11 Ways to Unlock Secret Airline Lounge Access This Season

8. Leverage hotel elite status and partnerships

Hotel programs and some high-tier hotel elites occasionally offer perks that translate to airport lounge comfort. Examples include airport transfers, partner airline credits, or co-branded card benefits that bundle lounge access. Corporate hotel programs sometimes provide airport lounge vouchers for top-tier guests or for stays during certain promotions. To take advantage, check your hotel account benefits and read partner offers tied to your elite status or loyalty credit card. If a hotel loyalty promotion includes airport lounge credits or partner amenity vouchers, redeem those before travel and note any blackout dates. This strategy works best when hotel stays or bookings align with major trips and when you combine hotel credits with airline or card-based access. Keep documentation from hotel confirmations and any voucher codes handy, and confirm whether the benefit applies to airport lounges specifically, because some offers refer only to hotel executive lounges. When in doubt, call the hotel loyalty desk for a clear explanation of how the partnership delivers airport benefits.