Your boarding pass might open more (lounge) doors than you think

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Here’s a frequent flyer secret that isn’t really a secret: The lounge your airline “assigns” you at check-in may not be the only lounge you can visit.

If you’re flying on a carrier that’s part of a major alliance — Oneworld, Star Alliance, or SkyTeam — your boarding pass or elite status may unlock multiple lounges across the terminal. The quality of these airport lounges can vary greatly.

Savvy travelers “lounge-hop” for more premium food and amenities, quieter spaces, expansive windows for planespotting, or just to have a bit of fun before a flight.

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Several months ago, I waltzed into the check-in area at London’s Heathrow Airport, Terminal 3. I was on an American Airlines ticket from London to Los Angeles, and with my Oneworld elite status, I could access any business- or first-class Oneworld lounge at the terminal.

As a Oneworld Emerald member flying American Airlines out of Heathrow’s Terminal 3, I could enter the…

• American Airlines Admirals Club lounge
• American Airlines International First Class lounge
• British Airways Galleries First lounge
• British Airways Galleries Club lounge
• Cathay Pacific Business Class lounge
• Cathay Pacific First Class lounge
• Qantas London Lounge

Yes, there were a total of seven lounges. And no, I didn’t need to be flying that specific airline to enter. (Although I did need to be flying on a Oneworld carrier.) Heathrow Terminal 3 is a goldmine for Oneworld elite members.

At the check-in counter, the American agent noted my status and instructed me to go to the airline’s International First Class Lounge. While this American lounge is typically a tranquil space, there are far better options in the terminal… you just need to know where to look.

At Heathrow Terminal 3, the Oneworld lounges cluster along the same concourse, so popping between them is easy.

By far, my favorite of the bunch is the Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge with a warm, living room-like design and a dine-in restaurant. It just oozes high-end class. I plopped myself on one of the comfortable reclining ottomans that flank the windows. (Don’t skip the noodle bar on the business-class side.)

Next door, another standout is the two-story Qantas London Lounge. There’s a fully staffed gin bar and barista station, and during dinner hours, a la carte dining is served off a menu curated by famed Aussie chef Neil Perry. This lounge’s restaurant serves one of my favorite dishes at any airport in the world — a lightly fried salt and pepper squid.

Soon, it was time for my American Airlines flight to Los Angeles. On the way there, I peeked my head into the American International First Class Lounge. Let’s just say I’m glad I didn’t waste any time there.

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Generally, there are two pathways to entering alliance airport lounges: either a business-class or first-class ticket, or through your status.

In the example above, since I was flying American, a Oneworld alliance member, and had top-tier Oneworld Emerald status, I could access the British Airways, Cathay Pacific, and Qantas lounges. All of those carriers are also part of Oneworld. There are always exceptions to the rules, so it’s best to check the alliance websites (​Oneworld​, ​Star Alliance​, ​SkyTeam​) for further details.

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