How to Get Free or Cheap Airport Lounge Access

Airport lounges don’t always mean a hefty price tag of a first class or business ticket. Sometimes you’ve got to fake it ‘till you make it. 

Going on holiday? Amazing. Dealing with crowded airports? Ugh. Let’s face it, departures can be chaotic and stressful, especially if you’re a nervous flyer or just not a people person. But what if we told you that you don’t HAVE to spend a small fortune on a business or first class ticket to get free or cheap airport lounge access? 

Yes, it’s a little bit extra and boujee. But if you were already thinking of getting away from the crowds, then we’ve got tips and tricks to get cheaper or even free access to airport lounges. So you can start your holiday relaxation before you’ve even left the country. 

In this article:

• Is it worth paying for an airport lounge?
• How much are airport lounges?
• Tips for getting free (or cheaper) airport lounge access

Is it worth paying for an airport lounge?

When you think of airport lounges, you might imagine sipping champagne, dressed head to toe in designer clothes and your monogrammed travel bag at your feet… just us? The reality of airport lounges is that, with the cost of airport meals, snacks and drinks now, they can be an affordable option anyway. 

When it comes to airport lounges, there’s definitely a spectrum of what to expect. You’ll find some lounges will offer free food, drinks and even magazines all included in the cost of your lounge pass, while others you’ll be expected to pay for any extras. Airport lounges can be much quieter, with more comfortable seats, which make it a much more relaxing start to your getaway. So it’s worth checking out TripAdvisor or Lounge Buddy, where you can find reviews of the facilities at various airports so you can work out if it’s worth it or not. 

If you’re someone that really gets stressed out by the thought of a departures lounge before a long haul flight, AND you can find an airport lounge for £30, then it’s definitely worth thinking about. If you’re headed on a short haul city break, then you might not find its worth it.

How much are airport lounges? 

The cost of airport lounges in the UK really vary depending on which airport and which lounge you go for. We’ve looked at the top 5 airports in the UK and sampled some of the prices you can expect to see for a day pass at specific lounges. 

From our research, you can expect to pay around £32-34 per person for lounge access. 

Tips for getting free (or cheaper) airport lounge access

Decided that the airport lounge life is for you? Then we’ve got you covered with some top tips to make sure you’re getting bang for your buck with cheap or even free airport lounge access.

1. Buy a day pass

One of the simplest ways you can get cheaper airport lounge access is to buy a day pass. Pre-booking your lounge ticket will often give you a better rate than if you just turn up on the day, as they usually restrict numbers. So if you’re planning ahead, then it’s worth checking out how much a day pass will cost. 

2. Check which banks give you free access to airport lounges

Some banks offer free access to airport lounges as a benefit to their premium account services or an add-on service. These include:

• Revolut
• Barclays Travel Plus Packs
• Natwest

So if you have one of these then it’s definitely worth checking out.

3. Ask for airport lounge access if your flight is delayed

Flight delays are an annoying part of travelling, but some credit cards including Revolut and Mastercard offer lounge access if your flight is delayed. So definitely check your cards before you head to the airport. 

4. Sign up to lounge newsletters for discounts

We all know about welcome offers when you sign up for a brand newsletter – and the same will often apply with airport lounges. When you book your flights, check out which airport lounges are available, then go to their website to see if you can get a welcome offer by signing up to their newsletter.

5. Look for cashback offers

Places like TopCashback often run deals with airport lounges, so even if it’s not as cheap as you’d like it to be, you could get money back when you buy a day pass. 

6. Annual memberships could work out more cost-effective if you’re a frequent flyer

For frequent flyers, one of the most cost-effective ways of accessing an airport lounge is to take out an annual membership. Many different lounges offer an annual subscription, which is perfect if you have to fly a lot, especially if you’re an international student. 

7. Frequent flyer schemes

If you are a frequent flyer but don’t want to look at an annual membership, then see if you can cash in some of your frequent flyer points to gain free or cheaper access to airport lounges. 

Virgin Atlantic’s frequent flyer scheme is free to join and can give you discounted access to airport lounges across the country.  

8. Travel with someone who has a pass

If you’re travelling with a friend or family member – check if they have a membership or pass for an airport lounge. Sometimes they’ll offer a discount or even guest pass for free to any guest of someone who has an existing pass. The parents come in handy sometimes!

9. Just ask!

Hey, we’re not saying it’s completely fool-proof – but there’s nothing wrong with smiling and asking nicely if you can access the airport lounge. Just like with upgrades to your ticket, it never hurts to ask the staff if you’re able to get a cheaper or free ticket. What’s the worst that could happen? 

If you’re planning for your next holiday, then make sure to check out our Student Beans travel discounts.