Totally legitimate ways to get into an airport lounge

Passengers relax in the lounge and bar at Los Angeles International Airport.

Airport stopovers when you're flying economy suck.

You're already cranky from being cramped in cattle class, only to get off the plane, greasy and tired, to try and keep yourself awake for another sleepless and uncomfortable flight.

There are only so many duty-free perfumes I can look at, or so many glasses of house wine I can consume to try and pass the time. I get too paranoid to sleep in case I miss my flight or my luggage gets stolen.

But I've discovered hope. There is a way for us plebs to enjoy the comforts of those airport lounges we've all fantasised about on long airport layovers.

You just need to be willing to pay for it — and it isn't as expensive as you might think, reports news.com.au.

Heck, I've spent more on duty-free perfume and house wine.

Independent airport lounge programmes

An easy way to gain access to thousands of airport lounges around the world, no matter what carrier or class you fly, is by signing up to an independent airport lounge programme.

Independent meaning they are operated by a third-party that isn't affiliated with any particular airline or airport.

What this means is that you could use airport lounge facilities regardless of which airline you're flying or which travel class you've booked.

Priority Pass is perhaps the largest of these programmes.

Launched in 1992, Priority Pass says it now has partnerships with more than 1000 airport lounges worldwide. And to get access, all you need to do is sign up to one of its three membership plans.

Based on how frequently you travel, you can sign up to its Standard membership for an annual fee of US$99 ($137), its Standard Plus membership for an annual fee of US$249 ($345) or its Prestige membership for an annual fee of US$399 ($553).

The difference between each class of membership is how many "free" airport lounge visits you get per year. Otherwise you have to pay an entry charge of US$27 ($37) at the lounge door.

Not ready for an annual commitment? Another independent airport lounge programme is Loungebuddy — a free app launched in 2013.

After asking you to fill out a profile that includes your itinerary, credit cards, current frequent flyer memberships, and other loyalty programmes, Loungebuddy will give you a list of lounges you are eligible to access on your trip.

If none of your loyalty programmes or credit cards can grant you free access to an airport lounge, it will show you which lounges on your journey will allow you to pay a one-time fee for access, or which ones will let you in if you sign up for their frequent flyer programme.

A layover in an airport lounge is much more pleasant than hanging around in the departures terminal.

Or you could ditch the airline lounges and opt for an independent lounge itself.

Plaza Premium Lounge is one example which is open to all travellers regardless of airline or travel class.

The first lounge was opened at Hong Kong International Airport and Kuala Lumpur International Airport in 1998 but the company now operates lounges in 35 airports globally.

You don't need to have a membership to gain access into a Plaza Premium Lounge, you can just pay on entry. The cost depends on how long you wish to stay and which airport lounge you're at.

For example, you can have access to the Plaza Premium Lounge at Singapore's Changi Airport for five hours on your way to Europe for SGD$58 (A$58) or pay £35 ($61) for two hour access to the lounge facilities at London's Heathrow Airport.

However, there is some fine print to be aware of when it comes to independent airport lounge schemes. Because these programmes are operated by third party organisations, membership does not necessarily guarantee access.

An airline-operated lounge may still deny access, limit what facilities you may use, charge extra fees, or limit the amount of time you are allowed access.

Or in the case of Plaza Premium Lounge, you must be travelling with a partner airline to gain access.

One-off airline lounge visits

Some airlines are bypassing the independent programmes altogether and starting to offer one-off lounge visits themselves.

Notably, the full-service international gulf airlines — Etihad and Emirates — allow anyone, regardless of class, flying on their airline to pay for lounge access at some airport lounges.

Etihad offers economy travellers the chance to pay for access to their business or first class lounges in nine major airports worldwide, including Sydney, Melbourne, New York, Paris, London and Abu Dhabi.

Prices vary from airport to airport and which class of lounge, but it will cost you from A$99 ($104) to access Etihad's Premium Lounge at Sydney Airport, from US$75 ($104) to access the Premium Lounge at New York, or from £45 ($79) to get into Etihad's Heathrow Premium Lounge.

However, lounge access only opens three hours before your scheduled flight departure, except for Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi Premium Business Class Lounge is open 24 hours but only available for walk-in access during off peak hours. Off peak hours are between 2am-6am and 11am-5pm daily.

The cost of entry to Abu Dhabi lounge is based on a time limit, starting from A$133 ($139) for two hours.

Those flying economy with Emirates can pay to access the airline's lounges at Dubai International Airport.

It'll cost US$100 ($139) to access the Emirates Business Class lounge or US$200 ($277) to access the Emirates First Class Lounge. Both prices are for four hours.

However, you must sign up to their loyalty programme, Emirates Skywards to be eligible and your onwards flight must also be with Emirates. It is free to sign up to Emirates' Skywards frequent flyer programme.