The more frequent a traveler you become, the more picky you are about where you wait. Not that there’s anything terrible about sitting in front of the departure gate waiting for the plane to arrive. But experience it enough, and your enjoyment swiftly starts to decline.

An airport lounge for first class or business class passengers can be a haven for travelers looking for a quiet and comfortable place to relax and rejuvenate away from the bustle of the terminal. This type of VIP lounge boasts a wide array of amenities and conveniences, including free Wi-Fi, complimentary food and beverages, charging stations, comfortable chairs, and a host of reading materials and other entertainment options.

Unfortunately, all of these perks often usually come at a great cost to the traveler in the form of a pricey first class ticket. However, you don’t always need a first class ticket to get into one of these lounges. Here are four alternative ways to get access to airline VIP lounges.

Use a Credit Card That Provides Lounge Access

The easiest and most cost-effective way to enjoy lounge access is to use a credit card that provides this privilege as part of its perks. Having the right card can make a significant difference in your overall travel experience. While you may incur a larger annual fee for the privilege of using this type of premium credit card, you can make up that price if you utilize the membership perks to the full degree. For example, instead of spending money on a mediocre pre-flight meal in the terminal, head to the lounge for complimentary food and drink. Just be sure to read all of the fine print carefully before acquiring any credit card.

Purchase a Third-Party Lounge Pass

Some travelers like the convenience of being able to mix and match airlines based on price and convenience. In this case, you might consider purchasing an airport lounge pass from a third-party vendor — like Priority Pass or Lounge Pass. One pass provides you access to over 1,000 lounges worldwide, giving you maximum versatility in your travels. Some of these passes may even feature discounts at airport restaurants. There are also different membership levels that come with varying costs, allowing you to customize your pass to fit your needs and budget. Depending on your eating and drinking habits, a third-party pass may pay for itself after just a few visits.

Get a Day Pass

Many airlines sell day passes to their lounges that don’t require any special membership. This is a good option if you’re traveling for a special occasion and want to feel pampered, or if you’re not a frequent flyer and buying an annual membership or pass is not worth the investment. Once in the lounge, you can enjoy the same privileges as the other members. (Just be warned: it may be hard to go back to regular flying once you experience this perk.) You may even be able to negotiate the price of a day pass upon arrival. Try checking with the ticketing agent when you check your luggage or simply ask at the entry to the lounge.

Attain Elite Status with a Particular Airline

It’s true that loyalty comes with a certain amount of privilege. Savvy travelers understand the importance of picking an airline and sticking with it if you want to enjoy regular lounge access. Once you reach a predetermined status level on many airlines, you can enjoy discounted or even free access to their lounge. It’s important to remember that once you achieve this level of status, you’ll need to continue your loyalty by booking plane tickets on the airline to retain lounge access. Many airlines also offer lounge access to travelers flying within their alliance of partners, which can stretch your access availability even further.

Have you ever tried spent time in a luxury airport lounge? Tell us how it went in the comments below!