LoungeBuddy is a new iPhone app coming your way that provides information about airport lounges worldwide based on your lounge memberships, class of service, credit cards and FFP elite levels. We recently caught up with Tyler Dikman, CEO of LoungeBuddy, to ask about the app that’s currently in beta.
InsideFlyer
Who came up with the idea of LoungeBuddy and what does the app offer?
Tyler Dikman
Zac and I came up with the concept as a solution to a problem we experienced when traveling. An airport lounge is this amazing oasis that can make a trip significantly better, but the access rules are complex, the lounges vary widely in quality and amenities are all over the board. We wanted an app that we could open and have it tell us the lounges around us and the right one for our needs at any given time—whether it was finding a quiet place to relax, a lounge with a business center to get work done or a lounge with shower access to freshen up after that exhausting red-eye flight.
IF
How long has the team been working on the app and when will it be available for everyone? Will it be free or will there be a charge?
Dikman
Zac, Brent and I have spent the past year gathering the airport lounge data, building the platform and creating a product that not only gives you valuable information during your journey, but allows you to become a member of the LoungeBuddy community. We’ve chosen to make the app free of charge in order to make it accessible to everyone. Our beta is available right now for InsideFlyer readers at the link at the bottom of the page.
IF
How is the LoungeBuddy team testing the app?
Dikman
Since our team is passionate about technology and travel, we initially tested the app by taking several mileage runs around the world. As we grew our beta, we expanded our community to include 1,000 additional frequent flyers. Reducing barriers to reach out and share feedback was crucial for our beta. At any point members can shake their phone to send us a message.
IF
Does the team personally visit all of the lounges to review them? How does the reviewing system work?
Dikman
While I’d love to be able to personally visit every one of the several thousand lounges that exist around the globe, my schedule (and budget) makes this an impossibility. Fortunately, everyone who uses LoungeBuddy is instantly a member of the community and can participate in providing their own ratings, reviews and photos of each lounge as well as rating other members’ photos and reviews, so that the most helpful and relevant info is featured for each respective lounge.
IF
What makes LoungeBuddy stand out from any other similar apps?
Dikman
First and foremost, LoungeBuddy is a community of passionate lounge enthusiasts that relies upon our members to share their experiences in the airport lounges they visit. We are the only app that not only displays all of the lounges available in a particular airport, but which lounge is right for your needs at the right time.
IF
Can you share a tip for making the most of the app?
Dikman
Due to the significant number of different access methods, we need to know about any elite statuses, memberships and types of credit cards you have in addition to the current trip you’re taking and the class of service you are flying. Once you’ve filled out your profile, we save this information for you so that you only need to tell us about your current trip in order to get the right information you need at the right time.
IF
Are there other features in the planning stage that will be introduced? Can you tell us about any of them?
Dikman
Right now we’re working on solidifying the experience for our members—simplicity and efficiency is what we’re all about. We’re improving the product so frequently, that by the time this article is published, we’ll likely have several new enhancements.
IF
How many lounges are currently featured on LoungeBuddy? How could someone get involved with helping to add to your list?
Dikman
We’ve started with the busiest airports in the world and are adding additional airports based on feedback from our members. Presently, we cover over 600 lounges in airports that serve over three billion passengers annually. Like FlyerTalk and Milepoint, we’re on the hunt for lounge evangelists who are instrumental in making LoungeBuddy the best resource for airport lounge information. Want to contribute?Email us at [email protected].
IF
Anything else you would like our readers to know about the app?
Dikman
We’ve set up a special link for our friends at InsideFlyer to get their copy before our public release.
