Featured Review: All About Airport Lounges
Last updated January 17, 2013.
Many credit cards provide access to airport lounges and many people are confused. Here we would like to give a thorough review on pretty much everything you need to know about airport lounges. First of all, what are airport lounges and why do so many people use them? An Airport lounge, often branded as an "airport VIP club", is a lounge that is operated by an airline or an independent owner to provide an area for resting, meeting, or working, with a quieter environment, complimentary beverage (including alcohol) and snacks, TV, internet, phone, fax, and other services (some have showers, or even complimentary massage). You may have access to airport lounges by several different ways: flying premium cabins (details see Section 1), flying as elite frequent flyers (restrictions apply, see Section 2), buying lounge program memberships or day passes (see Section 3), or holding credit cards that entitle you the access (see Section 4).
1. Premium Cabin Passengers
There are three global airline alliances: oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam. Each of them provides airport lounge access to their most lucrative customers - first class and business class passengers. You may only access a lounge of an alliance if you are traveling on a member airline within that alliance. The rules are:
2. Elite Frequent Flyers in Three Airline Alliances
You automatically earn elite status with an alliance when you achieve status with one of its member airline. A mid-tier (or higher) elite member of a certain alliance may have access to the alliance's network of lounges when traveling on any member airline within that alliance - please see the details below regarding each alliance's lounge policy. You have to show a boarding pass and your status credential to enter. You may bring one guest for free.
3. Paid Lounge Program Memberships
Every major US airline has its own lounge program and sells memberships and day passes. As stated before, since US domestic lounges don't allow domestic first class passengers or their own elite frequent flyers (with Delta Diamond Medallion as an exception) unless the segments is part of an international ticket, purchasing memberships directly from airlines seems logical to many in the U.S. Here we are focusing on their annual memberships and day passes. In addition, they may also have monthly, 90-day, multi-year, or even life time memberships. Membership entitles you unlimited lounge access for youself plus two guests or your immediate family. A day pass is only good for yourself. You have to fly with the airline or its partner within the alliance and show the membership to enter a lounge.
Many credit cards provide access to airport lounges and many people are confused. Here we would like to give a thorough review on pretty much everything you need to know about airport lounges. First of all, what are airport lounges and why do so many people use them? An Airport lounge, often branded as an "airport VIP club", is a lounge that is operated by an airline or an independent owner to provide an area for resting, meeting, or working, with a quieter environment, complimentary beverage (including alcohol) and snacks, TV, internet, phone, fax, and other services (some have showers, or even complimentary massage). You may have access to airport lounges by several different ways: flying premium cabins (details see Section 1), flying as elite frequent flyers (restrictions apply, see Section 2), buying lounge program memberships or day passes (see Section 3), or holding credit cards that entitle you the access (see Section 4).
1. Premium Cabin Passengers
There are three global airline alliances: oneworld, Star Alliance, and SkyTeam. Each of them provides airport lounge access to their most lucrative customers - first class and business class passengers. You may only access a lounge of an alliance if you are traveling on a member airline within that alliance. The rules are:
- International first class passengers have access to first class or business class lounges. You may bring one guest for free.
- International business class passengers have access to business class lounges. No guest is allowed.
- Domestic first class passengers on some carriers (all oneworld members except American Airlines, and certain Star Alliance members - United Airlines and US Airways are excluded) have access to first class or business class lounges. You may bring one guest for free.
- Domestic business class passengers on some carriers (all oneworld members except American Airlines, and certain Star Alliance members - United Airlines and US Airways are excluded) have access to business class lounges. No guest is allowed.
2. Elite Frequent Flyers in Three Airline Alliances
You automatically earn elite status with an alliance when you achieve status with one of its member airline. A mid-tier (or higher) elite member of a certain alliance may have access to the alliance's network of lounges when traveling on any member airline within that alliance - please see the details below regarding each alliance's lounge policy. You have to show a boarding pass and your status credential to enter. You may bring one guest for free.
- oneworld has 12 member airlines and 550+ lounges throughout the world. oneworld mid-tier Sapphire elite members (such as American Airlines Platinum) have access to oneworld business class lounges (Qantas domestic business class lounges are excluded). oneworld top-tier Emerald elite members (such as American Airlines Executive Platinum) have access to oneworld first class or business class lounges. The entry-tier Ruby elite members (such as American Airlines Gold) are not entitled lounge access. However, the biggest catch here is that American Airlines elites cannot access lounges when traveling within North American (defined as the U.S., Canada, Mexico except Mexico City, the Bahamas, Bermuda and the Caribbean), unless the segment is part of an international itinerary. The reason behind this is the paid membership that we will discuss in the next section.
- Star Alliance has 27 member airlines and 970+ lounges worldwide. Star Alliance mid-tier Gold elite members (such as United Premier Gold and above, US Airways Gold Preferred and above) have access to Star Alliance Gold lounges, which are mostly business class. Star Alliance entry-tier Silver elite members are not entitled lounge access. Note that unlike oneworld, Star Alliance does not have top-tier status, thus top-tier elites of its members (such as United Premier Platinum and 1K) only receive Star Alliance Gold status. Very similar to oneworld, the biggest catch here is that United and US Airways elites cannot access United Clubs and US Airways Clubs within in the U.S., unless the segment is part of an international itinerary.
- SkyTeam has 14 member airlines and 460+ lounges worldwide. Unlike oneworld and Star Alliance, SkyTeam mid-tier Elite Plus members (such as Delta Gold Medallion and above) may only access SkyTeam lounges, which are mostly business class, when traveling internationally. Delta Diamond Medallion is one exception - Diamond Medallion members get complimentary Sky Club memberships (see the next section). SkyTeam entry-tier Elite members don't have lounge access, and SkyTeam, just like Star Alliance, does not have top-tier status thus top-tier elites of its members (such as Delta Platinum and Diamond Medallion) only receive SkyTeam Elite Plus.
3. Paid Lounge Program Memberships
Every major US airline has its own lounge program and sells memberships and day passes. As stated before, since US domestic lounges don't allow domestic first class passengers or their own elite frequent flyers (with Delta Diamond Medallion as an exception) unless the segments is part of an international ticket, purchasing memberships directly from airlines seems logical to many in the U.S. Here we are focusing on their annual memberships and day passes. In addition, they may also have monthly, 90-day, multi-year, or even life time memberships. Membership entitles you unlimited lounge access for youself plus two guests or your immediate family. A day pass is only good for yourself. You have to fly with the airline or its partner within the alliance and show the membership to enter a lounge.
- American Airlines Admirals Club: American operates 40+ lounges, and Admirals Club membership also grants you access to 30+ Qantas lounges and 3 Alaska lounges. The initiation fee is $50. The annual membership is $450 for general public, $400 for Gold members, $350 for Platinum members, and $300 for Executive Platinum. Hereinafter, we will use the $450/$400/$350/$300 format to represent four levels: general public, entry-tier elite, mid-tier elite, and top-tier elite. The annual spouse membership (you and your spouse/domestic partner each get a membership card) is $775/$675/$575/$475. The day pass is $50.
- United Airlines United Club: United operates 50+ lounges, and United Club membership also gives you access to 10+ US Air lounges, and more than 200 Star Alliance lounges, which include Star Alliance branded lounges and Star Alliance member operated business class lounges. Note that you can only bring one guest to Star Alliance lounges. The initiation fee is now $0. The annual membership is $475/$450/$425/$400/$375 and the annual spouse membership $700/$675/$650/$600/$550 (United now has four elite status levels). The one-time pass (not day pass) is $50 if purchased in airport and $39 if purchased online.
- US Airways Club: US Airways has more than 10 lounges, and US Airways Club membership also gives you access to 50+ United lounges, plus more than 200 Star Alliance lounges. You can only bring one guest to Star Alliance lounges. The initiation fee is $50. The annual membership is $450/$375/$375/$375/$325 (US Air has four elite status levels) and adding a spouse is $225 (no extra saving with status). The day pass is $50 if purchased in airport and $29 if purchased with a US Air Ticket online.
- Delta Air Lines Sky Club: Delta operates 50+ lounges, and Sky Club membership also allows you to access lounges owned by Alaska, Air France, KLM and Virgin Australia. You can only bring one guest to Virgin Australia lounges. The initiation fee is $50. The annual membership is $450/$400/$350/$300/$300 (Delta has four elite status levels) and adding an adult (who does not need to be spouse/domestic partner) is just $200. Note that Delta Diamond Medallion members enjoy complimentary Sky Club membership but can renew it for $300 before the Diamond status expires. The day pass is $50 normally but $25 if you have Amex Gold or Platinum Delta SkyMiles Card.
- Alaska Airlines Board Room: Alaska has 5 lounges, and Board Room membership also allows you to access 3 American lounges, 1 Continental lounge, 1 Plaza Premium lounge, and 50+ Delta lounges. The initiation fee is $100/$50/$0/$0. The annual membership is $350/$325/$295/$295, and adding a spouse is $250. The day pass is $45.
- Priority Pass: this is an independent airport lounge program not affiliated with any particular airline. It has a coverage of 650+ lounges worldwide. The best thing is that you don't need to fly with the airline that operates the lounge, not even showing a boarding pass; the only thing you need is your Priority Pass membership card. However, any guest you bring costs $27. The coverage includes United, US Air, Alaska, and many international lounges. Delta left the program in 2009 which was quite a blow and American's domestic lounges have never been in the program. There are three levels of membership: Standard is $99 and you pay $27 per visit; Standard Plus is $249 and you have 10 free visits ($27/visit thereafter); Prestige is $399 and you have unlimited entries (a guest is still $27).
- Priority Pass Select: Priority Pass created this sub-program specially for US credit card issuers in 2011. From October 1, 2011, Priority Pass Select has excluded United/Continental lounges so the coverage is now 600+ lounges worldwide. There was a story behind it. When Priority Pass came out a few years ago, it partnered with many US credit card issuers to be included as a feature of some premium credit cards. Those credit cards (some discussed in the next section) gained huge popularity, and obviously Chase who has strong partnership with United stepped in and made a deal with Priority Pass to exclude United/Continental lounges from Priority Pass membership obtained through US financial institutions.
- Lounge Club: This is again managed by Priority Pass but its coverage is even smaller than Priority Pass Select - it excludes United and US Air lounges and many international lounges from the Priority Pass program and currently only has 350+ lounges worldwide. As of May 2012, Chase has converted the Priority Pass Select membership to Lounge Club membership on its credit cards, and we expect this trend is going to spread to other card issuers.
4. Credit Cards Issued by US Financial Institutions
There are many credit cards that give you airport lounge access. But they are not created equally. Here we would like to give a summary and annual fee is noted.
5. What is Good for Me?
It is totally up to your travel pattern: how much you do international travel, which airline(s) you fly, whether or not you have status with an alliance, how many times you need lounges in a year.
When you travel internationally and you fly premium cabin (by either paying cash or using miles) or you have mid-tier or higher status with the alliance, you already have lounge access. If you don't have either, then club membership or Priority Pass may make sense. Of course you still need to consider how many times you will use lounges in conjunction with your domestic travel pattern.
When you travel domestically and want lounge access, you have no choice but to buy membership or to pay annual fee on an eligible credit card.
There are many credit cards that give you airport lounge access. But they are not created equally. Here we would like to give a summary and annual fee is noted.
- American Express Platinum Card ($450): complimentary access to over 140 lounges operated by American, Delta, and US Air for you plus two guests or your immediate family. It also gives Priority Pass Select that adds Alaska and many international lounges; complimentary access is unlimited but it is only good for you (a guest costs $27).
- Citi Executive / AAdvantage WEMC ($450): complimentary full Admirals Club membership, which means you plus two in American, Qantas, and select Alaska lounges.
- Chase MileagePlus United Club Visa ($375): complimentary full United Club membership, which means you plus two in United and US Air lounges, and you plus one in over 200 Star Alliance lounges.
- American Express Delta Reserve ($450): complimentary access to 50+ Delta Sky Clubs. Please note this is not a full Sky Club membership since it does not include partner lounges.
- Priority Pass Select with unlimited complimentary lounge access through Ameriprise WEMC (only available for existing card members who opened the card before January 2012, $150, for you only), Fidelity Private Client Amex ($200, for you only), and BofA Accolades Amex ($295, for you only).
- Lounge Club with unlimited complimentary lounge access through Chase Ritz-Carlton Visa Signature ($395, for you plus one) and Chase J.P. Morgan Palladium ($600, for you plus one).
- Priority Pass Select Standard Level (usually $27 per visit for you or guest) through Saks Fifth Avenue World Elite MasterCard (no annual fee, $30 per visit), PenFed Amex (no annual fee, two free visits with $15K spending and $27 thereafter), Amex Hilton HHonors Surpass ($75, $27 per visit).
- Lounge Club Standard Level ($27 per visit for you or guest) through Chase Ink Bold ($95, two free visits for you plus one, $27 per visit thereafter), Chase Fairmont Visa ($95, two free visits for you, $27 per visit thereafter).
5. What is Good for Me?
It is totally up to your travel pattern: how much you do international travel, which airline(s) you fly, whether or not you have status with an alliance, how many times you need lounges in a year.
When you travel internationally and you fly premium cabin (by either paying cash or using miles) or you have mid-tier or higher status with the alliance, you already have lounge access. If you don't have either, then club membership or Priority Pass may make sense. Of course you still need to consider how many times you will use lounges in conjunction with your domestic travel pattern.
- Admirals Club for American and Qantas. You can buy directly from American or obtain a Citi Executive / AAdvantage WEMC.
- United Club / US Airways Club for United, US Airways and over 200 Star Alliance lounges. Chase MP Club Visa gives you full United Club membership plus other perks.
- Sky Club for Delta, KLM, Air France, and Virgin Australia.
- Priority Pass Select offered by Ameriprise WEMC or Amex Platinum is the best deal compared to those offered by other cards.
When you travel domestically and want lounge access, you have no choice but to buy membership or to pay annual fee on an eligible credit card.
- Amex Platinum has American, Delta, US Air, and Alaska (through Priority Pass Select). The annual fee is $450, but you have many other perks such as $200 airline incidental reimbursement, Fine Hotels and Resorts. For example, if you make full use of the $200 incidentals, you are only paying $250 for lounge access, which is cheaper than buying any membership directly from airlines. On top of that, you can add up to three additional users for $175/year and they all enjoy lounge access. That is why if you fly one or more of these airlines, you should strongly consider joining many others to sign up for the card.
- You may want to consider Citi Executive / AAdvantage WEMC if you value their EQMs and charge a lot on American Airlines purchases.
- You may want to consider Amex Delta Reserve if you value their MQMs and free companion certificate, even though you only have access to Delta lounges not partners.
- You may want to consider Ameriprise WEMC if you frequent US Airways or Alaska and only use their lounges. The annual fee is low and your additional user gets his/her own Priority Pass Select for free.
- If you frequent United, your best bet is probably the new Chase MP Club Visa, since $395 is just a little more than United Club charges for United 1K (their top-tier members). However, considering that US Airways may run promotions to give out US Airways Club annual membership cheaper (it was $259 with initiation fee waived they offered in April 2011), you have an alternative. In addition, consider Priority Pass Prestige ($399, the paid membership) if you also have some non-Star Alliance international flights on which you need lounge access.
