Hello. My name is Matt, and I visit airport lounges.

Please don’t be offended by my obvious AA reference. It just seems like there are some people that choose to shame people for going into airport lounges. It is probably the same people that look with disdain as they pass the people seated in first class seats on the airplane. I cannot control the belief by some that choosing to frequent airport lounges makes one a snob. I have discovered over my years of travel that the ability to jump into a lounge and get some food, drinks, WiFi and maybe even a shower can be a game changer for travel, especially international travel. I also know that the older I get, I appreciate the quieter atmosphere in the lounge that can reduce the stress of travel.

So here is what I propose: Don’t let airport lounges be only for the elite. You may be surprised at how affordable it is to get into a lounge. You may also be surprised at how frequenting lounges may actually reduce the cost of your travel. There are two principles that I want to let you in on that can possibly transform your travel experience.

The first principle is understanding the difference between airline lounges and independent airport lounges. Typically, each airline and airline alliance has branded lounges that are available to those that have a certain tier of elites status, as well as those who purchase an annual membership to that airline’s lounge. You are typically only allowed access to these lounges when you travel on that airline, or one of their partner airlines. There are also credit cards that will allow you access to these airline lounges as part of your membership fee, or the ability to purchase a day pass at a reduced cost. So in my case, I have Platinum Status on Delta, which allows me access to Delta Sky Clubs as well as partner lounges when I travel internationally for free. However, I also carry the Delta SkyMiles Credit Card from American Express which allows me to also enter the Delta Sky Club when I am flying on a Delta domestic ticket for only $29. When I look at the annual membership for Delta Sky Club, I feel like I am better of simply paying the $29 discounted day pass fee because more of my travel is international.

When it comes to independent airport lounges, you will find many different brands, and each lounge typically has passengers from a variety of airlines. To access these lounges, you still will need either an invitation from the airline you are flying to the lounge (because the lounge is a contracted lounge for that airline who may not have their own branded lounge at that location), access through a lounge membership program, or potentially the ability to purchase access on-site with a day pass.

Every lounge, whether an airlines’ branded lounge, or an independent airport lounge will have a variety of services offered, food offered, drinks provided, and even space available. There are some lounges that provide full buffets of food, and others that provide simple snacks. Some lounges have showers and even spa services; others are only a step above the general airport seating provided to the general public. I highly recommend the Lounge Buddy app as a travel companion that will give you the rundown of most airport lounges. It is a great guide to let you know if it is worth the expense to utilize a specific lounge. Which leads to the second principle…

The second principle is understanding when a lounge membership makes sense. I have done both the airline branded memberships, as well as a membership with a service like Priority Pass. My general rule of thumb for buying a specific branded airline lounge membership is if you will primarily be flying domestically in the United States and will be visiting that airlines’ lounge network more than 10 times in a year. If you assume that most airline lounges charge $50-$59 for a day pass, and most memberships typically run $400-$500 for an individual membership, then you will have an idea of where it makes financial sense to pick up a membership. Like I have already said, with my Delta SkyMiles American Express, I already get the ability to purchase access for $29. This means if I visit a Delta Sky Club 10 times that year at $29 per visit, I am still only at $290 for the year, which is lower than an annual membership.

I have chosen to invest in a credit card that has as a part of its member benefits a membership to Priority Pass. Priority Pass is a membership with access to over 1,200 airport lounges internationally. Some great options for getting a Priority Pass membership are the Hilton Honors Aspire Card, which includes a Priority Pass Select Membership that includes 10 lounge passes with it. The $95 annual membership gives you some great benefits if you stay at and of the Hilton Brand properties, but I am most excited because of the Priority Pass perk because if you use just 4-5 passes at a Priority Pass lounge, the annual fee is already covered. The Priority Pass app allows you to see where you are able to use your membership, and also gives you a clear picture of what services each lounge offers.

Personally, I find the ability to step into a lounge when I am traveling to get some food, and something to drink and then be able to relax in a comfortable chair while I wait for my flight helps me to feel more prepared for the stressors of travel. I can’t control flight delays or mechanical issues. I can’t control the person that hits me with their bag over their shoulder as they walk down the isle of the airplane. I can’t even control the incessant noise of constant announcements made over the public address system. But for a few moments, I do get to experience a reprieve in travel in the lounge. I estimate that I save probably $1,000 in food, water and alcohol that I don’t purchase at restaurants in the airport. That is money I can put into other travel experiences, and that allows me to be in a better frame of mind as I travel. I have an ongoing joke with a friend that you can put me in economy class for the flight, but let me step into the lounge before I fly and in between flights and I will be a happy camper.

Here’s to your future in less stressful travel as you add lounges into your itinerary!