If you’ve travelled through an airport any time recently, chances are you spotted the relative tranquility of an airport lounge and thought ‘Next time, I’m doing that’.
And with the stress and hassle of travelling through modern airports, a bit of a travel upgrade can make the whole experience much less daunting and overwhelming.
But when it comes to airport lounge access, you’ve got a lot of choice. Prices vary, some lounges offer different perks and other aren’t even that good once you’ve paid the money.
So choosing how to get airport lounge access comes with it’s own little pre-travel hassle. But we’ve got you covered in this article…
We’re going to look at a couple of the best options for airport lounge access and help you decide which one offers the best deal. We’ll even share a few tips about how to get cheap airport lounge access! Read on…
What are the best options for airport lounge access?
When it comes to choosing your airport lounge access, there are a two big players in the market. These are:
There are other options, but these two are the best, as we’ll explain now.
Priority Pass is by far the largest provider of airport lounge access with something in the region of 1,300 passes available to their customers.
Lounge Pass has over half the amount of lounges, a total of around 600. But don’t let that put you off… Most airports the standard traveller may encounter will be available as part of a Lounge Pass plan.
Priority Pass: Whats the deal?
As the biggest of the airport lounge packages, the benefits of Priority Pass include:
- Global Lounge Access: Priority Pass provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges across the globe, making it one of the largest lounge access programs available. Members can enjoy the comforts and amenities of lounges in various airports, regardless of the airline or ticket class.
- Comfort and Relaxation: With Priority Pass, travelers can escape the crowded and noisy terminal environment and retreat to the tranquil ambiance of airport lounges. These lounges offer comfortable seating, quiet spaces, and a peaceful atmosphere, allowing members to relax and recharge before their flights.
- Exclusive Amenities: Priority Pass members are treated to a range of exclusive amenities in airport lounges. These may include complimentary refreshments, snacks, and even full meals. Many lounges offer alcoholic beverages, hot and cold drinks, and a variety of food options to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.
- Productivity and Convenience: Priority Pass recognizes the needs of business travelers and offers facilities and services to enhance productivity. Lounges often provide amenities such as Wi-Fi access, power outlets, workstations, and business services like printing and faxing, enabling members to stay connected and work efficiently while waiting for their flights.
- Flexible Membership Options: Priority Pass offers different membership options to suit various travel needs. They provide annual memberships with unlimited lounge visits, as well as options with a set number of visits per year or pay-per-use passes for occasional travelers. This flexibility allows individuals to choose the membership plan that best aligns with their travel frequency and preferences.
If you’re a regular traveller then the pricing for Priority Pass will likely make a lot of sense.
Prices work out like this:
| Standard | Standard Plus | Prestige |
| Ideal for casual travellers | Perfect for regular travellers | Made for business travellers |
| Pay per visit £24 or $35 Guests visit for £24 or $35 per visit | 10 FREE visits, afterwards £24 or $35 per visit Guest visits £24 or $35 each | Member visits ALL FREE for duration Guest visits £24 or $35 each |
| £69/$99 per year | £229/$329 per year | £419/$469 per year |
| BUY NOW | BUY NOW | BUY NOW |
To put it simply – if you’re travelling regularly and want to access cheap and quality airport lounges, Priority Pass is a good deal. It’s also ideal if you’re travelling across North America, Europe and major cities in Asia.
If you’re looking at those prices and wondering if that’s kinda expensive, then yes we get you. You do need to subscribe to get the cheaper visit price.
And if you’re wondering about the downsides?
- Most lounges only allow 3 hours access. So if your flight is delayed or you arrive very early, you can’t stay longer than your allotted time.
- Food quality is variable between lounges. Because every lounge is operated by a different company, there are no standards applied. So while one lounge may have exceptional food and coffee, the next might be a bit of a damp squib.
- While coverage is excellent worldwide, there is patchy coverage in some places such as North America. Take a look at Priority Pass coverage before you sign up if you’re expecting to head to more obscure destinations.
Sign up for Priority Pass here.
Lounge Pass: Whats the Deal?
If you’re looking to buy airport lounge passes but don’t want the annual subscription then your best bet is going to be Lounge Pass.
No need to pay a membership fee, just buy the access you want when you want it.
So here is a summary of the benefits of Lounge Pass.
- Enhanced Travel Experience: LoungePass allows travelers to enjoy a comfortable and relaxing environment in airport lounges, away from the hustle and bustle of crowded terminals. This service is particularly beneficial during long layovers or delays, providing a sanctuary where passengers can unwind, work, or refresh themselves before their next flight.
- Exclusive Amenities: Airport lounges typically offer a range of amenities, such as comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, Wi-Fi access, charging points, newspapers, magazines, and sometimes even showers and spa facilities. LoungePass grants users access to these premium facilities, enhancing their overall travel experience.
- Global Coverage: LoungePass provides access to a wide network of airport lounges in 600 airports across the world. Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, you can find a lounge at airports in many destinations, ensuring you have access to the service wherever your journey takes you.
- Convenience: Booking access to airport lounges through LoungePass is a straightforward process. Users can easily make reservations online, allowing them to secure lounge access in advance and have peace of mind during their travels.
- Time and Cost Savings: While some lounges offer membership options, LoungePass offers a more flexible solution by allowing travelers to pay per visit. This can be cost-effective for occasional travelers who may not need frequent lounge access. Additionally, using an airport lounge can help save time by avoiding crowded seating areas and long queues at restaurants or cafés in the airport.
- Personalized Service: LoungePass focuses on delivering a personalized experience to its users. They provide detailed information about each lounge, including amenities, opening hours, and user reviews, helping travelers make informed decisions based on their preferences and needs.
So as you see, the coverage may be less with LoungePass, but you still get the same access and service without the membership fee.
The trade off though is on the visit fees. LoungPass will basically charge you full price, which can be anything from £13.50/$18 all the way up to over £40/$50 or $60 per visit.
This will obviously depend on the airport and the lounge, with many airports offering a choice between a higher priced premium airport lounge and a slightly cheaper option.
As such there is no pricing tier here. Just search, book and go…
Check out Lounge Pass airport lounges here.
How to choose your airport lounge
If you’re a regular traveller, then it makes sense to use Priority Pass as their membership fee makes airport lounge much more cost effective. This is especially true if you’re spending time in high cost locations such as Dubai, London or Singapore.
Example costs for these locations are:
- Singapore Changi: Between £22 – £44 / $28 – $55 for up to 6 hours
- Dubai: £28 to £45 / $35 to $58 (or more for sleep and fly)
- London Heathrow: £35-40 /$44 -$50
As you can see, compared to the £24/$35 access fee with Priority Pass, you can grab quite a discount.
North American airport lounges are vary in price, from absolute bargains to hefty. For example, Miami Airport offers a relatively cheap airport lounge access at £29/$36, while many others are upwards of $40 or more.
If you’re travelling across Asia, Africa, South America and even much of Europe, it’s almost worth just buying when you need from LoungePass.
The best idea is to check the locations you’re most likely to fly to on a regular basis and weigh up whether membership with PriorityPass makes sense for you.
