Can economy class use the lounge?
Airport lounges are no longer just for first and business class travellers. That's right, nowadays even if you are flying economy and have absolutely no airline loyalty, you can pay to enter a new style of pay-per-use lounges.
- Use cards that give free lounge access. ...
- Buy a third-party lounge pass. ...
- Buy one-time access to a lounge for as low as $23. ...
- Find free access with the LoungeBuddy app. ...
- Get free access as an active military member. ...
- Get an airline or alliance lounge membership. ...
- Gain entry with elite points status. ...
- Gain access with your ticket.
6 – Pay for Public Lounge Access
These public lounges are open for all travelers at the airport, rather than exclusively alliance members and third-party program holders, such as Priority Pass. Internationally, Plaza Premium is a common lounge brand you'll see at many major airports.
Premium Economy passengers on ANA-operated international flights can access "ANA lounges" at Haneda Airport, Narita Airport, Kansai Airports and Honolulu Airport. At airports other than the above, please refer to lounge and service information available at each airport.
Many of the best Priority Pass lounges in the world are open 24/7, which makes catching a cat nap (or more) very easy. Keep in mind that some lounges frown upon people sleeping there, and many also have time limits on how long you can stay, so factor this into consideration when planning out your night.
Airport lounges are generally worth the effort to get in, whether as provided by your airline ticket, credit card or elite status. The benefits are truly there, from the basics like Wi-Fi, clean restrooms, beverages and a place to sit, to sit down meals and premium beverages.
City | Outlet Name | Lounge Access Fee (INR) |
---|---|---|
Mumbai | Clipper | 1500 |
Nagpur | Plaza Premium Lounge | 1000 |
Pune | Bird Lounge | 800 |
Pune | Earth Lounge | 800 |
To use the Participating Airport Lounge, customer's Card must be validated at point of entry by swiping a transaction of a nominal Rs. 2 for access based on entry type 1. The customer will be denied the free entry if the Card is not approved by Issuer Bank upon this swipe.
It's airport lounges that this guide is mostly focused on, given airline lounges are usually reserved for business or first-class passengers. Whichever type of lounge you're in, food and drink is usually free. You may also be able to shower or watch TV, read a paper and charge your devices in peace and quiet.
Having elite status with a specific airline is a popular way to access lounges for many frequent flyers. Almost all airlines have several tiers of elite status, and they usually require that you meet or exceed their mid-tier elite status before getting lounge access when you fly their airline/alliance.
What do you get in Economy Class?
On long-haul flights, many major airlines include a free hot meal and a heartier snack as well as soft drinks and some free alcoholic beverages in an economy class fare. Other carriers, especially low-cost airlines, charge economy passengers for all refreshments regardless of route length.
The best seats in Economy Class
In Economy, I'll typically choose a window or aisle seat near the front of the cabin or at the bulkhead. Another spot I often consider in Economy Class is an aisle seat located about 4-5 rows from the back.

Economy class, also called third class, coach class, steerage, or to distinguish it from the slightly more expensive premium economy class, standard economy class or budget economy class, is the lowest travel class of seating in air travel, rail travel, and sometimes ferry or maritime travel.
Each pass has a time limit of 3 – 12 hours depending on the lounge and the pass purchased. Should you wish to stay longer, you can always negotiate with the lounge staff directly to extend your stay.
Most Airlines require travellers to check in 2 or three hours before the flight. Check with the Airlines for their regulations. Accordingly ensure you reach the Airport at least 2 or 3 hours before the scheduled departure of the Aeroplane.
How Long Can You Stay at an Airport Lounge? In most airport lounges, you're allowed to stay for 2-3 hours before departure or after landing. Some also offer extended stays for upwards of 5 hours.
Passengers pay for the entrance or flight tickets can also include lounge service. Certain credit cards or boarding passes also allow you to enter the lounges. In overbooking cases, lounge service is provided to the passengers.
Lounges typically set food up in a way where you can help yourself as needed. They often offer free snacks and other food choices, plus drinks, including alcoholic beverages. These food and drink offerings come at no extra cost to you.
The Cons of Airline Lounges
If the lounge is crowded, you might still be able to find a seat, but you could be waiting longer for drinks and have to put up with more noise. If you decide to take your family on your business trip, which some travelers choose to do, take note that not all lounges are family friendly.
- HDFC Bank Millennia Debit Card.
- HDFC EasyShop Platinum Debit Card.
- SBI Platinum International Debit Card.
- Axis Bank Prestige Debit Card.
- YES Prosperity Platinum Debit Card.
- ICICI Bank Coral Paywave Contactless Debit Card.
- Axis Bank Priority Debit Card.
- Kotak Privy League Signature Debit Card.
Which debit card have lounge access?
- HDFC Millennia Debit Card.
- InterMiles HDFC Signature Debit Card.
- HDFC EasyShop Platinum Debit Card.
- Axis Priority Debit Card.
- ICICI Coral Plus Debit Card.
- SBI Platinum International Debit Card.
- Kotak Privy League Signature Debit Card.
You can arrive three hours prior to your flight time. You can also buy extra hours in advance or while you're in the lounge - if your flight's delayed and you want to stay longer for example.
Tipping is not required in airport lounges
At best, tipping is optional in an airport lounge, but it's usually appreciated nonetheless. In the United States, for example, tipping most members of a wait staff and professionals who provide a service is customary.
The Mastercard Airport Experiences provided by LoungeKey app is available for Android and iOS devices and is free of charge.
Access to VISA/ MasterCard Lounges. Access to three international and eight domestic airports in a year, for the cardholder and another person.
Debit cards issued by popular banks like HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank etc. provide free airport lounge access. MasterCard India has the most generous airport lounge access program followed by Visa and RuPay.
If you're already at the airport, just walk up to the lounge entrance and ask if you're eligible for entry. If you are, note that you will need to present your access credential (such as the credit card that includes access or your Priority Pass card), your photo ID and your boarding pass.
It's a bit like a hotel buffet isn't it? You can help yourself to as much as you want while you are there, but you're not supposed to take things away for later. Sounds like the lounge person was politely reminding your friend of this. Things in the lounge are for consumption only in the lounge.
Visa Platinum card benefits. From golf to dining to shopping and more, Visa Platinum lets you enjoy a host of attractive lifestyle privileges and experiences. Complimentary Airport Lounge Access with your Platinum Credit card at 25 lounges globally.
- Workout A Day Before. ...
- Charge Your Electronics. ...
- Pick Your Seat Strategically. ...
- Download an Audiobook or Podcast. ...
- Pack Noise Cancelling Headphones. ...
- Bring Snacks. ...
- Stay Hydrated. ...
- Comfortable Clothes.
What does an economy flight include?
Economy is the standard, main cabin fare. Whether or not you get meal service depends entirely on the airline and your exact flight. Unless you have a preferred credit card or status with your airline of choice, you are generally permitted one carry-on plus a personal item, but you'll have to pay for checked bags.
- Start with the airline. ...
- Take a good travel pillow. ...
- Elevate your legs. ...
- Move seats. ...
- Go DIY gourmet with duty-free treats. ...
- Invest in good headphones or earplugs. ...
- Choose your seats wisely before you board. ...
- Bring a good sleeping mask.
The best premium economy cabin in North America
Among North American carriers, fliers ranked Delta as having the best product in this trending cabin class. Of the six airlines included in the survey, Delta's premium economy seat took the top spot, with a score of 848 points out of 1,000.
If you're stuck in economy class, here are a few tips to grab some extra space: Playing the odds: Picking a seat near the back of the plane – and in a middle section if there is one – increases your chances of having an empty seat next to yours, as these are the seats least likely to be pre-booked.
Catching some sleep in economy class might seem like a huge challenge, but it's not impossible! Sure, you don't have a lot of space, but if you book strategically you can make the most of your economy ticket. We've got great tricks for choosing a seat, getting cozy, and drifting off.
Economy class is the best alternative for short flights. However, business classes are a better option to get a comfortable and pleasant journey for long flights. The difference between these two flights lies beneath their privileges.
While Basic Economy provides the same level of inflight service as standard Economy, this lower-priced option has some important restrictions on seating, carry-on baggage, MileagePlus member benefits – including Premier member benefits – and other aspects of your travel. Learn more about Basic Economy.
Economy class seats are fairly standard, while you can experience a variety of seats in first class. These may be similar to reclining leather chairs but can also move to lie down to a fully flat bed. First class passengers can also expect different food when flying, complimentary alcohol and more attentive service.
You can only enter a Centurion Lounge within 3 hours of departure, so for your originating flight, you can only stay for approximately 3 hours. For a flight where you have a layover and you're at the lounge, there is no time limit to how long you can stay or when you can enter.
Not all lounges offer showers, while some might charge an extra fee for it. However, it never hurts to ask and checking at the entrance might allow you to book a slot during high-demand hours.
Can I use airport lounge twice in a day?
No, you cannot use the same credit card twice to access the same airport lounge. You can swipe for two different lounges at the same airport. However, you need to wait for some hours if you want to do so. Can someone else utilise my airport lounge credit card?
The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.
While it is important to get to the airport early, you can only go through security 24 hours prior to your flight departure time. The TSA told FOX31 that you must have a boarding pass and a photo ID in order to go through security 24 hours before your flight.
For many airports, the most busy time of operation is during the workday (between 8 am and 5 pm). Crowds often begin tapering off around 6 pm with some of the least busy times being in the late evening. If it's at all possible to leave in the evening, we recommend taking a flight at around 9:30 pm or later.
Head to Airport Lounges
However, many lounges allow you to buy a day pass, which can get you access to food, showers and a place to rest if you didn't get much sleep the night before. Plus, if you're in transit and incredibly jetlagged, your body may want to sleep during the day anyway.
Smart-casual is a common policy for airport lounges and it's not particularly restrictive. Such regulations prohibit lounge customers from wearing short clothing, offensive slogans, pajamas and fancy dress, to name but a few items.
- HDFC Millennia Debit Card.
- InterMiles HDFC Signature Debit Card.
- HDFC EasyShop Platinum Debit Card.
- Axis Priority Debit Card.
- ICICI Coral Plus Debit Card.
- SBI Platinum International Debit Card.
- Kotak Privy League Signature Debit Card.
How can I find out if my issuer provides me with complimentary lounge visits? If your issuer provides complimentary lounge visits, there will be a “Complimentary Visit” section under My Information on the app and under My Account on the web. If you do not have any complimentary visits, this section will not display.
Do I get airport lounge access with One Card Credit Card? No, as it is an entry-level credit card, you do not get any domestic/international airport lounge access with One Card credit card.
When you are accessing a lounge based on your frequent flyer status, it's the airline you hold the status with that covers the cost for those third-party or alliance lounge visits, unless your travel class entitles you to access that lounge anyway, in which case it's back to the operating airline (or marketing carrier) ...
Do all credit cards have airport lounge access?
Not all credit cards offer complimentary airport lounge access. Some cards only provide access to domestic airport lounges while others provide both international and domestic lounge access. The number of lounge visits are usually limited but some super-premium credit cards offer unlimited lounge visits.
Once issued to a passenger, each lounge pass will be valid for 24-hours.
Debit Card | Annual Fee |
---|---|
SBI Platinum International Debit Card | Rs. 250 |
Axis Bank Prestige Debit Card | Rs. 500 |
YES Prosperity Platinum Debit Card | Rs. 599 |
ICICI Bank Coral Paywave Contactless Debit Card | Rs. 599 |
Any guests accompanying the primary cardholder should pay for their visit to the lounge. There are also other cards that offer complimentary lounge visits to the family and friends of primary cardholder.
No, the primary cardholder can only use the airport credit card. Even the lounge will scrutinise the cardholder's name for ensuring safety and security. However, there are certain credit cards which allow family members to get the privilege of the lounge. How can I check if complimentary visits are available?
To use the Participating Airport Lounge, customer's Card must be validated at point of entry by swiping a transaction of a nominal Rs. 2 for access based on entry type 1. The customer will be denied the free entry if the Card is not approved by Issuer Bank upon this swipe.
- ID proof like PAN card, Aadhaar, passport or voter id.
- Latest bank salary slip.
- Latest bank statements.
Ans: Yes, anyone can access the lounge, not necessarily be you.
Passengers pay for the entrance or flight tickets can also include lounge service. Certain credit cards or boarding passes also allow you to enter the lounges. In overbooking cases, lounge service is provided to the passengers.
- Download the “Mastercard Travel Pass” app from Google Play or App store & see eligible lounges as per your ADCB Card.
- Register your ADCB Betaqti credit card before traveling (internet connection required). ...
- See the lounges near you and clearly view if you are eligible for complimentary access.