Who you flying with? BA?

Virgin Atlantic this time, but due to mothership location it’s normally Air Canada

Yeah pick an airline and stick with it and their partners. Get your miles. Build up status. I’m a oneworld girl since Seattle is an Alaska hub and they partner with BA. BA flies direct to many of the places I need to go but connecting flights means more segments and miles too.

Gotta look up which alliance you want to build with. Star Alliance is AC, which also included United. Virgin is SkyTeam which includes Delta, KLM as well.

some airports let you buy the lounge from their apps, it can actually be worth it too as the cost includes "free" food and drink, and given how expensive airport costs are that upfront cost becomes net neutral very quickly