Are Airport Lounges Value The Worth In 2025? An Sincere Opinion In 2023
A standard query I obtain on social media is – are airport lounges definitely worth the worth? If you happen to had requested Elena this query earlier than I began utilizing airport lounges, I might say they don’t seem to be value it as a result of you possibly can pay for a pleasant airport restaurant. After having my daughter I discover that airport lounges might be value their gold weight. Oh boy, how incorrect might I’ve been?
I imply, don’t get me incorrect, not each lounge is of the identical customary, however after having tasted some superb lounges and the straightforward possibility offered when travelling with a child or a toddler, I can’t stay with out getting access to some quiet house within the airport.
This is among the causes I pay the hefty worth of American Categorical Platinum because of the limitless entry to lounges, which is cheaper than chasing airline standing or flying enterprise.
Are Airport Lounges Value It?
I’m a giant fan of airport lounges typically. See, earlier than I even began the journey interest in depth, I didn’t even know you could possibly get an airport lounge and chill earlier than your flight.
In reality, I as soon as had lounge entry after a really costly aircraft ticket, and I didn’t comprehend it till it was too late to make use of it. 19-year-old me nonetheless regrets it.
Now, to suppose my little one asks me if we’re going to the lounge after we enter an airport is a far cry from how I grew up. She is 5!
What Precisely Are Airport Lounges?
For many who could be new to the idea (like I used to be a number of years in the past!), airport lounges are devoted areas the place you possibly can escape the chaos of the primary terminal. They’re like a sanctuary inside the airport the place you possibly can calm down, work, and even clean up earlier than your flight.
Each lounge provides barely completely different facilities, however usually you’ll discover:
- Complimentary meals and drinks (sure, actually!)
- Comfy seating (a lot better than these terminal chairs!)
- Clear, much less crowded loos
- Dependable WiFi
- And in some instances, extras like showers or prayer rooms
The actually fancy airline lounges (like Qatar Airways’ Al Safwa lounge in Doha) even supply unimaginable experiences like spa companies, personal rooms, and restaurant-quality eating. I nonetheless dream concerning the pavlova I had there!
Professionals and Cons of airport lounges usually
Professionals
- Airport lounges supply a cushty and stress-free surroundings away from the hustle and bustle of the airport.
- They usually present complimentary snacks, drinks, and Wi-Fi entry.
- Lounges could have personal seating areas and even showers for travellers who have to clean up earlier than their flight.
- Some lounges additionally supply enterprise companies corresponding to printing or faxing paperwork.
- Nice if you’re travelling with children and also you wish to eat and calm down in a quiet house
- It’s a good worth when you have an extended layover; many lounges have lounge-style chairs the place you possibly can calm down and sleep.
Cons:
- Airport lounge entry often requires an annual payment or membership in a loyalty program, which will not be value it for infrequent travellers.
- Many lounges are overcrowded throughout peak journey instances, making it troublesome to discover a quiet place to calm down. Particularly those the place it’s a must to pay for an annual membership or given as a bank card perk.
- Lounges have restricted hours, so in case your flight is delayed, you might not be capable to use the lounge services or keep lengthy when you have a really lengthy layover. Some lounges prohibit the go to instances.
- Not all airports have lounges, so that you received’t be capable to make the most of them until you’re flying out of 1 that does.
The price of utilizing an airport lounge varies relying on the kind of membership you select and your airline standing (if relevant).
For instance, some airways supply discounted charges for his or her members, whereas different firms require an annual payment for entry to their lounges worldwide. Some third-party firms additionally supply memberships.
Various kinds of Airport Lounges
As I discussed earlier, not each lounge is of the identical calibre; some are certainly value their weight in gold, whereas others are much less so. Now, let’s discover the alternative ways you possibly can entry an airport lounge.
1. Airline Lounges
All massive airways have a flagship lounge which is barely out there if you’re flying in enterprise / firstclass with the airline or when you have a frequent flyer standing with them. Often, the airline’s base flagship lounge is spectacular, just like the one in Doha for Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, the Clubhouse in London and plenty of extra.
Entry to the lounge: You can’t go to these lounges until you meet the above necessities.
2 Credit score Card
That is really my favorite strategy to get into lounges now, and right here’s why. Many journey bank cards supply lounge entry as a perk.
For instance, the American Categorical Platinum card (which I’ve – referral included) provides limitless entry to Precedence Go lounges worldwide for me and a visitor.
As a single mum, that is the most cost effective choice to not stress about travelling with a five-year-old. Additionally, since we fly economic system or price range airways, we are able to nonetheless take pleasure in some “luxurious”.
Many journey bank cards will supply a perk of airport lounge entry by means of them. Relying on the membership worth and the calibre of the cardboard you selected.
As an illustration, the American Categorical Gold, thought to be the perfect free card for newcomers within the interest, offers 4 complimentary entries per 12 months, whereas the Amex Platinum permits limitless visits (naturally, there’s a distinction within the membership value of the cardboard). You possibly can use my referral for further factors for the Amex Gold card.
Quite a few playing cards within the USA supply varied promotions, and different bank cards worldwide have completely different insurance policies relating to lounge entry.
You possibly can examine my bank card journey technique right here, however personally, I’ve an American Categorical bank card, and as a perk, I get limitless entry to Precedence Go lounges world wide. That is for myself and one visitor. Ensure you at all times do your monetary due diligence since this isn’t monetary recommendation.
If in case you have a bigger household, your partner can acquire a supplementary card so that everybody has entry to the lounge. If solely one in every of you holds a card, you possibly can pay further for every visitor to enter the lounge, which is usually charged to your bank card invoice. This feature can be extra economical than reserving instantly with the lounge or by means of Precedence Go.
If solely one in every of you has a card, you possibly can pay further per visitor to go to the lounge, and usually, you’ll pay for that by means of your bank card invoice.
This is also cheaper than reserving instantly with the lounge or Precedence Go.
3 Third Occasion Airport lounge suppliers
You can too purchase a membership for airport lounges from third-party standalone firms like PriorityPass and Lounge Key to call a number of massive gamers.
These lounges are often not as good because the airline lounges however nonetheless are respectable and supply primary services like meals, and drinks; many supply showers and a quiet house to attend to your flight. I like the app LoungeBuddy, which evaluations airport lounges and categorises them by the services and your standing.
The price of accessing these lounges varies based mostly on the precise lounge you want to enter. Precedence Go, which I at the moment maintain, provides varied membership ranges and entry choices which you can discover on their web site. You should purchase entry in any quantity that fits your wants.
An alternative choice, significantly within the UK and at smaller regional airports, is to pre-book or buy entry on the door. Costs for this fluctuate, and particularly through the summer time, my native lounge turns into extraordinarily troublesome to entry.
Nonetheless, it stays a viable possibility and usually prices round £20-30. This similar precept applies to airport lounges overseas, so if you happen to don’t have a membership however search advert hoc entry, checking the out there airports and lounges is a smart alternative.
Learn how to get into airport lounges at no cost?
Sadly there’s nothing that’s free until you’ve a good friend who can assist you to enter a lounge with them. You possibly can have a “free” possibility with a journey bank card, however once more, you might be most definitely to be paying a month-to-month or yearly payment for the cardboard.
The one free possibility out there if you’re new to the American Categorical Gold Card is that, for the primary 12 months, your membership payment of £145 is waived, and also you additionally obtain 4 complimentary lounge passes to make use of. Nonetheless, if you don’t cancel after your first free 12 months, you’ll be charged the annual payment.
Are Airport lounges value it when travelling with children?
Sure!
Let me be fully sincere – travelling with my daughter has made me really recognize airport lounges. If you happen to’ve ever tried chasing a toddler round a busy terminal or struggled to discover a clear, quiet house to vary a child’s diaper, you’ll perceive why I say this!
Many lounges, particularly in bigger airports, have stunned me with their family-friendly options. As an illustration, the Thessaloniki airport lounge had a stunning youngsters’s nook that stored my daughter fortunately occupied, and Athens airport had a prayer space the place I might pray. This sort of setup makes the pre-flight expertise a lot extra manageable.
The sensible advantages are important too:
- A quiet house the place children can transfer round with out you consistently worrying
- Quick access to meals and drinks (no extra attempting to find snacks with a hungry little one!)
- Clear, much less crowded loos
- Comfy seating the place little ones can really relaxation
One fast tip, although – at all times examine the age coverage for kids. I realized this the exhausting approach as soon as after I needed to pay further for my daughter as a result of I didn’t understand that exact lounge thought of youngsters over 2 as adults. Some lounges are extra beneficiant, permitting children as much as 6 years outdated in at no cost.
Wellcome Lounge in Jeddah airport in addition to the Saudi Airways lounge ( accessible through standing) have some areas for the youngsters. The Primeclass Medinah airport lounge does as nicely.
I’m additionally hoping to take a look at the Centurion lounges within the US quickly insha’Allah, since they’re additionally a perk of my Platinum card.
Airport Lounges for Leisure travellers
If you happen to don’t fly as usually however nonetheless fancy the occasional splurge, or if you happen to devour alcohol, lounges can supply respectable worth when booked on an ad-hoc foundation. All of it hinges on how ceaselessly you journey and whether or not a membership is value the price for your loved ones.
I recognize my third-party entry, because it permits me to make use of the airport lounge even when flying in economic system or with low-cost airways from small regional airports. It merely offers me with larger flexibility.
Is It Actually Well worth the Worth?
Right here’s how I take a look at it – if you happen to’re an occasional leisure traveller who possibly flies a couple of times a 12 months, paying for particular person lounge entry would possibly make sense for particular events. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re like me and journey a number of instances a 12 months, particularly with my daughter, having a bank card with lounge entry can supply unimaginable worth.
Let me break down the maths from my very own expertise:
- Common lounge entry: £25-30 per individual
- Touring with 2-3 individuals: £50-90 per go to
- A number of journeys per 12 months: This provides up shortly!
Earlier than renewing my Amex Platinum, I calculated that I’d saved roughly £300 solely on lounge entry for myself and my daughter.
The annual payment I pay for my bank card is definitely offset by just some lounge visits, to not point out all the opposite card advantages.
In conclusion, whether or not airport lounges are value it or not is dependent upon your journey model and what you search out of your expertise.
For me, the “upgraded” expertise is worth it as I understand the worth of utilizing lounges to outweigh the annual bank card payment I pay. I journey a number of instances a 12 months, and for 2 or three individuals, I might have spent nicely above the membership payment I pay for my Amex card.
As I become old, and now as a single mom, I worth my sanity and luxury extra, as travelling might be exhausting. If I could make the expertise much less demanding for each my little one and myself, then I’ll gladly accomplish that.
Moreover, if I had been to wander across the airport terminal, perusing the snacks and retailers, I might possible find yourself spending extra general than the price of the lounge. Sure, I’ve been there too!
General for me, airport lounges are positively definitely worth the expense as a result of I take advantage of them quite a bit all year long.
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