This past Sunday, immediately after running the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia, I traveled to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to begin my trip to Finland and board my flight to Helsinki (HEL). I had the pleasure of flying Finnair’s business class. Upon checking in at the airline’s business-class check-in at JFK’s Terminal 8, I received my boarding pass from the polite ticket agent and two free drink tickets to the Admirals Club lounge, which Finnair shares with other members of the oneworld alliance.

Located in Concourse C on the third floor after security across from Gate 42, the Admirals Club lounge in JFK offered me the relaxation I longed for after running 10 miles and sitting in traffic for hours earlier in the day. I was able to unwind in a comfortable seat, access the free WiFi and enjoy the quiet before boarding my long-haul flight. The lounge offered complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, light snacks and food and beverages for purchase.

Announced yesterday, American Airlines partnered with Klout, a web service that scores your overall social media influence, to offer free one-day passes to various Admirals Club lounges. They launched a contest that allows users with a Klout score over 55 to access 37 of the airline’s Admirals Club lounges in 22 different cities, regardless of whether or not they’re flying American. Those with scores over 55 automatically qualify for a free one-day pass to the Admirals Club and receive an entry to win an annual membership. Klout users with scores under 55 still receive some perks: $50 off a one-year Admirals Club membership and an entry into the sweepstakes for a one-year membership.

To see if you have enough “klout” to qualify for a free one-day pass, visit the page on the American Airlines website and sign in with your Facebook or Twitter account. The contest runs through May 31. 

— Monique Barrett, advertising and editorial coordinator