or premium credit cards. Many lounges allow guests of members to accompany them. So if you and your bestie are traveling to Scotland together, she may be able to bring you along into her lounge. That can be an excellent way to start your trip out right.
Travel with a bestie who belongs to a lounge for easy access.
Just note that most lounge programs don’t allow you to bring more than a guest or two at a time. In other words, if 10 of you are heading to Tulum for a big birthday, you likely can’t all squeeze into the lounge on one membership. This could be the time to deploy a day pass instead.
5. Use Elite Status or Loyalty Program Benefits
For frequent flyers who have achieved elite status (Congrats!) or hold membership in airline loyalty programs, access to airport lounges may be included as a complimentary perk. Airlines often reward their most loyal customers with exclusive privileges, including access to premium lounges with amenities such as showers, private suites, and gourmet dining options. I have seen people enjoying quite the steak dinner in a lounge at JFK recently and was actually a tad jealous I didn’t have enough time before my flight to partake.
Airport lounges aren’t for everyone; I shunned them for decades until I reached my late midlife “Why not? I’m worth it” epiphany. Spend a little time searching online, and see if you don’t find something that could make your pre-flight countdown more gracious and even a little glamorous.
0 Comments