Cheap And Free Ways To Access Changi Airport Lounges

Airport lounges offer respite from the hustle and bustle of air travel and can be extremely worthwhile, especially during layovers. In this article, we’ll look at the many ways that you can access Changi Airport lounges.

Whether you’re jetting off or transiting between flights, Changi Airport lounges offer the best facilities for you to relax and unwind before your flight.

While it’s often perceived that airport lounge access is only exclusive to Business Class and First Class flyers, the truth is that there are other less expensive (and even free) ways for you to get into airport lounges. 

So, without further ado, let's look at the many ways that you can access Changi Airport lounges.

But first...

What are airport lounges and how do they work?

Airport lounges are designated areas in an airport that are only accessible to travellers with certain credentials. 

They offer amenities and perks that aren’t available in a typical airport terminal. These include complimentary food and beverages, comfortable spaces for relaxing and working, television, shower facilities, snoozing spots, free Wi-Fi, and more. That said, no airport lounges are the same, and the availability of these facilities varies from one lounge to another. 

As mentioned, you’ll usually get complimentary airport lounge access if you flying in First Class or Business Class. But they are also other ways to get into Changi Airport lounges: 

• Credit cards with free airport lounge access
• Priority or private banking customers
• Independent airport lounge programs 
• Airline or alliance-affiliated lounges 
• Pay-per-use single lounge passes

Credit cards with free airport lounge access

The most popular (and easiest) way to get into airport lounges for free is with credit cards that give free airport lounge access. 

Some examples of credit cards in Singapore that offer complimentary airport lounge access include the Citi PremierMiles Card, DBS Altitude Card, CIMB Visa Signature Card, and HSBC TravelOne Card. 

These credit cards partner with independent airport lounge providers, such as Priority Pass, Dragon Pass, and LoungeKey, allowing you to get into airport lounges for free.

You can view which airport lounges are included in the program on the respective mobile apps. 

Additionally, premium credit cards such as the OCBC Voyage Card, Maybank Privilege Horizon Visa Signature Card, HSBC Visa Infinite Card, and Citi Prestige Card offer unlimited airport lounge access, which is great if you’re a frequent flyer and visit airport lounges often.

Priority banking customers

One of the lifestyle perks of being a priority/private banking customer is that it comes with complimentary airport lounge access. 

Indeed, priority and private banking customers can access airport lounges with their 'high-end' credit cards. Some of these cards include the Standard Chartered Priority Banking Visa Infinite Credit Card, OCBC Premier Voyage Card, Maybank Privilege Horizon Visa Signature Card, and Citi Prestige Card. 

Some banks have exclusive airport lounges that cater exclusively to their premium clients. One example is the DBS Asia Treasures Lounge in Changi Airport Terminals 2 and 3, which can only be accessed by DBS Treasures Private Client or DBS Private Bank Client members. 

In other words, you’ll need to be a DBS Private Client with a minimum asset management (AUM) of S$1.5 million. 

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Independent airport lounge providers

You can also get Changi Airport lounge access by becoming a member of an independent airport lounge provider such as Priority Pass or Dragon Pass. 

Priority Pass and Dragon Pass provide access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, offering free amenities like food, drinks, alcohol, shower and bedding facilities, Wi-Fi, and other membership benefits. 

To be a member of an airport lounge provider, you can buy a single lounge pass or buy a yearly membership plan. Single lounge passes typically charge US$35 per entry, but some lounges cost more while others actually cost less.

If you use airport lounges a few times a year, going for a yearly membership plan is the better option from a cost perspective. 

Priority Pass and Dragon Pass offer three membership tiers ranging from US$99 to US$469 a year, with the difference being the number of free airport lounge visits you get annually. 

For instance, Priority Pass’s Standard Plus plan costs US$329 a year and offers members 10 complimentary airport lounge visits. After that, each subsequent visit will cost US$35. Meanwhile, the Prestige plan offers unlimited airport lounge access but costs US$429 annually. 

On the other hand, with Dragon Pass, you get free entry to either 1, 8, or unlimited airport lounge access, depending on the tier. Dragon Pass is also cheaper than Priority Pass, with the Preferential and Prestige plans costing US$259 and US$429 a year, respectively. 

Aside from airport lounge access, both Priority Pass and Dragon Pass also provide dining, retail, and refresh offers/discounts. You can view them on the Priority Pass or Dragon Pass mobile app. 

Before deciding which platform to go with, check out what other platform has to offer and whether the airport lounge or airport fits into your travel preferences. For example, at the time of writing, Dragon Pass offers Plaza Premium Lounge access, while Priority Pass doesn’t.

Also read: Priority Pass Membership: Should You Sign Up?

Airline or alliance-affiliated lounges

Some airlines have their own lounges that are exclusive to their customers. Typically, these are reserved for premium ticket travellers (First Class or Business Class) or those on their frequent flyer/loyalty programmes.  

For example, in Changi Airport, Singapore Airlines has SilverKris Lounge and KrisFlyer Gold Lounge, Qantas Airlines has Qantas First Lounge, and Qatar Airlines has the Qatar Premium Lounge. Eligible flyers will also have access to the respective airline lounge networks around the world. 

Besides that, you may also get access if the airline you’re flying with is a member of an airline alliance programme, such as Star Alliance, oneworld, or SkyTeam.

Below is the list of airline-affiliated Changi Airport lounges: 

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Pay-per-use single lounge passes

If you’re not flying in first class or don’t have a credit card with lounge access, there are pay-per-visit lounges where you can enjoy airport lounge facilities — for a fee. This can be a good option for those who don't want a long-term commitment to a membership, airline, alliance, or credit card. 

Is airport lounge access worth it?

Airport lounges can provide excellent value to travellers, considering the perks that you get.

As we've pointed out, airport lounge access can be obtained cheaply and even for free without a frequent flyer membership or premium ticket.

Even if you don't have a credit card with free lounge access or are not a frequent flyer member, you still get your money's worth when you buy a single lounge pass. You get complimentary food and drinks, Wi-Fi, comfortable seating areas, showers, and beds, which beats paying for overpriced airport food and sleeping on airport benches. 

If you're jetting off overseas soon, remember to get a travel insurance plan to ensure that you're well covered for any unexpected inconveniences that might occur before or during your trip.

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