There’s been a lot of buzz around airport lounges lately with the opening of new premium offerings like the Delta Sky Club at Los Angeles International Airport and the United Club at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Frequent flyers love to hype the benefits of spending time in a lounge before takeoff or during a layover ― and they’ve got plenty of tips for getting into these premium spaces for a lower cost.
But for the average traveler, is paying to enter the airport lounge even worth it? Below, experts break down the questions you should ask yourself to determine that.
What are your needs?
“As with most things in travel, airport lounges are a personal decision depending on traveler preferences and priorities,” Casey Brogan, a consumer travel expert at Tripadvisor, told HuffPost. “Many who like the VIP experience believe it is well worth it, but others prefer to spend the money on dining at a nice restaurant.”
When you’re completely exhausted from a long journey, the hustle and bustle of the airport is often the last thing you want to deal with. So if you’re looking for a more comfortable, less crowded place to relax and eat during a long layover or delay, then the lounge might be just what you need.
“Airport lounges can also be worth it for business travelers either coming off a red-eye or headed to a meeting so they can shower, freshen up and change,” Brogan added.
If you’re only in the airport for a short layover and have no interest in eating or drinking alcohol, however, then there’s probably not much point in paying for lounge access. Some travelers might also be more inclined to visit the lounge during only one leg of their trip.
“If you must choose, I think lounges are more beneficial for the return home rather than the outward bound,” said Ravi Roth, host of “The Gaycation Travel Show.” “At the end of a trip, most folks are exhausted and ready for a nap.”
How crowded is the lounge?
“While lounges have historically been a haven within the airport, that’s not necessarily the case right now,” said Zach Griff, senior reporter at The Points Guy. “Many lounges are suffering from overcrowding due to surging travel demand.”
During peak travel periods, it might actually make sense to avoid the lounge and seek space at open gates or less-crowded terminals.
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