When thinking about ways to improve your air-travel experience, we often only consider the time we spend up in the air, but our mood at the airport and before the flight can significantly impact the overall inflight experience. Following on from Is Premium Economy Really Worth It?, I’m now asking the question is airport lounge access really worth it? Stay tuned til the end for an exclusive That Airline Guy special offer…
Until recently, lounges were reserved for the high-flying premium passengers, but an increasing number of airports are now featuring lounges accessible to passengers of any class, on a pay-per-entry basis. They vary in facilities, size and amenities, but generally offer complimentary food, drink (including alcoholic beverages), WiFi, computers/printers, and space to relax, while the more high-end ones can offer beds, shower facilities and massages/spa treatments. Entry to these ‘airport havens’ usually spans the $20-$50 mark.
‘The Cabin’ lounge at HKG
To weigh up whether this entry fee would prove good value for you, you firstly have to consider how much you would otherwise spend at the airport. Tally up the amount you’d be set back for buying a coffee/newspaper/drink/meal/WiFi, all of which would be free in the lounge. Of course, if this surpasses the lounge fee, by all means jump in headfirst.
The next thing to consider is how much you will value the comfort and escape from the crowds/chaos that the lounge provides. This often goes hand-in-hand with how much time you’re spending at the airport so is more valuable ahead of long haul flights, or if your flight suddenly announces a significant delay.
Final Thoughts
If I’ve got over an hour’s wait in the airport, I’d generally book myself into a lounge, if it wasn’t already covered as part of my ticket (in Business/First Class). If you fancy pampering yourself next time you’re flying, download the ‘Loungebuddy’ app, and use the credit voucher code airlineguy at checkout to receive $10 off your first lounge visit.
What’s your favourite lounge? Do you find it worth the price?
Let us know down below!
For me, it’s always about how crowded the lounge is. For example, if I am flying United out of EWR, I will pop in really fast before paying to see if it’s super busy. If it is busy, I can’t justify the cost. Same goes with the AMEX lounges.
Though, randomly flying out of EWR I will fly Delta, and their lounge tends to be dead. That I usually don’t mind paying for. Personally, I use a lounge to get away from everything and if it’s super packed, I can’t be there.
Good point Jason – totally agree :). And generally, pay-per-entry lounges tend to be more busy…
I agree with you on the “crowded” factor. I forgot which lounge it is, but one time I was thinking of popping into a lounge during a transit but the line was way out the door. I skipped it — I can’t imagine it being a comfortable lounge with so people waiting just to get in (and it was very warm and crowded where the line was already). I’d add that there 2 key reasons why I’d want to go to a lounge 1) for the quiet time and 2) for the food 🙂 assuming the lounge offers a decent… Read more »
Reason #3, the shower!