Lounges

Category Archives for Lounges.

How My First Time Sneaking Into An Airport Lounge Opened The Door To A Lifetime Of VIP Travel

by Gary Leff on May 26, 2026

May 26 2026

While I write about lounges a lot, I didn’t always have access. In fact the first time I ever entered one as an adult, I snuck in. It was a United Airlines lounge back 24 years ago, and it’s part of my early travel educating me about what airport lounges were all about and why I wanted to use them. It’s also the story of my first international premium cabin award redemption, which I used to visit my family in Australia, so my ‘sneaking in’ holds extra significance to me.

An Austin Permit Points Southwest Airlines Completing An Airport Lounge By March

by Gary Leff on May 25, 2026

May 25 2026

Southwest Airlines has never had airport lounges, but a new Austin permit suggests that is about to change sooner than expected. A 20,000-square-foot “Project Oasis” lounge buildout appears tied to Southwest and targets completion by March.

Amex Appears To Be Doubling Philadelphia Centurion Lounge — Taking Over British Airways Space Below

by Gary Leff on May 22, 2026

May 22 2026

Philadelphia’s tiny Centurion Lounge may finally be getting the expansion it desperately needs. A document describing an Amex PHL lounge extending into lower-level space — matching reports that American Express is taking over the British Airways lounge below.

American Airlines Adds Restaurant-Style Ordering To Miami Flagship Lounge — Cubanos And Croquetas Delivered Tableside

by Gary Leff on May 14, 2026

May 14 2026

The American Airlines Flagship lounge has introduced food items to order via QR code, delivered tableside. That’s something they already have in their most-recently opened Flagship lounge in Philadelphia.

Nashville Airport Plans Massive 20,600 Square Foot Credit Card Lounge — Amex And Chase Want In

by Gary Leff on May 13, 2026

May 13 2026

Nashville airport is quickly turning into a lounge battleground. Southwest has a lounge in the pipeline, American is nearly tripling its Admirals Club, Delta already expanded its Sky Club — and now airport documents show a massive 20,600-square-foot credit card lounge moving forward, with Amex, Chase and others already interested.

Airport Documents Reveal New Delta Sky Club Coming To Honolulu — Southwest And Alaska Getting New Lounges Too

by Gary Leff on April 23, 2026

Apr 23 2026

Airport documents show Delta has quietly leased lounge space in Honolulu, joining Southwest and Alaska in a growing wave of airline lounge development at the airport. That means Honolulu is no longer just getting one new premium space — it now appears set for three separate airline lounges, a much bigger shift in the airport’s passenger experience than publicly seen before.

United Just Cut Polaris Lounge Access For Most Star Alliance Business Class Passengers

by Gary Leff on April 15, 2026

Apr 15 2026

United Airlines has sharply narrowed who can use its Polaris lounges, cutting out most Star Alliance business class passengers while keeping access for its own premium customers and a small group of joint venture partners. The move makes sense if United is trying to control crowding ahead of more premium seats and new premium transcon access—but it’s a blow to Star Alliance business class customers.

Airport Lounge Guest Ordered Six Burgers And Filled Duffel Bags With Food — This Is Why Nice Things Don’t Last

by Gary Leff on April 13, 2026

Apr 13 2026

Lounges got better, access expanded, and banks taught travelers to treat “free” as something to maximize at all costs — so now people wait in long lines to enter crowded rooms, hoard food, and turn what was supposed to feel premium into something closer to wartime siege.

Alaska Lounge Returns To Priority Pass At SFO With A $15 Co-Pay — After Pulling Back Flights There

by Gary Leff on April 10, 2026

Apr 10 2026

Alaska’s San Francisco lounge is back in Priority Pass, but access now comes with a mandatory $15 co-pay on top of your visit. The fee is annoying, but the bigger signal may be what it says about Alaska’s shrinking presence at SFO: the airline now has enough spare lounge capacity to start selling access again.

Airport Lounge Charged A $5.30 Cleaning Fee At The Door — Drip Pricing Comes To Priority Pass

by Gary Leff on April 8, 2026

Apr 08 2026

A Priority Pass member says Minute Suites at BWI charged a mandatory $5.30 “cleaning fee” just to enter, and Priority Pass’s response suggested lounges and airport services can tack on extra charges outside its policy. it’s a warning that undisclosed lounge add-ons could turn access into drip pricing.