Both Sky Club and Centurion lounges also have restrictions on when you can enter (only within three hours of the flight's departure time). If your preferred airport doesn't have a credit card-affiliated or airline-branded lounge, not all hope is lost.

In 2026, the standard rule for most airport lounges (including Priority Pass, Amex Centurion, and many airline-specific clubs) is that you can enter up to 3 hours before your scheduled departure time. This "3-hour rule" was implemented by major providers like American Express and Delta to manage overcrowding. If you arrive earlier, the check-in desk will typically ask you to wait. However, there are exceptions: if you have a layover/connection, you are usually allowed to stay in the lounge for the duration of your transit, even if it exceeds three hours. Additionally, some high-end international First Class lounges (like those in Dubai or Singapore) allow much longer stays. If your flight is delayed after you have already entered, you are almost always permitted to stay until your flight boards. Always check the specific terms of your membership or ticket, as some "landside" lounges or arrivals lounges may have different policies.