By Johnny Jet – For the past 20 years, Johnny Jet averaged 150,000 miles and 20 countries a year. He has been featured in many major publications and appeared on ABC, CBS, CNBC, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, NBC and PBS.
Between complimentary snacks and drinks, free Wi-Fi, and entertainment, airport lounges offer an oasis in the most crowded of airports. Whether you’re looking to get some work done or seeking some relaxation before boarding your flight, lounge access allows guests the space and solitude to do both. Before you head out on your next business trip, check out these insider tips for making the most of an airport lounge experience.
What to know before you go
As a business traveler, you probably have a credit card in your wallet. Did you know that one of the many credit card perks that your card could come with is access to an airport lounge? For example, when Chase launched its Sapphire Reserve luxury travel credit card in 2016, new members who signed up for the card gained access to Priority Pass, an airport lounge membership program that grants access to 1,200 lounges worldwide. Select American Express credit cards also grant access to lounges, so be sure to check your card’s benefits to see if airport lounge access is offered to you as a cardholder.
Bide your time during a long layover
If you don't already have access to an airport lounge through your credit card, you may want to consider paying for lounge access—especially if you have a long layover. When you use your credit card to pay for access, you can also earn points for the purchase.
Want to know ahead of time what a lounge can offer? Lounge access apps make it easy for the common traveler to gain entry to lounges around the world. With reviews and photos, apps allow you to browse different lounges before deciding on the one you want. To get started, simply enter the airport you’ll be at in the search bar, then click enter to see all of the available lounges in that airport for purchase. For example, if you enter JFK as your airport of choice, the Swiss Business Class lounge will pop up. For $49, you will be able to enjoy a complimentary buffet and champagne, take a power nap in the convenient relaxation room, and even refresh yourself with a shower in their complimentary facility.
Pro tip: To take full advantage of an airport lounge’s benefits, consider a lounge if your layover or wait time is going to be an hour or longer. Otherwise, you may not have enough time to fully justify the cost.
Attend a meeting on-the-go
Airport lounge access can even help you be more productive. Have a work conference you need to dial into? Maybe you need to squeeze in a meeting before your flight home? An airport lounge is the place to do it. For business travelers, the most important features of an airport lounge is a lack of noise and ample Wi-Fi connection. You need a quiet place to get work done and a fast connection to complete work on time without interruptions.
An airport lounge can help you stay refreshed and productive. With plenty of options to help you choose and access an airport lounge that meets your needs, you can count on your business trip running smoothly.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by TripIt. The author may include references to products from advertisers. For an explanation of this contributor’s advertising disclosure, please click here.
