Southwest Is Opening Airport Lounges. Yes, Really.
4m | Sep 4, 2026📩 Join the newsletter: https://go.departuredigest.com/subscribe
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Southwest is opening airport lounges, with its first four locations planned for Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu, and Nashville. It's another sign that Southwest is becoming a lot more like every other airline. After adding bag fees and assigned seating, its CEO has even hinted that first class could be next.
Then, we're comparing four premium hotel programs from Amex, Capital One, Chase, and Bilt. Fine Hotels + Resorts®, Premier Collection, The Edit℠, and Home Away from Home® can offer extras like free breakfast, property credits, and possible upgrades, but it's still important to compare rates before you book. When it comes to perks, though, Amex's guaranteed 4 p.m. late checkout is hard to beat.
Plus, meet Throo, a new rideshare app in NYC that could be worth checking before your next airport trip. It offers flat rates from Manhattan to JFK and LGA, though wait times can be longer and it won't necessarily be cheaper than Uber or Lyft every time. More competition is never a bad thing for riders.
Try Throo and get 10% off your first ride: https://throo-rider.app.link/referral?referralCode=DJCBSI
Timeline
0:00 Start Here
0:17 Southwest's First Airport Lounges
1:36 Throo, NYC's New Rideshare App
2:48 Comparing Premium Hotel Programs
4:22 Sign-Off
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