Seasoned flyers have their rituals. They know where to queue, what to avoid, and most importantly, how to dodge the noise and chaos of the terminal. Their secret weapon? The airport lounge. It’s a quiet, comfortable space where the coffee is free, the seats are soft, and the Wi-Fi actually works. And while they may not say it out loud, regulars aren’t too keen on more people finding out just how accessible lounges have become. So, if you’re ready to travel smarter, here are three tips frequent flyers would probably prefer we kept quiet.
*This is a collaborative post
Tip 1: Book Lounge Access in Advance, No Gold Card Needed
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to fly first class to get into an airport lounge. These days, anyone can book access online, and it’s often far more affordable than you’d expect. For around the same price as a coffee and sandwich in the terminal, you could be relaxing in a quiet lounge with complimentary drinks, snacks, fast Wi-Fi and maybe even a hot meal or shower. Platforms like bookfhr.com make it easy to reserve lounge access at major UK airports, including Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, and beyond. Early bookings not only guarantee your spot, they usually get you a better price, too.
Tip 2: Check Your Wallet, You Might Already Have Access
Here’s a clever one: you might already have lounge access and not even realise it. Many travel credit cards, premium bank accounts, and airline loyalty programmes include free or discounted entry to lounges as part of their benefits. It’s just one of those things people often forget to check. Take a few minutes before your next trip to scan through your cards or memberships. You may already be covered or be just one small upgrade away. Fly regularly? Consider joining a lounge scheme like Priority Pass or DragonPass. With just a couple of uses a year, they often pay for themselves and can be used in airports all over the world.
Tip 3: Lounge on Arrival. Yes, That’s a Thing
Most people think of lounges as a pre-flight perk, but here’s a tip many regulars don’t talk about: arrival lounges. At certain airports, especially on long-haul routes, you can book access to a lounge after you land. That means a hot shower, a bite to eat, and a quiet seat before heading into meetings, public transport, or the next leg of your journey. It’s a game-changer if you’ve just stepped off a red-eye and need to regroup before the real world starts again.
And that’s the secret out of the bag. Three simple but powerful lounge tips that can seriously upgrade your travel game. With a little planning and some insider know-how, you can enjoy airport lounges just like the regulars do, only they might not be thrilled you’ve found out.
