The Lounge

Sigh . . the lounge. A new reason to love the airport. This is something that we lived without for a long time. It is not something that is needed for a trip and does come at an extra cost. Our first lounge experience came as we went to Botswana. We had gift cards and were able to fly Delta One. As part of the Delta One cost, you get lounge access. It was very nice to be able to have food and drinks at the airport included in our ticket price. It was a bonus at our layover to be able to access the lounge again for more comfortable seating. As we started upping our travel in the past couple of years, a friend told us about a credit card that could earn you airline points AND lounge access. We were intrigued. With 3 flights planned it seemed like a good option. We did it and have loved it ever since. The chairs (compared to airport chairs) alone are worth it for me. Yes, we pay a yearly fee but we get free food and drinks and points that we can put toward airline miles for every purchase we make. Our card also offers things we use monthly like reimbursements for uber and our home tv subscription to name a few. On our recent trip back from Alaska, I was even able to take a shower! The credit card has given me the ability to bring 2 guests into the lounge through 2027. This works for not only Centurion lounges but also Delta lounges! This will come in handy as we are traveling with our daughters two times in the next couple of months. I was able to do this because our credit card has given me a subscription to Priority Pass for free. We use an American Express card, Tip: but shop around to find what works for you and what is important to you. I do not recommend paying a yearly fee for a card if you do not frequently travel by plane. It also makes sense to check your local airport to see what lounges are available before choosing a card. You will spend the most time in your initial airport (and sometimes you do not have layovers). Without the Delta lounge access, our airport only offers a small escape lounge. Not worth a yearly fee. Although they did just recently update it, so I can't wait to check it out in a couple of months when we take our next trip! Tip: You can even earn miles for airlines AND lounge access with certain cards. To earn miles you usually have to spend a certain amount of money (I have seen them up to $12,000) in a certain amount of time (usually 2-5 months). And some cards will take away the airline miles you have earned if you cancel the card. Tip: Make sure you read the fine print!