In recent years, I’ve felt airports become more and more crowded. In many cases, it is becoming impossible to find places to sit (looking at you, Stansted Airport), forcing me to perch on the floor somewhere. Which really gets me in the mood for my upcoming holiday.
Increasingly, I am relying on airport lounges as a place to escape the mayhem outside. Not all lounges are made equal, but most of them will at least have a comfy seat to offer you, with some buffet food and drinks to enjoy.
Airport lounges were typically seen as something reserved for business class (and above) and frequent flyers, but that’s not the case anymore. There are plenty of ways to get access nowadays, be it for a one-off visit or ongoing access.
In this airport lounge pass guide, I’ll walk you through the 7 best ways to get airport lounge access.
The best ways to get airport lounge passes
- Use the Saily Ultra eSIM | Skip to section
- Fly business or first class | Skip to section
- Get a premium credit card | Skip to section
- Earn airline loyalty status | Skip to section
- Sign up for a lounge membership programme | Skip to section
- Book a one-off lounge pass | Skip to section
- Get access when your flight is delayed | Skip to section
Use the Saily Ultra eSIM
You’ll likely need internet data for your travels, and if you do so through Saily (my go-to eSIM provider) with their monthly rolling Ultra plan, you can enjoy additional travel benefits, including airport lounge passes. This solution is a bit of a win-win, and the one I use most regularly from this list.
Their Ultra plan includes monthly rolling data in 121+ countries (which can be cancelled anytime), as well as:
- One airport lounge pass per month (rolls over for up to three months)
- One fast-track security pass per month (also rolls over)
- The full Nord Security suite, including NordVPN
- 8% cashback in Saily credits
Discover all their supported airport lounge destinations here.
If you’re someone who travels a few times a year and would normally buy a lounge pass, a VPN, and an eSIM as separate purchases, you could definitely benefit from the Saily Ultra subscription (from $26.66 per month). You can read my full Saily review here for more details about the brand.
Fly business or first class
This is the most straightforward way to get lounge access, because it’s almost always included with your ticket. Most airlines will give you access to their own lounge (or a partner lounge) when you’re flying in business or first class, and you usually don’t need to do anything extra to claim it.
The obvious downside is the cost. You’re paying significantly more for your flight, and if lounge access is the main thing you’re after, there are much cheaper ways to get it. But if you’re already flying business, it’s a nice perk to take advantage of.
It’s worth checking your airline’s specific policy before you travel, because some airlines restrict lounge access to long-haul business class only, while others include it on short-haul routes too. And make sure to ask at the check-in desk which lounges you can access.
Get a premium credit card
Some premium credit cards come with lounge access as part of your agreement, usually through a Priority Pass membership. The Amex Platinum is probably the most well-known example in the UK, and it gives you access to over 1,300 lounges worldwide.
The catch is that these cards tend to come with pretty hefty annual fees, so it’s only worth it if you’ll actually use the perks enough to justify the cost. If you’re a frequent traveller who also benefits from the travel insurance, points, and other perks these cards offer, it can work out well. If you only fly once or twice a year, you’d be better off buying individual lounge passes.
It’s also worth knowing that some credit cards limit the number of free lounge visits per year or charge a guest fee, so always read the small print before you turn up.
Earn airline loyalty status
If you tend to fly with the same airline or alliance, building up your loyalty status can eventually unlock lounge access as a perk. Some will allow you to bring a guest also.
For example, with British Airways, you get lounge access from Silver status onwards. The exact threshold varies by airline, so it’s worth checking what your preferred airline offers.
The downside is that earning enough status to qualify usually means flying a lot, so this isn’t a quick fix. But if you’re flying a lot for work or travel, and not already collecting points, this could be a really easy long-term solution for you that doesn’t require any additional costs!
Sign up for a lounge membership programme
If you fly regularly and want guaranteed lounge access no matter which airline you’re on, a dedicated membership is the way to go. The three big names are:
- Priority Pass – the most widely accepted, with 1,400+ lounges in 600+ cities. The best option if you want the widest coverage. Also offered as part of a few major premium credit cards, like the Amex Platinum.
- LoungeKey – a similar network, but usually offered through banks and credit cards rather than as a standalone membership. Check if your card already includes it.
- DragonPass – a smaller network but growing, particularly popular in Asia.
The main thing to consider with any of these is whether you’ll fly enough to justify the annual fee. If you’re flying five or more times a year, it’ll usually work out. For anything less, a one-off pass or a bundled option like Saily Ultra is probably a better value.
Book a one-off lounge pass
If you only want lounge access for a specific trip, you can buy a single pass without committing to any kind of membership or subscription. There are a few ways to do this.
The lounge’s own website is usually where I would start my search, because you can see exactly what’s included and book at the best price. Most major airport lounges let you reserve a spot online in advance, and it’s almost always cheaper than paying at the door on the day.
You can also book through apps like LoungeKey, Lounge Buddy, or even Saily (the eSIM brand I mentioned earlier). Saily lets you buy individual lounge passes through their app without needing an Ultra subscription, which is a handy option if you’re already using them for your travel eSIM.
Expect to pay somewhere between £25 and £50 per visit, depending on the airport and the lounge. It’s not the cheapest option if you travel often, but for a one-off treat or a long layover, it’s well worth it.
Get access when your flight is delayed
This one is quite specific, but very useful if you experience any delays – some services offer complimentary lounge access if your flight is delayed beyond a certain threshold.
Saily Ultra includes this as one of its perks, granting you lounge access if your flight is delayed by two hours or more. It’s separate from your monthly lounge pass, so you won’t use your regular allowance just because your airline is experiencing delays.
Some premium credit cards and travel insurance policies also include delay-related lounge access, so it’s worth checking what you’re already covered for. If you’ve ever been stuck at an airport for hours with nothing but an overpriced sandwich and a plastic chair, you’ll know how valuable this can be!
Airport Lounge FAQs
Are airport lounges worth it?
If you travel more than a couple of times a year, I’d say yes. You get comfortable seating, free food and drinks, Wi-Fi, and usually much quieter surroundings than the main terminal. Even on a short layover, having somewhere calm to sit with a coffee and charge your phone makes the whole airport experience feel less chaotic. For longer layovers or delays, they’ve been a lifesaver for me.
What do you get in an airport lounge?
It varies by lounge, but most offer comfortable seating, complimentary food and drinks (often including alcohol), free Wi-Fi, charging points, and toilets that aren’t shared with hundreds of other travellers. Some higher-end lounges also have showers, sleeping pods, spa treatments, and even à la carte dining.
Can you bring a guest into an airport lounge?
It depends on how you’re accessing the lounge. Some memberships and credit cards include a guest, others charge extra per visitor, and some don’t allow guests at all. Always check the specific terms before you turn up.
How early can you access an airport lounge?
Most lounges let you in as soon as you’re through security, regardless of when your flight is. So if you like arriving at the airport early (guilty), you can make the most of it. Some lounges do have a maximum stay, though, so it’s worth checking in advance.
Do you get lounge access with Saily Ultra?
Yes, you get one airport lounge pass per month, and it rolls over for up to three months if you don’t use it. You also get a fast-track security pass, data in 121+ countries, and the full Nord Security suite. It’s a lot of travel perks bundled into one subscription.
My go-to travel health insurance:
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