Ori Kuper

Hello I have 2 questions, can't find the answers on Leumi Cards' bloated website:

1. Do DAN lounges in TLV still allow access with Leumi Card Platinum Visa, free of charge, to a valid card holder? and if so -

2. Does that access also allowing the card holder bringing guests? How many?

Any other known restrictions/limitations with that access??

Thanks,
Ori.

TheShis

No and no.
You need to order a "pinuk" on Leumi card and it's only available to several special clubs of Leumi card. The minimal spend for a single "pinuk" is 2000 NIS per month.

Ori Kuper

Thanks! I'll check into that!
Ori.

joshwex90

So I just noticed that (at least) one of my credit cards offers freebies when flying. I can get free food/drink (sandwich, coffee, and pastry from Aroma and the like). Not bad at all, and with free food and WiFi, yet again another reason not to miss Dan access (via Israeli cc).

It's Mafteach Discount

moe8555

The CAL Diners High Miles card still offers a pre-flight perk also. There are 4 options, along the lines of either a free book, free personal pizza, free sandwich and coffee, or one other choice.

But Dan still wins for me - no denying the free booze (including the hidden "good stuff" you have to ask for).

joshwex90

Meh, I'm good without the free beer. Nothing special. I've been told too often about this good stuff, and have never found it!

moe8555

You have to specifically ask for it at the desk, using the codeword "the chicken has flown the coop" (kidding about that last part, of course)

moe8555

So, I'm writing this here at the lounge after having been shown the "good stuff." Believe you me: It ain't that good! Basically, you ask to see the spirits at the front desk and they open this cupboard that's pretty much right next to the desk. As of today, inside was:

-Ballantine's scotch
-Bacardi silver
-Bacardi gold
-some random liqueur
-Beefeater gin
-Absolut vodka
-random mixers, such as tonic water and ginger ale

It isn't self-service; the front desk person asks you what you want and then pours accordingly. To their credit, they poured a very "(un)healthy" portion by default.

The lounge isn't very empty and it's pretty obvious that I'm the only person here who realizes that this secret cupboard exists. There is no signage.

dand99

Looks like this is from March

Choice of a few plus 30 NIS entry into the DANs
Not sure who's eligible (I am )

https://www.cal-travel2.co.il/

Houminer

30 NIS is what the Dan lounges are worth.

dand99

For a few coffees and a bite to eat - I'd say probably a bit more than 30 shekels.

If you thought the Dans got crowded before....

I guess they figured out they couldn't afford losing all their old CC revenue (from when it was free for premium) - better ~20 Nis revenue per pax than zero....

Ditto

But even being free for PAX doesn't mean the CC company didn't pay DAN for the entrance...

dand99

I am sure they did - this is why the Dans lost revenue when the freebies stopped, and I assume this is a (first ?) attempt to get some of this revenue back

entropy

FWIW, last night the DAN C lounge was just mobbed, they had people managing as a one-out-one-in. It was pretty awful.

photographer2012

Leumi Card executive card now charge 2 "Pinukim" instead of 1