11 Ways To Have Lounge Access At Airports Worldwide

11 Ways To Have Lounge Access At Airports Worldwide
Celeste
Celeste  
Updated
| 6 min read

Ever find yourself arriving early at the airport looking for a quiet seat to yourself only to find that there are none? Jam-packed airports filled with individuals, families and tour groups are a norm and may seem unavoidable. Well, you can get away from all that by obtaining lounge accesses at airports. Most airport lounges offer comfy seats, food, while some even extend a place for you to get a quick shower before your flight. The benefits of lounge accesses are many and if you’re expecting a long layover, lounge accesses can be a lifesaver. Unexpected flight delays may happen sometimes so that’s where a private space comes in handy. It’s not as unattainable as it seems and thus we’re here to help you get yourself in with one of the 11 ways we’ve got. Read on!

1. Pick the right credit card

American Express Credit Card
Source: pixabay.com

New year, new credit card? We would say a big yes if you find one that comes with airport lounge accesses as a perk. Now, you’ve got a good reason for some credit card shopping! Some cards provide entry to certain lounges while some offer worldwide access for their customers. If all these are not stated upfront, ask if the card provider has an existing partnership that allows you to access airport lounges at a discounted fee. To start you off, cards such as Platinum Card from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Ritz Carlton Rewards Credit Card are ideal options to look out for.

2. Consider a day pass (from USD 34.49)

11 ways to have lounge access at airports worldwide | consider a day pass
Source: www.klook.com

If you think credit cards are too much of a hassle since you don’t consider yourself a frequent flyer, then go for a day pass. Entry is simple, as visitors just have to pay a small fee to buy themselves a day’s access into the lounge. Dubai’s International Lounge located at Dubai International Airport (DXB) is a good example. Klook offers a wide range of airport lounge locations so you can find a suitable one located near your boarding gate. Depending on the lounge, you may stay up to 4 hours. Prices start from USD 33.

Dubai International Airport (DXB) Lounge Service - Klook

3. Join a frequent flyer programme


Consider becoming a member of a frequent flyer programme. There are a variety of loyalty programs offered by different airlines to accumulate points, which then can be redeemed for lounge access. Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer and Star Alliance are two to keep an eye on. Signing up as a KrisFlyer member is free and you may do so online. You may earn miles when you fly with Singapore Airlines Group & their partners, use your credit card to shop, dine, and spend on your travel needs. A KrisFlyer Elite Gold member gets to enjoy worldwide lounge access (including Star Alliance lounges). Or check out Star Alliance and join a frequent flyer programme offered by one of their member airlines which includes ANA, EVA Air and Swiss. Ultimately, it’s important to research thoroughly and pick the right one you think you may be flying frequently with.

4. Sign up for Priority Pass lounge membership


It might take some time for you to reach the KrisFlyer Elite Gold member status or Gold Status on the Star Alliance network. In that case, purchasing a lounge membership would be a faster way for you to access airport lounges. Lounge membership is not exclusive to a particular group and is available to anyone who is a frequent traveller. We recommend checking out the famous Priority Pass which offers 3 standard annual packages - standard, standard plus & prestige targeted at the occasional, regular and frequent traveller. For the regular traveller, pay an annual fee of USD 299 and you get to enjoy 10 free visits and subsequent visits at USD 32.

5. Fly business class


Indulge in savoury menus, sip on the best wines and snooze on lie-flat beds–just some perks of flying business class. Regardless of your frequent flyer status, most business class tickets have access to the equivalent class of lounge (though they may vary accordingly). Even if you do not hold a Gold Status on the Star Alliance network, you can still gain access to a lounge if you are travelling on a member airline in international First Class or Business Class. Too complicated? Identify those lounges you will have access to by simply keying in your flight details on the Lounge Finder page. It works the same way for First and Business Class passengers travelling on an international flight operated by a SkyTeam member airline.

6. Redeem your miles


You’ve worked hard over an extended period to earn miles and it’s time to claim them to gain access to airport lounges. Those who’ve joined the frequent flyer program with Japan Airlines can redeem miles for JAL Lounge Coupons. You may do so at the airport or online prior to your flight date. Inquire with the airport lounge staff if you’re planning to access a lounge in Japan or a Sakura Lounge outside Japan. On the other hand, if you’re going to access other lounges outside of Japan, inquire with the check-in counter staff on the procedure to redeem your miles for lounge coupons. For more details, head to Japan Airlines’ official website or your respective airlines’ pages.

7. Request for a status match


For existing elite members of a current airline, you will be able to request a match from an opposing airline for a similar status, or below the tier. Simply put, this is a fast-track opportunity to qualify for elite status with an airline you currently do not have status with. For example, you may already be in one of the four tiers of Cathay Pacific’s Marco Polo Club and plan to start flying with Hawaiian Airlines. In this case, you may request for Hawaiian Airlines to grant you one of their elite statuses - Pualani Gold or Pualani Platinum so you may enjoy the perks you’ve had with Cathay Pacific. If access is granted, your status with Cathay Pacific will still remain and you’ve just gained additional status to a new airline’s!

8. Book the right flights


The main aim of booking the right flight is not just about getting it at a low price but also on flights with better mile accrual rates. Since different airlines or flights may accumulate points differently, you will need to do some research on whether the accumulation will be worth it over time. This is to ensure that you get the maximum possible returns to hit elite status with an airline as soon as possible. With some effort spent on research, you should be able to familiarize yourself with the calculations in no time.

9. Bring a friend who already has access


As the saying goes, “a friend in need is a friend indeed”, it’s time to test out if this is accurate. Since travellers with access to an airport lounge can usually bring in a guest for free, and you happen to know of someone who has that privilege, ask away. Or if you happen not to know anyone with lounge access or not travelling with anyone at all, ask a traveller you meet if they mind having you in as a guest on their lounge access.

10. Ask nicely during check-in

11 ways to have lounge access at airports worldwide | ask nicely during check-in
Source: Photo by user

You don’t want to be a grumpy person with the staff during check-in. Since they usually have the power to upgrade passengers to business class, it’s highly possible to get lounge access indirectly by simply asking politely. Everything is possible and if all else fails, you might score yourself a chance to grab extra legroom at the emergency seats. Oh yes, do not forget to dress the way you want to be treated. It all adds up.

11. Try your luck with an elite status challenge


If you’re encountering difficulties in attaining elite status on a frequent flyer programme, try placing a request to see if you’re able to gain a shortcut with your airline. Some airlines like American Airlines provide assistance to members, in terms of challenges. To do that, you will need to pay a fee upfront to participate in their status challenge. In fact, having elite status with another airline’s frequent flyer program is not required. The AAdvantage Platinum status allows OneWorld business class lounge access internationally so that’s probably what you should be aiming for. Within a 90-day period, you’ll need to fly the required number of Elite Qualifying Miles (EQMs) or Elite Qualifying Segments (EQSs) and generate Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs). As the terms may be a little technical, read up online or speak to someone who might have some experience in that area. Good luck!

Comfort above all


We started this article in order to help our readers gain access to airport lounges so as to make your trip a little more comfortable. With the 11 ways listed above, some may require a little more research and time while some are literally instant ways to gain access if you’ve some budget for that. Whatever the way might be, choose one that complements your travelling style and enjoy the benefits while you’re checked in. Safe travels, everyone!

Any must-sees we missed? Tell us about them in the comments section or write a post here to help out fellow travelers!
Disclosure: Trip101 selects the listings in our articles independently. Some of the listings in this article contain affiliate links.

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Celeste, a writer and traveler, embraces the transient nature of life. She believes that life is a fleeting mist that lingers briefly and then dissipates. Celeste also encourages savoring every...Read more

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