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The Points Guy believes that credit cards can transform lives, helping you leverage everyday spending for cash back or travel experiences that might otherwise be out of reach. That's why we publish a variety of editorial content and card comparisons: to help you find a great card to turn your goals into reality.
Our site may earn compensation when a customer clicks on a link, when an application is approved, or when an account is opened with our partners, and this may impact how or where these products appear. While we don't cover all available credit cards, our editorial team creates and maintains all of the analysis of these cards, and our content is not influenced nor subject to review by any credit card company, bank or partner prior to (or after) publication. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.
Benét, known as the Aviation Queen, is a former senior editor at TPG who is best known for being an aviation journalist for 25-plus years. Her love affair with travel and aviation began at age 6, when her Air Force family moved from California to a military base outside of London. The family flew from JFK to London on a pretty new Pan Am 747. She was amazed when, in 1992, she got her first aviation journalism job.
also contributed to this story
June 14, 2024 • 9 min read
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don't cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Quick summary
Low-cost airlines can offer significant savings, especially for short-haul or domestic flights, though amenities are limited.
Travelers can enhance their budget airline experience by accessing airport lounges, selecting seats strategically, and using expedited security programs.
Bringing your own snacks and downloading entertainment in advance can improve comfort and reduce extra costs.
Understanding baggage policies and potential fees is essential to avoid unexpected charges.
What to consider
Airport lounge access may be available through certain memberships or by purchasing day passes, with amenities varying by location.
Seat selection, fast-track security, and baggage policies differ by airline, so researching options and costs before booking is recommended.
Some credit cards may cover expedited security program fees, but eligibility and coverage details vary.
What you'll miss from the article
Detailed strategies for maximizing comfort and minimizing costs when flying with budget airlines, including lounge access tips and baggage fee avoidance.
Generated by AI with support from our editorial team.
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
If you’ve never flown with a low-cost airline, then take it from us: You're probably an outlier. Budget carriers like Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines (or EasyJet and Ryanair in the U.K.) can often be the most budget-friendly ways to travel.
Sure, you might not get all the perks of flying with a premium airline, but sometimes, the cheapest option can be the best option — especially if you’re only flying short-haul or on a domestic route.
Just because you’re flying with a low-cost airline doesn’t mean you can’t have a great experience. In fact, there are some great ways to improve your otherwise bare-bones flying experience that won’t necessarily mean shelling out lots more cash.
We’ve outlined six of them below.
Use an airport lounge
Vienna Lounge. PRIORITY PASS
Contrary to popular belief, lounges are not reserved for passengers flying in business class or first class, or for those who have elite status. With a little planning and research before you travel, you will likely find a lounge you can enter without flying in a premium cabin.
Though the quality of lounges can vary, a lounge experience is almost always a cut above waiting in the standard departure areas.
The first step in getting lounge entry is researching the airport you’re traveling from to understand your options.
It’s entirely possible you’ll be able to enter a lounge based on your credit card. For example, The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card all come with lounge access perks.
Alongside premium airline lounges, you may also find a few options that allow you to pay to enter or access via lounge programs such as Priority Pass.
Let’s use Orlando International Airport (MCO) as an example. The Club at MCO has outlets in Terminal A (home to Frontier, Southwest Airlines and Avelo Airlines) and Terminal B (home to Breeze Airways, Volaris, WestJet and Sun Country Airlines).
For a $50 day pass, you get complimentary snacks and beverages (including beer, wine and premium spirits), newspapers, free Wi-Fi and space to work. Alternatively, you can access this lounge with a Priority Pass membership.
Priority Pass annual fees start at $99 and break down as follows:
Standard membership: $99 per year; includes visits for $35 each for the member and any guests
Standard Plus membership: $329 per year; includes 10 free visits, with subsequent visits for $35 each (the same price as all guest visits)
Prestige membership: $469 per year; all visits are included for the member, though guests are charged $35 per visit
You can pay extra for a Big Front Seat on a Spirit Airlines A321neo. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Paying for a specific seat can be an annoying expense, especially if you’re traveling with a family or in a group. However, when flying with a budget airline, paying for a specific seat could make your journey much more comfortable than it would be in a random seat.
When choosing a seat, consider how close it is to the front and back of the plane. Low-cost airlines tend to board and deplane via both the front and the back.
The closer you are to the doors, the quicker you can disembark when you land. You should also take legroom into account. If you’re tall, paying for a seat with extra legroom (or in an exit row) will make a huge difference.
Seat prices vary between airlines and can often change depending on route and availability. Spirit, for example, offers seat selection from as low as $1 to $250 on some flights.
Before buying, consider the amount you paid for your original ticket, the duration of your flight and whether the additional seat cost would sufficiently improve your journey.
Note: If you’re traveling as a family, some low-cost carriers offer preferred seat selection methods where you’ll be seated together without having to pay extra.
Do your research to ensure you’re not overpaying for a benefit you’d otherwise get for free.
Use fast-track airport security
TSA PreCheck is currently available in more than 200 U.S. airports; it costs $78 for five years and $70 to renew.
If you have PreCheck, you don’t have to remove your laptop from your bag, and you can keep your shoes on. You get to walk through a regular metal detector instead of going through the body scanner.
Having PreCheck can significantly reduce how long you wait in the security line, especially in busy airports like Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York.
ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
If you have a Global Entry card, TSA PreCheck is included for free. The Global Entry application fee is currently $120 for five years. The application renewal fee may be covered as a perk if you're a credit card holder.
JETBLUE
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By commenting, you agree to our Community Guidelines to help create a positive space for conversation. The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser, our partners, or The Points Guy (“TPG”). They have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of these parties. All responses are submitted by individual contributors, and neither the bank advertiser, our partners, nor TPG are responsible for ensuring that all posts and/or questions are answered.
