Is it worth buying a lounge pass?

Bottom Line. Airport lounges are generally worth the effort to get in, whether as provided by your airline ticket, credit card or elite status. The benefits are truly there, from the basics like Wi-Fi, clean restrooms, beverages and a place to sit, to sit down meals and premium beverages.



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The biggest downside with airport lounges, especially in recent years, is the crowds. Lounges are far from exclusive, since so many credit cards offer access. There are several ways this can dampen the lounge experience: There can be long lines to check in to popular lounges.

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Lounges often offer a quiet space to escape the hectic environment of the rest of the airport. You'll find comfortable, spacious seating and less crowded restrooms. Relax while you recharge your devices at your very own charging station.

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Airport lounges are exclusive locations within airports where travelers can access benefits such as free food, Wi-Fi, and in some cases even showers. Airport lounges fall into three categories.

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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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Lounges typically set food up in a way where you can help yourself as needed. 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.

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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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You can save money on food Lounges typically set food up in a way where you can help yourself as needed. 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.

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In our airport guides, we include lounges that economy-class travellers can access by paying at the door, purchasing a lounge pass or joining a lounge membership program.

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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.

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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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Best Credit Cards With Lounge Access
  • Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Best Card With Lounge Access for Families.
  • Chase Sapphire Reserve®: Best Card With Lounge Access.
  • Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card: Best Delta Card With Lounge Access.


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You can get free access to an airline lounge by redeeming miles or opening a credit card with lounge benefits. Airline elite status also comes with lounge benefits. If you're a U.S. military member on active duty, you might qualify for free lounge access with select airlines.

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Pubs, bars, and lounges all serve alcohol for patrons, but at a lounge, you often get a more upscale drinks menu with house-designed cocktails and access to a mixologist. Bars tend to be rowdier with louder music than lounges. Their focus is often on getting drunk and wild.

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Centurion Lounges are definitely a worthwhile benefit if you're able to use them three or four times per year. I'd estimate that visiting the Centurion Lounges in both Dallas and Denver saved me $180+ on food and alcohol.

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How can I find out if my issuer provides me with complimentary lounge visits? If your issuer provides complimentary lounge visits, there will be a “Complimentary Visit” section under My Information on the app and under My Account on the web.

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Anyone can access airport lounges if you have a membership that allows access, a certain level of airline loyalty status or day pass. This means you can access thousands of lounges throughout the world, without necessarily having a first-class ticket. Today, anyone with lounge access can consider themselves a VIP.

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Lounge members can often arrange a pass through the airline. But outside of that, if you don't have a departing boarding pass for that airport and that day, you can't go through security to get to a lounge.

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