Traveling With Kids? Here’s How to Get Airport Lounge Access for the Whole Family [CNET]

If your family flies often, airport lounge access is a game changer.

Lounges and clubs serve as an oasis in the sea of stressed travelers that crowd airports. With top-tier amenities and exclusive perks, these private, swanky spaces are geared towards executives and business travelers who rack up miles as frequent fliers.

However, some airport lounges embrace creature comforts for a different frequent flier altogether — children and their families. Several airline clubs and lounges now offer family rooms complete with toys, video games and kid-friendly snacks that promise parents a little respite before the next flight.

The problem? Airport lounges aren’t cheap, especially for large families. Here’s how to score airport lounge access and which are best for families with children.

Why scoring airport lounge passes can be worth it for families

Getting an airport lounge pass for the whole family can cost more than a few pennies. However, if your goal is to make traveling with kids in tow less stressful, here’s why a lounge pass fits the bill.

Space to stretch out

On a busy travel day, finding three or four seats together in a terminal can feel like a game of Tetris. Airport lounges and clubs are usually less crowded, and some offer private family rooms with comfy chairs where you can kick your feet up.

Plug in and power up

Sometimes, finding a coveted wall outlet and a decent Wi-Fi connection in an airport can feel as impossible as winning the lottery. Fortunately, airport lounges are stacked with spots to charge up and usually equipped with robust, free Wi-Fi connections. 

Free food and drink

It’s not just the internet that flows freely in airport lounges. You’ll be served complimentary water, coffee and other drinks, as well as a selection of snacks. Not having to walk to the outer reaches of the terminal when your hangry toddler is throwing a tantrum? Priceless.

Skip the bathroom line

Last but certainly not least, clean bathrooms with no lines and big stalls are certainly an amenity every traveler appreciates. Some airport lounges even offer showers for stressed out, weary travelers and plenty of clean counter space to freshen up.

Personalized travel assistance

If your flight is delayed, canceled or just causing chaos and confusion, many airport lounges offer the personal touch of tracking down your travel details and resolving concerns. This can be a lifesaver when you’ve already got your hands full.

How to get an airport lounge pass for the whole family

Getting airport lounge access involves either buying a day pass, securing a Priority Pass membership, booking a premium cabin seat on a major airline, or having an airline or travel credit card with lounge access. 

However, making sure your whole family can get their foot in the door may be a little more complicated. In some cases, a day pass allows a minor to accompany each paying adult. Priority Pass membership, which grants access to more than 1,500 airport lounges worldwide, requires paying for each guest over the age of 2. 

The best solution for the whole family may be a credit card with lounge access — but pay attention to the fine print. Some only grant access to the primary cardholder, while others restrict lounge admittance to two guests per card member. However, a few airline credit card companies let you add authorized users to the account so you can secure lounge access for the entire family.

5 family-friendly airport lounges that are worth the cost

There are a slew of swanky airport lounges, but these are the clubs that’ll cater to your entire crew, with perks like family rooms and conveniences for both kids and parents.

Centurion Lounge

Because you expect the best from American Express, the Centurion Lounges in major airports from Los Angeles to Miami will not disappoint. These premium clubs welcome tiny travelers, and their caretakers with soundproof family rooms outfitted with toys, books, TVs and even game consoles for teenagers.

How to get in: Centurion Lounges are only available to cardholders who have The Platinum Card® from American Express, Delta SkyMiles American Express, Hilton Honors American Express or Centurion credit cards. Platinum cardholders are allowed up to two free guests, and children under 2 are free.

Priority Pass Lounges

If you already have Priority Pass, you know that membership has its benefits. This independent membership provides access to airport lounges worldwide for an annual fee. However, only a few lounges, such as Club MCO (Orlando), offer private family rooms or children’s play areas.

How to get in: Priority Pass has three tiers of paid membership (Standard, Standard Plus and Prestige), but there are also several credit cards, including American Express Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve® and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, that provide complimentary Priority Pass memberships.

Admirals Club and Alaska Lounges

Got babies or young children on board? From Boston to Los Angeles, American Airlines Admirals Club and Alaska Lounges host families across the country in dedicated children’s rooms or play areas. For instance, the San Francisco airport Alaska Lounge has a Giants-themed kids room complete with a candy bar.

How to get in: A one-day pass to the Admirals Club costs $79 but covers an adult and up to three children under 18. Customers flying first or business class on American Airlines get complimentary access for themselves and a guest. The Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® also provides lounge access to cardholders flying American and up to two guests.

Delta Sky Club®

While you won’t find children crowding every Sky Club, Delta offers several family-friendly spaces in major travel hubs like Boston and Chicago. These include quiet, private spaces for nursing mothers, as well as family rooms stocked with toys and other entertainment.

How to get in: If you hold a Delta first-class or business-class ticket, you’ll have access to the SkyClub® for yourself and two guests. Otherwise, access is limited to elite SkyMiles members with a Delta Sky Club® executive annual membership and up to two guests. Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express cardholders and two guests can access the Sky Club for a $50 per person fee (see rates and fees).

Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse

You probably don’t think of children when you picture Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses, but they have several amenities for families. Notably, clubhouses in New York’s JFK and London’s Heathrow have Young Flyers menus with kid-friendly fare, gaming consoles and child-friendly seating.

How to get in: Diners Club, American Express Platinum and CapitalOne cardholders can access some Virgin Clubhouses. Delta SkyMiles, Flying Blue, Virgin Australia, Virgin Atlantic and Singapore Airlines elite members typically also have lounge access. Upper-class ticket holders should have access for themselves, and a guest and children under 2 are free.

Which airport lounges are best for your family?

The airport lounge with the best value for your family depends on two things: which airline you fly and where you travel. If you tend to be in and out of the same hub with kids in tow, check out the lounge offered by your preferred airline and decide if purchasing a pass or membership is worth the price.

In many cases, having a dedicated place for your whole family to stay before the flight can be worth the investment. Often, the best way to purchase these perks isn’t out of pocket but through earning airline elite status or as a benefit of a travel credit card. Because, while flying with kids means you won’t always ride the friendly skies, finding supportive, family-friendly airport spaces shouldn’t be an exercise in frustration.

Disclosures:

• For rates and fees of the Platinum Card from American Express, click here.
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, click here.
• For rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Card, click here.
• For rates and fees of the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card, click here.

*All information about the Capital One Venture X Credit Card and Citi/AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard has been collected independently by CNET and has not been reviewed by the issuer.

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