The Guide to Plaza Premium Lounges

Airport lounges provide respite, relaxation and refreshment to travelers, but not all airline and airport lounges are created equally. Some require having a membership card, while others are accessible by payment.

Plaza Premium lounges do not belong to one particular airline. Instead, they accept premium passengers on a contract basis from many airlines as well as provide access through other means. Plaza Premium is not a membership program. It actually is the operator of various airport lounges.

In fact, the brand celebrated its 25th anniversary of operations last year. Here is everything you need to know about Plaza Premium lounges, including the newest locations and how to get in without paying any extra.

Plaza Premium lounges generally charge a fee to enter (unless you have access through a credit card program), but for those who want to enjoy tasty food and drinks, it might be a better bargain than paying for airport refreshments.

Here's how to access Plaza Premium lounges:

• Priority Pass membership. Does the Plaza Premium Lounge accept Priority Pass? It does. If you belong to Priority Pass, either by paying for a membership or enjoying it through your credit card, you can access all Plaza Premium lounges. The full list is available on the Priority Pass website. Just keep in mind your stay may be limited to a few hours based on local lounge demand, and a same-day boarding pass is required.

• American Express Global Lounge Collection access. If you have an American Express card with access to this lounge collection, you have Priority Pass as well as access to Plaza Premium facilities (even without swiping your Priority Pass card). Enrollment required. Cards that have access to these lounges include The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express. Even better, if you have an authorized user on this card, they too are eligible for access. The primary cardholder can even bring two guests for complimentary lounge access. Terms apply.

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card in your wallet. One of the primary benefits of this card is its lounge access, which include entry into its own branded lounges as well as Plaza Premium lounges via Priority Pass or by presenting your card. Cardmembers can bring up to two guests, and the access policy is also extended to authorized users. If you have the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card or theCapital One Spark Miles for Business card, you receive two annual passes to visit a Plaza Premium lounge (no guests).

• Paid access. You can pay for access at the door or purchase a bundled Plaza Premium Lounge Pass Americas that gives you two visits to lounges in the Americas for $80. This can represent as much as half off the cost of the entry fee at the door.

• Contract lounge access. If your airline partners with Plaza Premium to provide access to premium passengers, you may also access the lounge by showing your boarding pass. This will vary by airline and airport. Examples include Cathay Pacific Airways, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, Star Alliance and SkyTeam.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

Plaza Premium lounges are all over the world, offering an enjoyable place to relax before a flight. On offer are food and drinks plus business spaces to work using Wi-Fi or seating areas in which to be comfortable before departure.

There are the U.S. Plaza Premium lounge locations:

• Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

• Orlando International Airport.

• Denver International Airport, where a Plaza Premium Lounge in partnership with Capital One just opened.

More are in the pipeline.

Intervals Bar in Hong Kong

Intervals in Hong Kong’s international airport offers a new cocktail experience. It is within the new Sky Bridge, known as the longest airside bridge over the airport apron.

From there, the views are exceptional. Cocktail tastings are available for 15, 30 or 45 minutes to better fit with someone’s travel plans.

Plaza Premium lounge at Edinburgh Airport

Sports fans traveling from Edinburgh, Scotland, will find a kids climbing wall, foosball and shuffleboard tables, and a large-screen TV showing sports.

Plaza Premium lounge at London-Heathrow Airport

The Plaza Premium lounge at London-Heathrow offers travelers private resting suites and opulent shower rooms.

These airport lounges provide what you need to relax before a flight, and you may have access to Plaza Premium lounges and not even realize it.

Check your credit card and Priority Pass listings as you may be able to visit Plaza Premium lounges for free.

Even if you don’t have complimentary access (and still want to escape the airport terminal frenzy), you can pay to enter these lounges, too. The cheapest bundled option is $40 per visit. Given that, we think access through a credit card is a smarter money move, otherwise it might not be worth it.