![]() Now, we'll see Chase lounges soon appearing at airports. The business of credit card airport loungesĬhase Lounge at the 2019 U.S. ![]() Here's exactly how these card companies are democratizing lounge access and whether this is actually a good thing. But now, in 2021, Chase and Capital One are intent on capturing a piece of your pre-flight experience - cocktail and all. Now, we're seeing this trend continue even further, with credit card issuers pushing their own lounge access to more travelers than ever before.įor more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.įirst came Amex, with a significant head start in 2013. So how did Priority Pass go mainstream? From the Chase Sapphire Reserve® to The Platinum Card® from American Express, Priority Pass has become a standard perk on most premium cards. But the rise in popularity of airline lounge memberships and Priority Pass over the past decade has widened the appeal of - and access to - airport lounges, all of varying quality. While most airlines only extend lounge access to passengers booked in business class or first class, Qantas partner Japan Airlines and Star Alliance member ANA are two exceptions to this rule, with premium economy passengers given access to the same lounges as business class flyers.Once upon a time, airport lounge access was only for the select few.Ī private, tranquil pre-flight experience was reserved for the most frequent flyers or highest elite members. Book your premium economy flight with Japan Airlines or ANA George Amplify Signature card, among others. Some credit cards even provide Priority Pass memberships of varying types at no cost, including the AMEX Platinum Charge Card, Westpac Altitude Black and the St. Memberships start at around $140 per year plus $35 every time you visit a lounge, with higher-priced memberships offering 10 inclusive visits per year or unlimited access. ![]() This independent airport lounge scheme provides access to over 1,000 lounges globally, regardless of which airline you’re travelling with. While competitor Virgin Australia also sells airport lounge memberships, these don’t provide access before longer international flights on which premium economy can be found – such as when flying from Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane to Los Angeles, but a more flexible alternative is Priority Pass. Qantas Club members receive access to the new Qantas international business class lounge at Brisbane Airport Many high-end Australian credit cards come with airport lounge access too, so check if your wallet has a super-shiny card and ask your bank what might be included if you’re unsure. See if your credit card provides lounge access If these cards are missing from your wallet but somebody you’re travelling with is armed with Gold or Platinum status, you may instead be able to visit a lounge as their guest.īut lesser-known is that many Silver frequent flyer cards provide airport lounge access too: either a certain number of annual visits, or year-round just like their Gold and Platinum counterparts.įor instance, Qantas Silver members receive one complimentary pass each year which can be exchanged for one lounge visit, either in Australian international airports or before the flight home where the overseas lounge is also operated by Qantas (such as in Auckland).Ĭathay Pacific takes a more generous approach, extending unlimited airport lounge access to its Marco Polo Club Silver frequent flyers whenever travelling with Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon, including in airports where Cathay Pacific uses the lounges of partner airlines, such as in Sydney. It’s no secret that a shiny frequent flyer card can be your ticket to airport lounge access, so if your wallet already packs a Gold- or Platinum-grade frequent flyer card – such as Qantas Gold, Platinum or Platinum One or Virgin Australia Velocity Gold or Platinum – you’re all set. ![]() Be a Platinum, Gold or Silver frequent flyer However, you don’t have to sit out in the terminal: there are many ways to relax in the comfort of an airport lounge before your flight, even if your ticket doesn’t include the privilege. Premium economy trumps ‘regular’ economy in many ways, but one aspect commonly missing from the equation is airport lounge access – a perk typically reserved for business class passengers instead.
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