Airline Lounges
The following is an excerpt from my book about a sweet airline perk, Airline Lounges:
“I’m reclining in a massage chair. I’ve been here for 30 minutes and I’ll be here for 30 more. I’m in my own little world. Relaxing. I’ve already enjoyed two rounds of dim sum and a cold beer. My girlfriend is in a separate cubicle also relaxing in a massage chair. Did I mention we are at the airport?
I know it sounds crazy, but I love going to the airport early. Our flight boards in about an hour. We are not stressed. We are savoring being in the Sakura Lounge. It’s an exclusive airport lounge in Tokyo, and since we used miles to fly Business Class, we have free access to it and the free amenities within: food, beer, liquor, Internet, massage chairs, and plenty of peace and quiet.
Sakura Lounge, Haneda Airport, Tokyo, Japan
Airport Lounges are your gateway to a secret world of comfortable spacious chairs, free beverages (yes this often includes alcohol), and tasty complimentary (another word for free) snacks that will guarantee you will never want to go back to the cattle call areas where the uninformed masses congregate.”
Plane delayed? You could be here:
Or here.
“You may be surprised to find that almost every airline has a lounge, just not in every airport. Simply ask someone at the ticket counter where their airline lounge is and cruise over there.
When it comes to accessing Airline Lounges, you have a number of options:
Traveling on an International First or Business Class Ticket – You get complimentary access on the day of your flight. This includes paid and award tickets. So that’s another reason to book a First/Business Class award.
Elite Status – Those who have mid-level or above Elite Status are generally granted access to their airline’s club lounges and often alliance lounges as well, even on an Economy Class ticket, so long as they are flying internationally. Rules can vary. Check your preferred airline for their specific airline lounge policies.
Traveling with Someone Who Has a Membership – Members of American Airlines, Delta, United Airlines, and/or U.S. Airways are allowed to bring two guests or their immediate family into the lounge with them.
One-Day Passes – These can be purchased at the airport lounge, they are sold for $50 USD.
Yearly Memberships – Yearly memberships generally cost around $500 (although they often run specials). You may feel like you don’t want to pay this extra fee, but an airport lounge can be the difference between an awful layover with an extremely uncomfortable wait in the main airport or a chance to relax, catch up on some e-mail (using the free Wi-Fi or PCs), watch TV, grab a shower (yes many really do have showers), eat some snacks, have some drinks and get some business done if necessary. Some lounges, like Heathrow’s British Airways First, even have spas with masseuses!
Priority Pass Membership – Similar to buying a yearly club membership, except Priority Pass gives you access to more than 600 lounges worldwide that span various airlines (and even some independent lounges) instead of just from one airline. For example, at Los Angeles International Airport, you would have access to any of the following lounges: U.S. Airways Club, Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, Air France Business Class Lounge, United Club, Alaska Airlines Board Room, Relax Lounge, and/or the Skyteam KAL Business Class Lounge. Priority Pass has a few levels of membership, starting at $99 per year with a $27 per visit fee all the way up to $399 per year for a Prestige membership where all visits are included free. Some AMEX cards even give you Priority Pass membership free as one of their benefits. Currently the Platinum AMEX, the Morgan Stanley Smith Barney Platinum AMEX, the Ritz-Carlton AMEX, and the Mercedes-Benz Platinum AMEX all provide this benefit.
Having the Right Credit Card – Having the right credit card will give you access to Airline Lounges. In addition to the AMEX cards listed above, American, Delta, and United all have at least one co-branded credit card that will entail the bearer to free lounge access. These cards include the Citi AAdvantage World Elite Mastercard, Delta Reserve AMEX, and the Chase United MileagePlus Club Card.
Not All Lounges Are Created Equal
Yes, it’s true. Some lounges are far nicer than others. However, when it comes to International Lounges, even the average ones usually have complimentary drinks (water, juice, soda, beer, coffee drinks, liquor) and snacks ranging from bags of chips, to cookies, to apples, etc., and even small prepared finger sandwiches. They also include their own fancy bathrooms, comfortable club chairs, sofas, Wi-Fi, and are much quieter than the rest of the airport.
The best lounges, Heathrow British Airways First Class Lounge, for example, have full bars, nice wine selections, sit-down restaurants with wait staff, free internet, a salon with massages, showers, complimentary haircuts and possibly other perks I have yet to discover. Remember all of the above is free!
Keep in mind, international lounges like Heathrow have way more perks than domestic ones. Some domestic lounges charge for food and drinks, just like the rest of the airport.
Make sure you ask what amenities the lounge offers and also check which airports they have locations in so if you choose a yearly membership, it can be in places you are most likely to frequent.
Now you know the secret and you can start your vacation even before your flight leaves.”
What kind of airline lounge experiences have you had? Please share in the commments below.
