They often offer free snacks and other food choices, plus drinks, including alcoholic beverages. These food and drink offerings come at no extra cost to you. An airport lounge is a good stop if you're feeling hungry before boarding the plane and don't want to overpay for a meal.

Whether you pay for drinks in an airport lounge depends entirely on the type of lounge and the tier of service offered. In the vast majority of premium airline lounges (like those for First and Business Class passengers) and many "pay-per-use" lounges (like Priority Pass or Centurion), standard alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are completely complimentary. This typically includes self-service soda fountains, coffee, tea, house wines, and standard beers. However, many "independent" or third-party lounges have introduced a "tiered" system where house beverages are free, but premium spirits, "top-shelf" liquors, and vintage champagnes require an additional payment. In some domestic U.S. lounges (like certain United Clubs or Admirals Clubs), you might be given "drink chits" for a limited number of free alcoholic beverages, with subsequent rounds being charged to your card. Always check the lounge's "amenities" list upon entry, but generally, you can expect at least a basic selection of drinks to be included in your entry fee or membership.