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How to Get Into an Airport Lounge
Most people assume entrance to the fabled “Airport Lounge” can only be gained by purchasing a first class or business class airline ticket, when in fact there are ways you can book cheap flights and still make use of lounge facilities. Why would you want to get in? The use of private meeting rooms, phone, wireless internet access, fax, snacks, drinks, TV, newspapers, more comfortable seating and a quieter environment. It’s a great stress free way to wait for your flight. You may even get better access to customer service representatives than in the airport terminal.
In the U.S the most common way (if you travel a great deal) is to purchase an annual or lifetime membership. Membership fees are sometimes discounted for elite members of an airline’s frequent flyer program. Lounge access can also be attained with an airline status card. The top levels offer access to any of the airline’s or partner’s lounges when traveling regardless of which class, but it usually requires the cardholder be booked on one of the carriers flights within the next 24 hours.
So what about a day pass? Great idea if price matters more than loyalty when booking a flight. If you don’t plan to use it more than five times a year it is a better deal. If you’re a traveler who prefers to plan ahead consider a prepaid day pass service. We suggest you try Lounge Pass, a company that allows you to purchase a pass before your departure. They partner with more than 100 airports including Heathrow and LaGuardia. Price at the time of this piece: from $45.00 at lounge entrances, from$29.00 at Loungepass.com.
What’s a third party pass? Memberships offered by a third party don’t require loyalty that don’t restrict you to certain countries or airports. Priority Pass is the largest with 1.7 million members. Be sure to check club locations before your trip. Priority Pass includes all domestic airlines but to varying degrees. Members en route through New York’s JFK may have a choice of five outposts but only two of the four lounges. The cost at the time of writing: $99 for an annual membership at prioritypass.com.
Frequent flyer and credit card discounts: The higher your status with airlines the better the deal you’ll receive on passes. Delta and Continental offer a discount of $100 a year on membership costs.
What about good old-fashioned credit cards? American Express Platinum card includes admission to Continental, Delta, and Northwest lounges. Citi Chairman card holders all receive free Priority pass memberships.
Never purchase a plan without reading the fine print. Many airlines are cutting back on services because of rising costs. This means some of your airline’s outposts may be closed. Some of the AA lounges no longer offer complimentary food and beverages.
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