Canadian AmEx Platinum cardholder here - you get Priority Pass membership as part of a benefit of your card. As for airline lounge memberships it’s Americans Admirals Club, United Club and Delta SkyClub that offer membership. In addition when earning airline elite status you can earn status flying that airline or any other airline in that alliance. For instance I earned Delta Gold Medallion status by simply taking a KLM business class flight to Glasgow from Toronto (via Amsterdam) and crediting the miles accrued to Delta. Since I am not a U.S. resident it doesn’t matter how much I spend with Delta or even if I fly with them, it’s just miles flown with them and/or their partners. I literally earned Delta Gold medallion status without setting foot on a Delta airplane!
I have always wanted to visit an airport lounge. My husband usually books our trips and he doesn't leave much time for lounge visits. I'm changing that in 2023! Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and happy new year, Megan!
If only more people had watched you segment on luggage tips, Southwest travelers would have saved themselves a ton of frustration!!! I am so grateful for you! Happy New Year ❤
I frequently go to the Delta Sky Club via my AMEX delta cards... those layovers are so much easier to deal with if I can relax and get a free bite of food. I don't worry about what I am going to do with a long layover, and so I don't end up booking a flight with such a short transfer time that I might miss a flight or have to run through the airport like I see people doing all the time. But for anyone wanting to get into the Centurion Lounge, make sure you get the right AMEX card. Because they have a couple of cards and only one will get you in with no 'restrictions'. I know this because I got the wrong one.. :( I have the Delta Amex Reserve, which means I can go there, but only if I am flying Delta.
Agreed--- different credit cards have different benefits and restrictions. Like you, my AmEx card is cobranded with Delta, except mine is a platinum. That's a better choice for me as (a) the annual fee is a little cheaper and (b) it gives me more miles for my everyday purchases like restaurants and grocery stores. However, as you've said, my card won't get me into any Centurion lounges, and I have to pay a fee to get into the SkyMiles clubs.
I had priority pass and at each lounge I went to we were turned away. They give first choice to other membership groups. So I spent $450.00 for a year through Chase Sapphire. I would never use it again. It was a total failure.
@@aminor7476 Delta has reduced the availability of their lounges. There are more fees (and the rates have gone up) and there are no more day pass options. Also, Delta won't typically let you into the lounge until three hours prior to your flight's departure time, so there's no more all-day access.
We haven’t needed a lounge in about five years, thank you, Covid, but we have used it when we have a long layover. Our American Airlines Aviator (low level) card lets us get a day pass for $50 each. It may have gone up in price in the interim, but it’s well worth it when we have 4-6 hours to wait!
if you fly Japan ailines or Ana airlines with a premium economy ticket you get lounge access. Just make sure each leg of the trip is premium economy. We fly from Thailand to the USA and back each year. We had access for no extra in BKK airport and Tokyo.
On Amex Platinum you can add one cardholder to your account for free - and hence both of you will be able to bring one guest to the lounge! Some smaller airports in Europe (like Stansted or Luton in London) have only one lounge and if it is full, you won't get in with Priority pass until someone got out (they take your details and send you a text message) - which is a bit annoying as your flight might be imminent by that time,
I have two options for getting access to airport lounges, priority pass via a credit card and the 2nd is I have a United Club Card from Chase. One thing to really improve things is get your wife or husband a copy of your card and they may issue your wife or husband a separate priority pass membership. This means we can invite another couple to join us..
One time in one lounge - Moscow SVO Aeroflot lounge in June 2017. I paid a token amount to shower. Apart from a few young ladies who all appeared to be staff, I was alone there. If there was any free food I didn't see it. Nice shower, free soap, shampoo, towels, etc. Staff was polite
At some airports lounge access is way too much of a hassle, it can involve changing terminals and going through security, which often is a huge hassle particularly if you are connecting to an airline that does not participate in TSA Precheck. Other airports can be a very pleasant surprise, Kharkiv had a small, quiet lounge that was a very comfortable place to wait.
If you are flying first or business class,most airports that don;t have TSA pre check has a Fast Track for you...and it's even faster than pre check...
@@mattlawrence7130 It's very hard to get upgraded if you are not a frequent flyer with the airline,they get put on a list first come ,first serve if there are any empty first or business class seats..International flights,they try and sell these seats at a discounted fare,but is usually still expensive for most passengers..Because of my bad back,poor blood circulation,i can't take that risk,so i have to pay and book my business class way in advance...Some airlines like United has free changes just in case the price drop...you can cancel and re-book and will be refunded the difference,happened to me recently...my fare dropped from $3,700 to $3,200 ...$500.00 was refunded on my CC right away..
@@neilcharles2520 I agree that upgrades are hard to come by. Currently I have platinum status with Delta. The good news is that when I buy a ticket in the main cabin, it's immediately upgraded to comfort-plus. It's a nice perk, but not really much in the way of comfort. The seats are exactly the same. True, I get an extra three or four inches for my knees, but that's not really going to do much to ease an aching back. I'm also eligible for further upgrades to first class or Delta One, but I'm always low in the queue for those upgrades--there are always dozens of passengers with more points and more perks who will beat me out for those seats.
Priority Pass is a great tip. I hope they will sponsor you so we can get it through you. I am a Chase member so I should upgrade to Sapphire card to get those benefits. Thanks for this valuable tip.
I'm flying in United Premium Plus to Europe this spring and while it doesn't include lounge access, it does include a discount on buying a onetime pass.
Hi Megan. I don't know if this is typical, but Japan Airlines gave me a lounge pass flying Premium Economy for an international transit through Haneda Airport earlier this year. Perhaps other carriers similarly reward Premium Economy travel. Similarly, Korean Airlines often allows frequent flyer members to pre-book lounge access to any of their lounges worldwide for as little as 4,000 frequent flyer miles. That's in any class of travel, as long as you are flying Korean Airlines that day. That's an unusually good deal in my experience and worth it just for a shower alone. Cheers.
Never been a fan of the US domestic first/business class and NO lounge access (except Alaska Airlines). I've flown business class a few times internationally and did get a chance to use the airlines lounge then. It was nice. My last flight, I flew Alaska Airlines in business class (ok, domestic first class) and checked out their LA lounge in Terminal 6. Lots of construction outside the viewing area...and the lounge itself was OK. Food offerings were minimal. But it was a good place to sit quietly while waiting for my flight.
US carriers have the worst airlines carriers in the world. Service is bad, and getting worst. Plus, they are constantly taking away things, ang making you pay more for the bare minimums.
I have both Star Alliance Gold and One World Emerald which is higher than gold. Many airlines in the One World network has reciprocal First / Platinum lounge access above the regular gold that often include fine a la carte dining and real Champagne. Star Alliance has no reciprocal arrangements for their top premier lounges. Another free access you missed are good Samaritans on frequently flyer forums/bulletin board. I have given free access to a few lucky people travelling around the same time using my guest privileges.
I've just looked at lounges for my next flight from Gatwick. £32 gets me free food and drink for 3 hours - so that just about makes sense, if I can get rid of my bags early enough at check-in. Other options? They look like marginal value-for-money. Good video.
I don't travel very often, but in the last several years, I've flown business class ( for comfort as the seats are getting smaller in economy, as well as other perks) to Europe and enjoy the lounges with the exception of Air Canada in Toronto. My flight was being quite delayed- quelle surprise- but the lineup to get into the Maple Leaf lounge was insane so I didn't even try.
I have the chase sapphire and priority pass and I normally fly Delta. However, unless you book first class both of these cards are not going to get you access to the Delta lounge and it was very difficult to find a lounge for access and I traveled internationally and domestically this past October. Priority pass website is also not updated according to the Chase Sapphire customer service. Many airlines have changed the requirements in 2023 and they have indicated it would be very limited to access unless you carry an American Express or a high tier of membership with the applicable airline. Because my flight was canceled twice and I was traveling solo the lady was nice enough to give me access to a VIP lounge, but she indicated it was definitely a huge favor on her part. Both trips this year gave me the same results and I had layovers in major cities. Try booking a coach ticket and see how far you get without an airline credit card or an Amex.
You can try to upgrade to Chase Reserve credit card. That was an option that was given to my wife when she called Chase. That way you can get access to Priority pass lounges,
The majority of Priority Pass lounges are overseas. Yes, you have the Chase Sapphire card but which one, the Preferred or Reserve. You only get Priority Pass with the Reserve.
I don't travel frequently so I can't justify a third party membership.. Saying that, I do splash out for a single-use pass departure lounge. If I booked online I sometime get a discount. I haven't paid too much for a single access pass.
This info and many of the comments are very out of date as of 9/24. Premium card issuers continue to cut back on who gets lounge access and how many times a year with further cutbacks coming in 2025.
I saw you highlight Star Alliance, but the quality of airlines in One World seem far superior to me (guess it usually boils down to which airlines service your used routes!!!). I would also advise interested lounge membership purchasers to be wary of scammers creating fake credentials, taking your money, and never honoring their advertisement on Craigslist & any of the other Secondary+ Sellers!😂😂😂
I noticed the Star Alliance reference, too. My thought was: yeah, but then you have to fly United, and that's a horrible experience. No lounge in the world can be good enough to make me want to fly with United Airlines. For customer service and experience, Delta is always a better option.
Lounges (tastefully furnished ones owned by reputable operators), are usually reserved for those who no longer have enough penury to haggle with ---thus possess wherewithals to constantly dole over premium payments thereby accumulating valuable points ---and for the most part, not just anyone---which I'm sure is everyone ---interested in enjoying lounge privileges.
I just read the reviews on Priority Pass and I won't be getting it. The initial $99 sounds great but that's the yearly fee, you still have to $35 to use the lounge. Several heartbreaking reviews.
The only time I had access to a lounge was 4 years ago, on a mistake business fare of $660.00 from LAX to BKK on Hong Kong Airlines it did spoil me. However, I refuse to pay $700 for a Sapphire card. There are memberships to hotel alliances that offer purchase into Priority Pass lounges, so I see no reason to buy the PP membership. I did consider last year getting a crypto credit card that offers membership for free to Priority Pass. However, it involves a deposit of $4,000 which can’t be withdrawn for 6 months. I’m very glad that I didn’t do that with the collapse of cryptocurrency. Fortunately, my trip in February from LAX to BKK is on Eva Airlines and has a 1 hour, ten minutes layover in Taipei going and 2 hour coming back, so I won’t need a lounge this time
Bought 2 1-day passes online for the American Airlines Admiral's Lounge. My wife and I were denied access to the airport lounge with the counter person stating they were are not currently accepting 1-day passes for entry. We went thru that same airport a few months later and was denied access again for the same reason. The 1-day passes are non-refundable and only valid for 1 year. They will likely not be used before they expire. Complete waste of money since the 1-day passes have the lowest priority for entry.
Our one lounge experience. Dec 2018 10 day trip to Iceland & Paris on Icelandair. Icelandair allows you to bid for an upgrade from coach to business during a window before the flight. We won our bids on every leg. I don't remember much about the Icelandair lounge in Iceland. The surprise came when our return flight from Paris to Iceland was delayed due to temporary ground blizzard. Which meant we would likely miss the once/day Iceland to Denver flight. The airline put us on Air France to Detroit, then Delta to Denver. Since we were already upgraded to business on Icelandair, we were given seats in business class on Air France, thus entrance into the Air France lounge in CDG. WOW, that was a great lounge for food and seating. Also a treat was the cubical type seating in business class. We haven't traveled much since, but will always remember that experience.
Ouch! The American Express Platinum card is almost 50$/month! Is it REALLY worth it??? In France we don't have as many credit cards as you do. In fact we only have debit cards!
Is it really worth it? That's a question each person must answer for themselves. With that card, you get free access to many airport lounges--which may be nice if you fly a lot. You also get reimbursed for the enrollment fees for TSA precheck or Global Entry--also useful if you fly a lot. There are other perks, too, but I don't know them well enough to articulate them here. The point is that the perks and give-backs me be very useful to some people and more than offset the cost of the card. For them, it's worth it. For others, however, it's a total waste of money. You need to know your own circumstances.
More and more I see airport lounges with signage limiting access to first class passengers only. Probably an overcrowding issue but it cancels any access you have with a credit card.
I've been in airport lounges a few times. LAX and Guangzhou, China, and they were nice with good food and service. The Guangzhou lounge experience was odd, because it was February 2nd, 2020. All international flights were canceled... except the one to LAX. I was on Southern China (the only white person on it until the one to LAX, where two Americans bought last minute flights out), and that's a big hub for them. Oh, did you pick up the date? February 2nd, 2020 was the day of the travel ban. Except... we were on the other side of the international date line. Yeah, I missed being suddenly stranded in China without any of their money, knowing their language, or with a valid VISA (I was only in-transit in China for that trip). I sort of doubt I'd have ended up like Tom Hanks in "The Terminal" (or the guy the story was based on). I'd have been a diplomatic problem for the consulate to handle. AMEX keeps offering me platinum membership, but at their annual fee, I could buy day passes, and I don't see the other perks that come with the card as being enough to justify it.
The value of the platinum card is “it depends”. I use the $15 a month Uber credit, the $20 a month entertainment credit (SirusXM), and it come with free priority pass. That comes up to 180 + 240 + 74 = 494 in benefits, add to it some hotel perks and so the actual cost of a platinum card is pretty much minimal. It just requires you to plan a bit on your expenses.
@@AMD7027 That's why it's important to do the math to see if it works for your situation. I go most months without using an Uber, only to use it multiple times inside a week during some travels. If it was a yearly allowance, the math would probably change for me.
Buying lounge access has become so expensive it's not worth it anymore. I have access through my frequent flyer program but I've found I have no chance to use it now as getting through to departures takes so long or time between connecting flights is getting shorter.
True. Even high mileage flyers still have to pay excessively to get in. Lounges are for the extreme wealthy. I think influencers have caused the massive change.
I don't want to relax at the airport. I have to be at the gate or next gate to ensure I don't miss the flight. I relax when I get to my final destination.
This is very late to be adding a comment, but thank you for the excellent info. My personal experience goes back to a few years when I worked in Saudi Arabia and flew several times a year back to the states in economy class, to see family plus some European vacations. Back when mileage was king, I quickly acquired Comfort Plus status AND access to the Delta family of lounges, which for me included; Saudia’s lounge in Riyadh, Air France lounges in CDG and Heathrow, Delta in Atlanta, plus a couple of other Delta hubs in the U.S. These were a real treat with great food, opportunity to charge all electronics, get a show and relax in comfortable environment. On our flights from Riyadh, which were on Air France at about 1AM, we always arrived early to have dinner at the Saudi’s lounge, which was fantastic and offered ice cream!
Hi end up in the lounge at a airport because I had to make a phone call to home I didn't have a sim card in my phone I was charging air plane so I ask some one an I make a call and they sead yes and they ask me to stay in the lounge
In the US, you can get Priority Pass automatically through high annual fee credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Amex Platinum. I wouldn’t recommend buying a membership outright from Priority Pass’s website.
Even with the right credit card it’s not free! Considering that these credit cards have annual fees around $500 per year unless you are more than frequent traveler it isn’t worth it. I’d rather pay a $45 fee and enter for the day.
Never been in a lounge. I travel by plane maybe twice a year. I never fly business or St class. Looks like the closest I’ll get to a lounge is either watch your video or as I pass one on the way to a flight. Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
I only fly Business class on any flight over 4 hours,but paying $300.00 to $500.00 a year for these cards is not worth it for most people.A day pass for most lounges are between $56.00-$75.00...I have no idea why most airlines won't give you free access to the lounge when flying domestic in flying business class...you are paying so much money for your ticket..
Really wish you didn't post this video, many lounges are already super packed and have lines to get in. Was in Las Vegas the other day and the line for the AE lounge was at least 20 minutes!!! OK, just giving you a hard time :-) Nice work, as usual. But really, fellow travelers', avoid the lounges. They're horrible...
There is no such thing as a free lunch. The title is misleading. There is no FREE hack. It comes at the cost of having the credit card, paying for a benefit, you friend paying for the credit card possession, the cost of airline inconvenience or under conditions of your occupation which involves flying frequently. Your clickbaity video only serves to waste time on what could otherwise be discovered through simple research.
Well, yes and no. Yes, the annual fee is absolutely ridiculous if you get nothing back for using the card. That's just a license for the credit card company to take your money from you. However, the cards she's discussing in this video come with perks that usually exceed the cost of the annual membership. My card, for example, gives me full reimbursement for my TSA precheck fees, gives me double and triple miles toward future flights, and offers other priorities and free upgrades (such as free checked luggage on my flights as well as immediate and free upgrades from coach to comfort+). Altogether, I save more (or get more) on an annual basis than the cost of the fee. Now we can discuss why baggage fees and TSA precheck are so expensive in the first place, but that's an entirely different conversation. 🙂
@ajs11201 from mentioning the TSA I deduce that you're American, aren't you? You get ripped off for everything. I'm British. Europe has consumer laws that prevent us from being ripped off. I don't pay any fees. I get lounge access based solely on the fact my salary gets paid directly into my bank account.
5:30, it's ashame that you dismiss the military force as a "few watching" as we are well over a MILLION service men and women. Actually, that's the ONLY reason why I am on this video. How disappointing that we don't count. At least leave us a link or something for more information! Never assume your audience, when you just don't know. Geez!
![BOWKYLION - วิงวอน (ex-change) [Official MV]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/cLdnZWDaO-w/mqdefault.jpg)
Canadian AmEx Platinum cardholder here - you get Priority Pass membership as part of a benefit of your card.
As for airline lounge memberships it’s Americans Admirals Club, United Club and Delta SkyClub that offer membership. In addition when earning airline elite status you can earn status flying that airline or any other airline in that alliance. For instance I earned Delta Gold Medallion status by simply taking a KLM business class flight to Glasgow from Toronto (via Amsterdam) and crediting the miles accrued to Delta. Since I am not a U.S. resident it doesn’t matter how much I spend with Delta or even if I fly with them, it’s just miles flown with them and/or their partners. I literally earned Delta Gold medallion status without setting foot on a Delta airplane!
I have always wanted to visit an airport lounge. My husband usually books our trips and he doesn't leave much time for lounge visits. I'm changing that in 2023! Merry Christmas, happy holidays, and happy new year, Megan!
Woot woot, sounds great!!
United Airlines lounge is the "United Club". The Admiral's Club you mentioned for UA is actually American Airlines lounge.
Ooops! Thanks for that info!
If only more people had watched you segment on luggage tips, Southwest travelers would have saved themselves a ton of frustration!!! I am so grateful for you! Happy New Year ❤
I frequently go to the Delta Sky Club via my AMEX delta cards... those layovers are so much easier to deal with if I can relax and get a free bite of food. I don't worry about what I am going to do with a long layover, and so I don't end up booking a flight with such a short transfer time that I might miss a flight or have to run through the airport like I see people doing all the time. But for anyone wanting to get into the Centurion Lounge, make sure you get the right AMEX card. Because they have a couple of cards and only one will get you in with no 'restrictions'. I know this because I got the wrong one.. :( I have the Delta Amex Reserve, which means I can go there, but only if I am flying Delta.
Agreed--- different credit cards have different benefits and restrictions. Like you, my AmEx card is cobranded with Delta, except mine is a platinum. That's a better choice for me as (a) the annual fee is a little cheaper and (b) it gives me more miles for my everyday purchases like restaurants and grocery stores. However, as you've said, my card won't get me into any Centurion lounges, and I have to pay a fee to get into the SkyMiles clubs.
I had priority pass and at each lounge I went to we were turned away. They give first choice to other membership groups. So I spent $450.00 for a year through Chase Sapphire. I would never use it again. It was a total failure.
Yes, so many lounges are overcrowded
I read that AMX will help Delta to reduce lounge access to so many.
@@aminor7476 Delta has reduced the availability of their lounges. There are more fees (and the rates have gone up) and there are no more day pass options. Also, Delta won't typically let you into the lounge until three hours prior to your flight's departure time, so there's no more all-day access.
@@ajs11201 one way around this restriction is to have access to more than one lounge. 😊
We haven’t needed a lounge in about five years, thank you, Covid, but we have used it when we have a long layover. Our American Airlines Aviator (low level) card lets us get a day pass for $50 each. It may have gone up in price in the interim, but it’s well worth it when we have 4-6 hours to wait!
if you fly Japan ailines or Ana airlines with a premium economy ticket you get lounge access. Just make sure each leg of the trip is premium economy. We fly from Thailand to the USA and back each year. We had access for no extra in BKK airport and Tokyo.
Good to know! Thanks and happy travels!
I have access to airport lounges through my American Express Platinum Canadian version. Been using airport lounges since 2018.
Nice! They can make such a difference, especially with long layovers!
On Amex Platinum you can add one cardholder to your account for free - and hence both of you will be able to bring one guest to the lounge! Some smaller airports in Europe (like Stansted or Luton in London) have only one lounge and if it is full, you won't get in with Priority pass until someone got out (they take your details and send you a text message) - which is a bit annoying as your flight might be imminent by that time,
Only the member gets access not signers.
@@yolo_burrito this is not true! Both the member and the signers get access (+1 guest each for free!)
In Canada, Amex Platinum gives you the Plaza Premium card as well as Amex Centurion Lounge access.
Thanks for sharing that!
I have two options for getting access to airport lounges, priority pass via a credit card and the 2nd is I have a United Club Card from Chase. One thing to really improve things is get your wife or husband a copy of your card and they may issue your wife or husband a separate priority pass membership. This means we can invite another couple to join us..
💜❤️. Hey 👋
One time in one lounge - Moscow SVO Aeroflot lounge in June 2017. I paid a token amount to shower. Apart from a few young ladies who all appeared to be staff, I was alone there. If there was any free food I didn't see it. Nice shower, free soap, shampoo, towels, etc. Staff was polite
Not the typical lounge today but nice option to be able to use the showers.
At some airports lounge access is way too much of a hassle, it can involve changing terminals and going through security, which often is a huge hassle particularly if you are connecting to an airline that does not participate in TSA Precheck. Other airports can be a very pleasant surprise, Kharkiv had a small, quiet lounge that was a very comfortable place to wait.
If you are flying first or business class,most airports that don;t have TSA pre check has a Fast Track for you...and it's even faster than pre check...
@@neilcharles2520 good information. Generally, I can't or won't afford the extra costs to upgrade.
@@mattlawrence7130 It's very hard to get upgraded if you are not a frequent flyer with the airline,they get put on a list first come ,first serve if there are any empty first or business class seats..International flights,they try and sell these seats at a discounted fare,but is usually still expensive for most passengers..Because of my bad back,poor blood circulation,i can't take that risk,so i have to pay and book my business class way in advance...Some airlines like United has free changes just in case the price drop...you can cancel and re-book and will be refunded the difference,happened to me recently...my fare dropped from $3,700 to $3,200 ...$500.00 was refunded on my CC right away..
@@neilcharles2520 I agree that upgrades are hard to come by. Currently I have platinum status with Delta. The good news is that when I buy a ticket in the main cabin, it's immediately upgraded to comfort-plus. It's a nice perk, but not really much in the way of comfort. The seats are exactly the same. True, I get an extra three or four inches for my knees, but that's not really going to do much to ease an aching back. I'm also eligible for further upgrades to first class or Delta One, but I'm always low in the queue for those upgrades--there are always dozens of passengers with more points and more perks who will beat me out for those seats.
I've never been inside of a lounge I just found out today that my credit card has that perk so my next long-haul flight I will check it out
Priority Pass is a great tip. I hope they will sponsor you so we can get it through you.
I am a Chase member so I should upgrade to Sapphire card to get those benefits. Thanks for this valuable tip.
RBC Mastercard teams with Dragon Pass in Canada as well as worldwide. Nominal per use fee for access, no membership cost.
Thanks for sharing that, Bruce! Happy travels!
I'm flying in United Premium Plus to Europe this spring and while it doesn't include lounge access, it does include a discount on buying a onetime pass.
I am, too. Do you know what the discount price is?
Hi Megan. I don't know if this is typical, but Japan Airlines gave me a lounge pass flying Premium Economy for an international transit through Haneda Airport earlier this year. Perhaps other carriers similarly reward Premium Economy travel. Similarly, Korean Airlines often allows frequent flyer members to pre-book lounge access to any of their lounges worldwide for as little as 4,000 frequent flyer miles. That's in any class of travel, as long as you are flying Korean Airlines that day. That's an unusually good deal in my experience and worth it just for a shower alone. Cheers.
Never been a fan of the US domestic first/business class and NO lounge access (except Alaska Airlines). I've flown business class a few times internationally and did get a chance to use the airlines lounge then. It was nice. My last flight, I flew Alaska Airlines in business class (ok, domestic first class) and checked out their LA lounge in Terminal 6. Lots of construction outside the viewing area...and the lounge itself was OK. Food offerings were minimal. But it was a good place to sit quietly while waiting for my flight.
US carriers have the worst airlines carriers in the world. Service is bad, and getting worst. Plus, they are constantly taking away things, ang making you pay more for the bare minimums.
I have both Star Alliance Gold and One World Emerald which is higher than gold. Many airlines in the One World network has reciprocal First / Platinum lounge access above the regular gold that often include fine a la carte dining and real Champagne. Star Alliance has no reciprocal arrangements for their top premier lounges. Another free access you missed are good Samaritans on frequently flyer forums/bulletin board. I have given free access to a few lucky people travelling around the same time using my guest privileges.
I'd like to see move videos on getting class upgraded for being delayed, bumped or other.
The correct way to handle it etc.
That's a great suggestion. Thanks, Dwayne
I've just looked at lounges for my next flight from Gatwick. £32 gets me free food and drink for 3 hours - so that just about makes sense, if I can get rid of my bags early enough at check-in. Other options? They look like marginal value-for-money.
Good video.
United lounges used to be affordable if you had a Star Alliance Airline credit card.
Huge milage bonuses and free upgrades (when available).
I don't travel very often, but in the last several years, I've flown business class ( for comfort as the seats are getting smaller in economy, as well as other perks) to Europe and enjoy the lounges with the exception of Air Canada in Toronto. My flight was being quite delayed- quelle surprise- but the lineup to get into the Maple Leaf lounge was insane so I didn't even try.
I have the chase sapphire and priority pass and I normally fly Delta. However, unless you book first class both of these cards are not going to get you access to the Delta lounge and it was very difficult to find a lounge for access and I traveled internationally and domestically this past October. Priority pass website is also not updated according to the Chase Sapphire customer service. Many airlines have changed the requirements in 2023 and they have indicated it would be very limited to access unless you carry an American Express or a high tier of membership with the applicable airline. Because my flight was canceled twice and I was traveling solo the lady was nice enough to give me access to a VIP lounge, but she indicated it was definitely a huge favor on her part. Both trips this year gave me the same results and I had layovers in major cities. Try booking a coach ticket and see how far you get without an airline credit card or an Amex.
You can try to upgrade to Chase Reserve credit card. That was an option that was given to my wife when she called Chase. That way you can get access to Priority pass lounges,
The majority of Priority Pass lounges are overseas. Yes, you have the Chase Sapphire card but which one, the Preferred or Reserve. You only get Priority Pass with the Reserve.
I don't travel frequently so I can't justify a third party membership.. Saying that, I do splash out for a single-use pass departure lounge. If I booked online I sometime get a discount. I haven't paid too much for a single access pass.
I use lounges every time I fly with the Bank of Montreal Ascend World Elite Mastercard.
This info and many of the comments are very out of date as of 9/24. Premium card issuers continue to cut back on who gets lounge access and how many times a year with further cutbacks coming in 2025.
Thank you for your videos. You are a wealth of great information. Keep up the good work
Good to know. I’ve never even stepped inside an airport lounge before.
I didn't know I had access from my Chase card. Thanks.
I saw you highlight Star Alliance, but the quality of airlines in One World seem far superior to me (guess it usually boils down to which airlines service your used routes!!!). I would also advise interested lounge membership purchasers to be wary of scammers creating fake credentials, taking your money, and never honoring their advertisement on Craigslist & any of the other Secondary+ Sellers!😂😂😂
I noticed the Star Alliance reference, too. My thought was: yeah, but then you have to fly United, and that's a horrible experience. No lounge in the world can be good enough to make me want to fly with United Airlines. For customer service and experience, Delta is always a better option.
Lounges (tastefully furnished ones owned by reputable operators), are usually reserved for those who no longer have enough penury to haggle with ---thus possess wherewithals to constantly dole over premium payments thereby accumulating valuable points ---and for the most part, not just anyone---which I'm sure is everyone ---interested in enjoying lounge privileges.
Always great tips! Thank you so much!
You are so welcome, happy holidays!
You are so resourceful!
love the video and hand gesture theatrics as alwasys lispy
Many airlines are restricting access because of overcrowding.
I have never made it into an airport lounge, especially at Bush in Houston.
I just read the reviews on Priority Pass and I won't be getting it. The initial $99 sounds great but that's the yearly fee, you still have to $35 to use the lounge. Several heartbreaking reviews.
Thanks for being here and sharing that, Denise
The only time I had access to a lounge was 4 years ago, on a mistake business fare of $660.00 from LAX to BKK on Hong Kong Airlines it did spoil me. However, I refuse to pay $700 for a Sapphire card. There are memberships to hotel alliances that offer purchase into Priority Pass lounges, so I see no reason to buy the PP membership. I did consider last year getting a crypto credit card that offers membership for free to Priority Pass. However, it involves a deposit of $4,000 which can’t be withdrawn for 6 months. I’m very glad that I didn’t do that with the collapse of cryptocurrency. Fortunately, my trip in February from LAX to BKK is on Eva Airlines and has a 1 hour, ten minutes layover in Taipei going and 2 hour coming back, so I won’t need a lounge this time
Bought 2 1-day passes online for the American Airlines Admiral's Lounge. My wife and I were denied access to the airport lounge with the counter person stating they were are not currently accepting 1-day passes for entry. We went thru that same airport a few months later and was denied access again for the same reason. The 1-day passes are non-refundable and only valid for 1 year. They will likely not be used before they expire. Complete waste of money since the 1-day passes have the lowest priority for entry.
Admirals Club Lounge is for American Airlines not United.
In Canada you can get lounge access with a World Elite M/C.
Great to know!
The Scotiabank Passport Visa offers six free Priority Pass lounge visits per year.
Our one lounge experience. Dec 2018 10 day trip to Iceland & Paris on Icelandair. Icelandair allows you to bid for an upgrade from coach to business during a window before the flight. We won our bids on every leg. I don't remember much about the Icelandair lounge in Iceland. The surprise came when our return flight from Paris to Iceland was delayed due to temporary ground blizzard. Which meant we would likely miss the once/day Iceland to Denver flight. The airline put us on Air France to Detroit, then Delta to Denver. Since we were already upgraded to business on Icelandair, we were given seats in business class on Air France, thus entrance into the Air France lounge in CDG. WOW, that was a great lounge for food and seating. Also a treat was the cubical type seating in business class. We haven't traveled much since, but will always remember that experience.
Ouch! The American Express Platinum card is almost 50$/month! Is it REALLY worth it??? In France we don't have as many credit cards as you do. In fact we only have debit cards!
Is it really worth it? That's a question each person must answer for themselves. With that card, you get free access to many airport lounges--which may be nice if you fly a lot. You also get reimbursed for the enrollment fees for TSA precheck or Global Entry--also useful if you fly a lot. There are other perks, too, but I don't know them well enough to articulate them here. The point is that the perks and give-backs me be very useful to some people and more than offset the cost of the card. For them, it's worth it. For others, however, it's a total waste of money. You need to know your own circumstances.
More and more I see airport lounges with signage limiting access to first class passengers only. Probably an overcrowding issue but it cancels any access you have with a credit card.
Tried to sign up with top cash, but it said need to use pc/laptop and I don’t have that. Thanks for the tip though
I've been in airport lounges a few times. LAX and Guangzhou, China, and they were nice with good food and service. The Guangzhou lounge experience was odd, because it was February 2nd, 2020. All international flights were canceled... except the one to LAX. I was on Southern China (the only white person on it until the one to LAX, where two Americans bought last minute flights out), and that's a big hub for them. Oh, did you pick up the date? February 2nd, 2020 was the day of the travel ban. Except... we were on the other side of the international date line. Yeah, I missed being suddenly stranded in China without any of their money, knowing their language, or with a valid VISA (I was only in-transit in China for that trip). I sort of doubt I'd have ended up like Tom Hanks in "The Terminal" (or the guy the story was based on). I'd have been a diplomatic problem for the consulate to handle.
AMEX keeps offering me platinum membership, but at their annual fee, I could buy day passes, and I don't see the other perks that come with the card as being enough to justify it.
The value of the platinum card is “it depends”. I use the $15 a month Uber credit, the $20 a month entertainment credit (SirusXM), and it come with free priority pass. That comes up to 180 + 240 + 74 = 494 in benefits, add to it some hotel perks and so the actual cost of a platinum card is pretty much minimal. It just requires you to plan a bit on your expenses.
@@AMD7027 That's why it's important to do the math to see if it works for your situation. I go most months without using an Uber, only to use it multiple times inside a week during some travels. If it was a yearly allowance, the math would probably change for me.
Buying lounge access has become so expensive it's not worth it anymore. I have access through my frequent flyer program but I've found I have no chance to use it now as getting through to departures takes so long or time between connecting flights is getting shorter.
True. Even high mileage flyers still have to pay excessively to get in. Lounges are for the extreme wealthy. I think influencers have caused the massive change.
Epic thanks
Odd that you didn't mention the world's largest airline - American Airlines, Also, it is AA that has the Admiral Lounges...not United.
I've been getting conflicting replies on this... but can you really spend one of your free lounge passes on a guest that is travelling with you?
Also u missed Venture X , the mother of all lounge enabled credit cards
venture X has great benefits. but good luck finding a lounge in your city, or near by. only 3 so far.
I don't want to relax at the airport. I have to be at the gate or next gate to ensure I don't miss the flight. I relax when I get to my final destination.
why don't you have lounge access credit cards being a frequent traveling Frenchy with thousands of flights under your belt?
🤔🤔
This is very late to be adding a comment, but thank you for the excellent info. My personal experience goes back to a few years when I worked in Saudi Arabia and flew several times a year back to the states in economy class, to see family plus some European vacations. Back when mileage was king, I quickly acquired Comfort Plus status AND access to the Delta family of lounges, which for me included; Saudia’s lounge in Riyadh, Air France lounges in CDG and Heathrow, Delta in Atlanta, plus a couple of other Delta hubs in the U.S. These were a real treat with great food, opportunity to charge all electronics, get a show and relax in comfortable environment. On our flights from Riyadh, which were on Air France at about 1AM, we always arrived early to have dinner at the Saudi’s lounge, which was fantastic and offered ice cream!
I wonder why the One World alliance wasn’t discussed in the video. Keep up the excellent videos Megan. You’re terrific. 👍
I think she's Canadian, and Air Canada is a Star Alliance member. It's probably the airline and alliance she has the most opportunity to use.
@@ajs11201 You're probably right on the alliance. Yes, Megan is from the Toronto area. I absolutely love her voice. She gives great advice.
If let's say, you have a Chase Sapphire credit card that gives you a perk like this, do you HAVE to use that credit card for your airline tickets?
No.
I have been in airport lounges but only as a guest.
thats weird how expensive these cards are in usa, here in brazil they're all for free and give anyone longe access
That's great! Thanks for sharing.
Hi end up in the lounge at a airport because I had to make a phone call to home I didn't have a sim card in my phone I was charging air plane so I ask some one an I make a call and they sead yes and they ask me to stay in the lounge
I kinda wish they made it harder to access, the lounges are overcrowded.
I have a lifetime membership for Delta's Sky Club.
How do we get a priority pass subscription
In the US, you can get Priority Pass automatically through high annual fee credit cards such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Amex Platinum. I wouldn’t recommend buying a membership outright from Priority Pass’s website.
Hello guys, you can also get a Capital One Venture X Credit card for lounges , thanks for your all information .
1300 lounges @Portable Professional not 13000
I avoid travel hassles by staying home. When I must travel, I seek out small airports, even if it involves changing planes.
Even with the right credit card it’s not free! Considering that these credit cards have annual fees around $500 per year unless you are more than frequent traveler it isn’t worth it. I’d rather pay a $45 fee and enter for the day.
Thanks for watching!
Never been in a lounge.
I travel by plane maybe twice a year. I never fly business or St class. Looks like the closest I’ll get to a lounge is either watch your video or as I pass one on the way to a flight.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
You are misleading - There is no --FREE AIRPORT LOUNGE ACCESS!!!!!!!
What do u mean? I have access for over 1000 airports for free
🎉did u say 13 thousand? It is 13 hundred
I have
Access apaa? -_-
What is your accent?
New York region is my guess. Her speaking style is quite charming
Nope, never have.
I like your channel but you talking too fast can you please slow down we just need your information thank you
I only fly Business class on any flight over 4 hours,but paying $300.00 to $500.00 a year for these cards is not worth it for most people.A day pass for most lounges are between $56.00-$75.00...I have no idea why most airlines won't give you free access to the lounge when flying domestic in flying business class...you are paying so much money for your ticket..
Your videos are well made. You look immaculate ❤
So many ai generated fake profile comments propping up these products. YT you're fooling no one
Priority Pass is a joke. Bad bad food. Paris cdg? No food!
Well Paris CDG is just a terrible airport in every sense.
Ummm...what happened to the "hack" to get free lounge access? Oh I know, there isn't one.
Really wish you didn't post this video, many lounges are already super packed and have lines to get in. Was in Las Vegas the other day and the line for the AE lounge was at least 20 minutes!!! OK, just giving you a hard time :-) Nice work, as usual. But really, fellow travelers', avoid the lounges. They're horrible...
There is no such thing as a free lunch. The title is misleading. There is no FREE hack. It comes at the cost of having the credit card, paying for a benefit, you friend paying for the credit card possession, the cost of airline inconvenience or under conditions of your occupation which involves flying frequently.
Your clickbaity video only serves to waste time on what could otherwise be discovered through simple research.
Like a Tesla. Its only for the middle class 😅😅😅
Annual fee for a credit card? 😂 You Americans really do get ripped off.
Well, yes and no. Yes, the annual fee is absolutely ridiculous if you get nothing back for using the card. That's just a license for the credit card company to take your money from you. However, the cards she's discussing in this video come with perks that usually exceed the cost of the annual membership. My card, for example, gives me full reimbursement for my TSA precheck fees, gives me double and triple miles toward future flights, and offers other priorities and free upgrades (such as free checked luggage on my flights as well as immediate and free upgrades from coach to comfort+). Altogether, I save more (or get more) on an annual basis than the cost of the fee. Now we can discuss why baggage fees and TSA precheck are so expensive in the first place, but that's an entirely different conversation. 🙂
@ajs11201 from mentioning the TSA I deduce that you're American, aren't you? You get ripped off for everything. I'm British. Europe has consumer laws that prevent us from being ripped off. I don't pay any fees. I get lounge access based solely on the fact my salary gets paid directly into my bank account.
Have been to a few Capital one X lounges
Wrong!!!!
5:30, it's ashame that you dismiss the military force as a "few watching" as we are well over a MILLION service men and women. Actually, that's the ONLY reason why I am on this video. How disappointing that we don't count. At least leave us a link or something for more information! Never assume your audience, when you just don't know. Geez!