How Airline Alliance Status Gets You Into the World's Best Airport Lounges for Free

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
Episode: How Airline Alliance Status Gets You Into the World's Best Airport Lounges for Free
Hosts: Megan Coyle (A), Tess Viglunden (B), for Sally French
Guest: Gilbert Ott, Director of Loyalty at oneworld Alliance
Release Date: April 23, 2026

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Overview

This episode dives deep into how airline alliance status—specifically oneworld Alliance status—can unlock access to some of the world's best airport lounges and other exclusive perks for savvy travelers. The show blends practical advice, updates on recent travel industry changes, and a featured interview with Gilbert Ott, oneworld's Director of Loyalty (and former travel blogger), unpacking how alliances work and why status matters for optimizing travel experiences and budgets.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Latest Travel News & Tools

Hotel and Transfer Point Updates (03:24–09:39)

• Google Hotels Price Alerts: Google now allows tracking prices for specific hotels (not just cities), making it easier to monitor and rebook at lower rates if prices drop.
  • “I recommend doing this for hotel stays you’ve already booked. … You could cancel a stay and rebook the same hotel at a lower price if the price drops.” – Megan (04:31)
• Wells Fargo Adds Wyndham as Transfer Partner: Points transfer at a 1:2 ratio, meaning 1 Wells Fargo point equals 2 Wyndham points, enhancing redemption value. Award nights start at 7,500 points (per bedroom).
• Chase Expands Vacation Homes: Sapphire cardholders can now book Plum Guide listings, earning or redeeming points at 5x–8x rates.
• Hilton Apartment Collection: Studio to 4-bedroom units now available within Hilton’s system—redeem Hilton Honors points and enjoy hotel-esque amenities.
• Air New Zealand Skynest: New bunks available between premium economy and economy for long-haul flights—$495 for a 4-hour slot (on top of fare). Practical but controversial for price and rest window.

2. Interview: The Power of Airline Alliances

Guest: Gilbert Ott, Director of Loyalty, oneworld Alliance
(15:55–43:17)

Gilbert’s Role and Perspective

• Started as a frequent flyer and travel blogger (God Save the Points).
• His role: Ensures consistency, recognition, and premium experience across all oneworld member airlines’ loyalty programs.

“It's the consistency of the recognition, the excellence of the recognition and making sure that people are just having these journeys which make them want to come back again...” – Gilbert Ott (16:58)

Earning Status and Benefits

• Three Status Tiers:
  • Ruby: Business class check-in—time saver, even for low-frequency flyers.
  • Sapphire: Business lounge access and priority—even on economy tickets (outside U.S.), recognized alliance-wide.
  • Emerald: Access to first-class check-in, lounges, and most exclusive benefits.
• OneWorld status is granted by your main airline’s program (e.g., AA Platinum = oneworld Sapphire); benefits extend network-wide.
• No need to maintain separate status or points with the alliance itself.

“If you have status with one [member airline], you are welcomed with those same cool perks by all of the oneworld member airlines.” – Gilbert Ott (19:02)

Lounge Access Secrets

• oneworld lounges are recognized for quality and design (Cathay Pacific "The Pier," Qantas, Finnair, Qatar’s Al Marjan).
• Alliance-branded lounges exist (currently Seoul, Amsterdam); open to those with elite status, business/first tickets.
• Feedback from travelers is encouraged and leads to continual improvement of lounge experiences.

Why Airline Alliances Matter

• Alliances create a “frictionless” (not just seamless) experience for global travelers.
• American, Alaska, and soon Hawaiian join oneworld; network strength covers major global cities.
• Status perks and points redemptions are honored across all members, making loyalty more valuable internationally.

“We want travel to feel really frictionless, really easy and perpetual wherever you are." – Gilbert Ott (23:54)

3. Hawaiian Airlines Joins oneworld

(27:35–32:12)

• Newest member as of April 22, 2026—upgrades signage, systems, and staff training for integration.
• Hawaiian Airlines’ loyalty program integrates with Alaska Atmos, increasing redemption opportunities.

“The signage alone and every checkpoint...needs to be updated and we haven't even touched the kind of the technical side...that the frequent flyer programs are talking to each other..." – Gilbert Ott (27:35)

4. Loyalty: More Than Just Points

• Loyalty is as much about recognition and service as it is about reward value.
• Small gestures—like thanking members mid-flight or offering special amenities—matter.
• During disruptions (e.g., flight delays, missed connections), the alliance network sometimes enables ‘miracle’ fixes (e.g., holding a connecting flight to get a passenger home after a crisis).

“It's being there for you when it matters or really trying to be that, I think, makes so much difference.” – Gilbert Ott (33:27)

5. Maximizing Status and Redemptions

• Benefits in the U.S. (like upgrades) often differ from the unique advantages abroad (e.g., lounge access, extra baggage allowances) which alliances unlock.
• Deep divers can exploit differences in redemption rates and fuel surcharges across member airline programs.

6. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Watch this space”—Gilbert’s catchphrase for alliance innovation and improvement.
• “Socks are OK. ... I think the world would benefit from that. Socks, I’m going to hot take. Socks are OK. ... Let's not separate toe from sandal.” – Gilbert Ott, re: airplane etiquette (44:32)
• “You should really prepare for airport security. This should not be the decision that you make when the person is shouting at you in the line.” – Gilbert Ott (43:35)
• Hosts and guest bond over travel quirks—like hating Biscoff cookies and loving unique regional in-flight snacks (46:54)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

| Time | Segment/Topic | |----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:24 | Google Hotels price tracking, hotel/cancellation tips | | 04:54 | Wells Fargo & Wyndham transfer ratio | | 06:21 | Air New Zealand Skynest—bunk beds debate | | 08:01 | Chase Sapphire & Plum Guide vacation home bookings | | 09:02 | Hilton expands to apartment stays | | 09:39 | Fuel prices affecting budget airlines | | 15:55 | Interview: Gilbert Ott, oneworld Loyalty Director | | 16:58 | What airline loyalty means—consistency, recognition | | 17:25 | Alliance status tiers and benefits | | 19:02 | How status "matches" across all oneworld airlines | | 20:21 | Best airport lounges discussion | | 21:42 | oneworld-branded lounges—locations and expectations | | 22:52 | Lounge eligibility (status, ticket class) | | 23:54 | Why alliances matter globally | | 27:35 | Hawaiian Airlines joins oneworld | | 32:12 | Redemption value vs. loyalty recognition | | 33:27 | Frictionless experiences, real-life loyalty examples | | 38:38 | Gilbert's travel blogging origins and their impact | | 43:12 | What makes status truly valuable—personal stories | | 43:35 | Hot takes on travel etiquette (security, bare feet, boarding, etc) |

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Notable Quotes

• “If you have status with one, you are welcomed with those same cool perks by all of the oneworld member airlines.” – Gilbert Ott (19:02)
• “Watch this space. … We try to keep getting better every day.” – Gilbert Ott (21:42, 35:55)
• “Start with the packing phase. Put the things you need in … a very accessible pocket.” – Megan (44:17)
• “We are the premium alliance. We really care about that customer centric mindset. Are you really looking after people?” – Gilbert Ott (30:56)
• “[About lounge surprises] … the beverage coupon they get for being loyal or that super elevated Oneworld Emerald experience—oh my goodness, this is something I never want to leave behind.” – Gilbert Ott (41:59)

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Hot Takes & Travel Etiquette (43:35–47:43)

• Prepare for airport security at home, not just at the airport.
• Always wear socks on the plane—no bare feet on surfaces or screens.
• Don’t crowd the boarding gate before your group is called; plan your carry-on organization.
• Regional snacks on flights are usually better than generic offerings (sorry, Biscoff).

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Final Thoughts

For status-minded travelers:

• Focus on earning status with a major oneworld airline’s program to unlock global perks with any member airline—especially valuable for international travel.
• Lounge access can transform travel days, especially in premium locations like Hong Kong or Melbourne.
• Other travelers’ quirks and etiquette matter: plan ahead for security, keep your socks on, and don’t rush to the gate!

This episode is a goldmine for anyone obsessed with maximizing travel perks, minimizing travel hassles, or just curious how those in the know get the most luxurious travel experiences—often for free.

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Transcript

[A]

This episode is sponsored by Fora. You already know how to find which neighborhoods to stay in, which hotels are worth the splurge, and how to piece together an itinerary. You've been thinking like a travel advisor for years, so why not get paid for it? Fora is a modern travel agency built for people who love to plan travel. Their platform, training and community give you everything you need to turn that passion into a flexible, meaningful stream of income. As a Fora advisor, you'll get access to best in class training path, powerful booking tech and a vibrant global community of experts and fellow advisors sharing real insider knowledge to help you launch and grow your own travel business. And with access to more than 7,000 preferred travel partners, from iconic brands to boutique gems, you'll unlock VIP perks like upgrades, resort credits and late checkout that regular travelers simply don't get. Every hotel, cruise or activity you book earns you a commission. Getting started can be as easy as booking trips for people you already know. Now's the time to finally turn your passion for travel into a fulfilling business with Fora. Become a Fora advisor [e-mail] smart travel that's F O R A travel.com smart travel and make sure you tell them we sent you for a travel.com smart travel the following is a paid sponsorship, not an endorsement by NerdWallet's editorial team. Today's episode is sponsored by Bilt. You've heard me talk about Bilt as the loyalty program that lets you earn points on rent wherever you live, and they've just leveled up even more. You can as of 2026, renters and homeowners can earn up to 1.25x points on their housing payments. This is thanks to Bilt's three new credit cards, the Palladium Card, Obsidian Card and Blue Card. All three can turn your housing payments, rent or mortgage into flexible rewards, so you can choose the card that fits your lifestyle without missing out on points and exclusive benefits. Bill points can be redeemed at top airlines and hotels, Amazon.com purchases, future rent payments and more. Built points have also been ranked by top publications as the industry's most valuable point currency. Your housing payment is most likely your biggest expense. Make it your most rewarding. Find the card that fits your lifestyle and apply today at joinbuilt.com smarttravel that's J-O-I-N-B-I-L-T.com smarttravel make sure to use our URL so they know we sent you terms and limitations apply, subject to approval and eligibility. Bill cards are issued by column NA member, FDIC, pursuant to license from MasterCard International Incorporated. Tess, when I say alliance, what pops into your head?

[B]

Um, the Rebel Alliance? The North Atlantic Treaty Organization? I don't know.

[A]

True, those are both alliances, but today we're talking about the One World Alliance. It's an airline alliance with more than a dozen airlines under the same umbrella,

[B]

with benefits to match from lounge access to point sharing and more.

[A]

Today we'll talk with the guy who's in charge of loyalty for that alliance. We're also looking at those new bunk beds on Air New Zealand. You either love them or you hate them.

[B]

Pretty sure I'd hate them.

[A]

Welcome to Smart Travel from NerdWallet. A deep dive into the tips, tools and tactics to help you maximize your travel dollars. I'm Megan Coyle.

[B]

And I'm Tess Veglunden for Sally French.

[A]

And we're the travel nerds ready to help you plan your next big trip.

[B]

But first, our disclaimer. This episode is all about credit cards, and if you are Nerd Wallet partners, however, that doesn't influence how we discuss them. The benefits, terms and fees mentioned were accurate at the time of posting, but things can change. Some offers may have expired by the time you're listening. For latest details, follow the links in the episode description.

[A]

All right, Tess, you might know I'm obsessed with setting those price alerts for flights.

[B]

I did know this.

[A]

Yeah. And Google just rolled out a similar feature for hotels that might help you save some money.

[B]

Oh, I'm listening.

[A]

So you can now track prices for individual hotels, not just cities, when you're looking at Google hotels, similar to Google flights. So instead of just watching the hotels in Paris for lower prices, you can just watch the exact hotel that you want to book when the prices drop.

[B]

That's great, because I'm usually pretty committed to one once I've found one in. You know, a good location, has decent pillows and towels.

[A]

Oh, the pillows are so important.

[B]

Right?

[A]

And the best part about this feature is that it works on all the different platforms you can visit Google hotels on. So it works on desktop, on mobile, it's available globally. And hotel prices fluctuate a lot, especially as you get closer into the stay. I found some great last minute deals.

[B]

You know, I like this for people who plan ahead but don't want to constantly be checking prices. Let the algorithm do the work.

[A]

Right. You shouldn't have to do that work. And I recommend doing this for hotel stays you've already booked. So as long as you book a refundable rate and you cancel within the time period in the cancellation policy, you could cancel a stay and rebook the same hotel at a lower price if the price drops.

[B]

All right. Well, we also have more hotel news today. Wells Fargo just added Wyndham Rewards as a transfer partner.

[A]

It has a really good transfer ratio. It's not one to one, it's one to two. Meaning if you transfer one Wells Fargo point, you'll actually get two Wyndham Rewards points.

[B]

Nice. And Wyndham points are worth about 0.7 cents each, so you're effectively getting around 1.4 cents per Wells Fargo point. Pretty solid there.

[A]

And Wyndham has some sneaky good redemptions. Award nights are either 7,500 points, 15,000 points or 30,000 points. So there is a cap there. And it's a really good way to book some of those bigger units, like for families, for example, like a two bedroom suite with points at some of these properties. Just be aware that those caps are per bedroom. So you could book a two bedroom suite for as much as 60,000 points. And some of the properties that might have great units for families include the Club Wyndham locations and properties in really popular tourist destinations like New York City or even Disney World.

[B]

Now, Wells Fargo doesn't have as many transfer partners as, say, Chase or Amex, but it has been adding partners and it does have that zero annual fee credit card that earns transferable points. Most of the other banks don't allow you to transfer points to travel partners if you have a card with no annual fee.

[A]

That is really unique. I will put a link to the story I wrote about Wells Fargo transfer partners in the episode description so you can read all about it. Now, let's talk about the controversial new bunk beds on Air New Zealand planes.

[B]

I'm sorry, what?

[A]

Air New Zealand just launched its new Skynest product. So it's basically a set of six bunk beds in a special cabin. It's in between premium economy and the economy cabin.

[B]

I mean, at least instead of trying to sleep upright, you can actually lie down.

[A]

Yeah. So you book a time slot in the Sky Nest for four hours. There's two different time slots per flight, and you get a real bed with sheets, pillows, and amenity kit. But Tess, here's the kicker. It's $495 for that time slot.

[B]

Oh, on top of your fare?

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So you basically gotta be asleep the moment your head hits the pillow to make that worth it.

[A]

And what if someone is snoring. Do you get a refund because you didn't get a wink of sleep?

[B]

Yeah, I'm not sure if I like this. I will give it to Air New Zealand though. It definitely is creative and it's nice for economy and premium economy passengers to have the option to lie down.

[A]

Right. So it's debuting on the New York to Auckland flights and that's one of the longest flights in the world. But I do kind of wish it was maybe a five hour time slot given how long that flight is. Four hours is sort of an awkward amount of time for me because it's not long enough to feel rested, but it's also not short enough to just be a nap.

[B]

Yeah, you're definitely not getting any REM on that one, but we'll link to the Nerd Wallet article on the new Skynest in the episode description if you want to look at some photos there and figure out I don't know which monk you would choose. Meanwhile, Chase is expanding its vacation homes program and this is great for Sapphire cardholders.

[A]

If you have a Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve, you can now book vacation homes listed on Plum Guide using Chase Travel Now.

[B]

Plum Guide is a vacation rental booking platform that vets their listings and curates the best ones from 25 different sites. So these homes are verified. People can't just list any home with Plum Guide. It's not a Chase branded collection though. It is a separate bougie booking platform

[A]

and you can earn or redeem points on these days because you're booking it through Chase Travel. So Chase Sapphire Preferred Cardholders will earn 5 points per dollar on these bookings and Chase Sapphire Reserve Cardholders will earn 8 points per dollar.

[B]

This used to only be available to Chase Freedom and Inc. Business card holders, so this expansion means the program is ready for the Sapphire travelers.

[A]

It's basically ready for prime time. And speaking of alternatives to hotels, Hilton's new apartment collection is now officially open for bookings.

[B]

These are properties in the Hilton portfolio that are more like timeshares or vacation rentals.

[A]

Exactly. They're fully furnished apartments and they could be studios all the way up to four four bedroom units with kitchens, living spaces and importantly in unit laundry, but

[B]

still within the Hilton ecosystem. So you can redeem and earn Hilton Honors points just like with a regular hotel stay. The first properties available here to book are going to be the Placemaker Atlanta and Placemaker Salt Lake City.

[A]

So this would be a great way to redeem points to travel with the whole family. We just did an episode about this last week. Go back and listen if you haven't.

[B]

And finally, a quick update on how fuel prices are still affecting airlines. One of the examples last week is Norse Atlantic is canceling flights out of LA citing rising fuel costs.

[A]

Norris Atlantic is a budget airline and budget airlines have really been struggling with the rising fuel prices because their margins are so thin and it has a

[B]

ripple effect across the industry. Of course, Norse was one of the more affordable options for transatlantic flights. So this could mean fewer budget friendly

[A]

choices out of the west coast, less competition, higher prices. Everyone knows how this goes. I also flew north back from Italy last year and I'm really sad to see the option disappearing because it was a great flight.

[B]

You know, honestly, Megan, I'm heading out to the UK tomorrow and there are all kinds of warnings going on about flight cancellations. Airlines just basically putting their planes in dry dock. So let's hope that doesn't happen, please.

[A]

Locking on. Wood for you, Tess.

[B]

Thank you. If it does, uh, at least in this situation, what should people do if their flight was canceled?

[A]

If their flight gets canceled by the airline, they'll get the money back, but now they'll have to rebook on another airline and flight prices may have gone up since they booked. So this is when travelers might need to use some of our other tricks for booking cheaper flights. This includes be flexible with the dates you want to fly on lower demand days. Book a flight to Europe, even if it's not the exact city that you're going to. You just want to try and find a reasonable flight to the right region and, and then you can be a little bit creative with how you get to your exact destination. You could possibly book a budget airline within Europe or maybe take a train or drive from there. And always track prices. I started this segment by saying how much I love tracking prices. So track them, track them, track them. I think a lot can change in the next few weeks and months. We're back in a minute. Stay tuned. Today's episode is sponsored by Quint. Lately, I've been trying to be a little more intentional about what clothes I'm buying. I want pieces that are comfortable, high quality, and look good on camera. It just makes getting dressed for work or travel, or, let's be real often, both, so much easier. And honestly, Quince has been my go to. They make it really simple to refresh your everyday wardrobe for spring with pieces that feel as good as they look. Everything is made with premium materials like 100% European linen, organic cotton, and ultra soft denim, but without the markup. I've been especially loving their 100% organic cotton cropped cardigan. It has these statement buttons and comes in really fun limited edition spring colors. The fit is super flattering. It's one of those pieces I take with me everywhere in case I need an extra layer. They also have lightweight linen pants, dresses and tops that are all so breathable, easy and perfect for warmer weather. Refresh your everyday with luxury you'll actually use. Head to quince.com smarttravel for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q U I n c e.com Smart Travel for free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com/SmartTravel the following is a paid sponsorship, not an endorsement by NerdWallet's editorial team. Today's episode is sponsored by Bilt. You've heard me talk about Bilt as the loyalty program that lets you earn points on rent wherever you live. And they've just leveled up even more. As of 2026, renters and homeowners can earn up to 1.25x points on their housing payments. This is thanks to Bilt's three new credit cards, the Palladium Card, Obsidian Card and Blue Card. All three can turn your housing payments, rent or mortgage into flexible rewards so you can choose the card that fits your lifestyle without missing out on points and exclusive benefits. Build Points can be redeemed at top airlines and hotels, Amazon.com purchases, future rent payments and more. Built points have also been ranked by top publications as the industry's most valuable point currency. Your housing payment is most likely your biggest expense. Make it your most rewarding. Find the card that fits your lifestyle and apply today at joinbuilt.com smarttravel that's J-O-I-N-B-I-L-T.com smarttravel make sure to use our URL so they know we sent you. Terms and limitations apply subject to approval and eligibility. Bill cards are issued by column NA member FDIC pursuant to license from MasterCard International Incorporated. Sally One of my favorite parts of the show is getting to meet people with these super cool jobs. Like jobs I did not know existed. And then whenever I hear these I'm always like this is the coolest job ever. No, this is the coolest job ever. I know they keep one upping each other so I invited another one to chat today. This is Gilbert Ott. He is the Director of Loyalty at the oneworld Airline alliance and Boy, does he know his points. And miles. He created and wrote a blog called God Save the Points before he started at oneworld. Oh, I know. God save the Points. Ok, got another fellow travel writer on the show. So what does director of Loyalty actually mean? I'll let him explain a bit more in the interview. But he basically gets to work with all the airlines in the One World alliance and shape the benefits and the experiences for members of any of the One World Airlines loyalty programs. I feel like this means coordinating the tech to make sure you can book tickets on partner airlines, which can sometimes be a challenge. And more importantly for travelers in the moment, making sure their bags get transferred to the right airline. And also if you have a lead status, this is the stuff I like like because I have elite status with American Airlines. I have platinum now. And basically when you get elite status with one of the One World Airlines, you actually get One World elite status. So I got One World sapphire status. And that gets you access to all these other perks like priority check in and access to business class lounges when flying a One World Airline. Megan, I are just flexing. I know. Get on the airline elite status trade. I swear you're going to really like it once you do it. I wish I had it. Someone give it to me. Those One World Airlines airlines, in case you're wondering, include Alaska, American, British Cathay, Fiji, Finair, Iberia, Japan, Malaysia, Oman, Air, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Air, Morocc, Royal Jordanian, Sri Lankan Airlines, and Hawaiian Airlines. That's part of their integration with Alaska. Very timely. And even if you do not fly One World Airlines very often, it is fascinating to hear about how much goes into these airline partnerships. Okay, let's hear it. Welcome to the show.

[C]

Gilbert, thanks so much. It's so nice to be here.

[A]

So you have a very cool job in the travel industry. Tell us a little bit about your background and how you ended up at OneWorld.

[C]

I'm yet to be convinced that I don't have the coolest job. I do love my job. And yeah, long story short, I've been a OneWorld frequent flyer most of my life. So it's kind of like letting the nerds in into the circus and really it's a real privilege. Been deeply involved in the world of loyalty and points for most of my adult life, even my childhood, I was interested in points. I made my parents sign up for frequent flyer accounts when I was a teenager, back when they used to send you the physical card and they were like, what's this? I was like Trust me, it'll all work out. And you know, eventually we got here and I really love what I get to do and it touches lots of the traveler experience.

[A]

You are director of Loyalty at oneworld. What does loyalty mean from an airline alliance standpoint?

[C]

It's a great question. So our members run fantastic loyalty programs, what people would in the past call a frequent flyer program, but really they're rewarding loyalty and great behavior. And from the one world perspective, I would say so much of it is the consistency of the recognition, the excellence of the recognition and making sure that people are just having these journeys which make them want to come back again and feel like this is the best game in town for them when they're traveling.

[A]

And what are the benefits of being in an alliance? What some of those perks that do reward people for their loyalty.

[C]

One of the immediate things is that there is something for everyone at every tier and that's really cool, you know, so if, if you fly a bit, maybe you're not a crazy frequent flyer. There still are things. So when you hit Ruby with one world, you get business class check in. That's a really nice thing. Can save a ton of time for people in a pinch. When you move up to the Sapphire tier, that's our middle upper tier. It's an amazing experience which changes every journey you go on, you know, so you're typically entitled to lounge access on every ticket when you're outside of the US and you're able to enjoy business class check in, of course as well. And again, this applies to all the tickets. So it's, it's a really special thing where we really value you as a person. It's not just the, the journey you're on at that moment. And who doesn't like a lounge before they go on the plane?

[A]

Absolutely.

[C]

And sorry, I almost missed out on a really cool piece of the alliance which is unique to us, which is that we have our Emerald Tier and the Emerald Tier is our top tier, first class tier. And it's something that no other alliance offers. So I think, you know, when you say what's special about that, it's pretty special to be the only alliance rewarding people with the ability to use first class check in and first class lounges and really just an enhanced experience across the whole journey.

[A]

We should talk about how you earn those tiers because I'm afraid that listeners are going to be hearing this and go, oh no, there's another type of point I need to track. There's something more I have to do what does it involve the status you'd

[C]

be earning with your favorite oneworld member loyalty program? You know, that might be the Alaska Airlines Atmos program or the British Airways Club. Whatever program you like to engage with, that program has a tier which will match to one of our tiers. So you don't have to worry about getting on, you know, a point system with us. As you move through your program, you unlock these additional one world benefits for what's quite cool is that it's not just when you're flying the airline which you are loyal to, you know, in terms of like, this is my program and I fly this airline. You're a valued guest with all of our member airlines. So if you have status with one, you are welcomed with those same cool perks by all of the one world member airlines. And so, you know, just to use that example, if you're a flyer in the US you're an American Airlines Advantage member, but you're in Australia, you matter to Qantas, you know, or, or whoever else you might be flying, you, you still are, are VIP with us.

[A]

That is the part I'm most excited about. I just earned American Airlines Platinum status this year, so it's my first time being in that one world sapphire tier. I'm most excited about being able to visit lounges when you're flying internationally on literally any one world airline. Tell me a little bit about some of the lounges that the member airlines have built all across the world.

[C]

The one world lounge proposition. I'm very biased, everyone listening will know that. But I think we truly have some of the best lounges in the world and our members are known for them. You know, when you read the blogs or when you read NerdWallet, these are the places that are consistently being recognized for excellence. You know, Cathay Pacific, incredible lounge aesthetic. Their first class lounge in Hong Kong is one of my favorite in the world. The Pier, specifically for anyone who's deep into the game, is gorgeous. Qantas as well. Very different aesthetic, but you know, truly, truly beautiful spaces. Clean, you know, modern, beautiful woods. But then you have these really great kind of unique experiences. You know, Finnair does an incredible job with their spaces of really giving you that Nordic hospitality. And you could say the same, you know, with each region that we represent. And you know, I'd be remiss, not to mention Qatar Airways with the Al Marjan lounge. You know, absolutely ridiculous space. Really cool partnerships. You really can't go wrong. We, we do lounges pretty well, so you're in for A treat this year.

[A]

And not only can people who have One World status access these lounges, but they can also go to One World lounges as well. Like, these are not tied to an airline. They're literally Airline alliance branded lounges. Where are those and what can people expect when they visit those?

[C]

Always a watch this space. Right now they are in Seoul and in Amsterdam and they're really cool. They provide such a value to people transiting in these areas and flying from these spaces. Our lounge team, the amount of detail they put into every bit of the experience, down to the greeting, the recognition side of things, the rotation of the menu, everything is always under review and they're always trying to make it so that it's more special than the last. I think One World lounges are incredibly cool and I hope you get a chance to see them. And when you do, take full advantage. You know, try, try the food, check out the beverage selections. Let us know how, how they go. I think that's one thing that is really, you know, people are sometimes surprised to hear is that we actually love feedback. We won't, we won't necessarily know your name, but we like everything is under review. If there's a consistent thread, it's coming up in scores and people are trying to address it and I think that's how we deliver such a good experience.

[A]

And how do people get into these One World lounges? They just have to have some kind of One World elite status.

[C]

Exactly. So, you know, if you're, if you're in the cabin, you know, which would allow that your ticket can do that. So even if you know you're not a, let's say a frequent flyer, but you buy a business class ticket internationally, good news, you'll be able to access some of these lounges. If you are a frequent flyer, doesn't matter what, what cabin you buy. So if you're like Megan, our host here, and you have sapphire status and you're flying internationally, then yes. Just make sure you enter that frequent flyer program, loyalty program number when you buy your ticket and then when you go to scan it at the lounge, they will take it from there. Everything will be smooth. There's no worry about getting turned down. I know that's all I've been in those shoes of like, I really hope I haven't gotten this wrong, but you know, yeah, if you have sapphire or emerald, you're, you're in good hands. You're in, just enter that frequent flyer number when you make your booking. And we got you.

[A]

And why should travelers Be thinking about the airline alliance. Should I pick Delta over American or United because of the airline alliance? Like, is that how important the consideration is?

[C]

You know, in your example, I'd be remiss not to mention that we have American, Alaska and soon Hawaiian. So you don't have to pick just one. And this is the whole thing about the alliance, right, Is that we are able to deliver a seamless global travel experience. Or actually, our outgoing CEO Nat Pieper didn't like seamless. He likes frictionless. And I think that's even better. It's like, like we want travel to feel really frictionless, really easy and perpetual wherever you are. And that's why you really should consider the global alliance when you factor in where your loyalty should go. One World, I'm very biased, but we are the market leader in so many great cities. You're Sydney, you're Melbourne, you're Hong Kong, you're Tokyo, London, Madrid, the States, the Middle East, Doha, Jordan, Oman. We really have this incredible global network. And as mentioned, for people who aren't as deep into the alliance world, if you matter to one of these airlines, you matter to all of us. And I think that ability to deliver a customer benefit wherever they are, not just in one part of the world, is really what makes the alliance the most important thing here. We are going to make sure that if you're a U.S. traveler and you're going to be hopping around Asia, we've got you really well covered and you'll retain those benefits.

[A]

Okay, I want to talk more about Hawaiian Air lines joining One World right after the break. Today's episode is sponsored by Shopify. When we started recording the Smart Travel podcast, there was a lot of figuring it out as we went. The scripts, recording, setup, workflow, all of it. It's exciting, of course, but it can also be overwhelming and lonely if you're launching a business or product on your own. That's why having the right tools makes such a difference for millions of businesses. That tool is Shopify. Shopify is the commerce platform behind millions of businesses around the world handling about 10% of all E commerce in the US from huge brands to new small businesses. If you're building something new, Shopify makes it easier to get up and running. You can create a beautiful online store with hundreds of ready to use templates, no design experience needed. And they've got built in AI tools that can help write product descriptions, headlines and even improve your product photos. Start your business today with the industry's best business partner, Shopify, and start hearing sign up for your $1 per month trial today at shopify.com smarttravel go to shopify.com smarttravel that's shopify.com smarttravel this episode is sponsored by Rakuten. Rakuten opens up a world of rewards. You can earn cash back on fashion, beauty, electronics, pet supplies, kid stuff, groceries. But what I'm here to tell you is with Rakuten, you can get cash back on travel too. Join and save on your next trip. You'll get cash back on the flight, the hotel and the car rental book on your favorite travel sites like Expedia, Booking.com, viator, Vrbo, Hotels.com, iHG and more. Save on cruises, vacation packages and experiences as well. And don't worry, cash back can be earned on top of your credit card points and with many loyalty programs because we know you're saving every way you can. So go ahead, take a trip. Find that perfect hotel. Book an artisan cheese experience inside a cave in Spain. Wherever you want to go, go with Rakuten. Join today for free. Go to rakuten.com or get the app that's R A K U T E N so this episode is literally airing the day that Hawaiian Airlines joined one world. It's April 22nd. So if you're listening the day this episode comes out, you've got a new airline in One World. What goes into onboarding a new member airline into the alliance first?

[C]

It's incredibly exciting. We are so lucky to be the premium alliance and to add a carrier which is really focused on delivering a great premium experience and leisure experience to customers. The way I would put it is once you see it or hear it, you can't unsee it or hear it. So when you think about every sign in every airport, you're a One World member now. So we need to make sure that we have that priority branding so that people like you, Megan, know that you are able to come in here and it's clear signage and that we're making sure that you feel really good about your status and how it gets you to the airport or if you don't have status, at least, hey, I know this is a one world airline and everybody can earn points with other One world frequent flyer programs when they fly with Hawaiian. Those are kind of like the oh my goodness. Just the signage alone and every checkpoint that you might encounter and every airport needs to be updated and we haven't even touched the kind of the technical side of making sure that, you know, the frequent flyer programs are talking to each other, that when you go to earn points, you do earn points and when you want your status, it works. And that the people in the lounge know that you're with them now and it's all good.

[A]

Not to mention that you have to train all the people at every airline to know about this new airline joining. What is kind of the education piece of it in terms of training the staff.

[C]

Ultimately this is something that we think about from the loyalty perspective all the time, is that you can have all the fancy branding and everything, but the customer experience is delivered on a one to one basis. Often it's that first person who greets you at the airport when you need to check in or you need to drop a bag. It's the person who's welcoming you into lounge or into the priority boarding area or the general boarding area. And so there's a lot of work that our teams do and this is really one of the things we always see as a huge opportunity of just to really engage frontline staff at every airport with every team and make sure that they're completely in alignment, that everyone world Flyer matters, that there's a new airline that's joined and to make sure that they are as welcome as some of our 25 year, 26 year members as well.

[A]

Does it make it easier that Hawaiian is part of the joint loyalty program with Alaska in Atmos rewards?

[C]

It certainly makes it really cool for people to have a new route and bunch of routes that you can fly and earn with such a awarded loyalty program. You know, American Advantage and Alaska Atmos continue to win most of the rewards for North American. Best loyalty programs, best redemption. They're kind of like the one battle after another of the loyalty world right now. They just keep taking the trophies at all the things. So very proud, very proud that we get to engage with them. And yeah, I think, you know, for Hawaiian joining you just have access to an incredible program and then the partner network that that program opens up. One of the reasons people love the Atmos program is that you can redeem their miles on so many great partners across the alliance.

[A]

And when you are looking at new airlines and kind of the mix of airlines that you have in the alliance, what are you looking at in terms of their loyalty programs? Are you looking at redemption values? Are you looking at how good their tech is?

[C]

We are the premium alliance. We really care about that customer centric mindset. Are you really looking after people? Do you have a desire to offer those elevated experiences that the One World Emerald Tier or the One World Sapphire tier or Ruby offer? Are you delivering that consistently? We want to make sure that there is no weak link loyalty, because this is a global thing. Right now we've got 15 and counting member airlines. We want to make sure that everyone feels equally rewarded and, you know, the loyalty is recognized with each one of them. Maybe it's like dating, you know, like, we kind of want to see, like, hey, are we seeing the world the same way? Do we want to keep talking or do you have a kind of a different view on how these things matter? I think that makes us the most lucky alliance, is that we have the most alignment with how people feel.

[A]

You have the same values. You guys are meant to be.

[C]

We do, yeah. We've been dating for a while and, you know, it's definitely progressing.

[A]

And you and I had a really interesting discussion right before we turned the mics on about how you think about loyalty in terms of redemption values versus all the other things that go into making you feel special as part of a program. So maybe the points are actually not the biggest part of loyalty. What are your thoughts on that?

[C]

It's ironic because, you know, a lot of my life has involved the world of points. I still deeply care about them. I have some of our member airline rewards, credit cards and all that kind of stuff. And ultimately the redemption side does matter, right? It's one of the ways that we connect and showcase each other's brands is you have these really cool redemption opportunities. So, you know, I think one of your producers mentioned that they might be going to Europe, you know, if. Even if they're a domestic flyer, they can connect with Iberia or with Finnair or with British Airways. They have this whole link of ways to redeem their miles which satisfy a trip which would be challenging for any one airline. So having great redemptions and great values behind them makes us really strong. But, yeah, people are kind of surprised to hear that. When you say people are like, what do you do? I'm like, well, it really is the recognition side of loyalty that we've been talking about, and that is incredibly important. That's really so much of my role is working with all of our teams and all of our members to ensure that there is no weak link and that we are doing as much to create that magical experience for a flyer as possible.

[A]

Can you give me some examples of how Oneworld has created some of those frictionless experiences for travelers?

[C]

You know, it's fun because some of them are really lighthearted. It's just a great piece of recognition. You might See, when you fly certain airlines that they're really great at, say coming up to you in the cabin and just saying, hey, thanks for being a loyal one World Sapphire Emerald. Can we offer you a drink from business class? If you're in economy? So little touch that might just be really cool and make you feel something. But then when real things happen, when there are serious things around the world and we try to move mountains where possible, if we can make a difference in a traveler's life. And so there was of course, just incredibly sad Bondi attacks. And we had teams that were aware that a passenger is going to misconnect because of weather. And you had these incredible efforts where a friend sent a message who got it to somebody, who then alerted somebody at the operations side. So, like, never underestimate the power of an operations team in any airport. This operations team starts looking at what they could do so the passenger could connect onto a Sydney flight. This involved messaging the captain so that the captain could pass a message through the flight attendants to let the passenger know they're working on it. They were able to move the gate that the plane pulled into so that it could pull into a gate next to the plane that was going to be departing. So rather than making the passenger try to sprint through three terminals, they were able to just walk off from one gate and hop on the next plane. Just incredibly complicated, sometimes time consuming. And even holding a plane, these things happen. And I think people get very much involved in this kind of what I would call the really fun and feel good part of loyalty and the redeeming of points or upgrades. But it's being there for you when it matters or really trying to be that I think makes so much difference. And so in this example, I think I could be corrected. I don't think I'm wrong, but I believe American was able to hold their plane going to Sydney for just enough time to get the passenger on board and they made it to the event they needed to get to.

[A]

And how do people get in contact with Oneworld? Because I think that's something most people are not thinking of. They're going to miss a connection and they're just like, okay. And my airline told me there's nothing we can do, you know, or might not even think to ask, how do people relay that information to the right people?

[C]

You would talk to your airline, you would get in touch with their team, but you can rest assured that if there is an opportunity to make a difference and it's connecting onto another airline or something like that, that they will be in touch as best as humanly possible and that if it didn't work out one time, we're going to look at the feedback and we're going to try to make it happen the next time. I think we just try to keep getting better every day and we already deliver a great premium experience.

[A]

I want to go back to your background in points. Can you talk a little bit more about starting a blog and kind of what you learned from getting so much feedback from readers that way and how you've brought that into your role now?

[C]

So, yeah, I started off as just kind of a mouthy critic. You know, I was just one of these people on the Internet is like, well, why don't you have this? Or like, I want that. And, you know, I was very lucky that I got this constant feedback from, from, you know, at one point, millions of readers all the time telling me, you know, yeah, I agree with you, this is ridiculous. Or I think you're wrong about this. Also airline staff saying, you make this sound really simple, but here's why. It's really complicated. And, and I would say all of those experiences were equally valuable to me. I won't go into detail, but I was once challenged by the CEO of a very large airline who just completely told me I was wrong about something. We had a debate and over time we became pretty decent friends and we appreciated that we each needed a little bit of a more open mind or looking at something from a different way. My experience doesn't always succeed, but tries to keep me with an open mind to solving those customer centric things of like, if it makes sense for the business, if it makes sense for the traveler, let's just do it, let's not complicate it. Because ultimately great loyalty experiences lead to all the business outcomes everybody dreams of. If you are a happy flyer and you feel like you're being rewarded and we've created this world that you don't want to leave, you're going to fly more, you're going to do all the things. In a way, loyalty is very simple, but it's the little pieces behind the scenes, digitally, in person that make it matter. So, yeah, it's been a fun evolution. I've gotten to enjoy my career, I guess, as much as somebody can. And just taking very critical open thinking and learning that sometimes it is as easy as it sounded and it should just be done, and other times it really is complicated. And trying to find that gap, I would say, between it's complicated, but it also shouldn't be too complicated, that it shouldn't be done if everybody can really have a better result from it.

[A]

That's a very optimistic point of view. Yeah.

[C]

Yeah. It's like, you know, okay, it's hard. That's fine.

[A]

That doesn't mean we shouldn't do it.

[C]

Let's do it. Let's chip away at this. Over time, I'd say, like a lot of things that I'm interested in. Watch this space may take more time than a quarter, but deeply care about the problem. Deeply care about every customer. And I think, you know, my experience in that time allowed me to realize how valuable an alliance is. I cared as much about my one world emerald status as I did with my airline status. They were equal to me. They were so important because I would fly to these places because I care, because I want to see the world. I think that's where we all connect. Right. I want to have that great glass of wine in Spain and then have my sushi in Japan one day. And getting to see that. Okay. Because I'm this one thing with this other one. I've had this completely elevated experience which almost made the trip. And certainly when I've taken friends or relatives, they're like, oh my gosh, you travel like this all the time. I'm like, well, yeah, emerald status is pretty cool.

[A]

Something I've noticed is my American Airlines lead status so great in the US I'm getting complimentary upgrades when they're available, that kind of thing. But then on the flights abroad, sometimes you're like, okay, I'm not going to get it upgraded on this flight. But the surprise is that once you get to your destination, you really do have that premium experience coming back even if you didn't buy the business class seat. So that's what's been surprising to me about being part of an alliance and getting alliance benefits.

[C]

Never underestimate the routes that we serve. There are some places where I'm like, I don't know if I'm like, oh, we do have a flight there. That's amazing. And I can get in to have that elevated experience and not worry about the baggage allowance you might have had to. Otherwise, it's pretty cool.

[A]

I feel like you can also learn the intricacies of each loyalty program in an alliance and figure out, like, which ones don't pass on fuel surcharges, which ones charge less for a certain flight. Is that something you enjoy on your off time from your job?

[C]

I mean, yeah, look, I'm always in search of a great redemption and I think we have great flyers who are being loyal to us and the programs that create really cool opportunities to fly first class. So just to get to go, I think that's always the kind of feedback to me is like everyone looks at redemption differently. For some people it's like I would not have been able to ever have this trip if not for redeeming points. I don't care if I'm in the very, very back in the middle seat. Others, it's like I've been waiting so long for this trip and I'm going to do it in a way that I, I have only dreamed of and the redemption is a part of that. I can assure anyone listening that I try to maintain my street cred of knowing the taxes and surcharges and reward pricing on as many things as I can across as many programs as I can. But I know that everybody does their best to offer customers great redemptions because it's just a natural flow of keeping people in the game.

[A]

I'm curious if there has been a trip that for you sort of cemented why you like this space?

[C]

I went to Australia once and that was all I needed to see. I transited via Asia and I mentioned the pier. We used the pier first class lounge because I had my One World Emerald status and that was mind blowing to me. It was nicer than pretty much any hotel I've been to. And then to go to Melbourne and see the Qantas first class lounge, I was like a kid in a candy shop. I think I took more pictures in that lounge than I might have in Sydney, in Sydney and Melbourne, which are equally independently beautiful. But yeah, I think it was just that, oh my gosh, this is so worth it. And I think that's what I really, I care about, having everybody and whatever it is for them, whether it's like the beverage coupon they get for being loyal or that super elevated One World Emerald experience of oh my goodness, this is something I never want to leave behind and I will do this again. That's the non business metric to me.

[A]

That's the goal. Every time.

[C]

Yeah, that's it. Do it again. We have to do this again. This cannot be the only time I'm in this space.

[A]

All right, Gilbert, this was such a fun conversation. Thank you so much for being on the show. Thank you.

[C]

Thanks so much for having me.

[A]

I'm telling you, I want this guy's job when I grow up. Same. It's fun to think about how you can make travel better for people and not Worse. That's my goal in life with this podcast every week. And let's bring Gilbert Ott back for a hot take. Gilbert, what do you got?

[C]

So I'm just gonna put a disclaimer. This is my hot take. This is not necessarily my employer's hot take, but I got a couple. So one, I think my hot take is that you should really prepare for airport security. This should not be the decision that you make when the person is shouting at you in the line. It should be something where you should actually be planning at home of, okay, I'm going to put this outfit on because it's not going to set off the scanners. I may leave my belt in my bag. We're all doing each other a big favor if everyone's thinking that way. We're going to get to the lounge or to our boarding gate or to duty free. Whatever makes us happy a lot quicker. So hot take, please be the person that thinks about airport security at least an hour before you leave for the airport.

[A]

I love that. Start with the packing phase. Like put the things you need in that you're gonna take out in a very accessible pocket. You know what I mean? Your laptop. Or if you have to take that out, put it in a place you can reach it easy. Okay, I love that. What's next?

[C]

This is a little bit controversial, but I think we need to wear socks on the plane. I don't think bare feet certainly touching in flight entertainment or any surface, I don't think. Okay. I really would just appreciate if everybody who feels like using their feet to use their seat back screen would, would do so with socks on. I think the world would benefit generally from that. Socks, I'm going to hot take. Socks are okay. You can walk around the plane in your socks. They hand them out in some cabins, I think also, like, if you have some hotel slippers or something, bring those with you. But yeah, barefoot on the plane, that's a rough one to me. If sandals, fine, but just keep, let's keep the sandals on. Let's. Let's not separate. Separate tow from sandal.

[A]

Anything we can do to reduce the smells on an airplane, you know, there's not much we can do, but that is the least you can do. Anything else.

[C]

I do appreciate the people who listen to the instructions not to crowd the boarding gate until their group is called. You know, I think ultimately we all can count. And if, you know, my ticket says group nine and they're calling group one, I can probably deduce that there's going to Be a little bit of time before I need to go rush up to the gate.

[A]

And what's the rush, really? We're all going to the same place.

[C]

Yeah, we're all leaving at the same time. Like, don't let them leave without you. Make sure you're nearby. Make sure you can hear the instructions. But, you know, there are no bonus points that I'm aware of or no extra frequent flyer miles for being the first person in your group on the plane.

[A]

This goes back to your planning tip. Because if you plan how big your carry on bag is going to be, you're going to know whether or not it's going to fit or whether you might have to check it. You know what I mean? If you do that at that stage, you don't have to be stressed at boarding.

[C]

Totally. And I'm so tragic. I'm the person who will organize my carry on so that I know exactly what's on the top so that I can just grab them quickly as I'm boarding and then just throw the bag up top and there's no fuddling for anything I'm locked in with. Headphones are on top. The one charger I need is on top. They come out maybe even while I'm waiting in line to get on the plane. And then everything is just my hot

[A]

take is I actually just like having a backpack underneath my seat in front. That way everything I need is right there. I won't even bother putting it up because I don't want to get up and bother people. It's too much.

[C]

Can I have more hot takes? I'm enjoying this.

[A]

The one I always tell people is that I really don't like biscoff cookies.

[C]

Ooh, interesting.

[A]

I would rather have literally anything. But also a salty snack I think would be better because biscoff are so dry.

[C]

I like, I like some of the regional things. I love when the carrier has like their local neat, whatever it might be snack.

[A]

Oh, yeah. Have you had the Hawaiian Airlines pog?

[C]

I have not had pog, but I would love to have some pog.

[A]

Wait, I'm going to get the acronym wrong maybe. But it's passion fruit, orange, guava, I think pog. And it's just this like tropical juice.

[C]

Now we're talking.

[A]

Oh, so good.

[C]

I was excited for whatever surprises they have ready for us, but now I'm much more committed to this. So thank you.

[A]

Awesome. Well, Gilbert, thank you so much.

[C]

Thank you so much.

[A]

Make sure to follow Smart Travel on your favorite podcast app, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and iHeartRadio to automatically download new episodes. And of course, if you're listening on Spotify, drop us a comment right in the app. And do not forget to connect with us on social We've got the main podcast account that is Smart Travel Pod. And then there's my account SaveWithSally on TikTok and Insta and Miles with Megan Company for my co host Megan. This episode was produced by Tess Viglen and Nick Karisimi edits our audio. Claire Sosi and Hilary Georgie help with fact checking every week and our disclaimer we're not financial or investment advice. This info is provided for general educational and entertainment purposes. It may not apply to your specific circumstances. We hope you're inspired to keep your passport full and your wallet even fuller. Thanks everyone. We'll see you next time.

[C]

Ryan Reynolds here from Mint Mobile. I don't know if you knew this, but anyone can get the same Premium Wireless for $15 a month plan that I've been in enjoying. It's not just for celebrities. So do like I did and have one of your assistant's assistants switch you

[A]

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[C]

I'm told it's super easy to [e-mail]

[A]

Switch upfront payment of $45 for three month plan equivalent to $15 per month required intro rate first three months only, then full price plan options available, taxes and fees, extra fee, full [e-mail].