Copy article

Saving money on airport lounges

Journalist: Emma Lunn, Freelance

ended 02. July 2026

Looking for money saving tips regarding the cheapest way to access airport lounges. i.e.

How much are airport lounge membership schemes – are they worth it (who for?)? Which ones are best (i.e. the most lounges)?

Which banks/credit cards/other financial products offer free or discounted lounge access? Do you need to book a space in advance? 

How to get lounge access for less? (i.e.  Using voucher sites, cashback offers, travel memberships and package deals to reduce the cost.)

When a lounge can save you money – Why travellers facing a long layover or airport delays may actually spend less by using a lounge than buying food and drinks in the terminal.

1 responses from the Newspage community

Copy all

Copy

Editor
Samuel Mather-Holgate
Managing Director & IFA at Mather and Murray Financial
Airport lounge access is only a bargain if it matches how you actually travel. A £30 lounge pass can beat paying airport prices for a meal, coffee, snacks and a drink, especially on a long layover or when delays turn the terminal into an expensive waiting room. But annual lounge memberships and premium cards only stack up for frequent flyers, not someone taking one summer holiday. Packaged bank accounts and top-end credit cards can be good value if you already use the insurance, breakdown cover or travel perks, but terrible value if you’re paying a monthly fee just for the occasional glass of prosecco. Always check whether pre-booking is needed, whether guests are included and whether your airport is covered. The cheapest route is often a discounted one-off pass, cashback deal or travel-club offer, not a shiny card with a fee you forget about