Airport Lounges

The best way to get access to an airport lounge is to buy a first- or business-class ticket. But traveling coach doesn’t mean you can’t have the same access. According to Travel & Leisure Magazine (July/2008), you have four options: the annual pass, the day pass, the third-party pass, and credit card pass:

THE ANNUAL PASS

If you’re loyal to a single carrier and often fly routes that require waits in airports where your airline has a hub, purchasing an annual pass ($4250-$400) is a good idea. Note: don’t purchase a plan without investigating first. Many airlines have cut back services because of rising costs. For example, American flies to 250 cities but only operates clubs in 38 airports (and no longer offers complimentary food or beverages), and Delta recently closed nine of its 47 lounges.

THE DAY PASS

If you’re motivated by price rather than loyalty — and don’t plan on using a lounge more than five times a year — day passes are a better alternative.

Lounge Pass (www.loungepass.com) – Offers per-visit access to more 130 lounges at 100 airports around the world, including Heathrow and LaGuardia. From $45 at lounge entrances; from $29 at their Web site.

THIRD-PARTY PASS

Priority Pass (www.prioritypass.com) – Membership programs offered by a third-party don’t require airline loyalty or restrict you to certain airports and countries. Priority Pass is the largest such lounge access program with 1.7 million members, and access to more than 500 lounges around the world. Annual memberships $99. Priority has partnerships with all domestic airlines but to varying degrees (including five at New York’s JFK).

CREDIT CARD ACCESS

American Express (www.americanexpress.com) – Platinum cardholders get free access to Continental, Delta, and Northwest lounges, and Amex Centurion and Citi Chairman cardholders all receive free Priority Pass memberships (see third-party passes).