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Airport lounges are seemingly out of reach for economy class flyers. These road warriors usually opt for the least worn out chair at their connecting flight’s gate or perhaps a table at the nearest food court. Without a corporate expense account or trust fund, they think, there is little hope of sitting in a plush chair in a quiet lounge surfing the internet and munching on complimentary snacks.
But there are several ways to access these lounges without springing for a first-class ticket. In fact, with credit cards, club memberships and a variety of pay-in lounges throughout the world, it is now easier than ever to spend your layover in a lounge.
Here are some ideas for getting both economy class airfares and a first-class layover experience.
Priority Pass
Priority Pass is a service that offers access to 600 lounges worldwide for an annual membership fee. Most major airports around the world have at least one lounge that is part of the Priority Pass network.
The company has several membership levels. For $99 annually, members earn the right to access the lounges in the Priority Pass network for $27 per visit. For $399, members receive free unlimited access to any of the 600 clubs. There is also a $249 level where members get 10 free visits per year and additional visits at the $27 per entry rate. Though $399 is a bit pricey, frequent flyers can take advantage of the access regularly and the membership fee is still less than the cost of most first-class upgrades. The value of the lower membership levels is debatable, especially since the number of public pay-in lounges (see below) is growing.
MJTR, Flickr
Credit Cards
Premium credit cards can also offer lounge access. The most famous of these (because of its aggressive advertising campaign) is the American Express Platinum card. The annual fee of $450 is steep, but it qualifies card-holders for a variety of perks, one of which is entry to clubs operated by American Airlines, Delta and Continental. The catch: you have to fly one of these airlines in order to enter their lounge. However, if you usually fly one of these carriers and also plan to use the card to earn airline miles and take advantage of AmEx’s outstanding customer service, this is a reasonable option.
The Visa Black card has similar miles-earning potential and perks. The $499 annual fee includes a Priority Pass membership. However, after the first two visits, the admission fee is $27, making it less potent than Platinum when it comes to lounge access.
Plaza Premium Lounge
Pay-in Lounges
For casual travelers who don’t think the above-mentioned options are reasonable, the proliferation of public pay-in lounges is a welcome trend . Sure, they might not carry the elitist vibe of airline clubs, but they offer many of the same amenities, and, in some cases, more luxury than traditional clubs. The idea is already successful in East and South Asia, where Plaza Premium lounges can be found in most major airports. Prices start at about $25 for a two hour stay complete with wi-fi, snacks, a comfortable and quiet atmosphere, and, the kicker, access to private showers. Plaza Premium also has locations in Toronto and Vancouver, but none in the US as of this writing.
US-based pay-in options include The Lounge at JFK ($40 entry fee, unless you are a Priority Pass member) and Relax Lounge at LAX ($10 for a one hour stay and $25 for three hours.
Capsule Hotels
A company called Yotel recently opened locations in England and the Netherlands. Their novel approach to airport hospitality is half-inspired by Japanese capsule hotels and a half by first class airline cabins. The small Yotel rooms include a bed, television and shower and plenty of modern chic. Rooms can be booked by the hour or for the entire night. Though no locations are open in the US, Yotel is currently in talks with several airports and industry insiders claim that it will fill a valid niche in between airport hotels and lounges and arguably will offer better value than both.
Annual Airline Club Membership
Airline club membership is quite expensive (Delta from $400, American from $400, for flyers with little or no frequent flyer status). These legacy airlines also offer one time entry into their clubs for a $50 fee. If you normally rely on one airline, the annual pass can be a good deal, because you can use airline miles to purchase yearly membership and flyers who gain higher levels of frequent flyer status often receive significant discounts on these yearly passes. In addition, renewal fees are usually less expensive than the fee for the initial year of membership.
Spas
Space, quiet and the opportunity for some serious relaxation are reasons you would try to gain entry to an airport lounge. However, lounges are not the only airport venues that offer a chance to relax. Xpress Spa is a chain of full service spas located in airports around the US. What could be more relaxing than a massage or facial in the quiet, designer surroundings of a spa? Locations are in many major airports in the US, including JFK, SFO, Atlanta Hartsfield Jackson, Boston Logan, and Orlando International. A brief, seated massage is in the same price range as a stay in an airport lounge.
Of course, if all else fails, there is always the option of finding a restaurant with booths on your concourse, ordering an appetizer and zoning out with your iPod.
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