How to save on airport lounges

A couple of years ago we checked the prices of 25 airport lounges at every major UK airport.

We were amazed to find that booking direct through the lounge was never the cheapest option.

Going through Holiday Extras or the airport itself was always the same price as the lounge operator, or cheaper. 

In June 2026 we made more random checks and found that the relatively luxurious Clubrooms at Birmingham Airport was £8 cheaper with Holiday Extras than on the lounge brand's own site.

However, a Plaza Premium lounge at Heathrow's Terminal 2 was £5 cheaper on the lounge's own site than it was on Holiday Extras.

The moral of the story is to always shop around. Prices of lounges vary and you can save by always comparing the lounge operator's price with the price on the airport's own website and the price on Holiday Extras. 

Read on for more tips on how to save.

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What are airport lounges?

The traditional idea of an exclusive airport lounge is a private space with free bubbly, top-notch food and perhaps showers or even a spa.

These still exist for Business Class and First Class passengers. But in recent years, ‘pay-as-you-go’ lounges – where economy passengers can enter as well – have become increasingly popular. These are spaces away from the hubbub of the airport where you pay a set fee, typically between £35 and £50 per person, for a buffet and drinks – but genuine luxury is usually in short supply.

We've sent undercover inspectors to 28 airport lounges, and found very few were worth the money. 

Flying from Heathrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Manchester or another major UK airport? Find out whether there’s an airport lounge worth visiting before your next holiday.

The easiest way to save on airport lounges

The simplest way to save a few pounds per person on these kind of pay-as-you-go lounge reservations is to always shop around.

You'll find different prices on Holiday Extras, the airport's own website and the website of the lounge provider.

When we checked 25 lounges in 2024 the lounge provider was never the cheapest – but always include them in your search in case they have a special offer. 

Is there any advantage to booking airport lounges direct?

One advantage to booking direct is that you might be able to spend longer in the lounge if your flight’s delayed. Through Holiday Extras your booking is usually for three hours. 

Swissport, which owns No1, Clubrooms, My Lounge and Aspire, says it guarantees those who book direct can stay longer if their flight is delayed. This guarantee doesn’t apply if you booked through Holiday Extras or another third party.

However, even then there are caveats. If the lounge is over-subscribed, Swissport reserves the right to ask you to leave at the end of your booked stay.

Consider a shorter stay

Some sites offer a lower price for two hours in the lounge, rather than the standard three hours.

Two hours may sound like plenty, but bear in mind that the usual booking period is the two hours before your flight departs. Unless you arrive early, you may be stuck in a bag drop queue or going through security during part of that time.

Consider a last-minute lounge booking

It might seem obvious that the best savings are available by booking far in advance. Paying on the door is often several pounds per person more expensive than advance booking. The further in advance you book, the more likely you are to get a cheaper deal.

However, if you haven’t booked in advance, it can be worth asking on the lounge door how much you’d have to pay for an hour or two before your flight. 

These kinds of last-minute, shorter bookings can often be cheaper than the standard three hours. But bear in mind that lounges are popular, so there’s a risk that there won’t be any room available.

Love lounges? Get a priority pass – or the right bank account

When we investigated lounge passes we found they could save you money, but only if you plan to visit at least 10 lounges a year. 

For most occasional lounge users, even the cheaper passes aren't worth it. 

An Amex Gold card gives you free lounge entry four times a year. Barclaycard Avios Plus gets you into most lounges for £24. Barclays Travel Plus Pack account allows you six free lounge visits a year, although the account costs £22.50 a month.

Barclays travel insurance is a Best Buy – with an impressive score of 91%.

Earn cashback on every lounge stay

It’s worth checking cashback sites, such as TopCashback, for current promotions. 

We found in October 2024 that Topcashback was offering 10% of the price of lounge bookings made through Holiday Extras. For a booking for four people at No1 Lounge Gatwick, for example, you’d make £15.

In the past Quidco has also had offers of up to 11% cashback – although these aren’t currently available.

Fly from a better airport if you can

Booking an airport lounge is most likely to seem like a good idea at large, overcrowded airports where you need to arrive early in case there are long queues.

If you book at a smaller, quieter airport you probably don’t need to book an airport lounge at all. You can be in and out much faster and you’ve got a better chance of finding a seat without having to pay.

Take a look at our survey of the best and the worst UK airports to see whether your airport experience is likely to be a pleasure, even without coughing up for a lounge.