This is the ultimate guide to airport lounges. You'll learn how to access the best lounges without needing to fly first class by using credit cards, memberships, elite status, and more. We’ll also discuss the best lounges, underrated perks, tools to manage access, avoiding crowded lounges and more.
Kevin Song is the co-founder of This Lounge, one of the most comprehensive databases of airport lounges around the world. He is a former cybersecurity professional at WeWork, Hyatt, Deloitte, The Points Guy and Notre Dame.
Resources Mentioned
Kevin Song:
X: https://x.com/kevson
This Lounge: https://thislounge.com/
Lounges
The Pier, First (Hong Kong): https://cathaypacific.com/cx/en_HK/destinations/lounges/hong-kong-hkg/the-pier-first.html
Al Safwa First Class Lounge (Qatar): https://qatarairways.com/en/lounges/al-safwa-lounge.html
What You Need to Know About USO Airport Lounges: https://uso.org/stories/2513-what-you-need-to-know-about-uso-airport-lounges
Airport Lounge Memberships
Priority Pass: https://prioritypass.com/
Dragon Pass: https://en.dragonpass.com.cn/
Lounge Key: https://loungekey.com/
How To Tell Your Priority Pass Cards Apart: https://onemileatatime.com/insights/how-to-tell-priority-pass-cards-apart/
Lounge Reviews
This Lounge: https://thislounge.com/
Lounge Review: https://loungereview.com/
ATH Podcast
Ep #219: 20+ Airport Hacks for Faster Security, Immigration, and Boarding with Leigh Rowan: https://chrishutchins.com/fast-track-airport-security-and-immigration-leigh-rowan/
Ep #220: Rethinking Elite Status and Smarter Ways to Earn and Use Points: https://chrishutchins.com/rethinking-elite-status-listener-wins/
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-the-hacks/id1560751222?mt=2&ls=1
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3v8pyFFppVuIL5SvNOa1om
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: [email protected]
Full Show Notes
00:00 Introduction
00:49 Factors That Make an Airport Lounge a Favorite
02:54 The Worst Type of Airport Lounges
05:56 The Number and Types of Airport Lounges Around the World
08:02 Quick Overview of Airport Lounges in America
10:32 Companies That Operate Lounges on Behalf of Airlines
12:32 Credit Card Affiliated Airport Lounges
13:51 Airline Alliance Lounges and USO Lounges
17:32 Ranking Lounge Categories from Worst to Best
20:40 Ways to Leverage Airline Membership Club Lounge Agents
23:26 A Potential Hack to Skip an Airport Lounge Waitlist
27:11 Lufthansa's Famous First Class Rubber Ducks
28:43 Using a Priority Pass to Access Airport Lounges
34:39 Can Business or First Class Tickets Give You Access to a Lounge?
37:46 Leveraging Elite Status for Lounge Access
43:42 Creating Multiple Profiles to Earn More Miles
46:01 Why You Should Consider Status Matches
54:21 Trick to Qualify for Status Matches
56:10 Is It Worth Getting a Day Pass to Access a Lounge?
59:58 The Main Premium Credit Cards with Lounge Access
01:05:46 Other Credit Cards That Include a Priority Pass Membership
01:09:46 The Number of Priority Passes Chris and Kevin Have
01:12:30 Adding Authorized Users on the Three Major Airline Credit Cards
01:13:46 Ways to Manage Lounge Access Memberships
01:20:07 Overlooked Perks of Airport Lounges
Connect with Chris
Newsletter: https://landing.chrishutchins.com/newsletter
Membership: https://chrishutchins.com/join
X: https://x.com/hutchins
Instagram: https://instagram.com/chrishutchins
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/chrishutchins/
Editor’s Note: The content on this page is accurate as of the posting date; however, some of our partner offers may have expired. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.