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How to Fly Round-Trip to Japan for ~$100 in Business Class: Part 3 – Airport Lounge Access Isn’t Just for Elite Travelers

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    Ever dreamed of visiting Japan?  Credit card rewards can help get you there for a fraction of the price!

    Using miles & points, I recently flew round-trip from Austin, Texas, to Japan for ~$110 in Business Class.  The retail cost was ~$11,000!  And for 3 weeks of lodging (including some fancy hotels), I spent ~$450!

    Japan is a beautiful country, filled with a lot to see and do.  You’ll find everything from high-rise skyscrapers to old temples and hot springs.  I loved Tokyo’s energetic neighborhoods, shopping, and delicious restaurants.  And Kyoto is a fantastic place to ride bicycles, and to explore the bamboo forest and monkey park.

    Participating in a cooking class and meeting new friends was the highlight of Osaka.  And a day trip to feed the deer in Nara was unforgettable!  Plus, Okinawa is known for its beautiful beaches and scuba diving.

    Having Lounge Access Is a Great Perk, Especially During Long Layovers!

    Wherever you go, you’re sure to have an amazing time!

    In this part of the series, I’ll tell you about my experience at the British Airways Business Class Lounge at Chicago O’Hare!  In future posts, I’ll share more about things like the flights I took, the places I stayed, and how you can plan your own trip to Japan!

    How to Fly to Japan for ~$100 Trip Report Index:

    How to Get Lounge Access

    We had access to the British Airways Terraces lounge in Chicago because we were flying Business Class.

    If you have Sapphire or Emerald Oneworld elite status, or are flying in Business or First Class with British Airways (or one of their Oneworld partner airlines like American Airlines or Cathay Pacific) you’ll get lounge access.

    First Class passengers have access to British Airways First lounges.

    Even if you aren’t flying in Business or First Class, having the right credit card in your wallet can get you lounge access too!  And don’t forget to check out this post for other low-cost ways to get access to lounges.

    Why I Like Airport Lounges

    Since we had a ~4.5 hour layover, being able to hang out there was really nice.  Plus, it’s open 24 hours a day, which is perfect if you’re there during off-peak times!

    I love lounges because you get free internet, drinks, and snacks.  And sometimes you can even get free dinner!

    It’s also a lot quieter than the main airport, where thousands of people are rushing to their gates.

    The British Airways Terraces Lounge Is in Terminal 5 Near Gates M11 & M12 at Chicago O’Hare International Airport

    British Airways Lounge at Chicago O’Hare

    It was simple to get in.  I just showed the attendant my boarding pass and was welcomed into the lounge.  As soon as I found a spot to sit, I checked out the food offerings.

    There was fresh fruit and cheese and crackers.  They also had plenty of chips and other savory snacks, so I helped myself.

    Don’t Forget to Grab an Extra Bag of Chips for the Flight!

    But the hot food selection was lacking, so we got dinner in the main airport.

    The Terraces Lounge Was Full of Snack Foods, But Nothing I’d Consider to Be a Full Meal

    Some lounges definitely have better hot food selections than others!  So you’ll have to decide for yourself if you want to fill up on pretzels and M&Ms, or grab something a little heartier elsewhere. 😉

    Bottom Line

    Getting lounge access anywhere is a treat!  I like free Wi-Fi and having a comfortable place to sit.  And the free snacks and drinks are also a perk!

    We had access to the British Airways Terraces lounge during our layover in Chicago because we were flying in Business Class.  And travelers with certain elite status or those flying First Class can also get lounge access, too.

    Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)