Airport Lounges – A Simple Guide

In this guide, we answer the many frequently asked questions about Airport Lounges. Hopefully, we can answer some of the questions you may have before travelling.

 

Airport LoungesPopular Questions:

 

 

What Are Airport Lounges:

Airport lounges are private rooms located in the airport terminal, generally after Airport Security. They offer a secluded getaway from the busy hustle and bustle of the main airport terminals public Departures area. Airport lounges also provide passengers with a quiet and comfortable place to relax before their flight.  

Who Can Use Airport Lounges:

Regardless to what people think, anyone can use an airport lounge no matter what class they are travelling in. Many people believe that you can only access an airport lounge if you are travelling in Business or First class. However, this simply is not true and anyone can access the lounges! Even if you are travelling on an Economy ticket, you can still enjoy the luxuries of the airport lounges. Lounges available at most airports worldwide and to be honest, once you have tried one and seen what is on offer, you will be asking yourself why you haven’t used one before!

What Are The Benefits Of Using An Airport Lounge:

Airport lounges offer the ideal way to relax before your flight or when you have a little downtime between connecting flights. Unlike the main public Departures area at airports, an airport lounge offers a wide range of facilities. These facilities are deigned to help make your stay more comfortable.

Facilities In A Airport Lounge:

The list below is just a few of the facilities that are on offer to you:

  • You will be able to enjoy the quiet atmosphere and get away from the noise of the crowds in the main departure lounge
  • Meeting and conference facilities
  • Enjoy comfortable seating such as sofas and armchairs
  • Complimentary newspapers and magazines to read during your stay
  • Unlimited refreshments such as drinks and snacks for the duration of your time in the lounge
  • Many airport lounges offer Internet access
  • Tv’s and other forms of entertainment

All airport lounges vary, regarding what facilities are on offer and this can also vary with which airline you are flying with. Some lounges also offer shower and sauna facilities but in general, most will offer the majority of the facilities that are listed above.

Why Use A Lounge:

Due to the nature of air travel and having to check-in several hours before your departure time, there is generally a lot of downtime at the airport. Airports are not the best places to pass time and can be made even worse when faced with a delay.

Generally, the main public Departures areas are crowded, noisy and are not very comfortable places to wait for your flight. The price of food and drinks are at a premium and it is very easy to spend a large amount of money before travel. Moreover, this is just by getting a simple and basic bite to eat and a drink.

However, airport lounges are designed to make your wait much more comfortable. Likewise, utilising the facilities on offer makes more sense than not, especially when you take into account how much money it costs to use the airport lounge facilities!

For Example:

If you wait in the normal public Departures area and you buy a sandwich or meal and then have a drink, you probably wouldn’t see much change from £10 – £15. Imagine if you then go for a couple of drinks in the bar, that is another £10 spent! If you are unfortunate to incur a delay, the chances are you will need to buy another meal and drink, which would cost another £10-£15! The cost of waiting in the public Departures area can soon mount up and on top of all that, it is not a comfy place to sit!

Basically, every time you want a snack or a drink, it costs you money!

 

Access:

How Much Is Airport Lounge Access:

Unless you are travelling in Business or First class or have been given access by the airline or loyalty programme, airport lounges charge a small fee for passengers to use them. Once you have paid this initial fee, you do not pay any more money. You can have unlimited drinks and snacks, making it a much more cost effective way to spend your time at the airport waiting for your flight.

The bottom line is simple, why spend more money in the uncomfortable, noisy overcrowded Departures area, when you can spend less money and enjoy the comfort and luxury of the airport lounges?

If you pay to gain entry to an airport lounge, the cost is generally between £20 – £30. However, the price does depend on which airport you are travelling from and also, the time you are travelling.

 

How Do You Gain Access To Airport Lounges:

As previously mentioned, unless you are:

  • Flying Business class
  • First class
  • Have been granted entry via your airline or are a member of an airline loyalty program

The chances are you will need to pay to use one of the airport lounge facilities. This said, don’t let this put you off though because as we mentioned earlier, anyone can us the lounges. Once you have access to them, you will be treated exactly the same as any other passenger using them. In fact, more and more people are choosing to use the lounges at airports for all the reasons that were mentioned earlier.  Not only that but it also provides an extra revenue for the airlines and companies that own the lounges!

 

Can I Get Airport Lounge Access For Free:

Yes, it is possible to get airport lounge access for free. However, there are certain stipulations that you will need to qualify for, before you are eligible for free access.

 

How To Get Airport Lounge Access For Free:

As we have previously mentioned, if you are travelling Business or First Class, you will be eligible for free access to the airport lounges. However, there are several ways in which you can gain free access to many airport lounges throughout the world. One of the most popular ways to gain free access to airport lounges is via a bank or credit card. 

In order to qualify for free access via your bank or credit card, you must first have an account with the bank or credit card company. Many of these cards do have stipulations in place, as to when you can use them. Therefore, it is always advisable to check the policy regarding entry to airport lounges, using the card. Not only do they have stipulations on when you can use them but also, not all airport lounges will accept them. 

free access to airport lounge

Most Popular Banks and Credit Cards With Free Access To Airport Lounge:

  • AMEX – American Express
  • Mastercard
  • Capital One
  • Barclays
  • Nat West

 

Free Offers From Travel Companies:

Another way to gain free access into an airport lounge is by taking advantage of any offers that are available. As a result of competition with other travel companies, many travel based companies offer free incentives to entice you to purchase their product. One of the more popular offers is free airport lounge access. 

 

How It Works:

If any travel company is offering free airport lounge access when you book through them, take advantage. Simply book a holiday, flight, car hire, airport parking or any other travel extra that is eligible for the offer and receive your reward!

 

Airport Lounge Membership Programmes:

The best way to gain access to over 600 VIP airport lounges worldwide is through a Membership programme.  For a small annual fee, you will be given access to a range of lounges throughout the world.

Whenever you travel, simply select the airport lounge you wish to use. As a result, you will be entitled to use all the facilities in that airport lounge. The process is very quick, convenient and also very simple.

All you need to do is simply select the country and airport(s) you will be flying from. After this, you will then see which lounges are available at your specified airports. It will then provide details of the lounges and what facilities they offer.

There is no doubt, you will probably be very surprised at how cheap it is to use one of the VIP lounges and I am sure that once you have tried one, you will not look back and continue to use them every time you travel!

To read more about these programmes and what facilities are available at different airport lounges throughout the world, simply click on the link below:

Try one of the VIP Airport Lounges next time you fly!

 

Frequently Asked Questions About Airport Lounges:

Access:

 

How Can I Get Airport Lounge Access With A Credit Card In The UK?

There are now several ways in which you can get airport lounge access in the UK using a credit card. 

  1. Using credit cards that include Airport Lounge memberships
  2. Via card holder travel portals

Credit card providers that include lounge access, will generally offer direct lounge access or through an airport lounge network or a programme such as Priority Pass. 

Airport lounge access via these types of credit card can be redeemed in various different ways. The more common ways include:

Premium Travel Reward Cards:

These types of credit cards usually reward the user with complimentary lounge membership.  

Limited Free Entry:

Some credit cards will offer the user a set number of free visits to airport lounges each year.

Discounted Entry:

This type of credit card offers users a discount on the entry fee on lounge access, via their own benefit travel programme.

Tip: Even if you do not hold any of the above types of credit cards, there are some lounges that will allow you entry, if you pay using specific cards. 

 

What Are The Benefits Of Airport Lounge Access For UK Travellers?

There are many significant benefits for UK travellers when accessing airport lounges. As a result, these benefits make travelling much more comfortable and relaxing for travellers. Some of the most beneficial advantages are:

  • Secluded and quiet space away from the crowded departure lounges
  • Comfortable seating
  • Complimentary food and drinks
  • Business facilities with designated work areas
  • Free WiFi and Internet access
  • Complimentary newspaper and magazines
  • Showers (Not available in all lounges)
  • Charging points
  • Great places to be if you have delays and layovers

 

How Do I Book Airport Lounge Access Online For A UK Departure?

Booking airport lounge access for a UK departure is very easy and can be done in just a few simple steps. Below is a step by step guide to booking your airport lounge access for a UK departure.

  1. Specify your departure airport and terminal you are departing from.
  2. Check to see if the airline ticket you have purchased allows free access to airport lounges. Also, check to see if you have any Credit  Cards that provide you with lounge access
  3. If neither your airline ticket or credit card allows you access, you will need to book access independently. This can be done by either booking your entry time in advance (which is recommended) or paying on the day, at the lounge itself.
  4. Booking Online can either be done directly through the airport’s own website, membership programmes, the airline’s own website or via a booking agent.
  5. When you are booking your airport lounge access, you will general need to provide the following details:
  • Your departure airport
  • Date of travel
  • Flight time
  • Passenger details

Once you have booked your lounge access, you will receive a confirmation email. This email will usually have a booking reference and or a QR code, which you may need to present upon your arrival.

Note: Airport lounges can become busy, especially at major airports in the UK such as Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester. This is certainly the case during peak periods and space is limited. As a result, it is advisable to book your entry time well in advance if possible.

 

Which UK-Issued Credit Cards Offer Complimentary Access To Airport Lounges?

There are now several major credit cards issued in the UK, that offer complimentary access to  airport lounges. Some of the main providers include:

American Express: These include UK premium cards, especially Platinum products.

Barclays: Barclays currently have UK premium travel as well as certain Avios-linked products.

HSBC: HSBC offers UK Premier-branded travel cards but the benefits do vary depending on the product).

Lloyds Bank: Lloyds Bank now has various UK premium reward cards available.

NatWest UK and Royal Bank of Scotland: These two banks currently have premium travel cards available.

However, it is important to remember that the markets do change and as a result, the benefits you receive from specific credit cards will change accordingly. Due to this fact, it is advisable to check which each provider, to see and ensure what benefits you receive and whether or not the credit card provides free complimentary access to airport lounges.

Tip: When you are comparing credit cards that allow complimentary airport lounge access, consider the following:

  • How many complimentary visits you receive each year.
  • Do you need to join any airport lounge programmes
  • Does it include additional guests
  • Is there an annual fee for the card
  • Which lounge network(s) are included and supported on your card