As many of you probably do, I've got those Juniper/BoA one-day-pass certificates that I want to use up. With a bunch of flights to US/HP hubs before the end of the year, I'm looking forward to trying out the various clubs.

I'm hoping you all can identify your favorite clubs. I'd really like to hear your thoughts on PHX, LAS, CLT, and PHL (and I believe the consensus was A-West for PHL???). Let's leave Envoy lounges and LGW out, since I think they're excluded from the certificate.

And I promise not to be too disruptive to those of you trying to carry on business or enjoying some peace and quiet... ;)

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Sean

Oh, and if anyone can tell me where to get a good philly cheesesteak close to the PHL airport, I'd be eternally grateful (at least until it kills me). Someone mentioned South Street. I'll be sure to note the location of the nearest AEDs upon arrival in PHL... :D

I've only been in a few, but at the right time of day, the 2 upstairs PHX clubs (not the one by A22- that's the smallest one) are actually quite OK.

Definately A-West in PHL. TPA is also very nice.

I agree with the comment about PHX clubs. The A22 club is tiny! LAS isnt that bad either, though I prefer the East clubs much more in terms of how they look.

Only think about HP clubs I do like is that they serve more snacks, ie Cheese and Crackers and real snacks that are onboard unlike the US club's that just have a tiny muffin or the spicy crunchy US Airways Mix or pretzels.

I do not however like the PIT club. In the past, did they have 2 or 3 clubs in PIT? If they did, too bad they closed them.

Of the clubs I've been in:

1.) PHL A-West
2.) CLT C/D
3.) PHL B/C
4.) CLT B
5.) BWI
6.) LAX (haven't been since the renovation)
7.) PHX B5
8.) PHL F
9.) LAS

Of course the Envoy lounge is really #1 and LGW club #2.

Oh, and if anyone can tell me where to get a good philly cheesesteak close to the PHL airport, I'd be eternally grateful (at least until it kills me). Someone mentioned South Street. I'll be sure to note the location of the nearest AEDs upon arrival in PHL... :D

How close exactly? The original is Pat's King of Steaks, about a 25 minute drive (in no traffic) from PHL:

http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......I'm getting hungry just thinking about it :). That would also likely be closer than any of the South Street joints.

How close exactly? The original is Pat's King of Steaks, about a 25 minute drive (in no traffic) from PHL:

http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......I'm getting hungry just thinking about it :). That would also likely be closer than any of the South Street joints.


Now if you would prefer Provolone cheese on your cheesesteak instead of Cheese Wiz, you need to go across the street from Pat's to Geno's.

http://www.genosteaks.com/

If you haven't guessed by now there is this rivally between Pats and Genos. Go to both and pick whichever one you think tastes better, either way they both made a good Philly Cheesesteak.

I have not been to too many US lounge, but the one here in TPA is not half bad.

Here are some pics:
Entrance (http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/bravo7e7/Seoul%20and%20Bangkok/?action=view&current=4.jpg&refPage=540&imgAnch=imgAnch556)
Lounge (http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/bravo7e7/Seoul%20and%20Bangkok/?action=view&current=7.jpg&refPage=540&imgAnch=imgAnch553)
Breakfast (http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/bravo7e7/Seoul%20and%20Bangkok/?action=view&current=8.jpg&refPage=540&imgAnch=imgAnch552)

Clubs I've been to:
BWI
DCA
PHL
PHX
-----

BWI, DCA and PHL(B/C) are all US-East clubs...and as far as I can tell all about the same. Comfy chairs, Muffins and yogurt as well as water and oj in the morning, some sort of snack mix in the afternoon, and a bar. At DCA you can order food to go from Legal Seafoods (which is just outside of security) and they'll bring it to you at the lounge (inside security). But the idea is for it to be taken on the plane with you.

PHX (B as well as the smaller club in A), is a US-West club. They have free internet, and as someone mentioned, a far greater variety of snacks throughout the day.

At all of the clubs, I have had excellent experiences with the staff helping me in difficult situations (particularily at BWI and PHX) and have found them to be consistently friendly and helpful.

As many of you probably do, I've got those Juniper/BoA one-day-pass certificates that I want to use up. With a bunch of flights to US/HP hubs before the end of the year, I'm looking forward to trying out the various clubs.

I'm hoping you all can identify your favorite clubs. I'd really like to hear your thoughts on PHX, LAS, CLT, and PHL (and I believe the consensus was A-West for PHL???).

Sean


As you can tell, favorite clubs depend on priorities, just like why people choose certain airlines over others. Some want views and/or sunlight whilst others are noting food quantity/quality and others are mentioning staff.

For me, part of the benefit is what you're escaping. If it's a nice, airy airport with good food options, I don't care about the club. Give me a table with a view, someone to wait on me, and decent food and beverages and I'm happy. Accorindgly, even though I think it's a bit of a hassle outside of security and is dark with no view and little light, I appreciate (appreciate vs like) the LAS club for saving me from the dump that is the LAS airport.

What's most important to you Sean? Tell us and we may be able to help.

Agree with EnvoyBoy. I like different clubs for different reasons. What are you looking for?
As for the cheesesteak - DALESSANDRO'S STEAKS.
I had my first one Friday for lunch - and it's really not that far from the airport if traffic on 76 is not bad. Go here (http://www.bestcheesesteaks.com/cheesesteaks/pa.htm) for a review of Philly Cheesesteaks. Pat's and Geno's are both OK too - Pat's "American wit" wins between the two for me because of the toasted chili peppers available at the counter. But, Dalessandro's (across the street from Chubbie's) is now my favorite.

I would make use of those certs for the longer connections and keep a spare one handy in case a flight delay causes an unexpected 6 hour delay.

As you can tell, favorite clubs depend on priorities, just like why people choose certain airlines over others. Some want views and/or sunlight whilst others are noting food quantity/quality and others are mentioning staff.

For me, part of the benefit is what you're escaping. If it's a nice, airy airport with good food options, I don't care about the club. Give me a table with a view, someone to wait on me, and decent food and beverages and I'm happy. Accorindgly, even though I think it's a bit of a hassle outside of security and is dark with no view and little light, I appreciate (appreciate vs like) the LAS club for saving me from the dump that is the LAS airport.

What's most important to you Sean? Tell us and we may be able to help.


Thanks EnvoyBoy - excellent point.

I think I'm just looking for a quiet, comfortable spot, good view of planes a bonus, and computer/wireless Internet a huge bonus. Not so concerned about food (it would be nice, but it sounds like it's a universal disappointment on US). Looking at photos from lucky9876coins, it looks like LH has incredible clubs, but perhaps that's only for F?

Figure I'll read/relax/check email while waiting for flights.

Thanks again to everyone for your responses!

Sean

Looking at photos from lucky9876coins, it looks like LH has incredible clubs, but perhaps that's only for F?

You were probably looking at the First Class Terminal from LH in FRA, which is in no way comparable to any US lounge.

I have not been to too many US lounge, but the one here in TPA is not half bad.

Here are some pics:
Entrance (http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/bravo7e7/Seoul%20and%20Bangkok/?action=view&current=4.jpg&refPage=540&imgAnch=imgAnch556)
Lounge (http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/bravo7e7/Seoul%20and%20Bangkok/?action=view&current=7.jpg&refPage=540&imgAnch=imgAnch553)
Breakfast (http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y96/bravo7e7/Seoul%20and%20Bangkok/?action=view&current=8.jpg&refPage=540&imgAnch=imgAnch552)

Thanks lucky - enjoyed your photos and reading about your incredible transpac trip. So what's your next great adventure?

I didn't realize TPA had a club, but I'm not sure when I'd ever get to it - all the US Caribbean flights leave from CLT or PHL, right?

Sean

You were probably looking at the First Class Terminal from LH in FRA, which is in no way comparable to any US lounge.


One can always dream, right? ;)


Did you pay for that or was it an award ticket? It looked like an incredible trip.

Someone else posted a trip report from South African (dunno airline code) and that plane - A340 - and the service onboard looked absolutely amazing.

One can always dream, right? ;)


Did you pay for that or was it an award ticket? It looked like an incredible trip.

Award, of course. ;)

You were probably looking at the First Class Terminal from LH in FRA, which is in no way comparable to any US lounge.

Or any club of any airline anywhere! :D

LH has sent the standard with it's F, not club, but terminal! ^ ^

I'm thinking of visiting the Boston club in the near future....anyone ever been there?

Or any club of any airline anywhere! :D

LH has sent the standard with it's F, not club, but terminal! ^ ^

Amen to that! That club is amazing. And yes, it was on an award ticket.

I'm thinking of visiting the Boston club in the near future....anyone ever been there?


Boston has a relatively large, very nicely appointed club. I am always shocked to see how few people are in there these days. Although it shouldn't be surprising. I'm less and less inclined to fly US Airways from Boston as the months go by and apparently others that would've used the club must feel the same way.

I'm thinking of visiting the Boston club in the near future....anyone ever been there?

Nice and bright club, pretty roomy, nice staff. Be warned that I'm convinced that it was the BOS GA's who started the whole "now boarding zones 1 and 2" nightmare. BOS is where I first experienced this and last time I was there, the flight was oversold and they were begging for volunteers. Even in that chaos, they decided to call both zones together. It was madness.

Boston has a relatively large, very nicely appointed club.If I have access to the BOS club, is it a logistical challenge to use it the day of an AA flight? I think it means using the club in terminal B "south" and then going to an AA gate in terminal B "north." Thanks.

I've often thought about whipping up a website with pictures of airline clubs, submitted by the public. Does anything like this exist now?

If I have access to the BOS club, is it a logistical challenge to use it the day of an AA flight? I think it means using the club in terminal B "south" and then going to an AA gate in terminal B "north." Thanks.

It depends on how much time you have. While AA & US are both in terminal B at BOS, there's no airside connection, so you'll have enter security to get to the US club, then leave security and head over to the AA side of terminal B, probably a 5 minute walk. Further, I'm not sure if the screeners at US's side of B will allow you through if you only have an AA boarding pass.

The now departed PIT A (or B) that was upstairs out on the A (or B) pier.

After that, CLT (the big one).

The LAX club ain't nothin' special.

Although when I was in LAX last time (a sunday pm) the terminal was pretty busy, so it was good to be able to get a seat away from the screaming kids.

Incidently, LAX doesn't seem to have wi-fi in the US part of the terminal - the only part of that does is the US club (AFAIK - perhaps starbucks has it?) so if you want to use the interenet the club's the place to be.

LAS may be a lousy airport, but at least they have free wireless, and I can pass a couple of hours with a coffee (or a beer!) and my laptop no problem.

While AA & US are both in terminal B at BOS, there's no airside connection, so you'll have enter security to get to the US club, then leave security and head over to the AA side of terminal B, ...
Thanks, that's what I suspected. My next question is why they call both buildings "terminal B" in the first place?! :-)

Or any club of any airline anywhere! :D

LH has sent the standard with it's F, not club, but terminal! ^ ^


Okay, I must have misread this or thought it was a typo... LH has an F terminal??? Where, praytell, is this? I'm thinking it might be time to burn off some miles... :D

That must truly be impressive - especially if it's related to the photos lucky9876coins had...

Does anyone know, can you use this if you're on an intra-European F flight, or only on a T/A?

I've often thought about whipping up a website with pictures of airline clubs, submitted by the public. Does anything like this exist now?


There is a wiki site out there somewhere for this, but as I recall, it didn't have many pictures or a whole lot of detail for the clubs I was interested in (mostly US)... I guess I'll have to start taking pictures and submit them to the wiki - if I can track down the link... :(

Or any club of any airline anywhere! :D

LH has sent the standard with it's F, not club, but terminal! ^ ^

The F Terminal is unsurpassed. The BA Terraces are the only thing comparable and even they pale in comparison.

^ LH

Okay, I must have misread this or thought it was a typo... LH has an F terminal??? Where, praytell, is this? I'm thinking it might be time to burn off some miles... :D

That must truly be impressive - especially if it's related to the photos lucky9876coins had...

Does anyone know, can you use this if you're on an intra-European F flight, or only on a T/A?

LH's F Terminal is awesome.

You can only get in if you're LH HON or flying F. No exceptions.

Awesome food, awesome bar (especially single malts)

And, when it's tme to board, you get a private Porsche or Mercedes ride to the plane, a valet who will take you up a private elevator to your F seat.

Decadence at its best ;)

LH's F Terminal is awesome.

You can only get in if you're LH HON or flying F. No exceptions.

Awesome food, awesome bar (especially single malts)

And, when it's tme to board, you get a private Porsche or Mercedes ride to the plane, a valet who will take you up a private elevator to your F seat.

Decadence at its best ;)


It sounds like we have a winner for, "Best way to burn miles to experience something no mere mortal ever will"... ^

Most importantly, though: Do you get to pick the car you ride in?

It sounds like we have a winner for, "Best way to burn miles to experience something no mere mortal ever will"... ^

Most importantly, though: Do you get to pick the car you ride in?

Yes, you do :D

Take the Mercedes - it's a S Class Sedan - the Porsche is the SUV :td:

I've routed myself through FRA so many times just for this hedonistic pleasure :D

LAS is not certainly the largest club in the inventory, and it's pre security. But ask nicely and the staff will stamp your BP so that you can go through first class security line, which can make a diff. CNN on the only telly, some snacks, some coffees and teas, some computer carrels.

PHX--check for the free soft salty pretzels -- not sure which of the clubs and only available after noon (I know because I asked at 11:45 a once) but almost worth the trip. Staff can be crisp but as long as you know what you want and where you're going, all fine.

CLT-- the larger club (between A and B or B and C --past security but not down the jetway) the most efficient club I've seen, with lots of TVs, a big bar, 2 separate snack stations and a smoking room (if you care.) And salads and the like for sale for meals.

PHL -- upstairs, ditto on salads. Close enough to both sets of gates. Professionally polite. You can choose--shopping or club?

Hope this helps! :p

As many of you probably do, I've got those Juniper/BoA one-day-pass certificates that I want to use up. With a bunch of flights to US/HP hubs before the end of the year, I'm looking forward to trying out the various clubs.

I'm hoping you all can identify your favorite clubs. I'd really like to hear your thoughts on PHX, LAS, CLT, and PHL (and I believe the consensus was A-West for PHL???). Let's leave Envoy lounges and LGW out, since I think they're excluded from the certificate.

And I promise not to be too disruptive to those of you trying to carry on business or enjoying some peace and quiet... ;)

Thanks in advance for your replies!

Sean

Oh, and if anyone can tell me where to get a good philly cheesesteak close to the PHL airport, I'd be eternally grateful (at least until it kills me). Someone mentioned South Street. I'll be sure to note the location of the nearest AEDs upon arrival in PHL... :D

The PHL clubs at A and B/C almost make it worth transiting
through that godforsaken airport. I also agree with CLT C/D
and have a soft spot for LGA. But in irregular ops I have been
served in stellar fashion at my home airports of BWI and BOS,
and that counts for more than anything; also both of these
are, as are most US clubs, clean and airy, plus BOS is large
and really underutilized. Not that I'm mistreated at other
clubs (except PHL A - the agents there make my skin crawl,
and the feeling appears to be mutual), and in truth the
angels have generally been fairly angelic; but at BWI and
BOS they are really seraphs.

It depends on how much time you have. While AA & US are both in terminal B at BOS, there's no airside connection, so you'll have enter security to get to the US club, then leave security and head over to the AA side of terminal B, probably a 5 minute walk. Further, I'm not sure if the screeners at US's side of B will allow you through if you only have an AA boarding pass.


I'm looking at the BOS terminal map....it looks like the terminals are not connected, and you would have to exit security and re-enter to switch terminals. Is this correct?

I'm looking at the BOS terminal map....it looks like the terminals are not connected, and you would have to exit security and re-enter to switch terminals. Is this correct?
Yep.
there's no airside connection
Further, there are two AA areas that (last I checked) were
discontinuous.

How close exactly? The original is Pat's King of Steaks, about a 25 minute drive (in no traffic) from PHL:

http://www.patskingofsteaks.com/

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......I'm getting hungry just thinking about it :). That would also likely be closer than any of the South Street joints.

Pat's steaks is garbage. I suggest Geno's which is across the street from Pat's or go to Tony Luke's at Front & Oregon. It's about 10 minutes away from PHL and has great steaks, roast pork and chicken cutlet sandwiches.

Further, there are two AA areas that (last I checked) were
discontinuous.
That's about to change:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?threadid=596675