First time here? Check out the site's "greatest hits" or read a random post from the archives. Feel free to ask a question, and consider subscribing to the latest posts via RSS or e-mail. Thanks for visiting!

When flights are cancelled or delayed, if you’ve got a long layover between flights, or just because it’s better than sitting in worn gate-area chairs, it’s always nice to be able to retreat from the main terminal to the lounges. Snacks, a bar (or the famous Tokyo-Narita Red Carpet Club beer machine!), desks/work areas, and comfy chairs are a step up from the concourse (though U.S. clubs don’t hold a candle to international lounges).

But how do you get into these areas behind the smoky glass and the “members only” sign out front?

There are basically five ways in:

1) Buy a membership.
I know, I know, it’s just too obvious. Anyone willing to pony up cash can join an airlines’ club, with membership usually lasting a year. Cost varies by airline, and some have reciprocal agreements with other airlines’ clubs, often in the same alliance. Fees top out around $500 per your, with discounts for frequent flyers. (You may be able to pay with miles.)

2) Fly a lot, or on expensive tickets.
Being a really frequent flyer is one way in. Some airlines, such as Delta, have given top elite frequent flyers a one-year complimentary membership in their clubs, accessible worldwide. (This perk is being phased out, but other airlines have similar deals.) Other airlines, like those in the Star Alliance, offer their Gold-level elites and one guest free admission to the club on days when they’re traveling internationally. Some smaller airports (e.g., Harrisburg, Pennsylvania) have small lounges that welcome elite members of any airline. Finally, first class and business class passengers generally have admission to the clubs on the day of their flight.

3) Buy a single-use pass
If space is available, walk in the front door of the club and request a day pass. It’s not cheap — $25 or $50, usually — but it’s a convenient pay-as-you-go option. Beware that they likely won’t sell these passes on days you need it most, such as when an airport closes for hours on end due to bad weather, to avoid overcrowding. If you’re traveling to or within the UK, Holiday Extras or ACP will happily sell you a day pass online. Alternatively, LoungePass is a third-party site that pre-arranges single-use passes for a (limited) range of international airports. The prices vary, but they’re comparable to the airlines’ own pricing. (LoungePass uses GBP as a standard currency.) Compare before you buy.

4) Join a program that offers entry across various airlines.
There are membership programs out there that aren’t tied to specific airline, which allow entry into lounges worldwide. The biggest one is Priority Pass, which offers 450 lounges in its network. They offer three tiers of membership, with the highest tier allowing unlimited access to eligible lounges for $399. If you travel with one airline, you may be better off joining that airline’s club. Also, note that not all lounges are necessarily conveniently located for your flight. If you’re flying on American from Chicago O’Hare, the Delta and Continental lounges which are in the PriorityPass network are a distant walk from your gates. Nonetheless, it’s a long list of lounges.

5) Check with your credit card.
DinersClub and American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders may be able to get into lounges by flashing their plastic. Amex gives their top US-based cardholders free access to clubs run by SkyTeam members Continental, Delta, or Northwest. Some international cardholders instead get access to the aforementioned PriorityPass network. Check with your local Amex office. DinersClub, now a part of Citibank, runs or subcontracts their own clubs. US locations are limited, but some international options exist.