Airport Lounges and clubs ...
Airport lounges
A great place if you are waiting for a connection or stuck at the airport due to delays. The lounges provide guests with a variety of amenity ranging from complimentary sodas, drinks, snacks and food, travel agents, showers and working stations.
- Getting in – access to lounges vary depending on the airline
- Memberships – lounges such as the Admirals Clubs (AA), Presidents Clubs (Continental) and the Red Carpet club (United) require you have a membership.
- Annual fee – easiest way to get access but may be expensive. Fee will very based on the status you hold with the airline, most club also provide one days passes which are a bit expensive but worth it if you are facing a multi hour delay
- Prepaid miles programs - in many cases club memberships is included in pre bought miles programs (e.g. AA Airpass)
- First class/international business – in some airlines have a business class ticket grants you access to a first class lounge/club
- Credit card – some club provide access to holders of some cards for example the President Club provide complementary access to holders of Corporate Platinum American Express card holders, Diners cards provide access to a variety of international airport lounges
- Facilities – this will vary depending on the club/lounge but may include such services as:
- Complementary newspapers
- Free drinks
- Work stations
- Comfortable seating areas
- Travel agents
- Shower facilities
- Meeting rooms
Amex platinum - lounges and free companion tickets
One great deal is the AMEX Platinum Card. Among other benefits, it gets you into Delta, Northwest, and Continental airline lounges (day of travel only). The card may be expensive, but it saves joining these three clubs. Also, the free companion tickets for international travel are no joke. Expensive card, but it pays off.
Club reviews
This are very high level review of clubs I have used….please let me know of any good/bad clubs you have been to and your thougth in the forum
- Admirals Club
- Chicago (ORD) – nice working stations, good snacks and seating areas. Helpful travel agents but usually there is a line, Very busy club,
- NYC (LGA) – very small, limited snacks and food to buy.
- Raliegh (RDU) – small, limited snacks, no food to buy]
- Miami (MIA) – nice but did not seam very business oriented
- Toronto (TOR) – very small, limited snacks, closes before the last AA flight leaves
- Dallas FortWorth (DFW) - one of the nicese Admiral club I have ever seen!! big, nice seats, food etc.
- Tel Aviv (TLV) – the King David Club – one of the best food spreads I have come by
- Other
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