Airport Lounge Access – is the Cost Worth Your Cash?

I have long been fascinated by the mysterious world of the airport lounge.  I never quite understood who you had to know or what feat of economic trickery had to be performed in order to be allowed to pass through its gilt-edged doors.  So when a Christmas gift presented me with the opportunity to try one, I was giddy with excitement.  I’d finally made it into one of these seemingly masonic pre-travel clubs and could test out whether or not airport lounge access really is worth the cost.

After much anticipation and discussion over what was suitable to wear to meet the smart-casual dress code (my trusty flip-flops ended up firmly packed away inside the suitcase), the big day arrived.  As I made my way towards the Number 1 Lounge at Gatwick, it’s fair to say I had high expectations. For me, this was the epitome of travel luxury, the gateway to an altogether different travel dimension.  Would I continue to be enticed, or had the spell been broken?

Check in

Greeted by a gently spoken and welcoming concierge, along with a quick and easy process to check us in, our two-hour slot got off to a good start.  Although I felt like I was on the first day of a new job, having to ask where the toilets were, how to get the drinks machine to work and wondering if everyone else there knew something I didn’t about the expected etiquette and social norms. 

Food

After the initial pangs of imposter syndrome passed, we settled into a window-side table and ordered some hot food.  The interior design certainly lent itself to relaxation, with comfy sofas in muted tones and loads of tables and chairs to choose from.

Our experience of the food and beverages was mixed. There is a very limited selection of hot dishes that you’re allowed to choose one, and only one, option from.  This was fine for me, but less so for Mi Amor. The cold ‘buffet’ items helped, but the look in his eyes definitely said, ‘is this all I get’?  Taste-wise my hot breakfast roll was ok, as was the English breakfast-lite (eggs, beans and toast).  Quantity wise though, a hearty breakfast was called for, with a flight of 10 hours ahead of us. Sadly, in this department, the hot food selection was found wanting.

Drink

We’re not the biggest drinkers but were very much looking forward to embracing the decadence with some early morning bubbles.  So it was a bit of a surprise to find that the only fizz that comes included is English sparkling wine. You have to put your hand in your pocket again if you want prosecco or champagne.  If you’re watching the budget, it’s best to stick to beer or other branded alcoholic drinks, which are part of the package.  Hot drinks and juices are also available, on a self-serve basis, but were not great quality.

Chill out Area

Feeling more and more at ease (the drinks might possibly have helped with that), a bit of impatient noseying around the place on my behalf paid off, as I discovered the ‘Library’, which was, unsurprisingly, my favourite part.  There were only one or two other fellow travellers in this separate area and we soon became ensconced on a giant sofa, where we remained for the rest of our two hours, happy in our own pre-flight tranquillity zone.  

Is airport Lounge Access Worth It?

There are a range of generic paid-for airport lounges, UK providers are listed at the end of this article.  These are different from airline-specific lounges, which require membership or a ticket in the relevant class. Unfortunately, I haven’t reached those dizzy heights yet.  Having seen behind the magic curtain, it turns out that you don’t have to know any kind of secret handshake to enjoy an airport lounge experience.  Just cold hard cash will do it – and in some cases, plenty of it.

The space and peace and quiet provided by a lounge area was very welcome and contributed to a more relaxed long-haul flight experience. It certainly felt like an indulgence, a special treat.  Airport lounge access comes at a pretty high cost though and we were lucky to hit it at a quiet time of the week.  If the lounge had been busier and noisier I’m not sure that I’d consider it great value for money. 

I had put airport lounges on a pedestal but when you boil it down, this type of lounge, whilst certainly enjoyable, is an expensive way of blocking out the surrounding noise for a couple of hours or so and having a pre-flight drink.  Which, depending on your budget and your alcohol consumption, will either feel like money well spent or a frivolous extravagance. It all comes down to your personal priorities.  Next time I might invest in a pair of noise-cancelling headphones and find a place in Costa Coffee instead. At least I’ll be able to get more than two hours’ use out of the headphones.

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Airport Lounge cost summary

• Club Aspire – From £23
• My Lounge – From £24
• Number 1 Lounge – From £32
• Plaza Premium Lounge – From £40

The cost listed is if purchasing access directly from the airport lounge provider. However, discounts are sometimes available at websites like Dragonpass or LoungeBuddy.

If you’re looking for other travel tips, check out my top tips for a better long haul flight.