LoungeBuddy: Your guide to visiting airport lounges worldwide
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Updated 6:43 a.m. UTC Nov. 14, 2023
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LoungeBuddy is a search tool and booking platform for airport lounges worldwide. Once you’ve found the right lounge for your trip, you can reserve an entrance pass regardless of your airline elite status or travel qualifications.
As of July 1, 2024, the LoungeBuddy iOS app will no longer be available. American Express cardholders can still purchase LoungeBuddy passes via the LoungeBuddy.com website.
If you’ve spent time in any airport, you’ve likely experienced noisy crowds, limited seating, overpriced food and drinks, frustrated travelers and sensory overload. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a private spot to sit in peace and quiet, maybe with a drink or snack in hand?
Good news for travelers who relate to the scenario above: Hideaways, in the form of airport lounges, exist. These are designated areas within certain airports that provide rest, relaxation and often refreshments for special travelers.
Lounge access is historically limited to travel VIPs, so you’ll often see business travelers and frequent flyers in airport lounges.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t partake. If you’re interested in visiting an airport lounge, LoungeBuddy is your best friend. This platform helps you find airport lounges worldwide and shows you which ones you may be able to access.
Read on to learn about how LoungeBuddy works, and how you can maximize this tool for more comfort while flying.
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What is LoungeBuddy?
LoungeBuddy is a travel service that lists airport lounges around the world. The LoungeBuddy website and app allow you to search by airport or city to find airport lounges at your next destination.
If you already have a Priority Pass membership or lounge access through airline elite status, the LoungeBuddy iPhone app can also help you track which lounges are available for your use.
Some airport lounges let you book day passes for yourself or other travelers. Once you’ve found the airport you need, the quick filter tool at the top of the search page shows which lounges offer access through LoungeBuddy.
How does LoungeBuddy work?
LoungeBuddy is a great tool for any traveler, even if you’re just curious about the world of airport lounges. Lounges are organized by terminal where applicable, and include hours of operation, entrance requirements, reviews, photos, and a list of amenities so you know what to expect.
LoungeBuddy can also help you purchase day passes for lounges you might not otherwise be able to visit. You can book last-minute for same day use, or purchase ahead of time for future travel.
The company guarantees access to any lounge bookable through LoungeBuddy, although it’s up to you to make sure you are able to physically access the lounge you choose. For instance, some lounges may only be available after or before passing security or may be in a different terminal from where you are located.
LoungeBuddy was acquired by American Express in 2019, so only Amex credit card holders can purchase lounge passes through LoungeBuddy partners. However, Amex card holders can purchase lounge passes for other travelers to use.
How to book a LoungeBuddy pass
If you’re an American Express credit card holder, there are several ways to book a lounge pass through LoungeBuddy:
Book a lounge pass via the LoungeBuddy website
Start at the search bar at the top of the LoungeBuddy homepage. If you know your airport code, type that in; otherwise, you can type in a city or state to select from a list of options.
After you find the airport you need, use the “book online” toggle at the top of the search page to quickly filter for participating lounges. These lounges also feature a green icon to show booking availability and cost.
After selecting a participating lounge, you’ll be taken to the review page for that destination which includes more detailed information on access, amenities and hours of operation.
On the right side of the page, you can book your lounge reservation by selecting the date and time you plan to visit, as well as the number of passes you wish to purchase. If the time slot you want is available, you’ll be able to review your reservation and check out on the final page. You’ll need to pay with an American Express credit card.
Double-check to ensure you can get to the lounge you want to access before you purchase a pass. You can do this by looking up your flight details, or reach out to LoungeBuddy’s customer support team via chat or email for help. LoungeBuddy also offers free cancellations up to 24 hours before your booking time begins.
If the time slot you want isn’t available, try inputting another time, since some lounges restrict access for day pass visitors during peak hours. And if you’re purchasing a pass for a friend or family member, remember to enter their full name and email address on the reservation – not yours.
Book a pass via the LoungeBuddy app
Booking through the LoungeBuddy app mirrors the website process, although you’ll do so directly from your iPhone. (Unfortunately, the LoungeBuddy app is not available for Android users.)
You’ll see the same prompts for selecting date and time, number of travelers, inputting contact and passenger information and requiring an Amex credit card for payment.
You can also “create a trip” in the app to streamline the process of finding the right lounge.
Select your airports of departure and destination, as well as your date of travel, then select your flight number.
When you use the “create a trip function,” LoungeBuddy will automatically show you which terminal your flight departs from, as well as the terminal your flight will arrive in if that information is available. You’ll also be shown the lounges that are closest to your gate first.
What lounges are included?
LoungeBuddy has hundreds of airport lounges in its database, but the ones that offer LoungeBuddy day passes are in constant flux. The best way to track which lounges are available through the platform is by checking in real time, either through the website or the app.
The company guarantees access to any bookable lounge in its system, and you can get a full refund for any reservation up to 24 hours before your booking time. This means you can request a refund if you book a lounge that no longer offers LoungeBuddy access by the time you travel.
How much does LoungeBuddy cost?
The LoungeBuddy search function is free for anyone to use. LoungeBuddy pricing for day passes varies depending on the individual lounge. Many lounges charge around $50 to $75 per traveler, with some fees as low as $28 per traveler.
It’s worth noting that some lounges offer day passes for purchase at the door, even if they’re not available through LoungeBuddy. In these cases, go to the lounge and inquire at the check-in counter to see if you can purchase a pass directly.
Which cards provide LoungeBuddy access?
The American Express® Green Card * The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer. (terms apply) comes with an up to $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit. If you make your LoungeBuddy purchase with this card, you’ll automatically receive a statement credit for the cost of the day pass. If the pass you purchase doesn’t exceed $100, the remainder of the credit will be applied to any statement with a future LoungeBuddy credit. Enrollment is required for select benefits.
All information about American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint.
Amex Green Card benefits and perks: Is it worth the $150 annual fee?
LoungeBuddy vs. Priority Pass vs. lounge membership
LoungeBuddy isn’t a competitor to Priority Pass membership or lounge access earned through airline elite status or premium class plane tickets.
Instead, think of LoungeBuddy as a supplemental tool to your existing airport lounge strategy.
The search function offers a brand-agnostic overview of all available lounges, while Priority Pass and other branded lounges may only highlight participating lounges. The tool also shows you which lounges offer walk-in passes at the door, even if you can’t purchase passes through LoungeBuddy.
LoungeBuddy day passes can be extremely valuable for travelers who don’t travel frequently enough to make the most of expensive memberships or earn airline elite status. You can also buy LoungeBuddy passes for friends and family even when they aren’t traveling with you, which you typically can’t do through Priority Pass.
LoungeBuddy can also supplement any existing lounge access you have through Priority Pass or your airline elite status If you fly through an airport that doesn’t have available lounges for your memberships, LoungeBuddy can quickly help you identify potential day pass options in your location, and evaluate whether or not the individual lounge fee is worth it to you.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
The search tool is free to use. Day passes vary in price from $28 per traveler up to $75 or higher.
The American Express Green Card comes with up to $100 in LoungeBuddy statement credits per year.
LoungeBuddy day passes can be extremely valuable for travelers who don’t travel frequently enough to utilize expensive memberships or earn airline elite status.
LoungeBuddy day passes can only be purchased with American Express credit cards. However, an Amex card holder can purchase day passes for family members and friends.
*The information for the American Express® Green Card has been collected independently by Blueprint. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
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