Airport Lounges: Getting In, Hidden Perks and Expert Tips with Kevin Song
Author: Chris Hutchins
April 23, 2025
Duration: 1:16:51
#224: 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.
Link to Full Show Notes: https://chrishutchins.com/airport-lounge-access-guide
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Resources Mentioned
Kevin Song: X | This Lounge
Lounges
The Pier, First (Hong Kong)
Al Safwa First Class Lounge (Qatar)
What You Need to Know About USO Airport Lounges
Airport Lounge Memberships
Priority Pass
Dragon Pass
Lounge Key
How To Tell Your Priority Pass Cards Apart
Lounge Reviews
This Lounge
Lounge Review
ATH Podcast
Ep #219: 20+ Airport Hacks for Faster Security, Immigration, and Boarding with Leigh Rowan
Ep #220: Rethinking Elite Status and Smarter Ways to Earn and Use Points
Leave a review: Apple Podcasts | Spotify
Email for questions, hacks, deals, and feedback: podcast@allthehacks.com
Full Show Notes
(00:00) Introduction
(02:16) Factors That Make an Airport Lounge a Favorite
(04:12) The Worst Type of Airport Lounges
(07:07) The Number and Types of Airport Lounges Around the World
(09:05) Quick Overview of Airport Lounges in America
(11:28) Companies That Operate Lounges on Behalf of Airlines
(13:13) Credit Card Affiliated Airport Lounges
(14:25) Airline Alliance Lounges and USO Lounges
(15:32) Ranking Lounge Categories from Worst to Best
(18:28) Ways to Leverage Airline Membership Club Lounge Agents
(23:22) A Potential Hack to Skip an Airport Lounge Waitlist
(26:50) Lufthansa's Famous First Class Rubber Ducks
(28:16) Using a Priority Pass to Access Airport Lounges
(33:38) Can Business or First Class Tickets Give You Access to a Lounge?
(39:21) Leveraging Elite Status for Lounge Access
(45:01) Creating Multiple Profiles to Earn More Miles
(47:14) Why You Should Consider Status Matches
(53:04) Trick to Qualify for Status Matches
(54:49) Is It Worth Getting a Day Pass to Access a Lounge?
(58:22) The Main Premium Credit Cards with Lounge Access
(1:04:22) Other Credit Cards That Include a Priority Pass Membership
(1:07:09) The Number of Priority Passes Chris and Kevin Have
(1:09:43) Adding Authorized Users on the Three Major Airline Credit Cards
(1:10:57) Ways to Manage Lounge Access Memberships
(1:15:51) Overlooked Perks of Airport Lounges
Connect with Chris
Newsletter | Membership | X | Instagram | LinkedIn
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.
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