Category Archives for Lounges.
American Express is opening a new lounge at Shanghai Hongqiao Airport that has not been publicly announced, with travelers spotting “American Express Lounge Coming Soon” signage in the terminal. The location is especially notable because it appears to be at Hongqiao rather than Pudong, pointing to a strategy focused on premium short-haul business traffic in China rather than primarly international travelers – or Americans.
American Express Centurion Lounges helped redefine what an airport lounge could be, with chef-driven menus, a premium feel, and enough buzz to force airline clubs to raise their game. Now they are too often packed, dated, and serving food that no longer feels remotely worth the crowd.
I’m not famous in any normal sense, but I have managed to achieve a very specific kind of travel notoriety: people recognizing me in airport lounges, hotel breakfast rooms, and even lounge restrooms. If you do spot me on the road, saying hello is always welcome, just maybe not at the urinal.
American Airlines just announced plans for a new 12,000+ square foot Admirals Club at Austin-Bergstrom, and it’s not just bigger — it will be the carrier’s first lounge with an outdoor terrace. The club will sit on the west side of the terminal, right where American’s gates are concentrated, and the airline says it will offer elevated design, full kitchen facilities, and views of downtown Austin and the airfield.
American Express hasn’t announced another Sidecar location yet, but a city lease packet effectively does: the next Sidecar sit-down dining lounge is slated for Charlotte, with the agreement up for approval Monday. Unlike the tiny Las Vegas outpost, this plan is for a larger buildout.
A change to U.K. inheritance tax taking effect April 6 could push the family behind Priority Pass into a control shift — and that matters far beyond Britain. If Collinson is forced toward a sale, private equity is the obvious buyer, and its playbook is obvious: charge more for airport lounge access, underinvest in the experience, and monetize what used to be included.
Southwest Airlines will build a massive airport lounge in Austin, documents obtained exclusively through a public records request reveal—yet they appear to be covering up its purpose by claiming the enormous 40,000-square-foot space is merely for crew. That explanation doesn’t add up.
Delta Air Lines just committed to a huge expansion in Austin, exclusively revealed here for the first time—planning not one, but two new lounges, including a massive Sky Club and a separate premium Delta One lounge. Here’s what we uncovered about Delta’s ambitious plan at the airport.
Amex Centurion lounges offer exclusive seating areas for Black Card holders—complete with reserved seats and better champagne—but a growing number of Platinum members have realized these premium sections are rarely monitored.
The Chase Sapphire Lounge Phoenix is America’s tiniest premium bank lounge, seating just 78—but there’s a clever trick to bypass the usual wait.
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
