New Maple Leaf Lounge opens September 24, 2012 at New York - LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
#106
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan SE AND 1MM, HHonors Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Platinum , L'Accor Platinum
Posts: 9,580
For those of us who have AMEX Platinum (or the others with and AMEX Centurion) card, would we have access (airside?) to the AMEX Centurion lounge?
If so, and with limited time, would that not be the preferable lounge, rather than the MLL lounge?
If so, and with limited time, would that not be the preferable lounge, rather than the MLL lounge?
#107
Join Date: Oct 2002
Programs: United Premier 1K
Posts: 1,230
You will have access, and from what I've read it is indeed a MUCH better lounge. Just note that a) it is landside similar to the MLL, and b) it's probably about a 5 minute hike from AC's A gates.
#108
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AC Million Miler & long time SE; StarwoodPlat for 10+ yrs & lifetime Gold; Hilton Honours Diamond; IC Ambassador; AMEX Plat;Avis Presidents Club; Airmiles GOLD; and just about everything else!
Programs: aeroplan & 25+year loyalty
Posts: 3,822
This new MLL lounge in LGA is one of the least attractive or well supplied lounges in the MLL inventory. It feels like a large empty room which is poor designed. It is a disaster and not worth the time of day to go up there. I have been there many times not that the UAL lounge was much better in LGA..
One of my constant gripes is that bozos sit at the few computer stations with their own laptops and monopolize these stations. This is very disrespectful to those of us who wish to use the MLL computers. LGA is one of the worst offenders second to YUL in my humble experience.
How does one get these bozos out of the few computer terminals to the other stations that are easily available to them. A little sign which AC has installed simply does not work.
One of my constant gripes is that bozos sit at the few computer stations with their own laptops and monopolize these stations. This is very disrespectful to those of us who wish to use the MLL computers. LGA is one of the worst offenders second to YUL in my humble experience.
How does one get these bozos out of the few computer terminals to the other stations that are easily available to them. A little sign which AC has installed simply does not work.
#109
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
I agree with you about the bozos. I have confronted them directly (not in LGA) and generally they are not even aware they are blocking computer access! (A higher level of myopia?)
But I want to learn more about the renovated MLL? Empty? That's good, no? Well supplied? That's been my experience as well! How does this make it the least attractive lounge? Compared to what?
IF this lounge has declined since the renos, I want to know and I will go to the UCC. But your post is not very definitive IMO.
But I want to learn more about the renovated MLL? Empty? That's good, no? Well supplied? That's been my experience as well! How does this make it the least attractive lounge? Compared to what?
IF this lounge has declined since the renos, I want to know and I will go to the UCC. But your post is not very definitive IMO.
#110
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 395
I agree with you about the bozos. I have confronted them directly (not in LGA) and generally they are not even aware they are blocking computer access! (A higher level of myopia?)
But I want to learn more about the renovated MLL? Empty? That's good, no? Well supplied? That's been my experience as well! How does this make it the least attractive lounge? Compared to what?
IF this lounge has declined since the renos, I want to know and I will go to the UCC. But your post is not very definitive IMO.
But I want to learn more about the renovated MLL? Empty? That's good, no? Well supplied? That's been my experience as well! How does this make it the least attractive lounge? Compared to what?
IF this lounge has declined since the renos, I want to know and I will go to the UCC. But your post is not very definitive IMO.
#111
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: US Air, Flying Blue, United, Air Canada, Aeromexico
Posts: 437
Now, to answer to my own questions, I was at this MLL lounge yesterday, it was OK, not very crowded, soup, salad, tea, coffee, wine, beer or spirits at the bar (you have to ask for them to be given to you), some cake for desert or biscotti or fruits. The thing is I got my passes for free, so I don't think it's worth to go there and pay the $50 for a pass per person ($100 if you have a companion) just for some stuff that is not out of the ordinary, and especially if you are only going to spend about 1 or 2 hours there.
Security indeed not far from the lounge and I also could get my boarding passes printed by the lady at the lounge front desk so that I could make use of my TSA Pre (web passes are not good for that matter). And not to forget, yes, Wi-Fi sucks , it is very slow, or at least it was very slow for me.
Security indeed not far from the lounge and I also could get my boarding passes printed by the lady at the lounge front desk so that I could make use of my TSA Pre (web passes are not good for that matter). And not to forget, yes, Wi-Fi sucks , it is very slow, or at least it was very slow for me.
#112
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 395
#113
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: YYZ
Posts: 954
Ah, the joys of LGA
I have been flying Porter to EWR almost exclusively for the past 5 years. Had the joy of taking AC this past weekend. Check-in agent couldn't have been any more miserable if they tried. Went to the lounge...wow, that was an experience. On the bright side, there is at least a lounge but with 72 persons (or was it 76?) capacity, I can imagine it gets pretty crowded in there. Too dark and dingy - lasted 5 minutes and went off to the Amex lounge.
I feel for the people who have to do that commute weekly....
I feel for the people who have to do that commute weekly....
#114
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada
Programs: Star Alliance G*, Marriott Bonvoy Titanium,
Posts: 3,585
what did you expect??
I have been flying Porter to EWR almost exclusively for the past 5 years. Had the joy of taking AC this past weekend. Check-in agent couldn't have been any more miserable if they tried. Went to the lounge...wow, that was an experience. On the bright side, there is at least a lounge but with 72 persons (or was it 76?) capacity, I can imagine it gets pretty crowded in there. Too dark and dingy - lasted 5 minutes and went off to the Amex lounge.
I feel for the people who have to do that commute weekly....
I feel for the people who have to do that commute weekly....
Seriously, Porter does not have a lounge at EWR. So you went to LGA, used the MLL, & now you are kvetching that they were not nice? Its New York, what did you expect??
Dark & dingy? What time of day were you there? (They have windows). They also have:
- 2 computer terminals;
- cold breakfast & lunch (soup, salad) options;
- complimentary newspapers, magazines;
- latte/espresso coffee machine.
What other lounges have you visited at LGA with your Amex card? Care to compare?
ps Once you do, post your findings. I would be interested in reading them!
#115
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75k, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,154
I do agree that MLL is a bit dark, could use more lighting, and the wifi is painfully slow, but food and drinks is much nicer than United club.
#116
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,324
The only time I've been to the LGA MLL, the staff were not only friendly, but fun. We talked multiple times in my 90 minute stay. They made me laugh on several occasions. They gave me good advice on where to get some food that was more filling than the lounge offerings.
I have had two better experiences than my stay at LGA.
1. YWG during Earn Your Wings. But I was there roughly 10 times in 9 days.
2. YYZ international while waiting for a friend coming in on UA. The concierge was absolutely incredible at making me feel like a top tier customer. She broke the rules for me. She gave me perfect advice. She did everything she could to give make my trip perfect.
So don't bash LGA! It's good
I have had two better experiences than my stay at LGA.
1. YWG during Earn Your Wings. But I was there roughly 10 times in 9 days.
2. YYZ international while waiting for a friend coming in on UA. The concierge was absolutely incredible at making me feel like a top tier customer. She broke the rules for me. She gave me perfect advice. She did everything she could to give make my trip perfect.
So don't bash LGA! It's good
#117
Formerly known as newbie elite
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: YUL
Programs: IHG Diamond Ambassador, Accor Platinum, AC50K
Posts: 2,925
Its New York, what did you expect??
The AMEX LGA lounge is one of the nicest I have been to, the food is decent and its always spotless. If you have a plat, I wouldn't bother going anywhere else at LGA.
#118
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: YYZ
Posts: 954
Was there around 10:30am - yes, there are windows which are covered with some type of film and, with no direct sunlight, the lighting is like looking through welders goggles. For a few extra bucks, they could make the place much more appealing...
The Amex Lounge is actually really nice - bright and spacious and the food selection is much more ample as is the bar offerings.
As AC has a max capacity of 72 or 76 people, I wonder if United has a policy of turning people away?
The Amex Lounge is actually really nice - bright and spacious and the food selection is much more ample as is the bar offerings.
As AC has a max capacity of 72 or 76 people, I wonder if United has a policy of turning people away?
#119
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 395