A money saving tip for airport lounges

I usually compare prices before I book my airport lounges on a variety of sites, looking for where appears to be the cheapest, but usually they are all the same (quite often to the penny). But recently I've noticed, and tested (it works) a very slight 'tweak' that saves cash for exactly the same as I'm getting anyway.

Normally when I'm flying through Manchester T1 I'll book the Aspire Lounge. It's our favourite lounge in that terminal (except when we flew Emirates!) and a good 'go to' lounge - we like to be able to see out and it can be a little quieter then the Escape Lounge across the corridor.

On (what I think is) their official site the cost for 2 people is typically £87.98. Nice and simple. Head over to my standard Holiday Extras / Purple Parking account and it's the same there, £43.99 each, £87.98 for 2 (depending, of course, on time of day etc). For that you get 3 hours' access to the lounge, plenty to eat and drink and a view of the Easyjet 'planes waiting to load up.

But take a step back. Many operators allow you to check-in 2.5 to 3.5 hours before your flight and your go to gate is usually 30 minutes, or more, before departure. Even if you are hand luggage only I've heard of people not being allowed through security more than around 3 hours before departure, so that's a pretty good estimate of earliest arrival.

If you can't checkin until 3 hours before your flight, then have to checkin, clear security, navigate the duty free shop and walk to the lounge plus allowing for leaving the lounge to get to the gate at least 30 minutes before departure, you're lucky to get a full 2 hours there. And if you are booked into our number 1 favourite, the 1903 lounge in T2, then 2 hours is the most you are booked for.

And this is where you can be clever and save cash. Although the official site only offers 3 hour bookings, it is possible to book for 2 hours and the reception staff are checking for this (on the way in). If you try Holiday Extras etc you'll find 2 hours in the same lounge ending at the same time (say 30 minutes before your flight) is reduced to £70.38 for a couple - a saving of £17.60 per couople. Not a huge saving on the price of a holiday, but if you are travelling frequently, after a few visits you'll save a fair bit and all you are losing is not paying for time that you don't need in the lounge.