Is Lounge Access Worth It As a Budget Traveler?
From lounge access virgin to bougie layover queen
In the last year, I have made the transition from a frequent flyer with a bank full of miles and points to a frequent flyer who not only has miles and points but who has lounge access. And as my husband said after his first experience with me inside the Capital One Lounge in Denver, “I know you. You’ll never go back.” It’s lounge access for life. I’m no longer a lounge access virgin!
All over the internet I see people using their points and miles to fly business/first class or for staying in the most luxurious of hotels and resorts. I like nice things just as much as the next person, but that particular way of travel really isn’t my style enough to fight for it. Just like I get my thrills from scoring a great deal at the local Goodwill or Target clearance end cap, I especially love stretching my travel points and miles to as many trips as possible in coach or mid-range hotels versus getting only one grand adventure with all the bells and whistles.
This is why it took me so long to discover lounge access.
It felt frivolous…over-the-top for a budget-wise traveler like me.
But then I tried it! And I’m pretty sure my husband was right. I’ll never go back.
Taking the Leap
I must admit, it was a huge leap for me to consider paying the $395 annual fee of the Capital One Venture X card that I currently use for lounge access in many (not every) airports across the world. But after about nine months of use, and multiple international and domestic travel experiences, I actually believe I have saved money by spending money to have this card. And for this budget-minded girl, this is a win that makes me giddy.
Perks That Allow Me To Save
You definitely don’t have to choose one particular card for obtaining lounge access. There are lots of options. But here’s my little plug for the Capital One Venture X card. It really has helped me to save in so many ways…including lounge access.
Upon meeting the sign-up bonus, I was gifted 75,000 travel points that could be converted to miles on various airlines or used as $750 towards travel expenses. Already, that’s a huge deal. I basically paid $395 for $750. And if I converted the points to miles (which I did) they were be worth even more.
I got to renew my Global entry fee for free. ($100) That’s a savings of money, time and stress that is worth every penny.
I received a $300 travel credit for paying the $395 fee, which I used for two nights of hotel stay in London. Kevin took a long layover in London at the end of our March journey to Krakow and Prague. He explored London and caught a showing of Hamilton without paying for his overnight stay. Then I used the rest of my credit on a London hotel, as well, flying home with my daughter from Spain. I would have paid the $300 in hotel charges regardless of having the card.
Lounge Access: I get as much FREE food and drink as my travel partner and I can consume on every layover or pre-flight lounge experience we have. That’s HUGE for a budget traveler because airport food is EXPENSIVE, and it feels quite luxurious. I often plan to get to the airport an hour early and stop at the Denver Capital One lounge for a free meal. And as a budget traveler, layovers are inevitable. Now I get to cozy up in lounges around the world with a latte or espresso martini (or both!), unending food and snacks, clean bathrooms, comfortable seats, and sometimes even shower rooms, nap areas, massage chairs, or cinemas to help pass the time. (Notes: It’s true that lounges can get very crowded, but I’ve never had trouble getting in, even if I had to wait a bit. It’s also true that some lounges are better than others, but I’m now convinced that all are better than sitting at the gate for hours.)
Finally, I’ll get another 10,000 miles credited to my account after a year of using the card which is equal to another $100 travel money.
Bougie Layover Queen
As I lead Big Story Living, one of the ideas I always stress is to be present to it ALL. Time in airports and on trains and buses, experiences of getting confused and turned around, losing something, or getting delayed…they can all serve to teach us something good. Every bit of it is part of the journey. We can stress or we can receive, have curiosity, be brave, and learn.
For me, now having lounge access in airports around the world has served to enhance my journey and add a little bougie to budget travel.
I look forward to being present, even on the layovers that I have while traveling on a budget. Stress is relieved by not having to mortgage my house for an airport meal. Free food and drinks even taste better. And the $395 investment to get it has absolutely paid for itself over and over again…and I’m just nine months into being a budget traveling lounger.
Cards with Lounge Access
There are many cards to choose from that offer lounge access. That being said, I have two last tips to offer.
Don’t waste your money on paying for the lounge per visit. It’s expensive. Get a card that offers access so you can get the perks of using a travel credit card as well as relaxing in a lounge.
If you don’t know where to start, I suggest obtaining the Capital One Venture X to give lounge access a try. It’s especially good if you have even one international trip planned in the next year. Here’s a link. And yes, I get a few travel points in return if you sign up, it’s true. I hugely appreciate you supporting my work in this small way.
Know that I never suggest products unless I personally use and believe in them.
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Happy Travels,
Amy