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Almost every time I fly, I get free lounge access one of three ways:

  1. International Business and First Class passengers get lounge access throughout the journey, and I fly a lot of international premium cabin awards.
  2. Most airports have one or more lounges affiliated with Priority Pass. I have a free Priority Pass membership from my Citi Prestige® Card.

See also Complete Guide to Citi Prestige Lounge Access and All the Lounge Access I Got from Citi Prestige on One Trip

Today I am in Vilnius, Lithuania flying an economy ticket, so the first two ways do not get me lounge access. But like almost every airport I use, there is a Priority Pass affiliated lounge here: the IDW Esperanza Resort Business Lounge.

Priority Pass lounges vary widely in quality, but all of them have internet, comfortable places to sit, and refreshments. Most have alcohol and enough food to cobble together a meal. And some are just awesome.

How to Find a Priority Pass Lounge

Download the Priority Pass app. Search by city, country, or airport. In Vilnius, there is only one Priority Pass lounge. In some airports, there are several.

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Click on a lounge to find its location and offerings.

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Review of IDW Esperanza Resort Business Class Lounge

This feels like the median Priority Pass lounge. It has the basics, some food, some booze, some nice chairs, and solid wifi. Only one thing stands out to me: I actually really like the decor. Overall I’m very satisfied with my free visit, and I would have paid around $20 for access.

The leather chairs and sofas are comfortable, and the space feels more private with the plants separating sections.

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There is a modest spread of juices…

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…chips, crackers, and nuts…
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…sodas, waters, beers, liquors, and wines…Screen Shot 2015-07-10 at 1.12.03 PM

…sandwiches, cheese, and yogurt…

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…fruit and sweets…

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…and liquors.

I had a lunch of two half chicken sandwiches, almonds, crackers, Gouda cheese, and water.

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I hung out in a comfortable chair for an hour and a half working.
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The lounge also has computers with a printer and an espresso/cappuccino machine.

There’s nothing fancy here like showers or massages or a la carte dining that you’d find in the top First Class lounges, but the offerings are sufficient for a short trip and a simple meal. There’s nothing more I can ask for in a free lounge visit.

Priority Pass Membership

You can buy a Priority Pass membership for $99 a year + $27 a visit or $399 per year with unlimited visits. Unfortunately neither plan includes free guest access.

Far better is to get a Priority Pass membership for free with a premium credit card. The best deal is with the Citi Prestige® Card. The Priority Pass Select membership card is shipped to you automatically when you open a Citi Prestige® Card.

With the Priority Pass Select membership from the Prestige, you can access all Priority Pass lounges except United Clubs. Your visits are free. Each visit, you can take in two guests for free OR your spouse and all children under 18 for free.

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