How to get into posh airport lounges with an economy ticket
Independent lounge programs, pay-per-visit lounges and credit card perks all offer access without a Business Class ticket
TOM Hanks made hanging out in an airport look fun in The Terminal, but the reality is far from what was depicted in the Hollywood movie if you’re flying Economy.
It’s busy, people are angry, there are queues for restaurants and everything costs an arm and a leg.
The situation is even worse during a layover, when you’re already cranky from being cramped in cattle class and are trying to keep yourself awake for another sleepless and uncomfortable flight.
But there is hope – the airport lounge is an oasis of calm, where people dine on free buffet food while drinking complimentary booze and reading free magazines.
Best of all, you don’t even need to be booked into a fancy Business Class or First Class seat to get into one of these lounges nowadays.
You just need to be willing to pay for it — and it isn’t as expensive as you might think.
Here are some of the easiest ways to get into an airport lounge this summer if you’re flying on an Economy ticket…
INDEPENDENT AIRPORT LOUNGE PROGRAMS
An easy way to gain access to thousands of airport lounges around the world, no matter what carrier or class you fly, is by signing up to an independent airport lounge program that isn't affiliated with any particular airline or airport.
This means you can use airport lounge facilities regardless of which airline you’re flying or which travel class you’ve booked.
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Priority Pass is the largest of these programs available, with partnerships with more than 1000 airport lounges worldwide, and to get access, all you need to do is sign up to one of its three membership plans.
Based on how frequently you travel, you can sign up to its Standard membership for an annual fee of £69, its Standard Plus membership for an annual fee of £158 or its Prestige membership for an annual fee of £259.
The difference between each class of membership is how many “free” airport lounge visits you get per year. Otherwise you have to pay an entry charge of £15 at the lounge door.
Not ready for an annual commitment? Another independent airport lounge program is Loungebuddy — a free app launched in 2013.
After asking you to fill out a profile that includes your itinerary, credit cards, current frequent flyer memberships, and other loyalty programs, Loungebuddy will give you a list of lounges you are eligible to access on your trip.
PAY-PER-VISIT AIRPORT LOUNGES
Or you could ditch the airline lounges and opt for an independent lounge itself - No1 Lounges is one example that is open to all travellers regardless of airline or travel class.
They have a collection of lounges to suit all tastes in four of the UK's leading airports.
You don’t need to have a membership to gain access into a No1 Lounge, you can just pay on entry. The cost depends on how long you wish to stay and which airport lounge you’re at.
For example, you can have access to the No1 Lounge at Birmingham Airport for £26 per adult or £16 per child, or pay £30 for access to the No1 Lounge facilities at London Gatwick’s North Terminal.
ONE-OFF AIRLINE LOUNGE VISITS
Some airlines are starting to offer one-off lounge visits themselves nowadays.
Some of the full-service international gulf airlines — Etihad and Emirates — allow anyone, regardless of class, who are flying on their airline to pay for lounge access at some airport lounges.
Etihad offers economy travellers the chance to pay for access to their business or first class lounges in nine major airports worldwide, including Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Paris, London and Abu Dhabi.
Prices vary from airport to airport and which class of lounge, but it will cost you from $99 (£78 ) to access Etihad’s Premium Lounge at Sydney Airport, from $75 (£59) to access the Premium Lounge at New York, or from £45 to get into Etihad’s Heathrow Premium Lounge.
However, lounge access only opens three hours before your scheduled flight departure, except for at the Abu Dhabi Premium Business Class Lounge, which is open 24 hours but only available for walk-in access during off peak hours.
The cost of entry to Abu Dhabi lounge is based on a time limit, starting from £80 for two hours.
Those flying economy with Emirates can pay to access the airline’s lounges at Dubai International Airport, where it costs US$100 (£78) to access the Emirates Business Class lounge or $200 (£157) to access the Emirates First Class Lounge for four hours.
However, you must sign up to their free loyalty program, Emirates Skywards to be eligible and your onwards flight must also be with Emirates.
FREE ACCESS WITH CREDIT CARDS
Certain airport credit cards provide free access to airport lounges.
For example, the Amex Preferred Rewards Gold card gives free membership to the Lounge Club scheme, providing two free visits a year at its affiliated lounges for the card holder and a guest.
HSBC Premier card holders can get access to four HSBC airport lounges globally – two in Brazil, one in Istanbul and one in Mexico City.
Other popular credit cards that include airport lounge access are the American Express Platinum card, Citi Prestige and Citi Executive cards and Diners International cards.