Spending time in the airport is hardly anyone’s idea of a relaxing vacation, but it is nonetheless a necessity if you want to reach many far-off travel destinations.
To make the air travel experience a little less hectic and stressful, many travelers flock to airport lounges for a beverage, bite or moment of rest before takeoff. Many of these exclusive spaces have become destinations in their own right, like the buzzy new Delta Sky Club at Los Angeles International Airport and United Club at Newark Liberty International Airport.
“Airport lounges can be a great oasis from the hustle and bustle of the terminal,” Zach Griff, senior reporter at The Points Guy, told HuffPost. “While historically these outposts were reserved for members paying annual dues, most lounges are now accessible to a variety of travelers.”
Indeed, you don’t have to splurge on an annual lounge membership or expensive premium cabin ticket to experience the comfort and amenities of an airport lounge. Below, Griff and other travel experts share their tips for getting into the lounge without stretching your budget.
Get a travel credit card
“Certain premium credit cards can get you into the lounge, with no requirement to pay for an annual lounge membership,” Griff said. “American Express has a collection of lounges, some branded as Centurion Lounges, and others as affiliates, such as the Escape Lounge network and Delta Sky Clubs, that allow travelers access into these spaces with no additional payment.”
Many travelers opt for airline-branded credit cards, which offer complimentary or discounted access to those specific airlines’ lounges (in addition to other benefits like extra miles). The Alaska Airlines Visa Signature credit card and various Delta SkyMiles cards are popular examples. Still others, as Griff noted, prefer non-airline-specific travel reward cards that grant access to additional lounge options, like Centurion Lounges.
“I am an owner of the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card, which gives me a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, giving me access to over 1,300 airport lounges around the world,” said travel blogger Sean Lau.
The American Express Platinum Card is another popular choice for travelers, as it includes access to more than 1,400 lounge properties, including Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta). The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card also includes Priority Pass access, but it’s…
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