MilesBuzz! - What is the big deal about lounge access?

I notice that there is a lot of discussion in the boards about access to the different lounges.

I do by virtue of either class of travel or status have access to lounges most of the time. But I do rarely have the time.

As a seasoned traveler, I try to maximize the efficency of my time and thus minimize the iddle time at airports. Elite status or travel class (F or B) allow most of us to cut through long check-in lines. To those airports that I travel the most, I make a point of knowing what the closing time is for the flight (in Singapore it is 30 minutes, in Hong Kong it is 40, etc.). I also take into account how long it can take me to go to the airport. At the very end, I end up having so little time while departing from a place that I do not really bother often to go to the lounge. I would rather spend little time at the airport than go early just to go to a lounge.

The only time when i would care about going to the lounge is when connecting from a long transcontinental trip. For example JFK-LHR-HKG. In this instance I do care about access to the lounge at LHR.

If as I suspect, most of those here in these boards are very frequent travellers, I would suspect that there is no thrill on spending time at airports. Thus, why is lounge access so important when one spends so little time there?

1) When time permits, I build my schedule with some flexibility so I'm able to volunteer to bump and take the vouchers. (this is far from trivial, last year i had over 2k in vouchers, so far this year $950)

2) I also enjoy being able to leave my carry on in the coat room while I move about, even on short stays. (I do feel weird about this as it now fails the "has your luggage been with you?" test)

3) I enjoy the service from the staff. They are trained on how to service, not just process you, no small thing.

4) Clean bathrooms.

I'm sure others wil come up with more. Being efficient with your time does not necessarily mean minimizing your stay at a airport.

'my' lounge is often (50%) a meeting place (business, private) too. A (more or less) convenient place to wait/meet when 'people' fly in from different places and may be early or delayed.

Before starting my trips in Zurich (very early in the morning) I will take breakfast (a real continental one) at the (Zurich) Senator Lounge - I hope the new StarAlliance Lounge (to be opened in a few days) will serve full breakfasts too.

Foodwise I judge (from all StarAlliance lounges) Ansett Golden Wing lounges the best 'general' lounges - where I often might also have a small lunch /snack and a free Internet connection (time spared not lost then).

there is a delicate balance between getting to the airport in time to park @ the least cost place, allow for traffic jams, allow for check in delays, allow for getting on the stand by upgrade list [ if you didn't make it on the auto system]. having a lounge available will take up the slack. in the us, it is not the same as it was in the 1960's 70's . i don't know how many times i had the plane door hit me in the butt as i got on. then had no lounge access [ except on delta where a ticket got you in] i like a lounge. exp has gotten me into a number of lounges with a ticket on the a/l. i love the quantas lounge in sydney, wish all were as good. if they would let you sleep there, i would move in and retire there.

[This message has been edited by clacko (edited 07-15-2001).]

the main reason for me are
1. to check email
2. when there is delay, or wen i arrive early

I agree with you all that those are very good reasons to access the lounge,.....when having iddle time at the airport.

However I am still not convinced of leaving early to the airport so that i have time to go to the lounge. And as I said, I see a lot of discussion from seasoned travelers about "access to XYZ lounge at ABC".

When flying out of Singapore, I leave to the airport 60 minutes before the flight -have never missed a flight yet-.
In HKG, I leave for the Airport Express 90 to 100 minutes before the flight -it takes me 10 to 15 minutes to get to the taxi and to the station, plus 35 minutes max to get to airport (time to buy ticket + go to the train and ride -ride is 23 minutes from HKG island- and if I missed the previous train -one leaves every 10 minutes). This gets me to the Airport about 45 minutes before the flight.
In Bangkok, depending the day of the week and the time, I leave between 75 to 100 minutes before the flight to the airport.

I also take into account if I am checking luggage or not, as if i am cutting it too close, without baggage I get to check-in if I missed the closing time by a few minutes
Etc. etc.

I would rather do the same things that I could do in a lounge at home or in the office.

Of course, if I have time, I would go to the lounge.

Rather than discuss how to have access to a lounge at airport X, I think that I would like to start a new thread on how to get fastest to specific airports. I think I will just do that.

BTW, the only time I have missed a flight, it was in 1994 in CCS, and I blame it mostly on the AA staff who were surprisingly slow (for some reason checking in at CCS always took forever -I have not been there in a while).



[This message has been edited by Anagnorisis (edited 07-15-2001).]

Just curious, has this minimise-margin-tactics worked every time except in CCS without ever cutting in line for check-in, immigration, security or anywhere else?

For me Lounge access means:

Somewhere nice to while away the 30-45 mins that is ineveitable if you want to leave enough slack in your journey to the airport to deal with traffic delays etc.

Breakfast! (I would rather arrive 15 mins earlier and have someone cook me breakfast!)

Showers when returning from Transatlantic journeys

Free beer after a long hard day in London!

Sanctuary in foreign airports - (anyone ever been to CDG!!)

Even when just travelling on relatively short domestic trips, I'll go into a Presidents Club just to avoid the restrooms in the terminal.

(Oh, if only I was a forum leader, I might be able to delete my own duplicate posts that the software isn't smart enough to prohibit)

[This message has been edited by dbaker (edited 07-15-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Hagbard Viking:
Just curious, has this minimise-margin-tactics worked every time except in CCS without ever cutting in line for check-in, immigration, security or anywhere else?</font>

1) In a sense, I always cut in line for check-in though legitimately due to elite status or class of travel. I do not remember checking-in on regular coach counters in a very long while.
2) Emigration is usually fast in most places (as opposed to immigration).
3) As for security, I think that only LHR is very slow (even when going through fast-track).

A couple of times someone from the check-in counter scorted me to speed up going through immigration, but they did so out of their own initiative.

There are a few cases where I have been very close to missing the flight. A recent case is where I got to the CX counter at HKG airport (3:05pm) 25 minutes before the scheduled departure (3:30pm). It was my mistake I got confused and thought that the scheduled time was 3:50pm). They said they could do nothing. I asked for the next flight (6pm), got the boarding pass (no checked luggage) and basically ran to the gate of the 3:30 flight. I manage to go through emigration and security and make it to the gate in about 15 minutes. At the gate, I showed my boarding pass to the agent and asked hiom to let me in, mentioning that I had no luggage. He took note of my data and let me in.

In HKG, if I have time, and I am traveling whithin Asia and in economy, I would go to the Wing, but mostly to eat there and avoid eating on baord the plane. But again, only if I have spare time, which I rarely do.

For me one of the best reasons for using the lounge is delays. I guess you are one of the very few frequent travellers who have never encountered a flight delay. But when & if you ever do, it is nice to be able to have someplace quiet to sit, make phone calls etc. Also, when a delay occurs and the lines at the gate or ticket area stretch around the airport, it is usually much less crowded at the Clubs & thus possibly get you on the next flight or re-routed that much faster.
I also agree with the statement of leaving my bags, coat etc & being able to wander around unencumbered.

I started this -somehow related- thread about the minimum time required to make it on time to the flight at specific airports.

http://www.flyertalk.com/airports/ftairports_forum/Forum11/HTML/000013.html

Though they are not heaven by any stretch of the imagination, I do "love" the Lounges for all the good reasons already mentioned above! And the alternatives are just not too great! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

DELAYS DELAYS DELAYS

Maybe I pick the wrong flights I don't know but Fridays at 5 p.m. seem to be a problem for me in regards to delays.

An example of why access to lounge ABC at XYZ is important:

In Tokyo, as a Star Gold, you have access to both the United and Singapore Airlines lounge at Narita Terminal 1.

During my layover of 5 hours connecting from London to Seoul, I want to 1. have a shower and 2. get some foood.

So what do I do... I go to the United lounge which has a great shower so I take a shower there. But it is extrememly basic in terms of food/beverages. So I walk over to the SQ lounge (yes, it's a long walk, but I have more than enough time). Then take advantage of their extended F&B service there (like some smoked salmon sushi, cup noodles, sandwiches, etc). But I still need the United lounge because the SQ one doesn't have a shower.

I might be one of the weird ones, but I enjoy time spent (up to an extent) at good lounges. It's a good time to have some snacks, read some magazines in peace and have a few drinks. I guess it might just be because I'm not a hectic business traveller yet... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Oh, an example of why a lounge is helpful: When I departed from the new Seoul airport, I had to leave home at about 5am or something. This meant no time at all for breakfast, and also I just don't buy food at the airport. (I have always doubted the quality of the food) So just imagine my delight when I find that the SQ lounge is extrememly comfortable, has a lot of delicious food. (dim sum, salad bar, bacon/ham/egg for breakfast, etc) I definately didn't need any food during the United flight to Tokyo (where they serve the worst sandwich I ever had the pleasure of discovering, immaculately presented in... a cardboard box :p )
Moreover it has fast internet terminals with 18" LCD panels (far better for the eyes) so when my flight was delayed from 9am to 1pm, I was hardly inconvienienced compared to people who were lying on the floor near the gate.

So, if you ask me, I'd rather not go to the airport as late as I can. I get bad seats that way. (a non-emergency exit middle seat on a 13 hour flight....... I'd rather die)

Sorry about the rant, I just really like the lounges http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

1) Sometimes we hold business meetings in the conference rooms. From SFO, we can get to a meeting in Denver and back home on the same day.

2) Check in lines are shorter and give better service than the lines in the front, usually better than the 1K line or the premiere line at SFO.

3) A nicer place to wait when flights are delayed, cancelled, or you have a layover.

Delays and unavoidable stopovers are good reasons.

I think you make a good point which, however, will fall on deaf ears considering that a lot of the discussions here focus on mileage runs and how to fly from LAX to SEA with 5 stops...

I like to hang out at United's domestic Red Carpet Clubs because they discourage me from drinking too much. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Well, that and the relatively clean bathrooms.

For me, the lounge is an excellent place to get work done. I try to get there early if possible to get some solitary time in the club to make calls, check emails and so on.

As a sometimes smoker, it's also frequently a good place to grab a quick butt. If I'm in a club on a layover, it is so relaxing to get away from the masses in the concourse, re-charge the pc or cell phone and then head out to the nasty airport land.

10 years ago-maximize efficiency, get stressed out, probably (in retropsect) a little less effective.

Today-Enjoy the journey just a little more, more relaxed, probably a little more effective.

That's why I like the lounges.

Perhaps in ten years, Anagnorisis will feel the way 880 does today.

Who does not like lounges?

Lounges are what saves one from hell.

Since my home airport is one of the nicest in the world I guess this does not apply here but short of here and YVR the basic reason: lounges saves you from all the other people. Unfortunately (in this regard) a lot of people fly and crowded airports with awful seats are not my idea of a good time.

Being one who has experienced being too late for a plane I cannot agree with the notion of arriving late for check-in. Besides for upgrading or bumping early arrival is also good.

Short of the above mentioned uninviting settings an airport presents there are a number of factors to convince any heretic:

1) Something to drink for free that would otherwise cost unreasonable amounts of money.

2) Stuff to eat mostly (for free).

3) Free local phone calls, Internet acccess, showers, exclusive help with one's flights.


My latest use of a lounge illustrates it nicely.

I was arriving after 8 hours in Y with a stupid man in front who thought total seat recline was mandatory through the entire flight. 3 hours after my arrival my family was leaving from the same airport for their vacation. Normally I would have had to pick up my bag and clear customs and thus not being able to meet up with my family for goodbyes. Now, I accessed the arrivals lounge. Had them put my bag aside. Showered, shaved and brushed my teath. Had breakfast. Normally the 2 hour train ride home after a trans-atlantic is what kills you, with a nice lounge it's really a whole other ball game... and I got to say goodbye to my family at the gate!

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Goldlust

[This message has been edited by Goldlust (edited 07-15-2001).]

Mileage runs. Without a place to shower after a transatlantic flight with a 3 hour turn, it would be bad for all flying. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I hate being late or cutting it close. It's much better to board being relaxed after a lounge visit.

I only spend time at lounges during international flights. With usually 1.5 to 2 hrs minimum wait for connecting flights, its really nice to stretch out and relax, get on the Internet.

Even in a few occasions when the arrival is a bit late, and there is only 5-10 minutes to spend in the lounge, its nice to do so, even if only to get juice in that short time to rehydrate.

When I misconnect or am badly delayed at ORD or DFW, American Airlines' Admirals Clubs are heaven-sent sanctuaries.

Goldlust asked:
"Who does not like lounges?"

Me, for one, although I enjoy my time spent in airports. (I really do, even after 600K miles in the air) I always try for at least a 2 hour layover to relax and avoid stress. However, I much prefer a bar on the concourse. More interesting scenery, more interesting people, and usually closer to an exit so one can have a cigarette. Unlike some folks, I absolutely don't "work" on fly days, so the phones, computers, etc. mean nothing to me. I've been in many lounges, esp. after reading here how so many people really like them, but I simply find them to be extremly boring.

I'm with you Anagnorisis, I could care less about hanging out in lounges most of the time. On departure, I would rather spend as much time as possible (sleeping, watching TV, or working depending on time of day) at my destination than getting to the airport more than an hour before my flight and hang out at the lounge. When I used to travel for business, 80% of the time, I was probably amongst the last handful of people to board the plane. Even now on my international leisure trips on UA, where I get free access to the lounges, I seldom make use of it.

I must admit though that I thought I was in heaven the two times I passed through CX's The Wing at HKG. After a long flight, I could see how a shower would be nice on arrival. And if I were flying a lot domestically, I could see how the prospect of flight delays would scare me into buying a lounge membership. Other than that, if I had some free time before my departure the day before or morning of, I would rather visit a supermarket wherever I am at and stock up on some snacks and drinks before the flight. Whether on business or leisure, I am more interested in seeing what the locals do than to hang out and have a drink with a fat business traveler or sitting next to someone yapping on their cell phone inside the lounge. I should also add that sometimes the lounge is as packed as the general concourse.

I don't hang out in airports any longer than necessary either, but delays happen and unfortunate long connections sometimes too. The best use I have found of lounges is a place to talk on the phone without all of the boarding announcements, etc. in the background. I have several times had to participate in or run conference calls at the airport and that background noise is very disruptive.

Like most others who have already posted here, I enjoy lounge access for delays or waits at hub airports. When I'm having to wait out a delay, it's nice to be able to do it in relative peace and quiet. I can get a nice cup of coffee or a drink and just relax. Plus, it gives me a place to meet folks coming through, or wait out waiting for their luggage (takes way too long here at Charlotte Douglas Int'l).

And there's been the times when I've agreed to be bumped off of a flight, or somehow missed the original flight and need a place to kill time - so it's the best place I can think of.

Of course, I enjoy being the last one on and minimizing my time in the airports - but I'd be a bit unhappy (or spend too much time in airport bars) without it.

But maybe what's been nicest is to be able to take a friend or relative in - and see them impressed with the place. After all, we all get a little blase, and it's nice to see it through someone else's eyes.

But hey, to each their own. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

[This message has been edited by CLTFlyer (edited 07-15-2001).]

Are club lounges worth it...are you serious? How can one be so punctual and efficient that you can actually minimize your time at the airport so precisely and literally step from the car onto the outbound flight? I actually enjoy the respite that the lounges afford for all the above posted reasons. Besides any alternative is much more stressful. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Not like the lounges?! Admittedly they are not for before the first flight or after the last flight.

Two reasons I like them:
1: When you have a 3+ hour connection it is a joy to find a spot with comfortable seating, peace and quiet and no need to pay $12US for a cup of terrible instant coffee.

2: For someone like me who actually likes to watch the planes (I travel with my aviation band radio), the lounges often have a better view of the apron than the regular concourse.

Some of the aiports I have been in, the lounge is the only place worth sitting in. (Manila come to mind). However with some of the newer airports; "braslvr"'s comments about the regular bars can make sense. People wathcing can be a fun way to kill some time.

A calm quiet lounge was not the case in Detroit on Sunday. All the NW lounges were packed at 6PM.

1) When delays happen, it is a good place to rest.

2) Bathrooms are far cleanier.

3) I normally leave myself 10 minutes to download e-mail so I can respond on the plane.

4) When traveling on BA in LHR, I would go early to use the Spa.

5) When traveling on BA in the US-LHR, I would go early and eat the pre-dining food so I can sleep when I get on the plane.

6) When in HKG, I would go 20 minutes early so I can eat the Wing food if traveling in J or Y.

ME? Arrive early to go to a lounge? I've got to drive three hours to get to the airport in the first place. I showed up 8 minutes before a flight on AS in Eugene one time and they let me on. 6am, standby, she asked if I was a non-rev.

PDX and EUG don't have a lounge that I have access to on my WC membership, unless I have a NW codeshare with AS flight. Since I have only been flying domestic (I don't count Canada) the past two years, I use the lounge for checking in (lines are shorter), storing my carry-on, reading magazines and newspapers, and stocking up on snacks and beverages for my blood sugar. Alcoholic drinks are free, if and when I need them.

Sure, maybe the people watching is boring (white males and middle-aged women)in the lounges I visit, but NO CHILDREN! or very few. I agree with the posts above...delays, clean bathrooms, security announcements, etc.

Now if the PC's would just let me sprawl out on the sofa to take a nap.

Linda

While I can't see my way clear to fly first class on my own nickle or even trade the miles for it when the upgrades don't materialize, I CAN have a first class experience on the ground: the lounge. The family sure appreciates it in comparison to the alternative of overused bathrooms and overpriced refreshments in the main terminal. We like bumps when we can get them, too. Lounge access makes them a whole lot easier to stomach.

I enjoy the benefit of the lounges, quite a lot of my travel is leisure oreintated. I prefer to get to the airport earlier, check in and head straight to the lounge. There I can:-

a) Have something decent to eat without paying the exorbitant airport prices

b) Have my haircut or a back massage (if I'm flying my usual Virgin Atlantic)

c) Get something to drink without the prices

d) Someone quiet and tranquil to relax and read the days papers, or check my mail etc.

e) Rarely is there screaming children roaming around, nothing against them but I prefer the quiet.

f) Someone that I can leave my bags so that i can go and look around the shops without carrying my coar and hand-luggage

g) Normally get priority boarding too.

Obviously it depends on the lounge in questions, but as above if it is a Virgin Clubhouse as per normal then I can quite happily 'lose' 2-3 hours in the lounges.

Thanks,
Richard

The lounges are especially good in providing service in the event of extreme delays or cancellations.
In this era of the e-ticket, when your airline suddenly announces that your flight is not going or will leave too late to make the connection you need, the ability to walk to the counter at the lounge to tell them what you want to do, have them call the next airline, and get the paper printed up is priceless.
If you are waiting at the gatem you cannot get to the ticket counter as quickly to be the first on the alternative route (even if you don't mind the walk all the way back) and then you must deal with the the mobs who have the same problem as yours.
This may not be as significant to the long-haul guys as it is to those of us with shorthaul business routes in the States. If the ZUR flight from NY is not going, what's the alternative? If SDF is not going, I'll be happy enough with CVG (or IND), and the attendant at the Club desk will get me on in a heartbeat.

I guess that my different view is based on most of my travel during the past few years being in Asia, and when going to the USA and Europe taking mostly intercontinental flights on F or C.

I guess that most postings on this thread from other FTs are from people that do quite a bit of either domestic USA trips or intra European ones. I must be spoiled in Asia, where most of the airlines leave on time, and where the airports operate efficiently.

Yes, in the USA in places like MIA, JFK, ATL, I would certainly like having access to a lounge. Same for MAD and CDG, in Europe.

It is simply amazing how when it comes to flying, Asian airlines and Asian airports put the western, supposedly more developped world to shame.

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The trouble with resisting temptation is...that you may not get another chance :-)

[This message has been edited by Anagnorisis (edited 07-17-2001).]

Right. Asian airports and airlines tend to be better than their western counterparts, but I think that is mainly due to the fact that a greater percentage of the population travels in the US and Western Europe than in Asia. Still

Regarding lounge access I feel that a lounge, regardless of the continent is a good place to spend time in between connecting flights. Maybe you can get perfect one hour connections but sometimes that just doesn't work, and a lounge is a great place to shower, relax and get a bite to eat. I travel F or C (B is economy, but I think you are reffering to it as business) but find this as no reason to arrive at the airport at the last minute just because the lines are shorter. I would prefer not to have to rush and then spend a few minutes in the lounge with my extra time. The only time where I dont use the lounge is upon arrival at my final destination, where I would rather move on.

Easy: The lounge is where the airline agent meets you, to walk you to the gate and pre-board! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Nick

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Anagnorisis:

If as I suspect, most of those here in these boards are very frequent travellers, I would suspect that there is no thrill on spending time at airports. </font>

Maybe there's no thrill in spending time at the airport, but I find a bit of a thrill in spending time in a lounge, especially the BA lounge at LHR when I'm traveling on a $198 ticket (bought with a voucher) because I know how much they dislike having to let me in. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I echo the sentiments of many on here about the benefits of lounge access. At LHR, I particularly like the RCC because T3 is always a zoo.

I used to fly "last-minute" and race to the gates, but I finally decided that I have enough stress in my life. The single biggest improvement in the quality of my flying life has been the active decision to arrive 30 minutes earlier than I would ever have before. Never have that terrible "am I going to make it" feeling.

Flying is stressful enough. I don't need anxiety on the ground to add to the trouble.

One additional thought: I prefer to take public trans. to the airport...I love to fly, but hate LA's fwys. (After listening to channel 9, ATC would be welcome here!) Supershuttle gets me to the airport awfully early, but the stress/time trade-off is worth it to me. Though the LAX RCC is not as nice as many of the others, the quiet, low-bussle environment helps insure a pleasant flight.

I echo the thoughts of having a RCC agent as an advocate. At least with UA (and, I suspect, many of the others), the RCC agent more often than not acts on YOUR behalf, bending rules to benefit you, not UA. After dealing with overstressed, overworked, overwhelmed CSA, having a 'let me take care of it for you, sir' attitude goes a long way to soothing any irritation at delays or problems.

Well I don't PLAN on being in the airport any longer than is required, however it happens. Regardless of status you cannot always get free access to lounges. Most frequent travelers are traveling on upgraded, not paid biz or FC tickets; domestically they are the tickets that typically give you access.

Example: As a Continental One Pass Platinum I was traveling on a Full Fare Y America West flight, where I had been upgrade to FC. This would not give me free access to either HP's Club or CO's President's club.

Example 2: I'm a UA 1K member, if I'm traveling from SFO-JFK on an upgraded FC ticket - I don't get access to the Red Carpet.

Having a club card is very convenient for delayed flights, e-mail access, peace (if only for 30 minutes), customer service, business meetings and list goes on. Then factor in a small cost of $200-$400/year - it's a bargain.

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Ken in Sacramento

lounges can be pretty useful when _arriving_ if you're meeting someone new (or an old friend) and want to break the ice a bit. eg: let's stop by the Golden Wing club for a beer and sandwich....

And yes they are a haven for when you miss a flight, like my last one in May when I missed my flight in BNE (Brisbane). AN very nicely reaccomidated me on a later flight via SYD, and it was with such relief I was able to go into the lounge and order up a tall cold beer, and not have to pay for it http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif that made the time that much sweeter (and when my connection in SYD turned into nearly 2 hours, having a lounge was wonderful. It meant I could escape the blaring video walls, noisy kids and other things one must endure in a crowded airport).


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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

When traveling in the US it is a great place to check in for flights as well. On the family vacation earlier this month we dropped the bags with the skycap (the Premier line was long that morning in DEN) and decided to check in at the gate. Got to the gate and saw the line there was about 20 people deep (777 to LAX) so turned around and stepped into the RCC and were checked in within about 2 minutes. Plenty of time for a cup of coffee and a danish.

Besides the ultility of being able to use the clubs, it is a real treat for my wife and family to use them when traveling with me. I kind of take club use for granted being in them so often, but the family gets a big kick out being able to use them.

Anagnorisis: you are quite right that many of these responses are specific to North America. How often do other continents' pax get the opportunity to do $215 FC roundtrips of over 4000 miles? (We've been commuting monthly to SAN in Biz/First on that fare.)

The money we spend for the Delta Crown Room Club is extremely well spent. There are two of us travel a lot, we get a spouse + membership.

Whenever traveling through Atlanta, I always allow for 3-4 hour layover. Lounge is wonderful then. Otherwise, you risk missing your connection.

Most Delta lounges have a place where you can escape the bloody awful disgusting &*%$#@ television (what is your real opinion, sir?). These are now omnipresent, and much too loud, in almost all US airport boarding areas.

Most Delta lounges also now have internet connections.

And Delta doesn't charge for the beer! Cheers!

Not to speak of the advantages others have mentioned about being able to deal with the lounge staff for changes/irregularities.

All in all, it's great!

But I'm a relaxaholic. All this "make every second count" stuff puzzles me. Doesn't watching planes out the window count?

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"Service" should be a noun, not a verb.

The lounge, for me at least, is a more soothing and peaceful environment, away from the crowds and the unintelligible announcements. A place where I don't have to shout in my phone, where I can have a quiet drink and gather my thoughts.

To all those individuals who don't care to use lounges for whatever reason despite their ability to do so, whether by ticketed class or elite status, thank you for making them less crowded.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LexPassenger:
Most Delta lounges have a place where you can escape the bloody awful disgusting &*%$#@ television (what is your real opinion, sir?). These are now omnipresent, and much too loud, in almost all US airport boarding areas.</font>
Actually to me, they are loud enough to be distracting, but often NOT actually loud enough to decipher what they are actually broadcasting over the general airport noise level.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Most Delta lounges also now have internet connections.</font>
USAirways is behind on this - we only get phones with connections for our laptop modems.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">And Delta doesn't charge for the beer! Cheers!</font>
USAirways does, but I usually prefer to stick to non-alcoholic drinks anyway - so I wouldn't pay extra for the club membership based on that, and USAirways club does cost less than many.
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">But I'm a relaxaholic. All this "make every second count" stuff puzzles me. Doesn't watching planes out the window count?
</font>Unfortunately the RDU USAirways club has an excellent view of the new parking garage construction, but their lounges in other airports (CLT, PIT, PHL, DCA, BOS, BWI, and maybe even MCO) that I've been to make up for this. And yes, I DO like to watch (planes that is http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif ).

I regularly go to DL CRC or NW WC evry time I fly. It's a great way to enjoy pleasant surroundings, have access to clean rest rooms, have a drink, watch TV, read the paper, check email, visit with friends passing through the airport. I plan my trip to allow 30-45 minutes of fun time in the lounges.I think it makes the trips more pleasant and enjoyable.

I was going to post something about how the lounges can be a real lifesaver if you are hit by bad weather/delays etc.

I think one of the differences between North America and the rest of the world is that in many places the lounges are garbage, and by letting in every Business class passenger they have destroyed themselves.

I personally avoid lounges such as Swissair in Zurich and Lufthansa lounges in Munich as they are always filled to the gills with pretty much every mid-manager who is flying business that day. These guys often arrive at the airport early just so they can go to the lounge, hence the lounges are totally full, services are practically non-existant and beverages are poor (I know I'm going to whacked for this). For example, most US lounges have had free internet access and multiple terminals for years. In Europe, internet is only now being introduced in many lounges and in some cases you have to pay for it.