How to Access Airport Lounges

Airport lounges aren't just for business-class globetrotters or first class flyers anymore. Whether you're a road warrior racking up miles or an occasional traveler seeking refuge from terminal madness, there may be a lounge at your airport that you have access — if you hold the right credit card.

Hanging out in an airport lounge before a trip or on a long layover can enhance your travel experience by a mile. And these havens aren't just for those flying in fancy cabins. Here's your complete guide to unlocking airport lounges, even if you're flying on an economy fare.

Airport lounges are those mysterious glass-walled havens you've glimpsed while trudging to your gate. Behind those doors lies a parallel universe where — even if you're flight is delayed — you're less likely to be upset. Quality can vary widely by actual lounge, but you can generally expect to find:

• Comfortable seating (the kind that doesn't induce back spasms).

• Complimentary food and beverages (ranging from light snacks to full meals, depending on the lounge).

• High-speed Wi-Fi that actually works.

• Quiet workspaces with charging stations.

• Clean, private restrooms (sometimes with showers!).

• Newspapers, magazines, and entertainment.

• Runway views or other higher-quality design elements than the standard terminal.

Typically only paying members, passengers flying in business or first class, or cardholders of certain travel cards are allowed access. Here’s how to get in to airport lounges.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

1. Fly in a premium cabin (the classic route)

Best for: Special occasions, international travelers using miles

There's something undeniably satisfying about turning left when boarding. But even before you board, the luxury takes flight.

Business and first-class passengers on international routes and select transcontinental flights typically enjoy complimentary lounge access. Even if you book with airline miles rather than cash, your ticket usually still unlocks the lounge doors.

With this kind of a fare, you can bask in not just lie-flat seats and premium dining at 35,000 feet, but lounge access too. That glass of champagne before your flight? Already included.

2. Reach elite status with an airline loyalty program (the frequent flyer way)

Best for: Regular travelers loyal to one airline or alliance

Spend enough time in aluminum tubes, and airlines start treating you like royalty — even when you're flying coach.

For example, Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro or Platinum elite members of the American Airlines AAdvantage program can enter an Admirals Club on departure or arrival on qualifying international flights operated by American or Oneworld partners, even if they fly economy — and they can bring one guest with them.

Additionally, if you reach status with an alliance, which usually requires earning status with a specific airline, you’re able to get free airport lounge access when flying on a member airline.

3. Buy a day pass (the try-before-you-buy option)

Best for: Occasional travelers, long layovers or delays and special trips

Sometimes you just need a civilized place to decompress between flights. Most airlines sell single-entry or day passes, though availability and pricing vary wildly.

For example, United Airlines sells one-time passes that allow you to enter a United Club a single time, either before your flight or on a layover. Alaska Airlines also sells single-entry passes to passengers wishing to enter an Alaska Lounge. American Airlines sells day passes that are valid for 24 hours and allow you to enter multiple Admirals Clubs within that period.

Delta Air Lines no longer sells single-visit passes to Delta Sky Clubs, and annual membership is available to Medallion members only, meaning holding certain credit cards is the only way to access Delta lounges for general SkyMiles members (more on that later).

Day pass prices vary by lounge, but typically run between $60-80 per person.

At that price point (unless you can really eat and drink a lot from the buffet and open bar), then day passes generally only make sense for special occasions. A day pass could also be valuable during that 6-hour layover in Denver, as part of a red-eye departure or when you're traveling for an important meeting and need a place to freshen up and focus.

4. Purchase an annual membership (the math equation)

Best for: Frequent travelers with 7+ trips annually on one airline

If you're buying day passes more than a few times per year, annual membership math starts working in your favor. The following airlines sell annual memberships to their networks:

• Alaska — $550.

• American — $850 or 85,000 AAdvantage miles.

• Delta — $695 or 69,500 SkyMiles.

• United — $750 or 94,000 MileagePlus miles.

Are these worth it? It just depends how often you fly. For example, American's membership ($850) equals roughly 11 day passes ($79 each). Fly American twice monthly? You're breaking even by July and ahead for the rest of the year.

Just note that most airline lounges require you to be flying that airline (or a partner) the same day. You can't use your Alaska membership to enter their lounge if you're flying Frontier.

5. Present your military ID

America's service members get special recognition at airports.

Lounges that offer free lounge access for military include:

• USO Lounges: Free for active-duty service members and families at numerous airports worldwide.

• United Clubs: Complimentary access for U.S. military personnel.

• Admirals Clubs: Free access for uniformed U.S. military flying American Airlines.

USO lounges often feature snacks, entertainment, and that rare airport commodity: genuine hospitality from volunteers who care.

6. Open a credit card with airport lounge access (often the smartest money move)

Many premium cards on the market offer some kind of lounge access to cardmembers. Premium co-branded airline cards typically offer access to the respective airlines’ lounges, and bank cards typically offer access to their own lounges and to lounges in the Priority Pass network.

Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®

Cardholders of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® get complimentary access to Admirals Clubs and partner lounges when flying with American or a Oneworld carrier. As mentioned earlier, individual Admirals Club memberships cost $850 per year.

By paying the $595 annual fee for the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, you get access to the Admirals Club without having to pay the annual membership (a $255 savings), plus you get all of the other cardmember perks.

Standout perks include getting the first checked bag free for up to nine passengers booked on the same reservation, Global Entry or TSA PreCheck credit of up to $120 every four years, a 25% savings on in-flight purchases, and the opportunity to earn AAdvantage miles on purchases made with the card.

Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card

The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card has an annual fee of $650 (see rates and fees), though that may be worth it for fans of the airline's lounge network, which is easily one of the best in existence.The card offers 15 passes to Delta Sky Clubs per year. Terms apply.

Additionally, the card offers access to The Centurion Lounges by American Express, but access comes with restrictions. First, you must be flying that day with Delta, and second, you must have paid for the flight with an American Express card. A cardmember may bring up to two guests to The Centurion Lounges for $50 per person ($30 per child ages 2-17). Terms apply.

United Club℠ Card

The United Club℠ Card is a premium co-branded United card that comes with an individual membership, meaning that cardholders can bring one adult guest and dependents under 18, but can’t access Star Alliance lounges. If the cardholder spends $50,000 a year on the card or reaches Premier Gold status, they can bring two adult guests and access the Star Alliance lounges.

You must be flying United or a Star Alliance partner to access United Clubs.

American Express Platinum Card®

The American Express Platinum Card® is considered the best travel card for frequent travelers because it offers complimentary entry to the most airport lounges of all premium cards. Sure, it has a hefty annual fee of $895 (see rates and fees), but its lounge access is among the most comprehensive there is. Terms apply.

As a cardmember, you can access the following airport lounges:

• Escape Lounge.

• Lufthansa Business Lounge (regardless of ticket class when flying with Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines or Austrian Airlines).

• Lufthansa Senator Lounge (when flying business class with Lufthansa, Swiss International Air Lines or Austrian Airlines).

• Plaza Premium Lounge.

• Priority Pass Select (enrollment required).

• The Centurion Lounge.

If you make yearly purchases total $75,000 or more on this card, you'll unlock unlimited access to Delta Sky Clubs and complimentary access for up to two guests to Centurion Lounges. Otherwise, the Centurion Lounges charge a guest fee of $50 per adult and $30 per child ages 2-17. Terms apply.

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

When it comes to free airport lounge access, travelers who hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card have fewer options than those who hold other cards, but there are still a couple of options. With this credit card, you can enter the following lounges at no extra cost:

• Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club.

• Priority Pass Select.

Although only a few Chase Sapphire airport lounges are currently open, the network is expanding. To gain access to these lounges, you must activate your Priority Pass Select membership, which gets you access to airport lounges around the world. Up to two guests are allowed for free.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

Capital One’s premium card, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, is another great option for travelers seeking airport lounge access. As a cardmember, the following lounges are open to you:

• Capital One Lounges and Landings.

• Priority Pass Select lounges.

Like the Chase Sapphire network, Capital One is building out its small network of lounges. In order to access Capital One Lounges as well as Landings, which are Capital One's tapas-style restaurant lounge concepts, make sure to bring your credit card. You can also generate a digital lounge pass via the Capital One mobile app, which can be handy in case you forgot to bring your card.

Citi Strata Elite℠ Card

Unlike the other cards on this list, Citi doesn't have its own network of lounges. Instead, it has leveraged its close relationship with American Airlines to offer cardholders limited access to the airline's Admirals Clubs. If you hold the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card, you have access to the following lounges:

• American Airlines Admirals Clubs (cardholders get four passes each year).

• Priority Pass Select lounges.

» Learn more: The best airline credit cards right now

American Express: The luxury leader

Amex built its own lounge empire and partnered strategically for global reach. Their Centurion Lounges, open to people who hold the American Express Platinum Card®, consistently rank as travelers' favorites. These really are bars and buffets disguised as lounges, with menus designed by celebrity chefs.

Capital One: The value disruptor

Capital One entered the lounge game late but came in swinging. Their lounges feel less like airport waiting areas and more like boutique hotel lobbies. The $395 annual fee on the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (effectively $95 after its travel credit) makes this the best value proposition in the premium card space.

Chase: The balanced approach

Chase understood that most travelers don't need six lounge networks. They just need reliable access to quality spaces. Priority Pass covers your global needs, while Chase's proprietary lounges deliver elevated experiences in key markets.

The Chase Sapphire Reserve® card offers both Priority Pass Select membership and access to the Chase Sapphire Lounges.

United flyers withUnited Club℠ Card receive unlimited United Club access to primary cardholders. Casual travelers may find that the United℠ Explorer Card does the job. It comes with two one-time United Club passes every card membership year, so you can use it twice or enter once with a guest.

Citibank: The American Airlines connection

The Citi Strata Elite℠ Card card offers complimentary Priority Pass lounge access, as well as four visits per year to American Airlines Admirals Clubs.

American Airlines flyers receive unlimited Admirals Club access with the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®. If you don't need unlimited access, the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard®, which offers four visits per year to Admirals Clubs, may be a better fit.

U.S. Bank: The Quiet Performer

Here's the dark horse: the U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card offers solid Priority Pass Select access at the lowest annual fee you'll find. It won't turn heads, but it gets the job done affordably.

Timing matters

Most lounges allow you to enter up to three hours before your flight. You paid for lounge access in some sense, so use it! Have a proper meal, take a shower or catch up on work in peace.

Guest policies vary

Just because you brought your pals to the last lounge doesn't mean you can bring them into all lounges. Check the guest policy before entering.

• Some cards include free guests.

• Others charge per guest ($50 per guest is a pretty common figure).

• Still others don't allow guests at all. Check your specific card's policy before promising your travel companion lounge access.

International vs. domestic lounges

Priority Pass shines internationally with extensive coverage in Asia, Europe and Latin America. Most Priority Pass lounges in the U.S. though are skippable. If you mostly travel domestically, airline-specific lounges often provide better experiences. Or, consider for American Express Platinum Card® Centurion Lounge access. The quality is high and its U.S. network is wide-reaching.

The shower situation

Long layover? International arrival? Many lounges offer shower suites. These can be game-changers for red-eye flights and transcontinental hauls, as you'll arrive fresh instead of disheveled.

If you fly 8-10 times per year, premium credit card lounge access typically pays for itself in saved meal costs and productivity gains. But if you're flying 3-4 times annually? Day passes (or accepting you don't have lounge access and heading to the airport restaurant instead) might be your smarter move.

Additionally, don't overlook the value of lounges that's tough to quantify: the avoided stress. Think of that moment when flight delays are announced. Instead of panicking at the gate, you're calmly sipping an espresso martini in a lounge, watching the runway while browsing the menu to decide on your next cocktail.

Your next steps:

1. Calculate how many times you flew last year.

2. Identify your primary airline(s).

3. Compare credit card benefits against your travel patterns.

4. Consider current welcome bonuses.

5. Apply for the card that matches your travel style.

Welcome to the lounge life. That plush chair by the window? It's waiting for you.