Day Pass Prices by Lounge Type
The simplest way to access an airport lounge is buying a day pass. Here's what you can expect to pay at different types of lounges worldwide:
Independent & Contract Lounges
| Lounge Network | Day Pass Price | What's Included |
|---|---|---|
| Plaza Premium | $40-$65 | Food, drinks, Wi-Fi, 3hr access |
| No.1 Lounges | $40-$55 | Buffet, bar, Wi-Fi, newspapers |
| Aspire Lounges | $35-$50 | Food, drinks, Wi-Fi |
| Primeclass | $30-$45 | Snacks, drinks, Wi-Fi |
| Airport-operated lounges | $25-$40 | Varies by location |
Airline Lounges
| Lounge Type | Day Pass Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Domestic airline lounges | $50-$65 | Usually same-day purchase |
| International business lounges | $60-$80 | Select airlines only |
| First class lounges | $100-$150+ | Rarely sold as day passes |
| Alliance partner lounges | $50-$75 | Varies by alliance |
Note: Not all airline lounges sell day passes. Many are exclusively for business/first class ticket holders and elite frequent flyers. Check our lounge directory for specific access policies.
Membership Program Pricing
Priority Pass
Priority Pass is the world's largest independent airport lounge network with 1,500+ lounges in 600+ cities.
| Plan | Annual Fee | Per-Visit Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $99 | $35 per visit | Light travellers (1-3 trips) |
| Standard Plus | $329 | 10 free visits, then $35 | Regular travellers (5-10 trips) |
| Prestige | $469 | Unlimited free visits | Frequent travellers (10+ trips) |
Guest fees: $35 per guest on all plans. Children under 2 are free at most lounges.
DragonPass
DragonPass offers access to 1,300+ lounges with flexible pricing.
- Individual visits: From $32 per person
- Membership plans available through partner banks and airlines
- Often bundled with Asian credit cards and airline programs
LoungeKey
LoungeKey provides access to 1,100+ lounges, primarily through credit card partnerships.
- Pay-per-visit: $32 per person
- Usually accessed via Mastercard World Elite or other premium cards
- No standalone membership required
Credit Card Lounge Access Costs
Many premium credit cards include lounge access as a built-in benefit. Here's what the top cards cost:
US Credit Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Lounge Access Included |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | $695 | Centurion, Priority Pass, Delta Sky Clubs*, Plaza Premium |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $550 | Priority Pass Select (unlimited) |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | Priority Pass, Capital One Lounges |
| Amex Gold | $250 | No lounge access |
| Citi Prestige | $495 | Priority Pass Select |
*Delta Sky Club access requires flying Delta
UK Credit Cards
| Card | Annual Fee | Lounge Access Included |
|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum (UK) | $695/yr | Centurion, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium |
| HSBC Premier Mastercard | Free (with Premier account) | LoungeKey (2 free/year) |
| Barclays Avios+ | $25/month | 4 lounge visits/year |
Effective Cost Per Visit
If you use a credit card primarily for lounge access (ignoring other benefits):
- 4 visits/year with Amex Platinum: $174/visit -- expensive for lounges alone
- 12 visits/year with Amex Platinum: $58/visit -- reasonable
- 4 visits/year with Capital One Venture X: $99/visit -- better, especially with other benefits
- 12 visits/year with Capital One Venture X: $33/visit -- excellent value
The key insight: credit cards with lounge access are only good value if you use the card's other benefits too -- points earning, travel insurance, hotel credits, etc.
Learn about all access methods →
Free Ways to Access Airport Lounges
Yes, there are legitimate free ways to get into airport lounges:
Business or First Class Ticket
Flying in a premium cabin always includes lounge access. If you're already paying for business class (or using miles to book it), the lounge is complimentary.
Airline Elite Status
Achieving top-tier frequent flyer status (typically Gold or above) unlocks lounge access even when flying economy.
Credit Card Welcome Bonuses
Many premium credit cards waive the first year's annual fee, giving you free lounge access for 12 months. The Capital One Venture X ($395/year) earns enough points in the first year to offset the fee.
Airline Lounge Invitations
Some airlines offer one-time lounge passes to frequent flyers, as birthday perks, or during travel disruptions (delays, cancellations, overbooking).
Military & Government
Active military personnel can access USO lounges at many US airports for free.
Prices by Region
Lounge pricing varies significantly around the world:
Most Affordable Lounge Regions
- Southeast Asia: $15-$30 for excellent lounges in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Manila
- Middle East: $25-$40 for high-quality lounges in Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi
- Eastern Europe: $20-$35 for solid lounges in Istanbul, Warsaw, and Prague
- South America: $20-$35 for lounges in Sao Paulo, Bogota, and Lima
Most Expensive Lounge Regions
- United States: $40-$80 for airline lounges; $35-$50 for contract lounges
- United Kingdom: $35-$55 for most lounges at Heathrow, Gatwick
- Western Europe: $35-$60 for lounges at major hubs
- Australia: $45-$65 for Qantas Club and Virgin Australia lounges
How to Get the Best Value
Based on how often you travel, here's the most cost-effective way to access lounges:
| Travel Frequency | Best Option | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 flights/year | Buy day passes | $30-$100 total |
| 3-5 flights/year | Credit card with lounge access | $395-$550 (with other benefits) |
| 6-12 flights/year | Priority Pass via credit card | $395-$695 (unlimited visits) |
| 13+ flights/year | Priority Pass Prestige | $469 standalone (unlimited) |
| Weekly traveller | Airline elite status + Priority Pass | Free with status + card |
Best overall value: A credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X gives you Priority Pass plus travel rewards, insurance, and other perks -- making the effective lounge cost much lower than standalone memberships.
Find the right access method for you →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get into an airport lounge?
Airport lounge prices range from $25 for basic independent lounges to $100+ for premium first class facilities. Most day passes cost $30-$50. Memberships like Priority Pass ($469/year) or credit cards ($395-$695/year) offer better value for frequent travellers.
Are airport lounge day passes worth it?
At $30-$50, day passes almost always save you money compared to buying food, drinks, and Wi-Fi separately in the terminal. For layovers over 2 hours, a day pass is excellent value.
Can I pay at the door for an airport lounge?
Many independent and contract lounges (Plaza Premium, No.1 Lounges, Aspire) accept walk-in payments. Most airline lounges require pre-qualification through ticket class, status, or membership. Check our lounge directory for specific policies.
Is Priority Pass cheaper than paying per visit?
With the Prestige plan at $469/year, Priority Pass is cheaper than day passes if you visit more than 13 times per year ($35/visit equivalent). However, getting Priority Pass through a credit card is usually the best deal since you get additional travel benefits.
Do children need to pay for airport lounges?
Policies vary. Most lounges admit children under 2 for free. Children aged 2-12 are typically half price or free with a paying adult. Priority Pass charges $35 for guests of any age (some lounges exclude children under 2). Always check the specific lounge's child policy.
Find Lounges at Your Airport
Search our directory to find available lounges and compare access options.