Airport Lounge Access Explained (Priority Pass, Credit Cards, and More)
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- Опубліковано 20 лип 2024
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Have you ever wondered how to get access to airport lounges? How do you escape the chaos of the departure gate and start sipping on champagne in luxurious surroundings before every flight?
There are quite a few strategies for securing lounge access on your next trip, so let's go over everything you need to know in this video.
Whether it's booking business class and First Class flights, applying for credit cards with Priority Pass benefits, or earning airline elite status, you'll never look at the flying experience in the same way once you've gotten a taste of the lounge life.
(Stick around to the end of the video for a special giveaway!)
0:00 Introduction
1:18 Business class & First Class flights
2:31 Lounge-hopping
4:33 Priority Pass
7:14 Centurion lounges
8:26 Maple Leaf Lounges with premium Aeroplan cards
9:20 Lounge access via elite status
11:05 Giveaway!
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My parents took me with them on trips to Asia when I was little. We'd fly economy and always arrive at the airport 3 hours before departure "just to be safe". This was in the 90s, before smartphones and the internet so waiting at the gates would be incredibly boring. I do decently for myself nowadays and while I can't break their habit in going to the airport way early, I book awards flights for them in business class so at least they can enjoy the lounges and have a comfy flight. It's the least I can do for them.
A great son!
I've found that the most rewarding part of learning these smart travel strategies is when you get to share them with your loved ones. A great son indeed!
Brings tears 😭 to my eyes
That was so sweet !
thats so sweet. your parents must be proud of you.
Good vid Ricky thanks. I was travelling home one year ago tomorrow (March 17) to start quarantine. I missed my flight and so ended up in the old Amex lounge at Pearson for 6+ hours! It was the day before all lounges closed. The interesting part of the experience was to watch how the service changed over the 6 hours! When I arrived I had lunch and food and bar was all self serve. By the time I went back for dinner 4 hours later at 7pm..... we couldn’t approach the food or bar and they prepared our order. It was the beginning of a surreal year!
Would love a vid on star alliance gold too. 😀
Thanks for your knowledge
It’s crazy how the lounges are so busy now! I find it better to just sit by my gate it’s a lot more roomy lol.
Fantastic info! You say your message is mostly for Canadians, but I’m an American who usually flies Delta and I always find your videos really helpful
Personally hoping for a Centurion lounge in YYZ or YVR sometime in the future ;)
Great video. This is also what got me hooked, and your blog makes things so easy. Thx for everything as always Ricky
I started my interest in flying due to my friend bringing me in to a lounge for the first time! A unique lounge experience I had was in Centurion Mexico City. Each guest was allotted a 15min complimentary massage.
Pretty rare that you get a complimentary massage outside of First Class lounges! Hope you enjoyed that one.
Centurion Lounge in Mexico City was nice! Free Massage, Shoe Shine, and options to pay to upgrade food and drink with an decent enough menu for free food and drink; Centurion Lounge @ SFO was also great. Siganture Cocktails and a great buffet...Not an airport lounge, but the Centurion Suite at the Staples Center was an unbelievable upgrade to the nose bleed seats I had purchased.
I live in Australia and I have access to Qantas, oneworld lounges and Amex lounges But I have to say that Americans and Canadians are so lucky that they get access to many awesome lounges. This was an in-depth video. Great job!
You have like 3 airports over there,over here in England we have many than you,nicer also.
Great video. I like how you get to the point and offer solid info. Subscribed!
Another amazing video Ricky. Of the lounges I have been privileged to visit, by far the best has been the ANA business class lounge at Tokyo's Narita airport. The previous incarnation of the Turkish Airlines business class lounge at Istanbul airport was also amazing, their newest lounge I am told takes the airline lounge game to a whole new level, was scheduled to visit that one in 2020, trip got cancelled by Covid.
I don't think so. I was there in 2019. It had all the atmosphere of a high school cafeteria, with little Japanese businessmen hurtling about as if they were in a gaming hall. The business center had a copy machine but I couldn't get it to work. Instructions were in Japanese and required downloading an app to my phone. I still couldn't get the copy machine to work. I asked the underage female attendant for help, but she couldn't get it to work either, and was basically clueless. I cannot recommend ANA Tokyo lounge for business, nor for classy relaxation.
@@thomasmaresh5264 “underage” made me laugh
Would love to see a video on getting the star alliance gold status!!!
I'll add it to the list 👍🏼
Hey Ricky! Great vid. I'll be waiting for the vid on obtaining Star Alliance Gold status. Keep up the good work!
I don't know how it is in Canada, but here in Europe get a Diners card, to get free access to the lounges.... it will set you back 20 - 30 euros per year, but free lounge access across the globe :)))) Check at your card office, coz it might differ from country to country!
Priority Pass offered through Chase Sapphire Reserve provides meal "vouchers" at selected airports. I've used this in Miami and Berlin. The PP offered through Amex Platinum does not did this anymore. I learned this the hard way in Helsinki.
I think the best lounge I've been to was a tie between Swiss First in ZRH international and CX The Pier, fantastic amenities!
Both are truly fantastic. It's been a while since I last visited the Swiss First Lounge, can't wait until the next time.
Thanks for the info we have the TD card and didn't know we have access to it. I will be using it from now on.
Best lounge I’ve been to was the China eastern in Shanghai. But I haven’t been to a lot of lounges. Keep up the great videos. Love the bloopers at the end. We know these videos are not easy.
Haha, those are only a fraction of the silly stuff :)
The intro is how it all started for me too! I saw the level of debauchery/f***kery in one and was like where do I sign up??? Can I sign up in this book here in economy class that SkyMall magazine!!! It was a wrap!!! Been in them ever since!!!
I haven't ever seen a video from you until now but your blooper reel at the end made me laugh. :) (in a I mean this as a compliment way)
Those are always fun to include :)
Good news! I just spoke with Visa and they are going to continue with DragonPass after July 1, 2022. So Visa Infinite holders will get both their Priority Pass allowance and a SEPARATE dragon pass allowance each year, according to the customer service rep I spoke with at CIBC Visa.
Glad I found this channel.. so many unknown information shared.. 👍👌
Best lounges I’ve been to are the Qantas First lounge in Sydney (free massage and the à la carte dining incl. the squid!) and the Cathay Pacific First class lounge in Hong Kong for its champagne bar!! I wish Amex would open a Centurion Lounge in Toronto!!!
A Centurion Lounge in Toronto would be epic, and a much-needed Canadian location! Cathay First lounges are always a good time, and I've yet to check out the Qantas lounges but I've heard great things too
My husband and I traveled on Condor business class a few years ago, first time ever on business, but since woman at gate didn't give us a Lounge pass we were not allowed to use the lounge. We showed woman working at lounge entrance our boarding passes but she still refused to let us access it. So make sure you actually will get access before you board the plane!
Great channel. So glad I found you today.
If I was to use points for one leg of a two sector route, with JAL, will I gain access to the lounge either at departure origin or the mid route terminal? I will fly YVR-NRT-CGK. Is there a preferred way to select which leg I use the points on? TY
My favourite lounge is the Centurion at LAX!
As always top ✈️ video, thanks Ricky!
Thanks for your support as always Anastasios 🙌🏼
Always good to have a lounge visit before a ✈️flight.
Totally agree - even if it's a fairly basic lounge, nothing beats some free snacks and a drink to relax before the flight.
Royal Orchid Thai Airways lounge in BKK is definitely the luxurious I have ever been. Turkish Airlines business class lounge in old IST was impressive, just the sheer size and amount of amenities
That's the one with the hour-long spa treatment, is it? Still a bucket list item for me. Will attest to the TK lounge though - it's big, bountiful, and bad for my waistline.
@@PrinceofTravel Yes, it's a one hour long treatment, either traditional Thai massage (they bend you like a pretzel) or traditional Swedish massage. I can only imagine how nice the Turkish Airlines lounge is in the new, largest in the world by capacity airport
Maybe a silly question, but to enter these lounges, do I just flash my aeroplane privilege? There are tons of other benefits and I’m really unsure how to use them.
Good video... thx ! Keep telling anyone who will listen about your channel! Yeah Canadian content!
Thank you Julie!
Lounge acces is great. I love the Delta Sky Club Amex Plat
Great video.Thanks for the helpful info Ricky. Can you confirm that aeroplan 25k / 35k etc statuses have access to the lounges without flying business? Also can you advise what the rules are for me bringing my family with me into the lounge when not flying business with a 75k status?
I love the Lounge! I use Priority Pass and do not have to worry about Buy On Board hogwash
I had Priority Pass membership since many years ago, offer by TD Visa Infinite Privilege card. It’s really useful！
Every time when I was traveled by airway always relaxing to enjoy it’s comfortably services.
Now even in some airports you could get restaurants service instead. What a amazing !
Calvin,
Can you use Priority Pass in Hong Kong airport? Which lounge (free)? Thanks!
Fung,
Unfortunately because of Plaza Premium has cut ties with Priority Pass as of Jul 1st 2021.So for now none lounge is free for P.P.card’s member in Hong Kong airport.
Calvin, Thanks for your response!
Great video. I have a question. I purchased the Maple Leaf lounge (NA) pass last year and it gives me access to Maple Leaf Lounges AND United lounges as long as I am flying on United. I could get the new Amex AeroPlan Platinum card for the Maple Leaf benefits, however, if I do this will I loose the United access that I get with the purchased pass. Why would I pay for the Amex plan and then loose features. I can't get an answer from AC maybe you can.
Awesome videos, Good work Ricky!
Thank you Allen! (I noticed you said Jacky originally, I'll let my evil twin brother know)
Another great video Ricky, Thanks! Would love to see a video on getting the star alliance gold status. Also, when entering a Maple Leaf lounge due to the Amex Aeroplan Reserve card, is this indicated on your ticket or do you have to show the lounge agent the actual card?
You need to show your card or at least I always did prior to the swtich over to the Amex AP Reserve...not sure now
In the past you've always had to show your card. However, with the launch of the new program, your Aeroplan number itself should identify you as a premium credit card holder, so it could very well just work with your boarding pass (as long as you have your Aeroplan number associated). Bring your card anyway just in case.
On aircanada app, when you checkin and download boarding pass, go to “More” it mentions “AEROPLAN BLACK CREDIT CARD” and “Lounge Access included”
Would like to see a video on how Aeroplan Elite SQM and unused eUpgrade Credits roll over works for the Aeroplan premium credit card? Do I need to qualify for the 2022 Elite status first before I can roll over? How to qualify for 2022 elite status without too much flying since 2021 is not looking too good for travelling. Also interested in Star Alliance Gold status as well.
I appreciate your videos, I’m still trying to learn a few things about the card system.
For example occasionally I get emails to buy points on Aeroplan that are cheaper.
So I think of a flight cost me 20,000 points which is equivalent to say 600 bucks you can spend $400 and buy 20,000 points or something like that. Am I way off?
Always very interesting and very informative 👍👍
Cheers Patrick
Good idea with the give-away. Thanks for the infos.
I have the American Express Delta Platinum card but really really want access to the lounges. Do you recommend upgrading to the Reserve card? I already have Priority Pass through Sapphire Reserve but Delta Sky Lounges are next level and this would help on having a place to work in peace during transit times.
It’s probably worth mentioning that not all business class flights with Qatar Airways give lounge access now, you generally have to pay a higher class to get lounge access.
Great point - you need to avoid R class fares. Thankfully award flights on Qatar Airways still get you lounge access... for now.
Thanks for posting!
My pleasure 👍🏼
Amazing, thank you again! I'm going to go out on a limb right now, but my favourite lounge experience to date has been the new WestJet elevation lounge in YYC. Then Delta Skyclub (concourse C) in ATL then Hawaiian Premier Club in HNL for third place. All exquisite lounges for us Globetrotters!
I was so impressed by the WestJet Elevation Lounge. I just find it a bit funny that the premium Aeroplan credit cards can also access that lounge as a result of the Priority Pass. I think the airline would do well to make the lounge more exclusive and limit it to WestJet premium passengers in the future, even though Priority Pass is a great way to access it now.
Yessir that Hawaiian Premier Club 😢 it is what dreams are made of!
I think the guest policy for Amex Platinum is changing from 2023 onwards? If you don't spend more than $75k a year on the card, you don't get to bring any guests into the Centurion Lounged. Wonder if having a supplementary card can get around this no guest rule?
That's why I love the AMEX Platinum
+Prince of Travel, thank you for this video. As a benefit of my AMEX Surpass card I get 10 Complimentary Priority Pass Select visits per calendar year. I need to sign up for this, correct?
I used it ones they allowed me to go in only if my boarding is less than one hour? Any difference this year? Thx
I'm definitely interested in learning how to get elite status without flying. Especially now since we can't really go anywhere.
We'll talk about this very soon
Maybe you should mention that AMEX Platinum only allows entry into the Centurion lounges at most 3 hours before departure? It would suck for some of your viewers if they arrive a "couple hours early" and realize they can't enter the lounge.
Thank you for information
I found early morning, the US Maple Leaf lounge in YYZ was horrible. I'm glad I did not pay for it. Polaris in ORD is super. I have 37,000 AP points. I see it is 75-85k business class to Asia, and S. Africa. If I have a basic TD AP card that is 10k sign up. Can I have a CIBC basic card for the same 10K - then merge the 20k, or there is no merging as points go into the existing AP account.
Hello, Received Priority Pass From Bank..with 6 complimentary International and 2 Domestic Lounge Visit per quarter.
My Question is " It's Totally Free of Charge or I paid 25$ For International and 16.50$ for Domestic for Complementary visit also?? "
AirCanada Maple Leaf lounge not accessible to AmEx Platinum holders?
I've only had access via Priority Pass or LoungeKey, so my experiences are limited. Internationally the Plaza Premium Lounge at TPE and Domestically in Calgary YYC
Next time you're at YYC make sure to pop into the new WestJet Elevation Lounge!
Do we need to book our visit to the airport lounges ahead of time prior to visiting them on the departure dates?
How do you actually pay for lounge access? I've been trying to find this and am not having any luck. I am looking to purchase the standard membership. With this I see that you still have to pay $32 to get into a lounge. Is this paid when entering the lounge with a credit card? Is the pass simply scanned and then a card on file is automatically charged? Thanks for your help!
Damn just mentioned SA Gold in the comments of one of your other videos...def do a vid on that!
Will do!
You can actually buy a priority pass membership with having to ow a high end credit card.
So to get into priority pass lounges u can use your American Express platinum cc. But do you have to join the priority pass program 1st?
I’m flying often to cabo and back to either Edmonton or Calgary. Using WJ. So i need to know if you need the priority pass card, then use the American Express cc to not have to pay to enter?? Is that correct?
Would love to see the star alliance video too!
I am a Scandinavian Airlines Eurobonus Diamond member. Can you please cover Scandinavian Airlines? Maybe to compare with Finnair?
PP membership is available to purchase directly through them. So no need to shop around for a credit card with a high annual fee just for that privilege
In my country paying the annual fee is much cheaper than buying the PP. Sometimes the bank will even give consideration to waive the annual fee so I'd rather get the high tier card than purchase PP.
POV: You just upgraded to the CRO jade/indigo stake card and got lounge access benefit, but don't know what a lounge is and barely ever fly/travel.
Another 🔥 video
🙏🏼
Do you have a free lounge ticket for Abu Dhabi Airport? My friend need one, he is traveling in December and January.
If he buy Standard Priority pass, will he get access to Abu Dhabi Airport lounges?
Please do tell the process to access Star Alliance lounge services.
I tried to get into the SEA Alaska lounge last week but it was closed to Priority Pass members due to "space constraints." According to PP support, lounges can do this anytime they want. You won't know about this until you see a sign in front of the lounge.
Hope up to that Priority Pass and tell them to shove it!!!!
The Centurion Lounges are underwhelming. Cathay in HKG has some of the best.
dude you're the best
Please make a video on Sky Team, Delta Airlines and it's partners.
Need your help! Why some priority pass has select mentioned on them and some not. Any difference in between. Currently I have PP card with no select mentioned on it. If you can help, Big thanks
premier also gives you access to lufthansa lounges
"If I think I deserve access to airport lounges then I need to like this youtube video?" ... Interesting logic there.
The worst lounge I’ve been to was maple leaf lounge, I think in Toronto or Vancouver. There was some pita bread and apples but not a proper meal. I had to literally fill up on pita bread -_- I’m like you can’t even serve some kind of meal?
Harsh but sometimes true. Some Maple Leaf Lounges are lagging behind the others in quality - hot food should be a minimum requirement. Hopefully when COVID clears up AC will bring their lounges back up to a higher standard.
I want to be in Los Angeles California or may be Seattle, Boston, Chicago.
Apologies Ricky, if I didn’t understand this in the video. If I have a TD or CIBC Aeroplan infinite Visa card that comes with the 6 complimentary yearly priority passes, can I access any AC maple leaf or star alliance lounge if I’m flying out of an airport but not flying with or on an AC or a star alliance airline?
Nope, it's two separate benefits: 1) Accessing Maple Leaf Lounges in North America before an AC or Star Alliance flight, and 2) Priority Pass membership with six free visits. So you can't visit a Maple Leaf Lounge before a non-Star Alliance flight, since Maple Leaf Lounges aren't part of Priority Pass.
I just got a cibc aventura Infinite credit card with a supplementary card for my spouse. Do I or my spouse just present the card to get access to the lounge or do I need to register somewhere first.
you just flash your td privilege card at the door of the maple leaf lounge?
I live in the U.K. and have an Amex Gold Card; Amex recently sent me a priority pass to replace my ordinary lounge pass.
I've enjoyed the Plaza Premium Heathrow (including Arrivals) and the No1 Lounge Gatwick before, nice range of lounges you guys have.
Thank you
Some lounges allow you to buy a day pass for access, no certain credit card or status required.
Great point too. The price range tends to be in the $40-50 range, so I'd rather get a credit card with the right perks to access instead 😃
Can u access the lounge after your flight landed?
I'm wondering - do you just show your credit card to get access or do you need to get vouchers ahead of time?
You could show the Digital Membership Card or regional card to receptionist.
After verify your identity then get permit to enter the lounge.
Are lounge food free as you book business class
Any lounge that has Korean instant noodles wins my heart
Star alliance gold video!!!
Gold Yes!
Chase Sapphire Reserve is not offered in Canada?!
9:55 you mention only maple leaf lounges worldwide when its any StarAlliance airline lounge
Thanks for catching that Andrew.
If i have multiple priority pass access through various cc, do i have to have multiple accounts?
Yes, you do
loving the frequency of videos this year!
Putting more energy into UA-cam is a big goal for 2021 🙂
Oh man booked March 6t
Amercan Express surpasses The Big 5 in lounges. Interesting
Amex is the luxury good out of the issuers for sure
When we go to reception desk at these lounges, do we just flash our credit card to gain entrance or does the flight we're on that day have to be booked on that card?
You'll never need to have booked the flight with the credit card. If you're accessing a lounge using your credit card, then simply flashing the card will do. Same for entering using Priority Pass, entering using elite status (often your boarding pass will suffice), etc.
@@PrinceofTravel funny because if I am not mistaken last time we traveled with our TD Aeroplan infinite we tried to get into the lounge but the receptionist said we had to have bought the ticket? maybe I'm forgetting, but either way we didn't get in. thanks for the reply
@@stewartdowbiggin2337 Was this before Nov 8, 2020? Back then, your TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite would only let you into the lounge if you had redeemed Aeroplan miles for the flight. That's probably what the agent meant. Now, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite *Privilege* will let you into all lounges no matter how you paid for the flight.
The other lounges specialized for veterans are great, but you have to be military for that
How to get priority pass