For travelers just starting to explore the world of credit card perks, the allure of luxury travel can be irresistible. I remember reading about lie-flat business class seats and stays at five-star hotels before experiencing our first trip in business class. The promise of a premium experience is undeniably enticing. Yet among these perks, airport lounge access often stands out as the most overhyped.
Having access to an airport lounge is undoubtedly a nice benefit. Escaping the crowded gate area and securing a comfortable seat with a working power port can significantly improve your airport experience. However, is it worth signing up for a premium travel credit card solely for lounge access?
A while back, I read an article titled “Travel Blogs Convinced Me I Needed Airport Lounge Access. They Were Wrong.” The author’s experience made me reflect on the misconceptions surrounding airport lounges. As someone who writes about travel, I wanted to break down these expectations and share a more balanced perspective.
Airport Lounges Are Amazing…Sometimes
Some airport lounges are indeed spectacular. Iconic examples include the Lufthansa First Class Terminal in Frankfurt and Cathay Pacific’s lounges in Hong Kong. However, access to these exclusive spaces usually requires a first or business-class ticket, not just a credit card that offers the perk of lounge access.
For most travelers using luxury travel credit cards, the experience can vary widely. On one end, you might find a beautifully designed lounge with excellent amenities, like the one in Hanoi, Vietnam. On the other hand, you might encounter a barebones facility, such as Hawaiian Airlines’ Honolulu lounge. Thankfully, it has been slated for an upgrade, but not until late 2027.
Are Lounges Really Relaxing?
One of the biggest myths about airport lounges is that they offer a serene escape. In reality, many lounges are anything but relaxing. Overcrowding is a common issue, with lines forming just to enter. Once inside, finding an available seat (and especially more than one seat next to each other) can feel like a scavenger hunt.
The noise levels often rival those of the main terminal, with a mix of phone conversations, restless children, and general commotion. For many, the atmosphere may not justify the cost or effort of obtaining access.
The Truth About Food and Drinks
Food and beverage offerings in airport lounges can also be hit or miss. On the lower end, you might find powdered eggs and plastic-wrapped pastries, or perhaps a hotel-style pancake machine (you ever hear about the traveler who fixes them, just for fun?). On the other hand, some lounges provide made-to-order meals and high-quality drinks.
Unfortunately, the most elevated dining experiences you’ll read about online are usually reserved for premium cabin passengers. Credit card lounge access rarely grants entry to these lounges.
Lounges Aren’t Always Convenient
Even if your airport has a lounge, it might not be conveniently located for your flights. A lounge in another terminal may require significant effort to access, diminishing its value. For example, at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport, reaching certain lounges involves taking the train between terminals. Similarly, at JFK Airport, accessing a lounge in a different terminal might require a ride on the AirTrain.
These detours can become even more time-consuming if you need to clear security again. Unless you have a long layover, the effort to reach a lounge may outweigh its benefits.
Few lounges are compelling enough to justify arriving at the airport significantly earlier just to visit. If you’re curious about which lounges are worth the detour, check out this post.
Alternatives to Lounge Access
Instead of lounge access, there are other ways to upgrade your airport experience. Many airports now feature locally-owned restaurants in their terminals (Cask & Larder at MCO, One Flew South at ATL), allowing travelers to enjoy a quality meal while supporting regional businesses. For example, Portland International Airport (PDX) boasts offerings from iconic local spots, while Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) features live music and Tex-Mex cuisine.
Other options include spending your pre-flight time in amenities like Minute Suites for a quick nap, spa treatments for relaxation, or even game lounges for entertainment. These alternatives can often provide a comparable or better experience without the commitment of a premium travel credit card.
Things to Consider
Getting back to the article that sparked this discussion, the author made several missteps when deciding to pay $395 to $550 for a card just for lounge access. While many travel cards include a Priority Pass Select membership, the high annual fees can be difficult to justify for this perk alone.
In the author’s case, her travel style didn’t align with the lounge network. She found few opportunities to use the benefit, and her short layovers made it challenging to relax in a lounge before rushing to her next flight. These mismatched expectations underscore the importance of evaluating whether lounge access aligns with your travel habits before committing to a high-fee credit card.
However, I agree with this summary that a premium travel card isn’t just about lounge access. Many other perks can offset the high fee.
For me, Priority Pass alone wasn’t worth the cost of the annual fees for either card. But both travel cards offered other perks and rewards that made opening them worthwhile. The value of the welcome bonuses on both cards far exceeded their annual fees, and each card came with useful travel benefits, like travel insurance. And, once you factored in the cash value of various statement credits, the effective annual fees for the cards were much lower than the sticker price.
Final Thoughts
Airport lounge access is often touted as a cornerstone of luxury travel, but it’s not without its limitations. Before committing to a premium travel credit card solely for lounge perks, consider your travel habits, airport options, and personal preferences.
For some, the convenience and comfort of lounges will make them worthwhile. For others, the reality may fall short of the hype. As always, the key is to set realistic expectations and find the travel perks that genuinely enhance your journey.
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1 comment
Airline lounges have customer service counters which are a godsend when flights are disrupted and the gate staff is overwhelmed