I’ve always been obsessed with airport lounges – probably because I could never get into them.  I was just another economy passenger, and back in the day you had to be an elite frequent flyer or travelling at least business class to even get a look in.

Instead, I slouched on uncomfortable plastic seats under fluorescent lights and ate cheeseburgers from Maccas, watching those special people glide up the escalator to the Qantas lounge. I just knew they were sipping champagne before they jetted off to their Euro summer or New York business meeting and I was so jealous.

Eventually I wrangled a Qantas Club membership and sucked up every perk I possibly could. I ordered the secret cheese plate in Sydney’s International Airport, photographed my Liquorice Allsorts at Tullamarine and made ham and cheese toasties in Brissy. I showered at LAX and scoffed bubbles everywhere.

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Time in the lounge was so special it even made travelling overseas in economy bearable. Or was that the free drinks? Whatever. It was fabulous.

But once my daughter and I set off to travel full time it all came to an end. I lost my lounge access and returned to the economy life of sitting in Starbucks during long transits, feeling dirty and sad.

And then it happened: private lounges started popping up in airports all over the world, and anyone could enter – all you had to do was pay for it.

These lounges hosted business class and member passengers for airlines that didn’t have their own exclusive spaces, and – amazingly – were also open to people like me who would happily pay for a taste of lounge hospitality.

I was in. From Ho Chi Minh to Rome, Kuala Lumpur to Honolulu and Bali to Cebu, I rented the lounge life and it changed the way I travelled.

Now I love heading to the airport early, and I really don’t mind waiting around on long transits. I race to the lounge, relax on a comfy couch and enjoy the vibe – it’s quiet, it’s away from the airport chaos and I have everything I need.

I grab a glass of wine from the bar, nibble on a cheese plate or eat a hot meal. My devices charge beside me and about an hour before I have to go to the gate I shower in a just-cleaned bathroom that’s stocked with fresh towels and amenities. Then I’m ready to board and sleep my way to my destination.

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My daughter loves it too. She gets to feel a little special and it makes long travel and multiple flights on budget airlines so much easier for us.

The price is not as much as you’d expect. Most lounges start at around $50 for a three-hour stint (although no one seems to check how long you’ve been in there), and you can find discounts online at websites like Klook that bring the price down significantly, especially if you book in advance.

Finding the lounges is easy, too. I simply Google the name of the airport I’m leaving from and ‘airport lounge’, and check the options, making sure the terminal matches the one I’m flying out of.

I will usually book in advance to guarantee my spot and get the best price. Some credit cards include lounge access, and international lounge chains, like Priority Pass, offer lounge memberships. I feel like memberships work out to cost more than random visits, so I just travel lounge by lounge.

Renting the lifestyle is such a great way to enjoy a little airport lounge luxe, so book your spot next time you fly, and have a glass for me!

This article originally appeared on escape.com.au. It has been reproduced here with permission.

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