Is it worth going to an airport lounge?

Knowing that you'll have a comfortable and relaxing place to go after the stress of airport security may change how you feel about your trip. For many travelers, an airport lounge experience helps to reduce anxiety and makes spending time at the airport more enjoyable — which helps to start their trip off right.



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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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You can save money on food 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.

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Each pass has a time limit of 3 – 12 hours depending on the lounge and the pass purchased. Should you wish to stay longer, you can always negotiate with the lounge staff directly to extend your stay. This will be subject to availability and the cost may be different.

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What do lounges offer? Lounges are often filled with complimentary amenities such as premium food and snacks, fully stocked bars, modern shower facilities, fast WiFi, plentiful power outlets and secure business centers.

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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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  1. Use cards that give free lounge access. ...
  2. Buy a third-party lounge pass. ...
  3. Buy one-time access to a lounge for as low as $23. ...
  4. Find free access with the LoungeBuddy app. ...
  5. Get free access as an active military member. ...
  6. Get an airline or alliance lounge membership. ...
  7. Gain entry with elite points status. ...
  8. Gain access with your ticket.


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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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Airport lounge access requires a membership, day pass or qualifying airline ticket. Business and first-class passengers often get free access to airline lounges, as do elite members and some U.S. military personnel. The access policy varies by airline.

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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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In other words, smart-casual is a good rule of thumb to follow when deciding what to wear in an airport lounge. This means being neat and presentable without being too formal. However, you will find that there are several airport lounges that don't care what you wear as long as you're not offending anyone.

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Some lounges don't allow you to take food and beverages from the lounge. However, some won't mind if you take a couple of sealed items like bags of crisps, a yogurt or bottled soft drinks for your onward journey.

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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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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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Each pass has a time limit of 3 – 12 hours depending on the lounge and the pass purchased. Should you wish to stay longer, you can always negotiate with the lounge staff directly to extend your stay. This will be subject to availability and the cost may be different.

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Yes, it's possible to get Priority Pass for “free, but this kind of membership comes through a credit card with an annual fee.

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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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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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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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When you book into an airport lounge you will be able to enjoy a variety of complimentary meals, snacks and drinks before boarding your flight. Although food and snack items may vary within each lounge, there's usually a great selection of sandwiches, cakes and biscuits to choose from.

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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. If you do not have any complimentary visits, this section will not display.

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