Airport lounges undoubtedly add comfort, provide complimentary refreshments, ease and luxury to modern air travel. Yet many travellers have not even yet experienced thee key features and what it's all about. Entry to this world of privilege is open to regular travellers who have the means... and the smarts.
Here's a glimpse at our strategies for how to get lounge access to enjoy all the airport lounge benefits.
1. Membership
It's perhaps the most obvious and straightforward way to gain lounge access. Buy an annual membership or priority pass, like Qantas Club to get year-round access to the Qantas lounges. The only downside? It will cost you.
2. Points Status
Frequent traveller who amass either the required points or status credits and attain one of the top tiers in their respective programs can either gain a priority pass for an individual visit or permanent access while they retain that status. This priority pass is ideal for business travellers.
There are so many ways to earn points every single day - and now you can even clock up Qantas Points with Uber to get into the Qantas club!
3. Credit Cards
Some credit card companies, notably American Express, now operate their own lounges for holders of premium cards. Just be sure to do your research on lounge availability and lounge passes!
4. Vouchers
Some levels of credit cards will include lounge passes with annual membership. Keep your eyes open on member updates and benefits so you don't miss out on lounge passes.
5. Pay As You Go
Many airport lounges (and even some airlines like Virgin Australia) allow visits on a pay‑per-use basis through lounge passes, including Loungebuddy, Plaza Premium and Marhaba Lounge, which recently opened Australia's newest pay-as-you-go lounge at Melbourne Airport. It's very convenient, and also a great way to look into the benefits of lounge access before deciding to commit to a lounge program.
6. Fly Business Class
For many airlines, flying Business Class means you automatically get lounge access for nearby lounge locations with your chosen airline too. Simply present your boarding pass to gain access. For example, you don't need to be a Qantas Club member to access Qantas lounges, you will be granted a priority pass with your business class ticket to enjoy all the amenities the lounges offer.
Need to do work on the go? Many airport lounges can be work areas too, with state-of-the-art facilities and work-friendly features.
7. Upgrade
When you upgrade a paid economy ticket with points, that upgrade will usually include lounge access commensurate with the class you fly.
8. Annual Pass
If you travel frequently but not always in the premium seats, you can buy an inexpensive annual pass for third-party lounges like that offered by Priority Pass.
9. As A Guest
If your travel partner or colleague has membership, they'll often be able to admit you as their guest to their airport lounges so you can enter together pending space availability.
10. Special Circumstances
If your flight is cancelled or delayed, a customer service representative may allow you temporary lounge access.
Don't miss our list of brand new airport lounges to check out in 2018!
