Posted on 10/06/2022 9:04:20 PM PDT by where's_the_Outrage?
Sometimes when almost anyone can get into an airport lounge, no one can. Here's what to know before you count on using this credit card perk.
Years ago, there were business travelers and there were leisure travelers, and nary did the perks of the high-flying former trickle down to the economy-focused latter. Airport lounges that offer cozy chairs, free buffet spreads and an open bar while you wait to board? Those were reserved for the business traveler in the tailored suit.
In recent years, the lines have blurred. The airport lounge slowly became not only a haven for the business traveler, but a luxurious treat for a growing number of passengers in all classes of service. That’s because those who hold certain credit cards can unlock access to airport lounges.
Here’s a look at how credit cards have fueled a huge surge in airport lounge visitors, and how that affects your odds of being able to visit one on your next trip — even if you have the right card.
(Excerpt) Read more at nerdwallet.com ...
Even if I’m not flying I can use the lounge, the problem is getting past airport security. I’m grandfathered in to the access rules from 1987.
The way the flying public has degenerated, in a few years the lounges will look like the food court.
Did it ever occur to you that in modern times maybe these uppity clubs couldn’t sustain themselves with only 10 or 15 patrons at any givin time?? And the fact you mentioned about buying a ticket just to get in and then belly aching about not being able to return it at the bar. Dude you sound like a welfare recipient complaining there’s no room for your Cadillac lol...
I’m just curious if your buddy you were meeting in the posh club knew you were returning that ticket of if you told h you were on your way to Fiji...
My buddy was aware of what I did as I live an hour from the airport and that’s why he let me know of his 5 hour layover. And he wouldn’t have believed Fiji as I visited him in the Philippines and he came to my house in Thailand.
The ticket did not give me access to the Skyclub, it took my membership card which I bought and paid for with money I earned, so I’m confused at your welfare analogy.
I’ve been a card carrying airline club member for over 35 years so I was surprised at how full that club was that day. Then I started receiving membership updates from the clubs that started chipping away at the benefits such as must be on same day travel, cannot enter the club 3 hours before your scheduled departure, etc. That’s when I found out about the increased volume based on credit cards.
Biggest problem I had in the 1970s was the lounges infested with Hari-Krishnas trying to sell their books, or get donations. Tulsa and Denver airports, they were everywhere!
I’m sitting in an airport right now. I let my American Admiral Club pass expire during Covid and have no interest in renewing it. The clubs are overcrowded and not really much of a perk any longer. I generally make sure I’m at the airport about an hour before my flight so my sitting with the masses at the gate is limited enough to not need the membership.
Like flying itself, the entire travel experience has devolved in the past ten years into essentially Greyhound in the sky…
One nice perk the Admirals Club still has are showers. We go back and forth to Thailand sometimes taking 45 hours from leaving our home until the final destination. Nice to get a shower at around the 30 hour mark.
No. Frequent business travelers in the past paid high fees for these lounges. They were originally billed as a place out of the ruckus where people who spend a lot of time in airports could get work done and get a little more rest for their exhausting travel schedule. It has nothing to do with snobbery. If you are paying as much as $1200 for a membership for this convenience, having folks come in for next to nothing can be insulting to the customers these clubs were designed to help.
If the inside of the lounge is no different than the scene at the gate, there’s no value for the investment…
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