This was our first time using a private airport lounge and if our budget allows it we may use them more in the future. Some lounges belong to a specific airline, access can be limited to passengers flying with them or their affiliate partners.
The lounge we used in Toronto’s Pearson Airport can be used by anyone, at a cost of course. We managed to get a coupon from an airport worker to bring the cost down. We had a little under three hours to waster before our next flight. We paid around $20 CDN each to spend that time in the lounge. Considering that included a meal I think it was a reasonable price.
In the lounge you are cut off from the rest of the airport chaos, noise and non-stop announcements. You can sit in a quiet atmosphere while you read a book or have a peaceful nap. Just make sure you wake up in time to board your flight.
This lounge offers a television area and work spaces for laptops or computers for use if you don’t have your own. Some lounges have shower facilities and completely separate sleeping rooms with beds, t.v.’s and internet access, but those can cost up to $30 an hour.
We arrived in the lounge just after 11am. They had just put out the fixings for lunch. A small salad bar and soup. There were still bagels, muffins, cereals and bread to make toast from the breakfast offerings. It looked like eggs and some other hot items were available during breakfast. You could also help yourself to coffee, tea, juice, pop and cookies. I’m sure it would have cost at least $10 or more each to eat somewhere in the airport, so we figure we got a pretty good deal by staying in the lounge.
When An Airport Lounge Might Work Out To Be A Good Deal
- Frequent flyers can get deals on an annual membership for the lounges of a specific airline and their affiliates. If you have the privilege of flying business or first class then lounge access is usually free.
- Certain credit cards may entitle you to airport lounge benefits.
- If you know you are going to use a lounge ahead of time check to see if you can purchase a day pass in advance through a site like Loungepass.
- One of the largest worldwide membership companies is Priority Pass. They give access to over 500 airlines around the world, and some partnerships with domestic airlines. They have several types of annual memberships depending on your usage.
- Check with your airline or around the airport for pamphlets that may have a coupon to bring the price down.
- If you are going to be eating a meal anyways take the cost of the meal into consideration if a lounge has food available.
- If you were going to pay a day use room rate at a hotel or have to stay overnight in one for a longer layover during the night it might be cheaper to stay in a lounge.
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