[May 2024 update] The iOS app is being discontinued, and going forward this feature can only be used through AMEX.

As of July 1, 2024, the LoungeBuddy iOS Mobile app will no longer be accessible. American Express Card Members can still purchase lounge access with LoungeBuddy through the LoungeBuddy website

[Nov. 2019 update] AMEX recently launched the new AMEX Green credit card. One of its supposedly super important (but actually pretty marginal) benefits that practically forces you to use it is a $100 annual LoungeBuddy credit per calendar year. If you keep the card for only one year, you may be able to use the credit twice. Since the initial welcome offer was fairly strong (incognito + VPN mode, 45,000 MR + $150 Away reimbursement), quite a few readers will probably apply for this card, so you might as well find a way to use that $100 credit.

What is LoungeBuddy?

Frequent travelers who regularly visit airport lounges are probably already familiar with the LoungeBuddy mobile app. Marketed as the “only app that lets you find lounges in airports around the world” (their official tagline), it helps users see what lounges are available at unfamiliar airports, which new lounges have recently opened worldwide, and what credentials are required for access. In short, LoungeBuddy is quite useful for frequent flyers, especially AMEX Green cardholders.

Founded in 2013, LoungeBuddy is a US startup that provides airport lounge information lookup and booking services. Its platform currently covers more than 1,900 lounges across 550 airports worldwide. This app, focused specifically on airport lounges, offers global lounge maps, customer reviews, and even discounted lounge pass purchases directly in the app. In 2019, AMEX acquired LoungeBuddy and successfully integrated its lounge search function into the AMEX app as well (discussed below).

The LoungeBuddy feature I use most often is checking, before visiting an unfamiliar airport, which lounges I can access for free and which lounges I can bring my LD into for free as well. (And of course, it is also fun to see what new lounges have opened and brag a little to friends: lol:) For lounges that require payment because I do not have status or the right credit card, I also like to check the reviews and user photos before deciding whether the experience is worth paying for. Overall, LoungeBuddy has been a big help in making lounge access more convenient.

App download or website purchase

Currently, only the iOS app is available for download. If you do not have an iPhone, you can consider downloading it on an iPad or purchasing through the website.

Sign-up offer

New users who sign up with a referral code will receive a $10 credit, which can be used together with the annual $100 credit provided by AMEX Green.

  • Feel free to use our referral code (copy/paste recommended): ZsvmDEvEgY or ZO4aYw0W1f
  • If you have already registered but have not previously entered someone else’s code, you can still use the referral codes above
  • Once registration is successful, you will receive a $10 LoungeBuddy credit and can start enjoying the convenience LoungeBuddy offers.

LoungeBuddy basics

Basic steps for using LoungeBuddy

  • Download LoungeBuddy in the mobile app
  • Search for the airport you are about to visit in the app
  • Browse lounge information at that airport and choose the one you want
  • Purchase access to your selected lounge in the LoungeBuddy app (or use your existing LoungeBuddy membership or eligible credit card access)

How to check whether you already have lounge access

LoungeBuddy categorizes lounges into four tiers: Luxe, Fresh, Solid, and Basic. Each lounge listing includes practical details such as location, opening hours, what card or membership is needed for entry (such as PPS or Platinum itself), and what amenities are offered, including hot/cold food and showers. For example, if you search lounges at ORD:

  • Enter the airport code ORD in the search bar on the homepage, then click the airport that appears.
  • Browse the lounges in the airport. If there is no white check mark on a blue background, that means you need to purchase access separately. As shown in the image, UA Club costs me $59 each time I enter.
  • If a lounge shows a white check mark on a blue background, that means you are eligible to enter, and you can click the check mark to see the access method. As shown above, I can access the Air France lounge in Terminal 5 through CSR+PPS, an AMEX Platinum card, or PPS.

Paid lounges

Standard usage

LoungeBuddy partners with many (actually, not that many) airport lounges, and you can buy lounge passes through the LoungeBuddy app. Your own admission must be included at a minimum, and you can purchase access for up to 12 travel companions. If you have enough credit available, bringing 12 people into a lounge at once is definitely a flashy move. A standard Priority Pass membership usually allows only 2 accompanying guests. Of course, even that is less impressive than the original old Chase Ritz-Carlton credit card, which could practically let you bring half the airport in.

  • Purchases only support AMEX credit cards, though Apple Pay can also be used. The annual $100 reimbursement on the AMEX Green credit card can only be used here. Be sure to pay in USD, and use promo code ZsvmDEvEgY or ZO4aYw0W1f for an extra $10 credit;

Features:

  • You may bring up to 12 travel companions into the lounge with you, as long as you pay for them—very flashy indeed;
  • It allows you to purchaselounge passes valid for the same day and up to 60 days in the future, so you can buy access for future use before closing your AMEX Green;

Cons:

  • Lounges in Europe and the US generally do not offer great value, and prices are relatively high.
  • The selection of supported lounges is quite limited. Very often, only Basic and Solid lounges are available. Most first class lounges and airline elite/member lounges cannot be purchased. Sometimes all you can really do is bring 1–2 people into a lounge for a soda and a snack.

Accessing some lounges that are not partnered with PP

Since the benefit overlaps quite a bit with PP, you can use these credits for airport lounges that are not partnered with PP but are partnered with LoungeBuddy instead (thanks to xhl1212 for the suggestion). I found 1 example in each lounge tier, for example:

  • Golden Century VIP Lounge at XMN, $17 (BASIC)
  • Temporary Lounge at PHX, $31 (SOLID)
  • Lufthansa Business Lounge at JFK, $59 (FRESH)
  • Plaza Premium First at HKG, $89 (LUXE)

A checkmark in the upper-right corner of a lounge means you can enter for free with PP; a LoungeBuddy logo in the upper-right means you can buy access through LoungeBuddy instead (and PP will not work there).

Managing your information in LoungeBuddy

In addition to buying lounge access vouchers directly in LoungeBuddy, if you already qualify for lounge access—for example through airline elite status or an eligible credit card—you can simply use LoungeBuddy to look up the information and go straight to the lounge. So how do you add this information to your profile?

  • Open the LoungeBuddy app and tap the profile icon in the upper-right corner of the home page to enter your profile.
  • Tap the small gear icon in the upper-right corner of your profile to enter Settings.
  • Scroll down a bit in Settings and you will see “Access Methods,” where you can add relevant information: airline elite status, lounge memberships, credit card information, and whether you are a military member.

LoungeBuddy referral program

For each person you invite to LoungeBuddy who then makes their first lounge voucher booking through LoungeBuddy, you receive a $10 credit. The person who uses your referral code and makes their first lounge voucher booking also gets a $10 credit.

How can you use these LoungeBuddy credits?

  • (At the most basic level) Refer 1 person: get a $10 credit, which can be used to buy a lounge pass at any lounge partnered with LoungeBuddy.
  • Refer 5 people: get $50 in credits, enough to purchase a 6-month CLEAR trial membership. CLEAR lets you skip the long lines and get through airport security faster. CLEAR program intro: Click here!
  • Refer 15 people: get $150 in credits, enough to purchase a 1-year CLEAR membership.

Switching accounts

LoungeBuddy allows you to switch accounts:

  • Path: profile icon on the right → Settings → General → change information → verify the email code to complete it

LoungeBuddy’s usefulness & security

In situations like arriving early at a connecting airport, wanting a better resting environment for family members, hoping to enjoy the services offered in a lounge, or wanting proper rest before your next flight after a red-eye, travelers can use this app to access most airport lounges partnered with LoungeBuddy worldwide without needing any other membership, elite status, or a business/first class ticket. (In reality, you still need to buy the electronic voucher inside LoungeBuddy to enter the lounge; it is just a cheaper option.) As for security, LoungeBuddy is not really an issue: when entering credit card information, elite status, and similar details, there is no verification required—they are simply added to the app. When you get a new card or your airline status is upgraded, just go into Settings and add it; similarly, if you close a card or your airline status drops, you can edit it directly in Settings. It is quite convenient.

Tips for using it with AMEX Green

Pass characteristics

  • Supports both instant purchases and purchases for any time within the next two months (it is not fully clear exactly how the validity works; the display seems to use the entry time you selected when purchasing);
  • You can view the pass in the app;
  • Supports exporting the electronic pass and transferring it to friends (for example by email, or via Apple Wallet in supported cases);
  • You will also receive the electronic pass by email, including the QR code and a button to add it to Apple Wallet;

Use the credit early

If you only open the AMEX Green in December, you may not have much time to use up the $100 LoungeBuddy reimbursement. In that case, you can buy a lounge pass now for an airport you plan to visit in the future and use up the credit quickly. If nothing else, you can buy some for your travel companions.

Gift a pass

If you will be there in person, you can simply buy passes for your travel companions in advance. But if you will not be there yourself, you can first change the name on the account and then buy the pass.

Add your card to someone else’s LoungeBuddy account

Simply add your Green card to someone else’s account and complete the purchase there.

Using it in the AMEX App

After LoungeBuddy was acquired by AMEX, its airport lounge search function was fully integrated into the AMEX app. Personally, I have long used the AMEX app to look up lounges available through my credit cards and PP, and it works quite well.

  • Path: AMEX app → select your card → Membership → Find An Airport Lounge
  • Drawback 1: it only shows airport lounges near you; beyond a certain distance, they will not appear.
  • Drawback 2: it cannot search lounges based on airline elite status, though of course AMEX is under no obligation to do that for you.
  • Basically, most of the information LoungeBuddy provides is also visible in the AMEX app, including location, hours, what card or credential is needed for entry (such as PPS or the Platinum card itself), what services are offered (hot/cold food), shower facilities, and so on.

Summary

The LoungeBuddy app is especially suitable for readers who have the AMEX Green credit card, as well as power users with top-tier status across multiple airlines (such as metahacker). If you frequently visit airport lounges or want to try out newly opened lounges, I recommend downloading LoungeBuddy to help you check the latest lounge information and whether you are eligible for access. That said, for most readers, the practicality of the AMEX App + a digital Priority Pass card is already sufficient.