Is it worth paying out of pocket for the airline carpet club / lounge areas if you travel every week?

Len

Every week? I'd say yes.

I do feel, however, that the value of my NW World Club membership continues to decline as services/amenities are cut and the crowds get bigger. Over Thanksgiving at MSP I finally left the WC and went and sat and read at an open gate area. Less crowded and more relaxing. Days like that make a membership seem silly. C.f. The CO club at LGW, which is quite comfortable and well worth the money.

Which club were you thinking of?

By the way, I assume by "out of pocket" you mean an annual membership.

[This message has been edited by Shinkansen (edited 01-07-2002).]

This is a personal decision with no right or wrong answer.

It depends on how much you value you a quiet(er) place to sit, free drinks (soft, at least), clean restrooms, getting boarding passes with no or minimal lines, a bit of snack food, internet access (maybe), newspapers to read and stuff like that. It then depends on how much you value $300 or so relative to those. (In the U.S., if you file Schedule C or have hit the 2% of AGI threshhold for employee business expenses, you can probably deduct the cost from your taxable income.)

For me, it's worth it, and I pay out of my own pocket. I don't travel every week but at least every other week on the average. I'm especially grateful for the lounge when a flight is delayed or I miss a connection. I don't mind 20 minutes in a gate waiting area, but four hours is a bit much for me.

Is it worth it for you? Only one person can answer that.

With respect to the comment about the crowds getting larger, I see that AA Admirals Clubs have started asking for photo ID when presenting a membership card. At least that is the situation today in DFW. This could help keep the crowds to members and guests and keep out people using members' cards.

Heavens, yes!

Is there an alternative?

If you travel a lot and get to the airport expecting a two-hour check-in / security clearance process and end up doing it in 15 minutes, the lounge is an excellent investment. Unfortunately, the place is usually packed with people who anticipated the same thing.

If you get a stand alone Amex Platinum Card, you get comp admission to NW and CO lounges. If you fly DL and UA, get a DL Crown Room Club card or UA's Red Carpet Club Card and you can access DL's lounges when flying DL and UA's when flying UA in the U.S. only.

Nope, save your money, the clubs are too darn crowded as it is already.

yes. Worth it compared to alternatives.

A club membership shines during "service interruptions": cancelled flights, weather at the airport, etc. The club customer service line is rarely longer than the one outside of the club. Having a quiet place to work or read can also be worth its weight in gold.

As FTraveler said, if you fly with CO or NW, look into an Amex Platinum Card. The Platinum Card comes with same day NW/CO lounge access, and the $300 fee for the card ($225 if you have an Amex or Fidelity brokerage account) is usually less than buying a lounge membership.

[This message has been edited by skofarrell (edited 01-07-2002).]

For me, it's better to stay in the Admiral's club in a comfy seat compared to being cramped in the departure lounge waiting for an hour due to the new check-in requirements. It also gives me a chance to take a shower after a long redeye and be ready for work. And, I probably can drink my way out of Diet Cokes and pretzels in the fee anyway at Airport prices!

I decided to purchase the US club membership just before Christmas.( I was at LAX two hours early & had a 3.5 hr layover in PIT on Dec. 21/22). Paid $200 and received 5000 miles. (posted today ) Ran out of the club pass that came with each kit. I enjoy using the club & the time passes by quickly even with the 3 or 4 hour layovers. Worth it if you fly a moderate amount or more often.

any deals on Admirals' Clubs?

- Sameer

I think it really depends on how often u fly and what airports you regularly use.
I have lately found the clubs useless for my needs because of the long check in lines and gate waits.I travel Intl frequently and the hassles with boarding these days won't even allow me time to enjoy the lounges, domestically I find the lounges too **** crowded unless I am flying a red eye. I have found if I do have any extra time before boarding it is better spent waitng at the empty gate next to my boarding gate.

SFOJFK,which North American Admirals Clubs have showers? Consensus of a recent post was that not a single North American RCC has a shower.

Even if you don't fly every week, club membership is a must. Check in facilities, Internet access, the bar, comfortable seats - it's all worth it especially with the additional wait times at airports today.