Airline lounges offer a multitude of benefits for all types of travelers. Whether you’re a frequent business traveler or just someone who enjoys a little extra comfort and convenience, airline lounges can enhance your travel experience. From complimentary food and drinks to personalized assistance with flight cancellations and rebookings, these lounges provide a welcome escape from the chaos of airport terminals and gate areas.
If you have a large stash of airline miles, you may be wondering if you should use those miles to purchase a lounge membership with your airline of choice. While it’s generally best to use a credit card to gain access to an airline lounge, this guide will consider lounge memberships with American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and United Airlines before discussing several other options.
Let’s start with American Airlines. The Admirals Club membership offers access to nearly 50 Admirals Club locations and more than 60 partner lounges worldwide. To gain Admirals Club access, members must have a boarding pass for same-day travel on any departing or arriving flight that is either marketed or operated by American or marketed and operated by any Oneworld airline. Admirals Club membership includes access for the member and their immediate family members or up to two guests.
The cost for an Admirals Club membership varies depending on the elite level of the AAdvantage program. AAdvantage miles can also be used to purchase a membership, but the value of the miles is lower than their typical valuation, so it may not be the best use of miles. Another option for access to Admirals Club lounges is through the Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard, which comes with full Admirals Club access.
Next, let’s look at Delta Air Lines. The Delta Sky Club membership offers access to more than 50 Sky Club lounges. Sky Club members can only use the lounge with same-day, ticketed air travel on Delta or its partner airlines. Delta offers two types of memberships: executive, which includes unlimited access for the member and up to two guests per visit, and individual, which includes unlimited access for only the member but allows up to two guests for an additional fee. SkyMiles can be used to purchase a Sky Club membership, but the value of the miles is lower than their typical valuation.
Finally, United Airlines offers the United Club membership, which provides access to more than 45 United Club locations worldwide. United Club members must have a same-day arrival and/or departure boarding pass on a United, Star Alliance, or contracted partner flight to enter the lounge. The cost of a United Club membership varies depending on the elite level of the MileagePlus program. United MileagePlus miles can be used to purchase a membership, but the value of the miles is lower than their typical valuation.
While these airline lounge memberships offer great benefits, it’s important to note that access is typically limited to flights with a specific airline or its partner airlines. If you’re looking for access to a wider range of airport lounges, alternative methods should be explored. For example, The Platinum Card from American Express and The Business Platinum Card from American Express provide access to lounges within the American Express Global Lounge Collection. Many credit cards also offer membership to Priority Pass lounges. The American Express Green Card even offers statement credits for lounge access via LoungeBuddy.
In conclusion, airline lounges provide a multitude of benefits for travelers, and lounge memberships can offer even more convenience and comfort. While it may be best to use a credit card to gain access to an airline lounge, considering airline lounge memberships with your preferred airline can also be a viable option. However, it’s important to weigh the value of using miles or points for a membership against other redemption options. Additionally, exploring alternative methods for accessing a wider range of airport lounges can provide even more flexibility and options for travelers.