If you’re a frequent flyer, taking time out in an airport lounge can be a welcome relief from the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal. But frequent visits can quickly become expensive, which is why it can be worth considering a bank account that includes free or discounted access as one of its perks. Below is an overview of some of the best bank accounts that come with airport lounge access. You’ll need to pay a monthly fee for many of these accounts, so it’s important to compare all of their features carefully to see whether the fee is worth paying before you apply. We also have a guide on the LoungeKey airport programme that gives access to 1,250 lounges when you have a participating Mastercard credit card.
The Revolut Premium plan offers discounted airport lounge access in return for a monthly fee of £7.99. You can purchase your airport lounge access through the Revolut app, with the option of buying up to 10 passes so that you can take guests with you. The price of your pass will be shown in the app and each pass is valid for one visit. Guests must arrive with you, not separately. Further benefits of the account include earning 1 RevPoint per £4 spent which can be turned into travel perks such as air miles, and fee-free currency exchange on weekdays.
Pros
Fee-free spending in the UK and abroad
Everyday protection insurance covering purchases costing £50 or more
Open the Revolut Metal plan and you'll be able to buy discounted airport lounge passes through the app. You can have up to 10 passes at any time, with each pass valid for one visit. Guests must arrive at the lounge with you to be admitted. The Metal plan costs £14.99 a month, but you'll also earn 1 RevPoint for every £2 spent which can be turned into travel perks such as air miles. Plus, you'll benefit from fee-free currency exchange on weekdays, global medical insurance, delayed flight and lost luggage insurance, winter sports cover, car hire excess insurance and personal liability cover.
This account from NatWest can be upgraded to a Premier Reward Black account, which costs £36 a month. With it you can access more than 1,000 airport lounges worldwide through DragonPass Premier+. You'll also be able to pre-book your spot for a fee of £5 and add guests for £24 per person. As well as that, the account includes worldwide family travel insurance, fee-free spending abroad, UK and European car breakdown cover, home emergency cover and mobile phone insurance. You'll be able to earn £9 a month back in Rewards if you have 2 direct debits on the account, and £1 a month for logging in to the NatWest app. A concierge service and cinema discounts are also included.
Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 34.49% EAR variable. Account fee of £36 per month.
Pros
Huge range of benefits including travel insurance, a concierge service, airport lounge access, mobile phone insurance, breakdown cover, and home emergency cover
Opportunity to earn £10 a month in Rewards, reducing the monthly fee
Fee-free spending abroad
FSCS protected
Cons
High monthly fee
You’ll need to meet strict criteria to be eligible for Premier
You might not use all the benefits and it could be cheaper to pay for them separately
You'll need to pay £36 a month to upgrade to a Premier Reward Black account from RBS, but you do get a host of travel rewards in return. Opening this account gives you access to over 1,000 international airport lounges with Dragon Pass Premier+. If you want to pre-book, you can do so for a fee of £5, and if you're taking a guest, you can buy an additional pass for £24. On top of this, the account offers worldwide family travel insurance, UK and European car breakdown cover, home emergency cover and mobile phone insurance. Plus, you can earn RBS Rewards if you set up 2 direct debits on your account and log in to your mobile app each month.
Representative example: If you use an arranged overdraft of £1,200, you'll be charged interest at 34.49% EAR variable. Account fee of £36 per month.
Pros
Cons
Switch service guarantee
Yes
Account fees
£36 per month
Overseas card transactions
0%
Account fees
£36 per month
Interest (AER)
0% AER
Bottom line
Airport lounge access can be a handy perk to have as part of your bank account if you use it regularly. However, as many of these accounts charge monthly fees or require you to sign up to a credit card to get access, you’ll need to weigh up whether this is worth it before you choose your account. Make sure you consider all the other features of the account and how beneficial they will be before you apply.
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Rachel Wait is a freelance journalist and has been writing about personal finance for more than a decade, covering everything from insurance to mortgages. She has written for a range of personal finance websites and national newspapers, including The Observer, The Mail on Sunday, The Sun and the Evening Standard. Rachel is a keen baker in her spare time.
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