A credit card with an airport lounge pass offers complimentary access to exclusive waiting rooms at the airport. This means you can relax in style and comfort before your eligible flights, with popular airport lounge features including Wi-Fi, food and beverages, premium seating and even beds and showers in some locations.
Most cards that offer complimentary airport lounge access provide a limited number of passes for each year you have the card, and a few provide lounge passes as an introductory benefit. Depending on the card and the type of lounge pass available, you may be able to invite a guest or provide access to a supplementary cardholder. Often you will have to meet specific requirements to access this feature, such as spending a certain amount, keeping your account in good standing or requesting the passes directly through your card provider.
While the requirements you need to meet to get lounge access with a credit card vary based on the provider and the airport lounge, some of the most common conditions include:
To get the most value from your credit card with free airport lounge access, you will need to compare the features of each option including:
You don’t necessarily need a credit card to get into a comfy lounge. Many lounges offer access for a flat fee. It’s not a cheap way to do it, but on the other hand it’s easy to rack up expenses over a two- to three-hour wait in departures.
Priority Pass is a scheme that’s open to anybody, and doesn’t depend on your credit card or who you’re flying with. Members simply pay an annual fee to be part of the scheme. If you’re a regular or semi-regular traveller, it’s not a bad idea.
As a member, you can access lounges run by independent operators like Club Aspire Lounge and No1 Lounge, as well as some individual airline lounges. Overall it offers access to 1,200 lounges spread across 500 cities in 140 countries. Within the UK, there are 46 lounges in 28 airports across 23 cities – eight at Heathrow and five at Gatwick.
The design and features of airport lounges vary depending on the company or airline that operates them. But if you’ve never set foot in a lounge and want to know what they offer, here are some of the locations you could gain access to with specific credit cards.
Decorated with crystal chandeliers and classic black and white photographs, the Concorde Room is sadly only available to first-class passengers. The lounge boasts private booths with full waiter service, secluded cabanas equipped with day beds, and an exclusive business suite.
This luxurious lounge provides guests with a variety of exclusive services including a salon and spa offering complimentary haircuts and mini spa treatments, complimentary made-to-order food and pool tables to pass time with friends or fellow guests.
When you visit an American Express lounge, you can treat yourself to complimentary dining and snacks which often includes buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. You can also order soft drinks, cocktails, wine, beer and barista-made coffee from the bar.
This award-winning and massive lounge includes a vast glass dome bringing natural light in, and palm trees around an indoor pond. Priority Pass is a subscription-based service that provides members with access to over 800 lounges around the world.
Airport lounge access is just one small part of an entire credit card package. As well as taking into consideration the level of lounge access each card is offering, don’t forget about comparing that information against the other features and benefits that the credit card comes with.
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