5 ways to ensure you have lounge access before your next flight

Airports can be chaotic: long security lines, overpriced food, crowded waiting areas, endless announcements and the stress of repeatedly checking the departure board. Stepping into an airport lounge can be a transformative experience. A lounge offers a (usually) quiet place to relax, complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, charging stations, and sometimes even showers or spa services.

So, how do you ensure you can access a lounge before your next flight? Here are five ways.

Fly in a premium cabin

One of the most straightforward ways to gain lounge access is to fly in business or first class. Most airlines provide lounge access to premium-cabin passengers on international flights, regardless of whether the ticket was paid for with cash or miles.

Nearly all major airlines offer lounge access to passengers flying internationally in first or business class. Your boarding pass will typically indicate eligibility, or you’ll receive lounge details at check-in.

Some airlines, such as All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, offer lounge access for premium economy passengers. However, this is not common across the industry.

Unlike international flights, domestic first-class tickets do not generally include lounge access. Carriers like Delta Air Lines, United Airlines and American Airlines require elite status, a credit card benefit or a lounge membership for access.

Before you fly, check your airline’s policy to confirm whether your ticket includes lounge privileges.

Have airline status

Frequent flyers with the right elite status can often access lounges even when flying in economy class (at least internationally). Each airline has different status levels, lounge options and access rules, so it’s best to check if your elite status will provide access at a certain airport.

If you have elite status with an airline that is part of an alliance, such as Oneworld or Star Alliance, you will usually also be able to access the lounges of other alliance member airlines.

For example, passengers with United MileagePlus Premier Gold (or higher) status can access any Star Alliance lounge when flying on a Star Alliance partner airline, such as Lufthansa or Singapore Airlines.

Oneworld elite members (such as American Airlines AAdvantage Platinum and Executive Platinum members) can access partner lounges when flying with a Oneworld carrier.

If you hold Delta Medallion Platinum or Diamond status, you can access SkyTeam lounges when flying internationally — with a few notable exceptions like the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in London, where you’ll need to be flying in Premium Select (premium economy) or Delta One.

Elite status-based lounge access varies by airline, alliance and route, so it’s best to check the airline’s lounge directory before traveling. Many airlines will have a handy lounge checker on their website that shows you if you have access based on your status and ticket type.

Related: Your guide to Star Alliance airlines, lounges and elite status

Purchase a lounge membership

Many airlines will offer a paid lounge membership, regardless of your status and class of ticket. These memberships can be expensive, so they are most beneficial for travelers who fly enough to use them regularly but wouldn’t otherwise gain access via status or premium tickets.

Again, each airline has its own rules about when and how you can access each lounge with a paid membership. Access is often restricted to the airline’s lounges, and you will likely need a ticket on either that airline or a partner airline.

Related: A guide to guest policies for airport lounges

Examples of airline lounge memberships include:

• United Club membership: Grants access to United Club locations and select partner lounges worldwide.
• Admirals Club membership: Allows access to Admirals Club lounges when flying on American or a partner airline.
• Delta Sky Club membership: Only valid when flying on Delta or a SkyTeam partner. However, recent policy changes have imposed stricter entry requirements, including limiting visits for certain members.

There are also independent (paid) lounge programs like Priority Pass and LoungeKey, which provide access to a large number of airport lounges around the world. The upside of this type of program is that you can access its lounges regardless of the airline or class of service. Best of all, it may be a perk on your travel credit card (more on that shortly).

Some Priority Pass lounges belong to carriers like Air France, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa and Turkish Airlines. In contrast, others are not associated with a specific carrier. If in doubt, check your specific airports ahead of time on the Priority Pass website (or app) to see which options might be available to you and what amenities they have.

Remember that some lounges may restrict entry to members when they are full and prioritize higher-class or higher-status passengers. You may be able to prebook your spot by paying an additional fee in advance, though this isn’t widespread.

Use a credit card with lounge access perks

Even if you don’t have status and are flying in economy, you can access lounges before your flight just by holding the right credit card.

Cards with Priority Pass membership

These cards provide access to Priority Pass lounges, which operate independently of airlines and are available at more than 1,300 locations worldwide:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve®
• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment is required)

Cards that offer other lounge access

These cards grant access to airline-branded lounges:

• The Platinum Card from American Express* and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express* offer access to American Express Centurion lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (limited annual visits when flying Delta), Aspire lounges, Escape lounges, Plaza Premium lounges and select Lufthansa lounges.
• Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® (see rates and fees) offers Admirals Club access (must have a same-day boarding pass for an eligible flight).
• The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card** and Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card** offer access to Centurion lounges and Delta Sky Clubs (limited annual visits).
• The United Club℠ Infinite Card offers access to United Club lounges, plus select Star Alliance lounges when flying with United or its partners.
• There are others, so check your favorite airline to see if it has a card that will provide lounge access.

Be sure to check if your card requires same-day boarding passes or has guest restrictions before heading to a lounge.

Note that as of Feb. 1, Delta Air Lines tightened lounge access for elite members and those with access from credit cards; thankfully, the carrier ultimately walked back some of the initial restrictions.

*Eligible Amex Platinum cardholders will receive 10 visits to Delta Sky Club or Delta Grab and Go locations per eligible Amex Platinum card per year when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.

**Eligible Delta Reserve and Reserve Business cardholders will receive 15 visits to Delta Sky Club or Delta Grab and Go locations per eligible Reserve card per year when traveling on a same-day Delta-operated flight.

Related: Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Buy a one-time lounge pass

Some lounges sell single-entry passes for certain passengers.

Airline-run lounges may sell passes only to those passengers flying on that airline (or a partner airline) who do not have access due to their class of service or lack of elite status. Alaska Airlines, for example, allows passengers to purchase day passes (typically around $65). However, not all airline lounges offer this option.

Third-party lounges often sell lounge passes to anyone regardless of the airline or the passenger’s destination. You may be able to purchase a pass online in advance or swipe your credit card at the entrance.

Companies like Plaza Premium, The Club and Escape all sell access for a fixed fee, regardless of airline or ticket class. You can prebook lounge access via sites like Priority Pass and Plaza Premium.

Keep in mind that purchased lounge access is subject to availability: During peak hours, lounges may turn away paying guests in favor of airline elite members and premium ticket holders.

Bottom line

Airport lounges offer a comfortable escape from the usual terminal chaos, and you don’t need to fly first class to get in.

By leveraging credit cards, elite status, memberships or paid access, you can secure lounge entry before your next flight. Be sure to check each lounge’s access policies, as some may have restrictions based on crowding, time of day or airline partnerships.

Related reading:

• The best credit cards for airport lounge access
• The ultimate guide to American Airlines Admirals Club access
• The do’s and don’ts in an airport lounge
• The best credit cards to reach elite status
• Domestic lounges that are worth going out of your way for
• Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers