U.S. airlines offer day passes to airport lounges so people can try them. Delta Sky Club ($50), United Club ($39 online, a good deal), US Airways ($29) and American Admiral's Club ($50) sell access to the lounge for a day. You can buy the pass ahead of time or when you get to the airport.
Buy a 30- or 90-day pass: American has a 30-day pass for $99. Delta has one for $90, which includes up to two guests, a good deal. US Airways has a 120-day pass for $120.
Join Priority Pass: It gets you into 600 airport lounges around the world; join for $99 a year and pay $27 every time you use a lounge. Or pay $399 a year for unlimited lounge visits. However, some airlines such as Delta don't belong to this program (www.prioritypass.com).
Get an upscale credit card: Some credit cards give you airport lounge access, such as the American Express Platinum Card ($450 a year). Ameriprise World Elite MasterCard ($150 a year) and the Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card ($450 a year). Note that Diners Club International, which offered an excellent airport lounge benefit, was sold to the Bank of Montreal and is not currently taking applications for new cards in the United States.
Join the club: Delta, United, US Airways and American charge an annual fee ranging from $450 to $500. That includes unlimited visits to that airline's lounges, plus limited access to SkyTeam or Star Alliance partner airline lounges around the world.
