Originally Posted by
brewdog11
My employer no longer subsidizes club memberships and I see absolutely no reason to keep it. This will be my last year, as I've already paid for it. Since I started really flying back in 2010, service quality in the ACs has declined dramatically. I find a great deal of the newer staff unhelpful and unwilling to address problems with anything beyond superficial solutions. There are still the old AAngels, but they are far and few between. The AC is helpful in cases of IRROPS, but that's about it.
Airport terminal hangouts in the hubs are getting nicer and nicer, almost to the point where a club membership becomes questionably worth it. I'd rather hang out at the Flying Saucer, Pappadeaux, hell even Applebee's or TGI Fridays than wait in the clubs most times. Prices for "premium" drinks and food are fairly comparable outside of the club. Reallocating my club budget to terminal F&B is becoming more and more attractive..
I have to disagree with you here. I've been a member since 2003 and I think the Club has improved dramatically in that time. I remember when I joined and it was soft drinks only for free and food was pretzels and if you were lucky, carrots and ranch. We have better food now, free cocktails, beer and wine, and friendly and helpful employees.
if you want to go back to the terminal go ahead. But seating at restaurants is harder due to COVID, it's still hard to find power, the Wifi is worse, it's crowded and noisy at gates and the bathrooms are worse. I'll keep paying for the AC out of pocket as no matter what it beats the terminal.