Can You Pay For Airport Lounges With Points And Miles?

Airport lounges are a sanctuary for travelers seeking comfort, convenience, and a touch of luxury while waiting for their flights. Access to these lounges typically requires membership, premium tickets, or status with specific airlines. However, savvy travelers are discovering that there are other ways to access lounges. This guide explores whether you can use points and miles for lounge access – and if so, how?

Using points and miles to access lounges

Airport lounges offer a variety of amenities that can significantly enhance your travel experience. These facilities typically include comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, high-speed WiFi, shower facilities, and often business centers or quiet areas. Some lounges even provide spa services, making them an ideal place to relax and rejuvenate before a flight.

Photo: Capital One

Using points and miles for lounge access is an attractive option for several reasons:

• Allows travelers to enjoy premium services without spending extra cash.
• Maximizes the value of accumulated rewards, especially for those with a surplus of points or miles.
• Offers flexibility and convenience, enabling travelers to enhance their journey without additional financial strain.

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You can use your points and miles for lounge access via airline loyalty programs and even alliance-wide programs. Read on to find out how.

Airline loyalty programs

Many airlines have loyalty programs that allow members to use their miles for lounge access. Here’s how some of the major US carriers operate:

American Airlines AAdvantage

American Airlines AAdvantage members can redeem miles for Admirals Club membership, which grants access to over 50 Admirals Club locations and more than 60 partner lounges worldwide. According to The Points Guy, Admirals Club membership grants access to the member as well as the member’s immediate family, which includes a spouse or domestic partner and children under 18, or up to two accompanying guests.

Photo: American Airlines

Membership is available for individuals or households, and can be paid in cash or miles. The total amount required depends on your frequent flyer membership tier, as below:

Delta SkyMiles

Like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines’s frequent flyer program, SkyMiles, offers access to more than 50 Delta Sky Clubs. The membership comes in two options: individual or executive. The former costs $695 a year, while the latter is $1,495.

Photo: Delta Air Lines

Instead of paying with cash, Delta’s frequent flyers can use their SkyMiles to purchase Delta Sky Club membership. When doing so, each SkyMile is worth $0.01.

However, it’s important to note that, since January 1, 2023, this perk is only open to select members. According to Delta, only SkyMiles members with Medallion elite status can purchase Delta Sky Club membership.

United MileagePlus

United MileagePlus members can use their miles to access over 45 United Club lounges worldwide. Similar to the Admirals Club program, United Club membership varies depending on your frequent flyer membership tier.

Photo: United Airlines

According to United Airlines, the cost for Admirals Club membership is as follows:

Reciprocal partnerships and alliance-wide benefits

If you’re not a frequent flyer with the above airlines, fret not – airline alliances (of which the above airlines are part of) often offer lounge access benefits, too.

Star Alliance

According to Star Alliance, the world’s largest airline alliance offers lounge access to more than 1,000 lounges across the globe for its Gold members traveling on any Star Alliance member airline flights. You can bring one guest, too, as long as they are flying on a Star Alliance flight.

Photo: Star Alliance

Access is available at Star Alliance branded lounges, member airline lounges, and certain third-party contract lounges. If you hold an eligible Paid Lounge Membership (such as United Club and Air Canada Maple Leaf Club), you can also access any Star Alliance member airline’s business class lounge at the departure airport.

oneworld

As one might expect, first and business class travelers on any oneworld member airline are treated to lounge access. However, did you know that certain oneworld members – no matter the class of travel – can enjoy using the lounge, too?

Photo: oneworld

oneworld provides lounge access benefits for its Sapphire and Emerald tier members, unlocking over 600 lounges worldwide to enhance the travel experience on any oneworld airline. Emerald members can enjoy both first and business class lounges, while Sapphire tier travelers get access to business class lounges, per oneworld.

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AAdvantage members can redeem miles for access to Admirals Club lounges and benefit from reciprocal access when flying in first or business class with oneworld partners, as stated on the American Airlines website.

SkyTeam

SkyTeam offers access to over 750 lounges worldwide for members with Elite Plus status, as well as first and business class customers. As a member of SkyTeam, Delta’s Sky Club is open to customers traveling in first or business class on any SkyTeam member airline flight.

Keep in mind that many of the lounge access perks listed here are only applicable at the departure airport – it’s always worth checking ahead of time to ensure you get to enjoy these benefits to the fullest.