US Airways Dividend Miles - US Airways Lounge

What a dump... Straight up, first I had to convince the agent that Air Canada is part of Star Alliance. Then there is no juice, no free booze, no paid booze, only food they had was pretzels. What's the point of this lounge? Status symbol?

AC lounges still take the cake. United are okay, still no free booze.

Did I miss something or did you say where you were? The Clubs that I frequent most are LAS and PHX and there is (paid) alcohol, and lots of soft drink/juice options and some sort of snack food.

What a dump... Straight up, first I had to convince the agent that Air Canada is part of Star Alliance. Then there is no juice, no free booze, no paid booze, only food they had was pretzels. What's the point of this lounge? Status symbol?

AC lounges still take the cake. United are okay, still no free booze.

What lounge were you in???

There is always paid booze - and very hefty pours for $5 usually - esp. of wine.

Also, there is usually more than pretzels.

Surely you jest! While the US clubs aren't like AC's (but none of the US carriers come close...except maybe Alaska's lounges), they're certainly nicer than the UA RCCs :) All the US Airways Clubs offer a variety of juices and soft drinks - just ask the bartender. In the morning they have yogurt & muffins and in the afternoon/evening there are pretzels and/or party mix. The clubs in PHX and LAS have greater snack offerings like cookies and potato chips. I'm curious, where is this so called "dump" of a club you've been to?

I have to agree -- AC Maple Leaf lounges rock!

No bartends -- everything is completely help yourself as much as you want. Fully stocked commercial fridges with every kind of soda, juice, beer, etc.... Wine bottles already corked and ready to pour, a whole array of liquor on their dispensers... as much as you like. YYZ rocks with all of it's computer terminals w/ flat panels... don't even need to have your laptop to read mail, surf, etc. The usual work carrols too of course. And breakfast -- toast, bagels, cereal, fruit, juices, muffins, etc... Dinner, I always go for the nice hot soups. Wireless internet, loads of TV's, quiet lounges, the works.

Then i leave YYZ, pop into PHL -- a candy dish, a bowl of pretzels... morning have some mini muffins and some yogurt....coffee and juice. Wireless internet -- oh ya - from TMobile if you pay an additional $300/yr on top of your membership. Drinks... pay as you go... and keep paying. No computer lounges, no quiet lounges.... Very very weak.

USAir has always comped me my US lounge access, and my CP status with US grants me access to AC ML free -- i am always pleased when i fly through an AC terminal -- even after 6 years of travelling every week ;-)

Try going to the LGW club....as much free drink as you can handle...lots of good food....everything....and its all free!!! :)

I will have a 4-hour layover at LAX in August and am looking forward to visiting the US Airways Club. Tell me I will have proper food and drinks between 6:00pm and 10:00pm. Also, while I understand wi-fi access will be through T Mobile, I'm hoping there'll be free wired Internet access.

I have status with Singapore Airlines, though I will be flying coach -- the cheapest, non-refundable class -- on US Airways. I hope that won't present a problem?

Loony

I will have a 4-hour layover at LAX in August and am looking forward to visiting the US Airways Club. Tell me I will have proper food and drinks between 6:00pm and 10:00pm. Also, while I understand wi-fi access will be through T Mobile, I'm hoping there'll be free wired Internet access.

I have status with Singapore Airlines, though I will be flying coach -- the cheapest, non-refundable class -- on US Airways. I hope that won't present a problem?

Loony

You should be able to access the Club with Star Gold status (not clear from your post if you have that but sounds like you do).

Not sure what you mean as "proper" food. Most American carriers will not have a ton in the way of food at their clubs (absent the ones that serve as International Clubs, e.g. the Envoy Lounge, or AA's Flagship Lounges). At the LAX US Airways Club you'll find cheese and crackers, a snack mix, and possibly pretzels, as well as complimentary soft drinks. At other US Clubs, they have a quick meal service at some of the Clubs, but not at LAX. However, check at the bar at the Club.

No wired internet access that I'm aware of at the LAX Club (or any US Club for that matter). T-Mobile is it there (LAX denziens, please correct me if I'm wrong).

No wired internet access that I'm aware of at the LAX Club (or any US Club for that matter). T-Mobile is it there (LAX denziens, please correct me if I'm wrong).

T-Mobile was installed at the LAX Club in April.

What a dump... Straight up, first I had to convince the agent that Air Canada is part of Star Alliance. Then there is no juice, no free booze, no paid booze, only food they had was pretzels. What's the point of this lounge? Status symbol?

AC lounges still take the cake. United are okay, still no free booze.


Brilliant post and brilliant thread title!?!? Who exactly stated US clubs were on par w/ MLLs?? Next time try to include some relevant facts (like where you are for starters!?) with your crying session so we can all steer clear.

Thanks CLTFlyer and SS255 for your replies!

Yes, I do have Star Gold status, so entrace to the Club shouldn't be a problem. When I said "proper" food, I meant hot food -- soups and stuff, as compared to cold sandwiches, crackers and pretzels. From what you said, it seems I will have to settle my dinner somewhere else. :o

Also, it's a pity wired Internet access won't be available. I suppose T Mobile is open to existing subscribers only, as in, I won't be able to purchase a pre-paid card or something on the spot yah?

Loony

Thanks CLTFlyer and SS255 for your replies!

Yes, I do have Star Gold status, so entrace to the Club shouldn't be a problem. When I said "proper" food, I meant hot food -- soups and stuff, as compared to cold sandwiches, crackers and pretzels. From what you said, it seems I will have to settle my dinner somewhere else. :o

Also, it's a pity wired Internet access won't be available. I suppose T Mobile is open to existing subscribers only, as in, I won't be able to purchase a pre-paid card or something on the spot yah?

Loony


You can purchase a connection for 10bucks or so for the day. They shouldve just had wired access as the whole dumpy LAX club couldve been served by a 10foot wire. Dont sneeze, or the people on the opposite side of the room will feel it.

Food....if your idea of free dinner is spicey snack crap-o-la, then you are in luck. Steer clear, its not worth the time wasted in the dumpy club.

Loony,

I'd eat elsewhere . . . there is no proper food, in any of the US clubs as I recall. I've been to a smattering of them in the last few months.

Loony -

There are a few restaurants in the terminal you can try past security, and then you can wait around in the Club. And T-Mobile makes it pretty easy for you to purchase day passes to use their service.

Steer clear, its not worth the time wasted in the dumpy club.

I agree that the LAX club is not one of the nicest clubs in the system. However, it sure beats waiting around in the even "dumpier" gate area of T-1! My suggestion to Loony is to grab a decent sandwich in the food court, and spend the rest of your layover being productive in the club with a T-mobile day pass. By the way...the ladies at the LAX club rock!

I agree that the LAX club is not one of the nicest clubs in the system. However, it sure beats waiting around in the even "dumpier" gate area of T-1! My suggestion to Loony is to grab a decent sandwich in the food court, and spend the rest of your layover being productive in the club with a T-mobile day pass. By the way...the ladies at the LAX club rock!

Couldn't he do an In-n-Out run if he had time? ;) I thought there was a thread somewhere in another FT forum telling how to get to one close to LAX.

Good point, Jim! Take the free shuttle from the "Hotels/Courtesy Shuttles" area outside baggage claim to the Parking Spot (Sepulveda location - NOT the Century location). The Parking Spot is next door to In N Out Burger. :D

Thanks guys for all your replies. I was expecting something along the lines of the United Red Carpet Club in SFO, but I guess I will have to make do with a dump. :o Now I understand why others say that the SFO RCC is one of the best clubs around domestically.

Access to a lounge during a 4-hour layover was something I wanted, that's why I chose US Airways over other airlines. Yes, I know United is a Star Alliance member as well, but having flown UA Domestic twice, I'm not sure if I want to go back to them anytime soon. US, by comparison, appeals to me, but only on flights that deploy the A321 aircraft. I thought US46/US212 would be the perfect choice.

I might just grab a decent meal somewhere and "chill out" at the Club. It sure beats hanging around the gate area -- I did that last year when I flew America West, so I know how it feels. :rolleyes:

Loony

I just did it yesterday. I used to have an office 3 miles S on Sepulveda so I know all of the free ways around. Went down to the "Stick" and it cost me a burger and fries for a driver I've known for 7 years. He came back in an hour and I was back at the Club emailing my brains out.

Of course, you could always go the the Rendevous or whatever that thing is called in the middle of LAX. I've been through there over 4,000 times and never once considered going there. My loss? :confused:

Of course, you could always go the the Rendevous or whatever that thing is called in the middle of LAX. I've been through there over 4,000 times and never once considered going there. My loss? :confused:

It's actually pretty cool -- in a retro, Jetson's-esque sorta way.

Decent food and the best views of the runways at LAX. You get a very good sense of just how busy that place is.

It's actually pretty cool -- in a retro, Jetson's-esque sorta way.

Decent food and the best views of the runways at LAX. You get a very good sense of just how busy that place is.I had a look at the website of this Encounter Restaurant. It looks pretty cool and I might just consider hanging out there before heading back to T1 for the onward flight. I'll probably check my luggage in before heading to Encounter. How do I travel to the Encounter and how long will it take? I don't believe the inter-terminal shuttles stop by the Theme Building.

I also saw the following fine print on the Encounter's website, which got me worried:
Please Note The Following: The League of Intergalactic Deep Space Counsel Policies and Procedures cordially request that you please refrain from the splitting of Atoms, Appetizers, Entrees or Dessert Dishes. If this implies that sharing of food between guests is discouraged, that's fine by me as I'll be travelling alone. However, I will have a problem if it means that I will have to order the full course -- soup, appetizer, entree, dessert -- for dinner. Most Asians don't usually order anything more than an entree and a dessert, especially if the entree alone is much bigger in portion than what we have for a full dinner back home. Can someone shed some light on this?

Loony

I haven't been to Encounter in a few years. I thought the food was decent and the atmosphere was definitely "intergalactic," but it was kind of pricey. I was with a group, and I really don't remember if there were any limitations on splitting entrees, or ordering anything less than a full entree. You may want to call them first.

If you are on a limited budget, you may want to walk or take the LAX shuttle to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. They have a food court outside of the security zone. If you're flying in on SQ, you will be arriving at TBIT.

If you are on a limited budget, you may want to walk or take the LAX shuttle to the Tom Bradley International Terminal. They have a food court outside of the security zone. If you're flying in on SQ, you will be arriving at TBIT.
Yep, I'll be arriving at TBIT. I'll most probably use the bag-drop facility and head for Encounter, before spending the rest in the night at the US Airways Club as I wait for my long flight to PHL.

Thanks everyone for your help.

Loony

How do I travel to the Encounter and how long will it take? I don't believe the inter-terminal shuttles stop by the Theme Building.
No need for a bus. From Terminal 1 it's a five minute walk. Out the door on the lower (baggage claim) level, to the right to the end of the building, across the street and down a sidewalk that leads you right to it.

I would do exactly as you're thinking, check in, check your bags, then stroll over and check it out. You can always just have something to drink at the bar, look at the menu, and leave if it's not to your liking.

. . . I will have a problem if it means that I will have to order the full course -- soup, appetizer, entree, dessert -- for dinner.
No issue with this -- you can order whatever you want, from a salad or a club sandwich to a full steak dinner. I'm pretty sure you can also eat at the bar, if you're more comfortable with that.

Be sure to notice the funky beer taps at the bar; they're pretty hard to miss if you're in the bar. The takeoff on the theme of the place is fun.

Be sure to notice the funky beer taps at the bar; they're pretty hard to miss if you're in the bar. The takeoff on the theme of the place is fun.
Thanks AZ. Your comments have been most helpful. I'll definitely check this place out. Unfortunately I won't be able to have a nice view of the runway like what they get at In N Out. :p

Loony

Encounters Restaurant- You gotta love that elevator.
Kendall

You can purchase a connection for 10bucks or so for the day. They shouldve just had wired access as the whole dumpy LAX club couldve been served by a 10foot wire. Dont sneeze, or the people on the opposite side of the room will feel it.

Food....if your idea of free dinner is spicey snack crap-o-la, then you are in luck. Steer clear, its not worth the time wasted in the dumpy club.

I normally fly out of Phoenix and was a member of the America West (RIP) club last year. At that time, there was wireless internet at no cost. You just asked the person at the desk for a code and away you went. Has that now been replaced with pay-as-you-go T-Mobile service? I've heard that some clubs are now charging for alcoholic drinks where they used to be free.

I gave up my membership to the clubs when they switched over to US. Kinda went downhill, like the airline. I have moved my business over to another airline that has great clubs and free booz's, great planes. If unhappy, try another airline, you might be suprised what else is out there. Yes I sitll do fly US/HP once in a great while, enough to keep silver every year, but now I focus on a few other airlines. Don't knock it till you try it.

I normally fly out of Phoenix and was a member of the America West (RIP) club last year. At that time, there was wireless internet at no cost. You just asked the person at the desk for a code and away you went. Has that now been replaced with pay-as-you-go T-Mobile service? I've heard that some clubs are now charging for alcoholic drinks where they used to be free.

Wireless is still free in PHX, IMHO because SkyHarbor offers it free to everyone.
Have to pay for alcoholic drinks in all clubs this year; my guess is that they are going to have to drop it or offer something else for what they charge. I am good through December, but not sure if I will renew. If they charged $2 for beer and wine they still would make a slight profit. At $5 I feel ripped off given the annual fee.

. . . Have to pay for alcoholic drinks in all clubs this year; my guess is that they are going to have to drop it or offer something else for what they charge. I am good through December, but not sure if I will renew. If they charged $2 for beer and wine they still would make a slight profit. At $5 I feel ripped off given the annual fee.

I've noticed that they have outsourced the bartending function in the PHX clubs. They are all now contract workers, rather than agents doing double duty. Is this the case in the other US clubs?

Since this occured, the alcohol options have been expanded and somewhat upgraded. I'm not sure what that will mean to the pricing.

The clubs I visit in the East (CLT, PIT, LGA) I've always felt I've gotten decent value out of, even with paying for drinks. They are spacious, there is no line or smoke at the bar, they're quiet, the chairs are comfortable, and when I've needed to do work, they beat the crap out of sitting at the gate. (not to mention the club is where I beeline to when I need help during irregular ops).

My one visit to LAS, even though the drinks were free at the time, was lousy. Being outside of security means you still have to allow plenty of time to go sit at the gate, it looks like a cave on the inside, and the bathroom is as modern as a college dorm.

And the pours are incredibly generous on average for $5.

And the pours are incredibly generous on average for $5.

Booze perhaps. Not for bottled beer - 12oz every time :D or even for wine.

$2 is reasonable, but $0 is better for what they charge on an annual basis.
Once Arizona bans all indoor smoking (will be approved this Nov), I can put up with Fox Sports Lounge for a beer and a game update while waiting for a flight.
Today I use the clubs to get away from smelly people that want to pollute the air I am breathing.

How is the BOS club? I was thinking of using my Juniper pass there Saturday morning while waiting for my ground transportation (about 5 hours). However, I'm flying on UA, so I'll have to change terminals. Is this doable?

Booze perhaps. Not for bottled beer - 12oz every time :D or even for wine.

$2 is reasonable, but $0 is better for what they charge on an annual basis.
Once Arizona bans all indoor smoking (will be approved this Nov), I can put up with Fox Sports Lounge for a beer and a game update while waiting for a flight.
Today I use the clubs to get away from smelly people that want to pollute the air I am breathing.

Every club I've been to fills up their rather large wine glasses to the brim - that's far more than a restaurant pour.

Booze perhaps. Not for bottled beer - 12oz every time :D or even for wine.

$2 is reasonable, but $0 is better for what they charge on an annual basis.
Once Arizona bans all indoor smoking (will be approved this Nov), I can put up with Fox Sports Lounge for a beer and a game update while waiting for a flight.
Today I use the clubs to get away from smelly people that want to pollute the air I am breathing.

I'm with you, bro. After paying a pretty steep membership fee I think it's a ripoff to get charged for drinks. I could see if people were abusing it and hanging out there all afternoon getting sloshed but I've never seen anyone drunk in any of the Phoenix club locations. A better solution would have been to give people up to two drinks and let them pay for the third.

When the smoking ban goes into effect the Fox Sports bar looks very appealing all of a sudden.