Why I have become an Airport Lounge Snob

In 2020 (yep, during COVID) I got an email from Qantas that said I was eligible to be fast-tracked to Gold membership. Obviously I accepted it – but didn’t think much of it. Generally those things require you to set fire to yourself and jump through hoops or something…

Anyway, about two months later I got a message congratulating me on becoming a Gold member! What? Really?  So I checked the original email, and the requirement was for me to buy petrol at BP 4 times over a certain period. I did that because I always did that. So… I’m now a Qantas Gold member with all the trimmings.

As it turned out, we were already saving for the ultimate family adventure — a five-week trip to the US that included Walt Disney World, a Caribbean cruise, and a few other bucket-list experiences (that’s a story for another day…).

So when it came time to book flights, who else would we choose but Qantas? Brilliant marketing, really — and for once, they were actually quite competitively priced!

Even better, our tickets included access to the American Airlines Admirals Club lounges.  Free tacos for 5 hours in Dallas!!! 🌮

That meant seven flights, seven lounges — and we made the most of every one of them. It was fantastic.

The kids are now fully converted lounge fans (mainly because of the food). At LAX, I even dared them to drink a glass full of M&Ms… and they did.

Don’t judge my parenting — it was a long trip!

My Qantas Gold membership eventually ran out but we have continued to be an Airport Lounge Family. Also joining Virgin Australia, getting a year free, and then staying a member after that (it’s a lot cheaper and I think the food is better.)

Before I became a full-blown Lounge Snob, I honestly didn’t care much about them — mostly because I had no idea what I was missing out on. Now? I’m the person juggling credit cards, lounge passes, flight vouchers, and points just to keep the access going.  Whenever we go on holiday, the first thing the kids ask is whether we have lounge access!

Why? Well, because the lounges are just a good place to sit down and relax, especially during a long layover. You don’t have to fight for seats anywhere. You get food and drinks. It’s quiet. It’s relaxing. The kids get WiFi. You can charge your devices. Everybody is happy.

So, juggling the credit cards. Yeah, my current strategy is using an American Express (AMEX) where I get Centurion Lounge access, along with a couple of Qantas passes. There is also a travel credit so the card pretty much pays for itself. Obviously this doesn’t work for everybody.

You can buy day passes, or join up a club, such as Priority Pass or DragonPass. The things to be careful of though is that your guests are charged the full whack… generally about USD 30-50 so just be careful as the reception staff don’t seem keen to tell you this at the time.

Lounge Access Options – What you should know

Here are some of the most common lounge access programs and how they compare. You can either buy individual memberships or get a credit card that includes one as a perk. Just keep in mind — these can get pricey, so it’s worth crunching the numbers to see if the annual card fee is worth it.

DragonPass - https://www.dragonpass.com/
DragonPass is one of those programs you can join to get access to lounges even when you’re flying economy or without elite status. You pay an annual or per-visit fee, then you can use it in many airports around the world. One thing to watch: guest fees, whether your card includes guest access, whether you need to book in advance or just walk in.

Centurion Lounge -  https://www.thecenturionlounge.com/
Centurion Lounges (for example those tied to the American Express Platinum / Centurion cards) are considered a premium tier of lounge access. With the right card you may get into the Centurion lounge network, sometimes with guests. These lounges often have very good food and drink, good WiFi, and usually fall into the “we’ll treat you extra nicely” category. But of course the card fee is high, and not everyone qualifies or travels often enough to make it worth it.

Priority Pass - https://www.prioritypass.com
Priority Pass is probably the most well-known independent lounge access membership. It works with many lounges globally (though not always the best ones) and covers many airports. You can often pay per visit or include visits as part of your card membership. Again: guest fees apply, not all lounges are included, check restrictions.

Plaza Premium - https://www.plazapremiumlounge.com
Another independent lounge network is Plaza Premium Lounge (managed by Plaza Premium Group). One of the interesting recent developments: at Adelaide Airport they’ve opened Australia’s first pay-as-you-go domestic airport lounge. The entry model is simple and flexible: you can purchase a two-hour pass from A$29 (without alcohol) or from A$48.60 with alcoholic drinks included.

My take – when lounge access is worth it

• For us with kids, long layovers or early/late flights, the lounge becomes a game-changer. Having somewhere to sit, snack, watch some quiet, charge devices, connect to WiFi… it changes the travel experience from ugh to okay.
• If you’re doing multiple flights (like our 7 flights on the US trip) the lounge benefit keeps compounding.
• If you have the right credit card or airline status so that lounge access becomes “included” (or nearly so) then it’s a bonus. But if you have to pay a lot extra for it, you’ll need to calculate: is the lounge time + food + comfort worth more than spending that money otherwise (e.g., in airport cafés, in lounge-type seating, or upgrading seats).

Top Tips

• Check guest rules. If you travel with family (kids) and the access only covers you but not the kids, that cost can blow out quickly.
• Don’t assume “all lounges are equal”. Some lounges are excellent; some are passable. Food and drink availability, quality of seating, WiFi, quietness vary a lot.
• Calculate the value.  Always check the cost/benefit of paying for lounge access vs alternative (airport café + comfortable seating + early arrival vs lounge).
• Time limits.  Most of the lounges have time limits.  But nobody ever checks... just stay in your comfy seat and relax
• Opening times: Not all lounges are open 24/7, so it’s worth checking their hours before you travel. The easiest way to confirm is usually through the airport’s website or the lounge operator’s own page

If you’ve never stepped inside an airport lounge before, give it a try at least once — especially if you’ve got a long layover or an early start. It’s amazing how much more enjoyable travel becomes when you can swap crowded gates for comfy seats, good food, quiet spaces, Wi-Fi, and somewhere to charge your devices.

For our family, lounges have completely changed how we travel. What started as a lucky Qantas Gold membership has turned into a full-blown obsession — juggling cards, points, and passes just to make sure we have that little pocket of calm before every flight.

It’s not just about luxury; it’s about making travel easier. No fighting for seats, no overpriced airport snacks, and no frazzled kids trying to find Wi-Fi.  Nothing keeps them more occupied than food!

And the good news? Lounges are becoming more accessible. With options like Priority Pass, DragonPass, and Plaza Premium’s pay-as-you-go lounges (like the new one in Adelaide), you don’t need to be a frequent flyer or business-class traveller to enjoy the perks.

So next time you’re flying, check whether you can get lounge access — through your airline status, your credit card, or even just a day pass. Trust me, once you’ve experienced it, it’s hard to go back.

You might just become an Airport Lounge Family too.