About this episode

This episode discusses how airline alliance status can provide access to airport lounges and elite perks across multiple airlines.

Learn how earning status with one airline can unlock lounges and elite perks on more than a dozen other airlines worldwide. First, host Meghan Coyle breaks down the week’s top travel headlines with producer Tess Vigeland (filling in for Sally French), including a new Google Hotels feature that lets you track prices on a specific hotel (not just a city), Wells Fargo adding Wyndham Rewards as a transfer partner, Air New Zealand’s controversial new Skynest bunk bed cabin, Chase expanding its Plum Guide vacation rental program to Sapphire cardholders, Hilton’s new apartment-style properties, and Norse Atlantic canceling Los Angeles flights amid rising fuel costs. Then, Sally joins Meghan for a conversation with Gilbert Ott, Director of Loyalty at the OneWorld Airline Alliance. They explore how airline alliance membership can elevate every trip you take, with tips and insights on how OneWorld’s Ruby, Sapphire, and Emerald elite status tiers work across all 15 member airlines, which world-class airport lounges you can access as a OneWorld elite member, and what Hawaiian Airlines’ new membership in the Alliance means for your miles and travel experience. Card benefits, terms and fees…

People in this episode

Hosts: Meghan Coyle, Sally French

Guest: Gilbert Ott

Topics covered

• airline alliances
• airport lounges
• travel perks
• travel news
• elite status
• OneWorld

Keywords

• airline alliance
• airport lounges
• travel rewards
• OneWorld
• elite status
• travel news
• Chase Sapphire
• Wells Fargo
• Air New Zealand
• Google Hotels

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: OneWorld Airline Alliance, Google Hotels, Wells Fargo, Air New Zealand, Chase, Hilton, Norse Atlantic

Products: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve®

Places: Los Angeles

More episodes of Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways

• Family Travel on Points and Miles: Free Checked Bags, Companion Passes, and Miles Pooling · April 15, 2026 · 46 min
• Traveling with Pets: How to Put Your Paws on the Best Airlines and Hotels for Furry Family Members · April 8, 2026 · 58 min
• How to Spend Less on Big Sports Trips in 2026: FIFA World Cup 2026, PGA Championship and More · April 1, 2026 · 60 min
• Rental Cars in 2026: How to Skip the Counter, Cut Costs, and Avoid Insurance Mistakes · March 25, 2026 · 55 min
• Before You Book a Ski Trip, Learn How to Save on Mountain Hotels, Ski Rentals and Lift Tickets · March 18, 2026 · 48 min
• Travel Questions Mega-Episode: Top Tips from Our Top Listener Questions · March 11, 2026 · 1h 1m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways podcast page.