Why the allure to Lounges?
Dec 10, 2018, 2:46 pm
#31
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,607
Dec 10, 2018, 2:47 pm
#32
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
I am amazed you'd pay $5 since it looks like you expect them to pay you eat and drink there and another key point is you don't actually pay anything. Your $5 is just an arbitrary amount you made up as a benchmark to rant against them which is baloney. The other end of the range, e.g. the $100 shower sounds pretty daft as well.
Dec 10, 2018, 2:59 pm
#33
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYZ/MGA
Programs: AA 1MM Lifetime Gold, AA Platinum, WS Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 7,607
There's really no proof to the Ph.D or frequency of travel either. When I glanced at it I thought it was a rant of someone who cannot get in or tried and was turned away, embarrassed.
Dec 10, 2018, 3:01 pm
#34
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
Herr Professor Doctor MSc PhD Habilitation... Before your name on the envelope...
Dec 10, 2018, 3:10 pm
#35
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC SE (*A Gold), Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Amex Platinum / AP Reserve, NEXUS, Global Entry
Posts: 5,691
Dec 10, 2018, 3:23 pm
#36
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,898
To me, it all depends on the airport. While I'll use the WestJet lounges when they come @ YYC and I use the MLL on the Calgary domestic concourse, I don't pay for the Aspire lounges. The international terminal is spacious, comfortable and generally quiet. The volume is spread out, even in the domestic area over 3 concourses.
Where I will pay for lounge access and where I find it invaluable is in busy terminals that are close to capacity. ORD, SEA, ATL are busy. YYZ can also be very busy and it's worth a lounge visit there as well. I haven't felt the need in YVR or YUL either, but I transit there less often.
Where I will pay for lounge access and where I find it invaluable is in busy terminals that are close to capacity. ORD, SEA, ATL are busy. YYZ can also be very busy and it's worth a lounge visit there as well. I haven't felt the need in YVR or YUL either, but I transit there less often.
Dec 10, 2018, 3:24 pm
#37
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: YEG
Programs: Table scraps from Aeroplan and AmEx Plat
Posts: 901
The Plaza lounges seem to be buying in bulk from Costco which takes away from the "Premium" experience. I do enjoy their breakfast. Taking early morning flights from YEG to US destinations doesn't leave one much time for a proper breakfast, so it's something I actually look forward to.
As far as the allure. Decades ago I would sometimes connect overnight through EU countries for which I needed but didn't have a visa. Not that I could have afforded a hotel in those cities anyway. So I would be one of those people spending the night in the international terminal nibbling on a sandwich my mom had packed for me because there was no way in hell I would or could pay the extortionate prices food vendors at those airports charged. I can't help but think back to those times whenever I am at a lounge. It's a funny feeling, not one of being a DYKWIA who's "made it" - I am far from that - but a mixture of nostalgia, contentment and quiet gratitude.
As far as the allure. Decades ago I would sometimes connect overnight through EU countries for which I needed but didn't have a visa. Not that I could have afforded a hotel in those cities anyway. So I would be one of those people spending the night in the international terminal nibbling on a sandwich my mom had packed for me because there was no way in hell I would or could pay the extortionate prices food vendors at those airports charged. I can't help but think back to those times whenever I am at a lounge. It's a funny feeling, not one of being a DYKWIA who's "made it" - I am far from that - but a mixture of nostalgia, contentment and quiet gratitude.
Dec 10, 2018, 3:30 pm
#38
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
Dec 10, 2018, 3:35 pm
#39
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Dec 10, 2018, 3:36 pm
#40
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Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
Never wore one. Not sure about my kids at this point. I think my daughter did for a while. Son is in the US and they don't have these there.
Dec 10, 2018, 3:37 pm
#41
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: DFW
Posts: 522
I like lounges because they are an escape from the hustle and bustle of the terminal. They are quiet, don't have obnoxious kids running around, usually have enough seating, have some snacks and drinks to munch on, and usually people are quiet and respectful.
Dec 10, 2018, 3:39 pm
#42
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
Emphasis mine.
Dec 10, 2018, 3:40 pm
#43
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: IAD/DCA
Posts: 31,797
clearly lounges are better than rest of airport
not everyone here (or in general) has allure
loyalty programs = marketing to increase revenue, do lead to allure by many
some airport VIP services (for commercial pax) offer private rooms
not everyone here (or in general) has allure
loyalty programs = marketing to increase revenue, do lead to allure by many
some airport VIP services (for commercial pax) offer private rooms
Dec 10, 2018, 3:50 pm
#45
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: YYG
Programs: airlines and hotels and rental cars - oh my!
Posts: 2,997
As others have said, it depends on the lounge and it depends on the airport. Some of them (Air New Zealand at LAX, Delta at SEA) are very nice with decent meals and a pretty well-stocked bar. Others (Smiles lounge in GRU, or just about any domestic MLL) are little more than glorified refugee camps, with people and their belongings scattered everywhere. In some cases (YYZ or YVR) you're better off to camp out in the terminal itself. Or, go to the Amex / Plaza lounge instead.
Good lounges (UA Polaris lounge at ORD, for instance) can be a nice, relaxing place to chill or get caught up on work when you have a long connection. That's especially the case when, as at ORD, they're located in an otherwise lousy airport.
I'm not sure I understand the point of going to the airport early just to hang around in the lounge ... personally I try to minimize my time spend waiting anywhere. But that's just me.
Lounge access is a nice benefit ... I don't attach much monetary value to it however.
Good lounges (UA Polaris lounge at ORD, for instance) can be a nice, relaxing place to chill or get caught up on work when you have a long connection. That's especially the case when, as at ORD, they're located in an otherwise lousy airport.
I'm not sure I understand the point of going to the airport early just to hang around in the lounge ... personally I try to minimize my time spend waiting anywhere. But that's just me.
Lounge access is a nice benefit ... I don't attach much monetary value to it however.