Airport Lounge Break-Even Calculator
See if a lounge membership via premium credit card beats paying per visit. Enter the day-pass price and how often you fly to compare annual spend, find the visit break-even point, and quantify potential savings when adding guest fees.
Confirm lounge access rules with your issuer; perks can change and may exclude certain networks or guests.
Examples
- $65 day pass, 12 visits/year, $550 card fee, $35 guest fee ⇒ Annual day-pass cost: $780.00 USD • Card lounge cost: $970.00 USD • Break-even at 8.46 visits/year • Annual savings with card: -$190.00 USD.
- $50 day pass, 20 visits/year, default guest fee and $550 card fee ⇒ Annual day-pass cost: $1,000.00 USD • Card lounge cost: $550.00 USD • Break-even at 11.00 visits/year • Annual savings with card: $450.00 USD.
FAQ
Are guest fees always charged?
Enter the per-visit guest fee only if you routinely bring someone; leave blank to assume solo access is included.
Does this include food or Wi-Fi value?
No. It compares direct access costs only; in-lounge value is subjective and not monetized here.
What if my card offers limited free visits?
Set the annual visits to the number you expect to use and adjust the guest fee to reflect any overage charges.
Additional Information
- Result unit: USD for annual spend under day passes versus card lounge access, plus visits/year break-even.
- Defaults assume a $550 premium card and no guest fees; adjust to mirror your issuer's policy.
- Savings are relative to day-pass spending and can be negative if visits are low or guest fees are high.