Ep 009 – How to Lounge in Airport Luxury

/ Podcast / Ep 009 – How to Lounge in Airport Luxury

In Episode 9 of Miles Ahead: The Canadian Points Podcast, Reed, Danny, Kirin, and Andy explore various strategies to access airport lounges, focusing on types like paid access, airline, bank, and first-class lounges. They discuss entry methods including credit cards, elite status, and pay-to-access options, including how Canadians can access airport lounges for free.

The Frugal Flyer team reflects on their favorite redemptions, the best miles and points earning opportunities, and the biggest changes in miles and points in 2024. Looking ahead, the team makes predictions for what might be coming for miles and points in 2025. 

The episode wraps up with a listener question about leveraging foreign transactions for status with the Chase Aeroplan card.

(01:17) Four Types of Airport Lounges

As you are traveling, there are four main types of airport lounges that you will encounter: paid access or membership-required airport lounges, airline airport lounges, bank airport lounges, and first class airport lounges. The ways to enter these lounges and the quality within can vary greatly.

(04:55) Paid Access & Membership Required Airport Lounges

Paid access and membership-required airport lounges are usually at the bottom of the tier list, as they can be crowded and may have lower-quality food and liquor, particularly in North America. However, they are still worth visiting as a better option than paying for food and drink in the terminal, specifically if you can access them for free thanks to a credit card benefit or other method.

(08:02) Airline Airport Lounges

Airline airport lounges present a bit of a nicer experience compared to the paid access airport lounges and include offerings such as Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges and the WestJet Elevation Lounge in Calgary.

(10:58) Bank Airport Lounges

Bank airport lounges are some of the best lounges available to the average traveler as they offer elevated food, drink (potentially including craft cocktails), and overall nicer space. These lounges can be accessed by holding the right credit card, and include lounges such as the American Express Centurion lounges, Chase Sapphire lounges, and Capital One lounges.

(15:11) First Class Airport Lounges

First class airport lounges are the the best airport lounges around, hands down. However, they are the hardest to gain access to as you will either need a high level of frequent flyer program elite status or must be flying first class, depending on the lounge.

(20:23) Air Canada Cafes, United Polaris Lounges, & Air Canada Signature Suites

There are a few types of airport lounges that don’t fit the mold of the above four categories. Air Canada Cafes, United Polaris Lounges, and Air Canada Signature Suites all fall into this category and are a bit harder to access, slightly more exclusive, quieter, and can be an overall more enjoyable experience.

(22:47) Accessing Airport Lounges with Credit Cards That Have Limited Lounge Passes

Accessing airport lounges for free as a Canadian is simple, as there are many credit cards that you can add to your wallet for a reasonable annual fee that offers a set number of airport lounge passes that can be used by the cardholder and their guests.

Many of these cards will also offer a first year annual fee free benefit from time to time as part of their welcome offer, and you can usually earn additional cash back when applying through the FlyerFunds Rebate Program.

(28:12) Accessing Airport Lounges with Credit Cards That Have Unlimited Access

If you are in the market for a more premium credit card, there are many cards that offer unlimited airport lounge access in many different shapes and forms. If you are a frequent traveler, adding one of these cards to your wallet might be the best choice for your airport lounge needs.

(36:36) Accessing Airport Lounges with Frequent Flyer Program Status

Accessing airport lounges via frequent flyer program status is the least common and usually the highest-effort option. While it is out of reach for many, this strategy will only apply to those individuals who are frequent flyers on specific airlines or alliances.

(43:51) Paying for Airport Lounge Memberships

Some airport lounge programs offer paid memberships, but these are not ever worth considering signing up for. You are way better off adding a credit card to your wallet that grants free airport lounge access, else just enjoy the food and drink that is available in the terminal.

(45:03) Plaza Premium Smart Traveler Program

Plaza Premium has a lounge loyalty program where travelers can earn points upon visiting an eligible airport lounge, including when accessing Plaza Premium lounges via a credit card benefit.

(48:37) Year in Review: Favorite Redemptions

The Frugal Flyer team recaps their favorite miles and points redemptions in 2024.

(54:45) Year in Review: Favorite Earning Opportunities

The Frugal Flyer team recaps their favorite miles and points earning opportunities in 2024.

(59:31) Year in Review: Biggest Changes in Miles and Points

The Frugal Flyer team recaps what they see as the biggest changes in miles and points for 2024.

  • Reed’s Choice:
  • Kirin’s Choice:
    • Positive: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan maintains a standardized award chart that is reasonable for consumers.
    • Negative: Credit card welcome offers are low in Canada and spending requirements have increased and become more complex.
  • Andy’s Choice:
    • Positive: Singapore Airlines Krisflyer status match to obtain Star Alliance Gold status. 
    • Negative: The American Express Cobalt card travel spending category was reduced to 1 Membership Reward per dollar spent.
  • Daniel’s Choice:
    • Positive: Hilton Honors continues to offer a great loyalty program, and it has only continued to improve in 2024.
    • Negative: The American Express Cobalt card has lost the ability to earn 5 Membership Rewards points per dollar spent on groceries and dining internationally.

(01:06:52) Predictions for Miles and Points in 2025

The Frugal Flyer team looks ahead to what they think 2025 holds for miles and points.

  • Reed’s Thoughts: Issuers will continue to crack down on cardholders who are using cards for “less-than-intended” purposes when it comes to earning miles and points.
  • Kirin’s Thoughts: Potential for lower demand and lower dynamic prices for flights.
  • Andy’s Thoughts: Budget airlines might come back in a bigger way.
  • Daniel’s Thoughts: New Fintech will start allowing miles and points to be earned on mortgage payments.

(01:12:24) Listener Question: Chase Aeroplan Card

Jacques asks about the Chase Aeroplan card and how it specifies that transactions in foreign currencies are not calculated for obtaining Aeroplan status. How does this work when making purchases in Canada?

(01:16:10) Conclusion

If you have any episode-specific questions, leave a comment below. If you have any questions you would like us to answer on Miles Ahead, submit them here.

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2 comments on “Ep 009 – How to Lounge in Airport Luxury”

  1. I live in Poland and Chase Aeroplan is my daily card. Got 25k status for spending equivalent of USD 15K in Zloty:)

    Reply

Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. For complete and current information, please consult the entity's website.