Airport Business Lounges..are They Worth it?

Business lounges give travelers a space to relax and concentrate on business affairs between trips. Lounges are more appealing for those with long hours to wait. Most have comfortable chairs, free newspapers, free food and Wi-Fi. The bigger and more international airport lounges offer premium services, such as hot food and beverages, business services, showers, movies, game-stations for kids, spas, hair salons, pool tables and even oxygen bars. All employ agents who help travelers with flight needs that include changing seats or rebooking when necessary.
The Cost of Business Lounges

Travelers can access business lounges on a first-class, or business-class, ticket, or become an elite flyer. Failing those, there are two ways you can buy your way into the lounge.
Paid Access

This is the easiest and most expensive route. Annual fees range from $450 to $500. Alaska Air Group Inc. and Delta Sky Club, owned by Delta Air Lines Inc. veer towards the cheaper end, whereas American Admirals Club, owned by American Airlines Group Inc. and United Club, owned by United Continental Holdings Inc. are more expensive. Most travelers prefer Priority Pass for its steady discounts. Priority Pass costs $99 to $399 a year and covers 600 lounges around the world. Many airlines allow a typical $50 day pass for one visit. Some lounges, such as Air Canada, allow one-day access for an extra fee. Priority Pass offers a $27 fee for each visit.
Credit Card With Lounge Access

Annual fees average from $150 to $450, but the card comes with business- and travel-related perks that make it an attractive option to airline lounge membership. Examples of cards include American Express Platinum, PenFed Amex, Chase Fairmont Visa, Amex Hilton Honors Surpass and Chase Ink Bold. Each has its own conditions and rewards. Most card-holders can also include a free guest on their pass. All can include their family. Some cardholders receive free membership with other airline lounges.
Reducing Cost of Airport Lounge

Travelers can buy membership in an independent lounge program, such as Priority Pass, and save hundreds of dollars, or they can buy a day pass for $50. Travelers can also save money on their coveted lounge access by buying the pass in advance, buying cheaper lounge passes from passengers or using cheaper lounges (also called public pay-in lounges).
A tongue-in-cheek article on Lifehacker.com suggests that you can get into the lounge for free by asking a friendly stranger to add you as their guest or by using the admittedly sneaky trick of buying a fully refundable first class ticket and canceling the ticket after you enter the luxury lounge.
Are Airport Lounges Worth the Cost?

Value depends on the kind of traveler you are, how often you travel, and how much you need the comforts or privacy of the lounge. If you tend to travel with family, that comes into consideration too. The Buffalo News opines that $500 a year is a stiff price, but you can recoup that with what you might otherwise spend on food and beverages. Also, keep in mind that there is a range of lounges with many facilities offering services that you may find unnecessary. You may find a cheap option that suits you. At minimum, you can use the day pass, which is handy when your flight is cancelled or delayed or if you have hours to wait until your next flight.


Business lounges in Air Canada, British Airways or Swiss Air tend to be better than North American lounges that rate average to below average. The 21 Maple Leaf lounges of Air Canada, for instance, give you free Wi-Fi, fax, printing and copy services and conference rooms. Those in Europe offer similar benefits but emphasize comfort and luxury. British Airways offers spas, sleeper services, entertainment and a generous wine bar. The nine Swiss Air lounges give terraces with recliners and views of the Swiss Alps, as well as buffets and VIP rooms. International travelers and business people usually benefit more from airport lounges than domestic travelers.