Along the Way | Delorn Around The World

Why I Never Fly Without Lounge Access Anymore

Up until around 12 years ago, I saw airports as places you arrive at with just enough time to fly through TSA and hustle to the gate. Then I started regularly traveling with others who had varying degrees of on-timedness and thoughts on airport travel. All of a sudden, I was forced out of my comfort zone and to the point that we would all have to get to the airport and wait…and wait…and wait.

It was painful to have tosit thefe to wait to go somewhere. And the seating…around the gate was…intimate. This was a time when airports felt like endurance tests. Crowded gates, overpriced snacks and drinks coupled with the hope that the announcement meant that you were boarding and not just another reason for you to spend more time waiting to go.

And then… I discovered airport lounges. (queue angelic music).

Specifically, Priority Pass — and honestly, it changed my life.

If you’ve never used a lounge pass before, here’s the short version: it’s like stepping into the closet and emerging in Narnia. The airport suddenly transforms into a calm, comfortable, and strangely civilized place.

What Is Priority Pass?

Priority Pass is your passport to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Your airline doesn’t matter. Your seat on the plane doesn’t matter. You just show your boarding pass with your valid pass card and the doors open, welcoming you in. Some lounges accept digital passes as well.

Once inside this magical place, you’ll find comfy seating, free food and drinks, less crowds, Wi-Fi that works and display monitors telling you when your flight is boarding. Depending on where you are in the world, they may also offer showers, massages, a kids’ play area and other amenities. You might be saying…

But Isn’t It Expensive?

Priority Pass’ three-tiered memberships start at $99 a year for limited access. However, it comes as a perk connected to many credit cards.

Which Credit Cards Get You In for Free?

Many premium travel credit cards include complimentary membership, making it a benefit you might already be paying for. Some require an extra enrollment step, but are you gonna let that hold you back from comfort?

Some cards like:

Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

If you travel even a few times a year, especially with kids, this perk alone can be worth it. One quiet lounge visit with free food, a drink, and a comfy chair can easily save you around $35 per person per trip — not to mention your sanity.

Final Thoughts from the Gate

Airport lounges used to feel like a luxury reserved for elite flyers. Out of reach for the common man. But now they’re one of the smartest travel tools out there.

Airport lounges make air travel more bearable and gets you into the right headspace for what awaits you at your destination. Priority Pass doesn’t just make travel more comfortable — it makes it human again.

Trust me. Try it. Your future airport self will thank you. See you in there.

Your Passenger Rights Cheat Sheet

My first airline flight, that I remember, was at 7. I sat with my dad, looking out the window. The runway, the take off. The clouds. It was magical. On board this mysterious flying metal tube, I got a meal, snacks, and a movie. I never wanted to land.

What I didn’t know was that this luxury could also be chaotic, occasionally delayed, and sometimes accompanied by a disappearing suitcase. You find that out once you are an adult. Knowing your rights as a passenger is just as important as knowing your gate number.

So, before your next trip, here are some key Department of Transportation airline regulations and consumer protections that every traveler should know.

Flight Canceled? You’re Owed a Refund. Period.

If your flight is canceled or significantly changed AND you decide not to travel, you are legally entitled to a full flight cancellation refund. Not a voucher. Not “future travel credit. Not a coupon that expires before your next PTO request.

Under U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations, once you decline alternative rebooking or compensation:

Refunds must be issued within 7 business days for credit card purchases, or
Within 20 business days for cash purchases

Airlines are also required to notify passengers when they’re eligible for a refund.

Remember, when your 9 a.m. departure suddenly becomes a “surprise 6-hour delay,” you can request your money back instead of accepting a rebooked flight.

The 24-Hour Flight Cancellation Rule

Booked a flight and immediately questioned your life choices? Found out someone can no longer go?

The 24-hour flight cancellation rule is your safety net. If you purchase airfare at least 7 days before departure, airlines must:

Allow you to cancel within 24 hours for a full refund
OR
Allow you to hold the fare for 24 hours without payment

With airfare prices changing constantly, this rule gives travelers a valuable flexibility window.

Pro tip: Set a reminder at hour 23 in case there is a change. That’s not anxiety — that’s strategy.

Lost or Delayed Luggage Compensation

If your checked luggage is significantly delayed or lost, you are entitled to a baggage fee refund. DOT defines “significantly delayed” baggage as 12+ hours after landing for domestic flights, 15+ hours for International flights (12 hours or less) and 30+ hours for international flights (over 12 hours).

Most airlines declare a bag officially lost between 5 and 14 days so verify with your specific airline.

To receive compensation or a baggage fee refund:

File a mishandled baggage report immediately at the airport
Keep receipts for essential purchases

If you had to buy clothing, toiletries, or other necessities, you may qualify for reimbursement. Your suitcase may be on vacation — but your money shouldn’t be.

Family Seating Policies

U.S. airlines are not legally required to guarantee family seating. However, several airlines, including Alaska Airlines and JetBlue, have committed to seating parents with children 13 and under — even on basic economy fares. To improve your chances book everyone under the same reservation, know the airline’s customer service plan and if all else fails, ask at the boarding gate or ask a fellow passenger to make the switch.

Tarmac Delay Rules

Ever been stuck on the runway wondering if you now live there? I was going to the Dominican Republic and was drunk and tired. I hadn’t slept all night. Fell asleep as soon as I found my seat. 2 hours later, we hadn’t moved. Under DOT tarmac delay rules, domestic flights must allow passengers off before 3 hours; International flights before 4 hours. Obviously, exceptions apply for safety reasons. During your wait, airlines must also provide drinking water, snacks within 2 hours, working restrooms, and comfortable cabin temperatures.

Denied Boarding & Overbooked Flight Compensation

Airlines are allowed to oversell flights. When everyone shows up, it becomes a high-stakes game of musical chairs.

If you’re asked to volunteer your seat, airlines often offer travel vouchers, gift cards, and/or flight credits. But if you are involuntarily bumped, you may be entitled to denied boarding compensation.

Before accepting the first offer, inquire about cash compensation, a full refund, confirmed rebooking (including partner airlines) and hotel and meal accommodations for overnight delays

Travel Insurance Coverage

Sometimes airline regulations don’t cover everything. That’s where travel insurance coverage comes in.

A good policy can include:

Trip Cancellation benefits; Trip Interruption benefits; Travel Delay reimbursement (food, hotels, transportation); Protection for nonrefundable bookings

Travel Delay benefits typically reimburse expenses. With increasing flight disruptions, travel insurance provides an added layer of financial protection. Some credit cards provide travel insurance if you purchase your tickets with the card.

Travel Smart

Understanding the air passenger rights can save you hundreds — sometimes thousands — of dollars.

Staying home is overrated but losing money because you didn’t know your rights? It isn’t.

REAL ID: What You Need to Know Before You Fly in the U.S.

If you’re planning to step into an airport or visit certain federal buildings, having the right ID matters now more than ever. Standard state IDs are still available, but for most travelers, upgrading is the smarter move.

🟡 Why REAL ID Matters

For years, your regular driver’s license was enough to get you on a domestic flight. That changed on May 7, 2025, when the U.S. officially made REAL ID the standard for air travel and access to many federal facilities.

A REAL ID is a state‑issued driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card that meets enhanced federal security requirements. You’ll need to bring certain documents to your local DMV. You have to provide a valid photo ID proving your identity, your Social Security card, and proof of current address when applying. Depending on your state, there may be an additional charge. NOTE: A REAL ID is not valid for and does not replace a passport for international travel.

Source / NYS DMV

Additional Upgrade: Enhanced IDs

Some states also offer Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs)—you’ll spot them by the small flag icon. They include all REAL ID privileges plus allow land and sea crossings into Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean without a passport. Handy for quick border trips. The enhanced ID will be an additional charge.

What Happens If You Don’t Have REAL ID

If you show up without a REAL ID or an acceptable alternative, it will cost you. Beginning February 1, 2026, domestic travelers who arrive at security without a REAL ID or another compliant document will face a $45 TSA identity verification fee and additional delays.

Key Details

Fee: $45
Valid for: A 10‑day travel window
Payment: Cards only. No cash accepted.
No guarantees: Paying the fee does not ensure TSA can verify your identity or allow you to fly