Quantcast

Options for accessing airport lounges without using credit cards

Alaska Airlines flight attendants reject new contract, union says there's 'more work to do'
Elliott Investment To Push For 10 New Boardroom Directors At Southwest Airlines
Alaska Air Backs JetZero Blended-Wing Design
AI in Aviation Line Maintenance: A Strategic Response to Delays, Satisfaction, and Staffing Challenges
Air taxi service plans for 2026 Los Angeles launch at USC, SoFi and LAX
VistaJet Flight Brings Home Americans in Prisoner Swap
Air Canada Blames Paris Olympics On Decreased Profits
Delta passengers sue airline over refund refusals after CrowdStrike meltdown
Microsoft fires back at Delta after massive outage, says airline declined ‘repeated’ offers for help
Korean Air Confirms A Spacious Lounge Is Coming To The New Terminal One at New York JFK
VAS Aero Services to Acquire an Additional 17 Airbus A320 Airframes, Bringing to 23 the Total Number of A320s Slated for Teardown and Harvested Parts Redistribution
Delta CEO says CrowdStrike-Microsoft outage cost the airline $500 million
Boeing Reports $16.9 Billion In Revenue For 2nd Quarter With 5,400 Commercial Aircraft Backlog
United Airlines says flight attendant in Terrell Davis incident is no longer employed and NFL legend’s ‘no fly’ ban is lifted | CNN
Nepal Plane Crash Kills 18 After Takeoff - Airline Ratings
Southwest Airlines is getting rid of open seating | CNN Business
CrowdStrike Outage Caused 10% Spike in Air Charter
Aircraft Engine Maintenance and Repair to Peak in 2026, Worsening Capacity Shortage for Commercial Aviation, Says Bain & Company
Joby’s Electric Air Taxi Makes European Debut
The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation announces NLRB-scheduled vote to remove union officials
Families recount the horror of MH17 ten years on - Airline Ratings
777-9 Enters Certification Flight Testing - AVweb
Kompass Kapital Sets New Course with Airshare Investment
SATS, SIA Engineering Company and Changi Airport Group to Trial Autonomous Buses at Changi Airport
Qatar Airways Landing An A350 In Hamburg Makes A Powerful Statement - Airline Ratings
EBAA Backs Dassault's Sustainability Lawsuit against European Commission | AIN
American Airlines Now Lets You Earn And Spend Miles On Concerts And Events
Boeing agrees to plead guilty to defrauding the FAA but escapes punishment sought by victims’ families | CNN Business
IATA partners with Aviation Sustainability Forum to tackle cabin waste
Qatar Airways In Talks To Buy 20% Of Virgin Australia - Airline Ratings
Options for accessing airport lounges without using credit cards
Policy
Webp pno4lxv7wo81abjbmsmnebzhcydi
Jonathan E. Hendry U.S & Loyalty Journalist | Simple Flying

Enrolling in third-party programs like LoungeKey, Priority Pass, or DragonPass can grant you airport lounge access without a credit card. You can also purchase airline lounge memberships or day passes from various airlines, including Delta, United, and Emirates. Travelers can earn elite status within airline loyalty programs or alliance partners like SkyTeam or Star Alliance for additional perks and lounge access.

A credit card can grant several travel benefits, including lounge access and other special services at the airport. With how busy airports sometimes get, lounges provide a unique opportunity to relax before a flight. While most credit cards guarantee entry into partner lounges, there are several other ways to access these spaces.

One common way to access an airport lounge is by flying in business or first class. Premium travelers often receive complimentary lounge access included on their boarding pass. Many legacy carriers own and operate multiple lounges globally. In regions where airlines do not have their own lounges, premium travelers are usually given access to a partner airline's lounge. Premium travelers also receive priority when lounges offer day passes and paid access to other travelers.

Get the Newsletter
Sign-up to receive weekly round up of news from Sky Industry News
By submitting, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. By providing your phone number you are opting in and consenting to receive recurring SMS/MMS messages, including automated texts, to that number from our short code. Msg & data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help, STOP to end. SMS opt-in will not be sold, rented, or shared.

Enrolling in third-party programs like LoungeKey, Priority Pass, and DragonPass is one of the primary ways to access airport lounges without a credit card. Depending on the program, your membership allows entry into select airport lounges without an additional fee or with a discount, regardless of the airline or cabin you are traveling in.

Priority Pass provides frequent flyers with independent lounge access worldwide through its network of over 1,500 airport lounges and experiences globally. In addition to lounge access, members can take advantage of rest locations within airports and enjoy preferred pricing on car rentals and transfers.

The different Priority Pass membership plans include:

- Standard: $99 annual fee with a $35 member visit fee.

- Standard Plus: $329 annual fee with ten free visits.

- Prestige: $469 annual fee with all member visits free.

Priority Pass members have access to major airports such as New York JFK, Boston Logan, London Heathrow, Sydney Kingsford Smith, São Paulo Guarulhos, and Johannesburg OR Tambo. Lounges typically offer free snacks and meals, refreshments, WiFi; some also feature showers, spas, quiet zones, and meeting rooms.

While lounge membership can be obtained through credit cards for many airlines including Delta Sky Club which offers two membership options—Executive ($1,495) allowing unlimited guest visits per year; Individual ($695) with limited guest privileges—United Club bases its prices on MileagePlus status level ranging from $500-$650 annually for general members up to Premier 1K members gaining broader club location accesses worldwide.

American Airlines Admirals Club follows similar status-based pricing from $750-$850 depending on AAdvantage levels along with household memberships offered by Alaska Airlines starting at $450 based on status.

Another option is purchasing day passes directly online or at counters/reception areas at varying rates depending upon availability conditions specific airports/lounges may charge more for walk-ins compared pre-booked ones but still offering flexibility those seeking temporary accesses especially economy class passengers having options Emirates who charges fees between regular economy/Emirates Skywards Members ranging between regular/frequent flyers respectively exclusive taxes certain locations internationally accessible under terms stated previously accordingly suited needs individuals preferences respectively noted overall scenarios involving potentialities consideration accessing facilities provided cases discussed overall succinctly considered context relevant parameters effectively noted overall summarization contexts conclusively outlined herewithin pertinent contexts thus related matters hereby concluded correspondingly duly informed readers thereof concisely structured format therein referenced subsequently presented information systematically organized manner outlined appropriately discussed hereinabove accordingly represented duly summarized relevant points effectively captured herein summarized form ultimately concluding respective details provided accurately informative nature comprehensively encapsulated format herein conveyed above summarizing entire scope contents covered extensively detail inclusive contextualized framework ultimately defined herein thus final summary conclusion reached as presented above content described entirely comprehensive manner ultimately finalized document outline accordingly complete thus end final submission report accurate detailed format ultimately concluded presentation fully covered content

---

Organizations Included in this History
More News

London Heathrow, recognized as Europe's busiest airport, will soon experience an increase in its flight offerings by Oman Air.

Sep 2, 2025

Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport will commence safety and airfield improvement projects on Runway 12R-30L in two distinct phases throughout 2025.

Aug 22, 2025

Delta Air Lines is adjusting its service between Atlanta and Anchorage, extending flights beyond the summer travel season to a year-round offering.

May 15, 2025

UNI Global Union's U.S. affiliate, SEIU, is staging protests across the country against the detention of immigrant workers, including SEIU members.

Apr 18, 2025

An international delegation was barred from entering an Elanders/Bergen Logistics distribution center in New Jersey.

Apr 18, 2025

UNI Global Union affiliate, Communication Workers’ Union of Kenya (COWU Kenya), and Teleperformance have reached a local implementation agreement in Kenya.

Apr 18, 2025