Just because you are on a budget and have purchased cheap airplane tickets and discount hotel rooms, or discount travel packages, is no reason to assume that airport lounges are only for VIPs.
Although year passes to airport lounges are not cheap (often costing between $450 to $500 annually) they often provide real value particularly when flights are delayed or canceled. In airport lounges guests have access to comfortable workstations with easy access to power outlets, relaxing chairs, free wireless Internet, as well as free drinks and snacks. Perhaps the most valuable perk is dealing with pleasant airline agents, particularly if there is a problem with your flight.
For infrequent fliers who would like to wait comfortably and work productively, they should consider purchasing an airport lounge day pass. Such passes cost $50 per person for American, Continental, Delta and United clubs.
Sometimes even lower priced day passes can be had. Delta discounts its day passes for Delta branded Gold or Platinum American Express card holders, charging only $25. Companies who buy 50 or more day passes at one time receive discounts.
Delta passengers flying in First Class or full fare Y class on select routes are given free access to eight of its airport lounges. Delta offers a 30 day trial membership for $90 that can be applied to a full membership at a later time.
United offers $35 day passes online. Frequent fliers can redeem 7,000 Mileage Plus miles at a United club to secure a one day pass.
An alternative to signing up with one airline lounge club is the American Express Platinum Card airport club program. Members use their cards to gain access to participating American, Delta, and US Airways clubs. The card costs $450 per year and airline lounge access is limited to the airline that you will be flying on that day.
Priority Pass is one of a few non airline airport club programs which offer access to 600 lounges worldwide. While cheaper than joining a single major airline club, Priority Pass does not offer lounge access at all airports and at larger airports sometimes at only select terminals. www.cheapfares.com