Top 5 airport lounges you can visit with your credit card
Swap sitting on the floor and long cafe queues for complimentary meals and comfy seating at these airport lounges.
Airline lounges are a luxurious oasis in an otherwise chaotic airport. Boasting high-speed Wi-Fi, complimentary food and drinks and sometimes even shower and spa facilities, they're the perfect place to relax before a flight. Although lounge access can be exclusive to premium frequent flyers or come at the cost of a high fee, there are a bunch of credit cards that treat cardholders to complimentary lounge passes each year.
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Here's our selection of some of the best lounges you can access with a credit card, based on online reviews and our own experience at Points Finder. We've offered a range from around the globe and from different airlines and schemes, so there's something for everyone.
1. Qantas International Lounge London
Spread over two levels in Terminal 3, there's plenty of room to work or relax in the Qantas Lounge at Heathrow Airport. This is an all-classes lounge, so economy passengers do get access to first-class perks. You can indulge yourself courtesy of the upstairs buffet or waiter table service in the dining room. Then you can wet your whistle with your choice of cocktails, beer, wine and non-alcoholic drinks at the fully stocked bar.
There are also private shower suites to freshen up before the flight, private pods to get some shut-eye and a Kids Zone to occupy the youngins before it's time to board. A few Australian credit cards, like the Qantas Premier Platinum, offer complimentary Qantas Lounge passes each year for eligible cardholders.
2. Virgin Australia Domestic Lounge Perth
Located in Terminal 1 at Perth Airport, the Virgin Australia lounge boasts spacious lounging areas by Virgin standards and sleek shower facilities.
You'll find tea and coffee as well as snacks including assorted nuts and popcorn at the Espresso Bar. As well as non-alcoholic beverages, there are also plenty of beer, cider and wine options to choose from. If you're after something a little more substantial, you can fill up at the all-day salad and sandwich bar or wait for hot food during meal times.
You can find a quiet place to work in the Business Centre which is fitted out with desks, computers and a printer. If you need to charge your devices, there are power and USB sockets located throughout the lounge. You can access this lounge with cards such as the American Express Velocity Platinum and Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer card.
You can access this lounge with Virgin Australia lounge passes courtesy of cards like the American Express Velocity Platinum and Virgin Australia Velocity High Flyer card.
3. American Express Melbourne Lounge
The American Express Lounge at Melbourne International Airport offers buffet-style dining and plenty of snack options. You can enjoy barista-made coffee as well as a large range of premium alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from the fully stocked bar.
The lounge has private workstations and there are plenty of charging points to make sure your devices have enough juice before the flight.
Most Amex frequent flyer cards, including the American Express Explorer, come with two complimentary entries to the lounge each year. If you're flying out of Sydney, American Express has a lounge at Sydney International Airport as well.
4. Air France KLM San Francisco Lounge
Also belonging to the Priority Pass network, you'll find the Air France KLM lounge at Terminal A at San Francisco International Airport. Most US airline lounges are quite utilitarian, so this is an appealing exception.
Complimentary Wi-Fi and office equipment will come in handy if you have some work to do before you leave. You can fill up on pastries, snacks and cold meals before the flight in the dining area or with a view of the tarmac with a row of seats facing the window. The lounge is also equipped with a coffee machine, a selection of wines and a fridge stocked with soda and other non-alcoholic drinks.
You can enter this lounge with Priority Pass access you'll get with cards including the American Express Platinum Card.
5. SATS Premier Singapore Lounge
The SATS Premier Lounge at Terminal 1 Singapore Changi Airport offers massage chairs and shower facilities to help you relax before your flight.
You can choose from a wide selection of food including snacks, a hot and cold buffet and a DIY laksa station. You can fix yourself a drink at the self-serve bar or grab an alcoholic or non-alcoholic drink from the fridge or soda machine. Visitors can make use of complimentary Wi-Fi and TVs, as well as a selection of newspapers and magazines.
The SATS Premier Lounge belongs to the Priority Pass lounge network and is one of the 1,200 lounges you can visit.
Disclaimer: This advice is general and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before applying for any products mentioned, please read the product terms and conditions and consider whether that product is right for you.
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