The LoungeKey programme can give you complimentary access to over 1,250 airport lounges when you have a participating Mastercard. Depending on the airport lounge, guests travelling with you could also gain lounge entry through this service. LoungeKey is owned by the Collinson Group, the same company that also owns Priority Pass.
Use this guide to learn which credit cards offer LoungeKey benefits and how the programme works, so you can make the most of this complimentary extra.
What lounges can I access with LoungeKey?
LoungeKey offers access to over 1,000 airport lounges located in over 120 countries. You can search for a lounge by country, city or airport through the LoungeKey website or mobile app. However, it’s important to note that how many lounges you can access and how often you could access them will vary depending on the bank and/or card that you’re using.
To give you an idea of the options available, here are some of the airport locations around the world with lounges you can get into through LoungeKey.
United Kingdom: Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Jersey, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Liverpool and Manchester airports. Note that at the time of writing, LoungeKey won’t get you into any lounges at Cardiff airport.
Europe mainland: Amsterdam, Athens, Barcelona, Brussels, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Lisbon, Madrid, Munich, Nice, Paris, Rome, Stockholm and Venice airports.
United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Sharjah airports.
United States: Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Honolulu, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington DC airports.
Canada: Calgary, Edmonton, Montreal, Quebec, Toronto and Vancouver airports.
Australia and New Zealand: Auckland, Brisbane, Cairns, Christchurch, Darwin, Queenstown and Sydney airports.
Asia: Bali (Denpasar), Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore international airports.
Credit cards with LoungeKey
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How does LoungeKey work?
LoungeKey membership coincides with your credit or debit card. That means you won’t be given a separate LoungeKey membership card or a LoungeKey pass. You can enjoy visits to participating airport lounges when you show your synced credit/debit card and boarding pass to the lounge receptionist and let them know you’re a LoungeKey member.
How do you get a LoungeKey membership?
Here are the basic steps you need to take to set up and use this service:
Get an eligible credit/debit card. You could choose one of the cards featured in our comparison to secure membership to the programme.
Create a LoungeKey account. Go to the LoungeKey web page provided by your credit card issuer.
Verify your card details. As part of your account registration, you’ll need to enter your card’s 16-digit payment number to confirm you’re eligible for the programme.
Search for participating lounges. When you have a trip planned, you can use the LoungeKey website or mobile app to find lounges that offer you complimentary access. Some lounges may prefer you to reserve a space in advance.
Request entry to the lounge. When you’re at the airport, go to your chosen lounge and let staff know you’re a LoungeKey customer. You’ll then need to show or swipe your card to gain access. Depending on the lounge, you may also need to show your valid boarding pass and passport.
Can I take a guest into a lounge with my LoungeKey membership?
Most of the participating LoungeKey lounges let you to bring a guest or guests to enter the lounge with you. But there could be additional costs or restrictions depending on the specific lounge and the card you’re using to gain access. These details are usually shown when you search for lounges via LoungeKey, giving you a way to plan ahead and budget for any fees that may apply.
Lounge access and services
Lounge availability and services vary between locations and depend on the LoungeKey partners. As well as traditional lounges, cardholders can access dining, shopping and spa offers. In some airports, the lounge can partner with bars or restaurants which are open to the public. At these locations, showing your LoungeKey card entitles you to a discount on your final bill.
In many other airports, LoungeKey gives you access to exclusive airport lounge areas, such as Plaza Premium Lounges at London Heathrow or the Wingtips Lounge at New York’s JFK International Airport. So using the LoungeKey search service will help you find out exactly what lounges and services are available for any trips you have planned.
What else do I need to know?
Keep these details in mind so you can make the most of this programme:
Card requirements. You must present a valid, eligible credit card to participating lounges to gain access through the LoungeKey program. If you don’t have your card on you, or if it has expired, you won’t be able to visit a lounge.
Lounge requirements. All airport lounges have specific requirements that guests must meet before they are allowed to enter. This could include a dress code, fees for guests and time limits on your visit. You can find details for individual lounges by using the LoungeKey lounge finder service.
Additional charges. Charges for any lounge services or guest fees may apply. Remember to look for these details when you are searching for specific lounges so that you can budget for these charges.
Having a credit card that offers complimentary lounge access through LoungeKey gives you a way to enjoy luxury between flights all around the world. But with similar services available through Priority Pass and Lounge Pass, it’s worth comparing different lounge and credit card options so that you can find one that suits your needs.
Depending on the card they hold, American Express customers can gain access to over 1,000 lounges globally and enjoy complimentary dining and snacks which typically include buffet breakfasts, and hot lunches and dinners. You can also order soft drinks, cocktails, wine, beer and barista-made coffee from lounge bars.
Alternatively, some airline cards such as those produced by British Airways or Virgin Atlantic expand your access even further to include their own branded airport lounges.
Finally, you could consider an annual subscription to Priority Pass – a lounge access programme that’s not linked to any credit or debit card.
Frequently asked questions
LoungKey is an airport lounge programme which gives you complimentary access to over 1,250 lounges, as well as over 900 retail, dining and spa offers worldwide when you have a particpating Mastercard.
Yes, Istanbul currently has lounges that support Loungekey in both its international and domestic terminals.
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Chris Lilly is Head of publishing at finder.com. He's a specialist in personal finance, from day-to-day banking to investing to borrowing, and is passionate about helping UK consumers make informed decisions about their money. In his spare time Chris likes forcing his kids to exercise more. See full bio
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