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When American Airlines opened its first airport lounge, the Admirals Club at LaGuardia Airport, in 1939, membership at the trail-blazing club stayed invitation-only for almost three decades. Now, lounges are seemingly everywhere-and much more accessible.
And during COVID-19, many fliers see airport lounges as even more valuable. Almost all lounges have taken precautions such as tightening capacity limits, eliminating self-serve buffets, and suspending services like shower spas, yet these spaces still provide essential comfort and relaxation before a flight.
Of course, not all lounges are created equal. There's a broad variation in the quality of just about everything-decor, amenities, services, food and beverages-as well as rules for entry. At the top end are rarefied spaces reserved for airline elite. (The only way to get into United Airlines' Polaris Lounges, for example, is with a first- or business-class international ticket.) The vast majority of lounges are nowhere near as plush, but still manage to give travelers what they want.
But how much is that worth? If you don't already have access to a lounge, the trick is to figure out what kind of pass makes the most sense for your needs.
Premium Credit Cards
One of the best ways to secure access to a wide range of lounges is by holding the right travel credit card. In recent years, lounge access has become a standard benefit across many types of cards, with more airlines and banks adding new premium spaces to their networks all the time.
The latest card issuer to throw its hat in the ring? Capital One, which recently announced it would be opening its first airport lounge in summer 2021 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. A second lounge is planned to debut in 2022 at Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport. Travelers with certain Capital One cards, like the Venture Card, will be eligible for special entry rates, but specific entry fees haven't yet been released. The lounges will offer wellness features like a cycling and yoga room, relaxation rooms, nursing rooms, and shower suites, as well as a restaurant-quality dining and bar experience.
Another top option is the Platinum Card from American Express (which carries a $550 annual fee, see rates and fee details). Card members get complimentary access to AmEx's ultra-swanky, exclusive Centurion Lounges. AmEx has been expanding the number of Centurion lounge locations: There are currently 14 locations-mostly in the U.S.-with a fifteenth location coming soon to London Heathrow.
Platinum cardholders also have access to Delta SkyClubs and thousands of other airport lounges through Priority Pass Select. Additionally, the Platinum card comes with a raft of generous travel credits, including a $200 Uber credit and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership credit.
Airline credit cards are another solid option. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card from American Express, for instance, has similar benefits to the Platinum card, plus complimentary access to Centurion Lounges and Delta SkyClubs (though it doesn't offer Priority Pass membership).
Several other premium credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige cards (both have an annual fee: $550 and $495, respectively), come with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership.
Buy a Priority Pass membership
If a premium travel card is out of the question, you could buy a lounge membership directly with Priority Pass, which opens the door to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, which you can access through Priority Pass's mobile app. In the U.S., most participating lounges are independently operated. A handful of airline lounges participate, such as Alaska Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, and Lufthansa clubs.
There are three tiers of membership, and at the entry level (Priority Pass Standard) you'll pay a $99 annual membership and then $32 per lounge visit (members can also bring a guest for $32). If you visit 10 or more lounges per year, then your sweet spot is Priority Pass Standard Plus, which has a $299 annual membership fee that includes 10 free lounge visits-translating to $30 a pop. Beyond 10 visits, you pay $32 for each visit and $32 per guest, too. The top tier is Priority Pass Prestige, with a $429 annual fee that gets you unlimited lounge visits per year. This becomes a better deal than Standard Plus when you hit 14 or more lounge visits in one year.
One caveat: When lounges get very crowded, Priority Pass members can be turned away.
Day Passes
If you're not flying in first or business class-two cabins in which passengers usually receive complimentary access to an airline's lounge-don't fret. You can still buy your way into a wide array of lounges: Virtually every large airport has multiple spaces offering day passes.
One example? Escape Lounges, which have 17 locations across the U.S. and U.K., offer day passes that cost $40 when booked 24 hours in advance, or $45 at the door. Entry fees cover food selections like Thai shrimp salad or braised short ribs with polenta, plus local craft brews, wine, and cocktails. Expect plenty of seating and free Wi-Fi, too.
Another solid option is Minute Suites, which offers small private rooms ideal for napping or working. The individual rooms are rented in 15-minute increments (with a minimum of one hour) and include a day bed, work station, and television. Prices start at $46 for the first hour.
Some airlines also offer the opportunity to purchase day passes to some of their clubs, depending on capacity. Both United Club and Alaska Lounge accept walk-ins for day passes, as does American Airlines' Admirals Club (although you must be flying with American to buy access). Prices range from $50 to $59. (Delta discontinued the ability to purchase general day passes at its SkyClubs several years ago.)
Apps like LoungeBuddy sell advance day passes to lounges of all stripes-and also help to track whether you're eligible for entry based on factors like your airline or travel credit cards in your wallet. (In fact, a credit card is one requirement to use LoungeBuddy's service now: Since it was sold to American Express in 2019, you must be an AmEx cardholder to book through the site.)
If you're able, purchasing a day pass in advance of travel, rather than at the door, is ideal. That way your spot is secure when you show up at the airport. Having that guarantee right now, while capacity limits are even tighter due to COVID-19, will provide added peace of mind when you show up to the airport.
Annual Airline Lounge Passes
(Note: Some airlines' lounges are still closed due to COVID-19, and therefore the sale of their lounge memberships have gone on pause. Most memberships that were purchased for use during 2020 have been extended.)
Let's say you fly regularly on short-haul flights that don't accrue a ton of miles. Or maybe you've racked up a lot of miles on Southwest or JetBlue, airlines that don't have their own lounges. A branded airline pass provides access to the lounges of that carrier and its partners, regardless of which airline you're flying on any given day. So you could, for instance, fly JetBlue but use American's Admirals Club.
Airline lounge memberships generally cost between $350 and $500 and are available for Air Canada, Air New Zealand, Alaska Airlines, American, Delta, Hawaiian Airlines, Qantas, and United.
Whether or not this ends up being a deal depends on your personal circumstances; you'll have to do the math. As an example, an annual pass with unlimited access to Alaska lounges costs $450. Since a day pass costs $50, you break even when you visit an Alaska lounge or partner lounge at least nine times per year.
Condé Nast Traveler has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Condé Nast Traveler and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers.
See rates and fees for the American Express cards listed: Delta SkyMiles Reserve; the Platinum Card
This story was originally published in August 2018. It has since been updated with new information.