Lounges often have the reputation of being particularly luxurious places. Sometimes that is also the case, but unfortunately there are also exclusive waiting areas that are simply not worth the money. Travelers do not get the best meals and a wide selection of drinks everywhere. However, many also ask themselves the question: How do I actually get in?

First of all, a distinction has to be made which lounge type is actually involved, because there are in fact different ones. Some are offered by airlines and / or rail companies, others by airports, and still others by credit card companies and / or independent operators. The last two types mentioned are usually open to every visitor against payment of an entrance fee. Some airlines also allow it to be used for a fee, regardless of the travel class of the ticket.

Airline lounges:

These are primarily aimed at passengers who have business or first class tickets. Frequent flyers of a certain status can often use the exclusive waiting area at no extra charge. In both cases, the prerequisite is usually that you have a valid ticket from the respective airline or alliance. There are often different lounges at turnstiles, access to which depends on the booking class and / or the status level of the frequent flyer card. Sometimes it is also possible that at least one guest can be taken along free of charge. However, this is not a general rule, because the regulations differ enormously depending on the airline.

Without a corresponding ticket or frequent flyer card with sufficient status, there is no entry under normal circumstances. If you don't have both, you can only try to speak to another traveler in front of the lounge and ask if you will be taken as a guest. This takes courage, but it could lead to success and you can stay in the airline lounge free of charge. The Lufthansa Group also offers in Frankfurt and Munich that you can use the business lounges with eco-tickets and without a frequent flyer card for a fee. Payment is made directly at the lounge reception. Other airlines also offer “shopping”, whereby a reservation is sometimes necessary during the web check-in and in other cases payment can be made spontaneously in the lounge. More information on this topic can usually be found on the homepage of the respective airline. It should also be noted that a few selected airline lounges are also accessible with credit cards and / or lounge passes such as Priority Pass or Dragon Pass.

Airport lounges:

These are offered by the respective airport and either operated by the airport or by a catering company. Access is particularly easy, because if the airline has an agreement with the airport, a business class ticket and / or a frequent flyer card with sufficient status are usually sufficient. If you don't have both, this type of lounge is open to all passengers for a fee. Many credit cards also allow access to these exclusive waiting areas. As a rule, Dragon Pass and Priority Pass are also accepted. More information on this can be found on the homepages of the airports, but also from the card providers. Unfortunately, the quality of the airport lounges varies greatly in some cases. There are locations where the offer is extremely large and others are simply not worth the money. Frequent flyers know their “Pappenheimer Lounges”. Infrequent flyers can search for reviews on the Internet in advance and then decide whether the lounge of their choice is worth the entry fee for them.

Credit card and third party lounges:

Diners Club, American Express and Mastercard in particular also have their own lounges at many major airports. These are primarily aimed at their own cardholders, but are usually open to all passengers on payment of the entrance fee. Caution trap: access to the lounges is not automatically included with every credit card, and certainly not free of charge. Some providers only include the theoretical option in the annual price, but a fee is charged for each use. With free use, the number of visits per year can also be limited or certain sales targets must have been achieved. You should therefore clarify with the card issuer beforehand whether the lounges are included and, if so, under what conditions.

It should also be noted that very few locations are operated directly by or on behalf of the map providers. Often one has contracts with the airport lounges, so that one uses them and not an exclusive lounge of the credit card provider. The conditions of the card-issuing banks differ so widely that in case of doubt there is no avoiding a conversation with the bank.

Many airports also have independent lounges that are neither operated by the airport nor by an airline or credit card company. These often have contracts with airlines, banks and providers such as Priority Pass and Dragon Pass. If you have the right ticket or card, you can get in. Otherwise, entry is usually possible against payment of an entrance fee.

Regardless of the ticket booked and / or the frequent flyer card, there are various ways to get into the lounges. As already mentioned, some banks offer this to their cardholders. However, caution is advised here, because while with some providers the visits are actually free of charge, others only allow the theoretical possibility of access. A fixed fee must then be paid for the actual use. Increasingly, banks are also cooperating with pay-per-use providers such as Loungebuddy and Loungekey. This is an indication that a usage fee is due. Many premium cards, on the other hand, can continue to use the lounge at no extra charge or issue a Priority Pass and / or Dragonpass to their customers. However, only the card-issuing bank can provide precise information on this subject.

Lounge Club Memberships:

Priority Pass and Dragon Pass are programs that allow access to airport and third-party lounges regardless of the airline or ticket. There are also a few selected airline lounges. It's not exactly cheap, however, because in the cheapest packages you have to pay a fixed fee for each visit. Of course, there are also all-in packages for a corresponding annual membership fee. However, these have their price and are only worthwhile for absolute frequent flyers who are dependent on independence due to the fact that they travel with different airlines. 

Tip: Both Dragonpass and Priority Pass often have partner promotions. This leads to a greatly reduced annual membership fee, which can sometimes even be free of charge. With a little luck, at least one free visit is included. With these promotions, however, one must bear in mind that it is a pay-per-use offer and that no generally free access is granted. Still, you can save money.

Last but not least, a note: Especially with very high-priced package tours, you can often get a lounge invitation from the organizer, which then allows free access to the airport lounge. Some airlines also issue such invitations in the event of delays and cancellations. You can certainly ask about it.