Formerly an exclusive retreat only for first-class passengers and high-status loyalty members, airport lounges today are, predominantly, far more accessible. Credit card benefits, paid memberships, and even single-use passes have opened the doors to these coveted escapes from the commotion of busy terminals.
Single-Entry Access
When a first-class ticket isn’t part of your itinerary, rest assured that a lounge stop isn’t out of the question. Airlines including United, American, and Alaska offer single-entry passes for purchase, but they’ll add up on your budget: expect one-time use passes to cost between about $60 to up to $150, depending on the location. Many airlines also offer single-entry access in exchange for airline miles or miles plus cash. Being willing to pay doesn’t guarantee access, however; many lounges limit guest capacity to ensure a pleasant experience for those inside.
Membership Program Benefits
To avoid being turned away when traveling during peak periods, in-the-know lounge goers can opt to book a spot in advance, either through the lounge’s website or through a third-party lounge membership. Priority Pass, for instance, is a lounge membership program that allows travelers to select from hundreds of participating lounges worldwide, regardless of status with a specific airline or their cabin seating, for as low as $99 per year. Not only are the set entry fees for its members lower than some of the same-day pass fees, but travelers can often reserve in advance for guaranteed entry even during busy times. Another membership program, Dragonpass, offers fast-track security lane access in addition to its lounge benefits, including pre-booking.
Luxury Lounges
Travelers who remember the way things once were and find themselves wondering how to rediscover the magic of lounges past, do not despair. Not only do they exist, but some premium lounges are destinations unto themselves, more akin to a luxury retreat than a place to rest before a flight. Think: The Lufthansa First Class Terminal, offering a cigar lounge and bar with more than 100 types of whiskey; Peloton bikes to spin the time away at Virgin Atlantic’s London Heathrow Clubhouse; full-service dining at the Qantas International First Lounge in Los Angeles; and Clarins spa within the Air France lounge, also in Los Angeles. Air France is well-known for luxurious lounges, with the pinnacle being, understandably, in Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport, where the airline’s La Première lounge features Michelin Star chef-driven menus. For lounges not affiliated with a specific airline, Amex Centurion Lounges are widely renowned as some of the most exceptional, with the New York John F. Kennedy International Airport location featuring a speakeasy, and the location in the Denver International Airport offers a craft beer bar and immersive game area.
Whether accessed by membership, pass, or premium ticket class, today’s airport lounges put luxury within reach, while options offering exclusivity and ultimate indulgence continue to evolve at the highest level. Though the landscape has changed in recent years, airlines, airports, and credit card companies continue to work to ensure travelers who desire an elevated experience have options when they fly.
