Are airport lounges getting too crowded?

This year, airport lounges got very crowded, and many business-class travelers or those with airport lounge passes were unable to use lounges due to overcrowding, Andrea Miliani writes for travel website TravelOffPath.



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Credit card access is one of the factors contributing to overcrowding at lounges, said TPG senior credit cards editor Matt Moffitt. Guesting privileges are part of it, too. Also, a lot more people have access due to elite status earned, whether through flying and or credit card spend.

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Premium credit cards have proliferated significantly in the U.S. since 2016. More people buying lounge access in more ways means more people with access. And in general clubs are better, more attractive places to spend time than they used to be. American Express put pressure on airlines to up their game.

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If your same-day outbound flight departs after the lounge closes for the day, we will admit you as early as 3 hours prior to the lounge closing, subject to available capacity. Select lounges may allow access to eligible Card Members with a confirmed reservation for any same-day travel (departure or arrival).

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The Cons of Airline Lounges If the lounge is crowded, you might still be able to find a seat, but you could be waiting longer for drinks and have to put up with more noise. If you decide to take your family on your business trip, which some travelers choose to do, take note that not all lounges are family friendly.

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It's how we make money. But our editorial integrity ensures our experts' opinions aren't influenced by compensation. Terms may apply to offers listed on this page. You can stay overnight and sleep at 24-hour airport lounges, as long as they don't have any rules on how long you stay.

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No, you cannot use the same credit card twice to access the same airport lounge. You can swipe for two different lounges at the same airport. However, you need to wait for some hours if you want to do so.

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You can stay overnight and sleep at 24-hour airport lounges, as long as they don't have any rules on how long you stay. Many airport lounges close at night or limit access to just a few hours before your flight.

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Ask a First Class Flyer There is only one “free” way to get in – ask someone flying first class to take you in as their guest. When someone flies first class, they get access to the lounge. They can also bring in a guest or two for free.

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If you try to check into a lounge and find out it's full, ask the receptionist if there are any other lounges at the airport that are not at capacity. This could help you avoid trekking to a second lounge only to find out that it's also full. You can also check to see if there are any Priority Pass experiences nearby.

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8 ways to get airport lounge access
  1. 1) Buy Priority Pass. ...
  2. 3) Purchase an airline-specific loyalty membership. ...
  3. 4) Get a day pass. ...
  4. 6) Be a guest of somebody with lounge access. ...
  5. 7) Access an airport lounge as an active military member. ...
  6. 8) Get access through an airline's co-branded credit card.


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No, the Priority Pass membership card is not transferable. When you access a lounge, the staff will need to check that the name printed on your membership card matches your boarding pass. The member must also be present for accompanying guests to enter a Priority Pass airport lounge.

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Can my membership card be used by someone else? No. The Priority Pass membership card is non-transferable. When you access a lounge, the staff will check that the name on your card matches your boarding pass.

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Anyone looking to hang out in an airline lounge and work before a flight might find themselves being kicked out—Delta Sky Plus and American Express' Centurion lounges have brought in 3-hour time limits.

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A Priority Pass Select membership includes the option to use US lounges with a same-day ticket. Now, while this is what the terms and conditions say, in practice you'll find that a number of international Priority Pass lounges don't really mind if you come by after your flight.

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You can stay overnight and sleep at 24-hour airport lounges, as long as they don't have any rules on how long you stay. Many airport lounges close at night or limit access to just a few hours before your flight. Go to your airport lounge program's website to review hours and rules at the lounge you want to visit.

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