Why the allure to Lounges?
Dec 10, 2018, 10:00 pm
#61
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 75k, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,154
A newspaper, a magazine, a drink, maybe a snack, good wifi, a chance to leave my stuff at a chair worry-free while I slip to the washroom ... I'd pay $10 for that, even $20.
A shower? Well, I paid $10 for a shower at Narita one time, when my status was on hiatus and I had been spoiled by the lounge shower in the lounge on previous visits.
So with a shower, add $10, for a total of $30. No problem.
A shower? Well, I paid $10 for a shower at Narita one time, when my status was on hiatus and I had been spoiled by the lounge shower in the lounge on previous visits.
So with a shower, add $10, for a total of $30. No problem.
Dec 11, 2018, 5:13 am
#62
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,222
I'm not sure that mine will even come off anymore. At least not without a pair of secateurs.
Dec 11, 2018, 7:52 am
#63
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE 1MM, Marriott Ambassador
Posts: 3,396
Dec 11, 2018, 8:42 am
#65
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 11, 2018, 2:33 pm
#66
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: トロント
Programs: IHG Gold
Posts: 4,820
Hi AC FTers!
I've read many posts here, and it seems a common theme that many FTers value lounges greatly. However, I don't understand this value can you explain it to me? I am operating under the assumption most FTers are paid corporate flying, and also have a per diem to spend on meals per day.
I've been to some lounges, i.e., CX (HKG, YYZ Premium Plaza), AC (YYZ, YYC, YVR). However, in all these cases, I don't see the value in the lounges. In fact, I was just at a Maple Leaf lounge today, the food is so bad (unhealthy), you couldn't pay me to eat it. Additionally, the alcohol while might be free, is also very poor quality (you couldn't pay me to drink some of their wines). The only thing I value about lounges is showers (esp Asian airport showers) and quiet space (but let's be real, you probably won't find that in any Maple Leaf lounges at busy hours). The economic value I place on these lounges are $5 max, maybe $100 for a nice shower at an Asian lounge. But for a Maple Leaf lounge, I definitely wouldn't pay more than $5. Your thoughts!?
I've read many posts here, and it seems a common theme that many FTers value lounges greatly. However, I don't understand this value can you explain it to me? I am operating under the assumption most FTers are paid corporate flying, and also have a per diem to spend on meals per day.
I've been to some lounges, i.e., CX (HKG, YYZ Premium Plaza), AC (YYZ, YYC, YVR). However, in all these cases, I don't see the value in the lounges. In fact, I was just at a Maple Leaf lounge today, the food is so bad (unhealthy), you couldn't pay me to eat it. Additionally, the alcohol while might be free, is also very poor quality (you couldn't pay me to drink some of their wines). The only thing I value about lounges is showers (esp Asian airport showers) and quiet space (but let's be real, you probably won't find that in any Maple Leaf lounges at busy hours). The economic value I place on these lounges are $5 max, maybe $100 for a nice shower at an Asian lounge. But for a Maple Leaf lounge, I definitely wouldn't pay more than $5. Your thoughts!?
- My first assumption will be that is a typo on the value of a shower at $100 if you deem a Maple Leaf lounge as only worth $5.00. Let's assume you mean $10 instead. Fair enough.
- I am not a corporate flyer, so I have no per diem. All self funded. Does that change your mind set?
- I am not so snooty as to say I will not eat Maple Leaf Lounge food. Is all of it good? No. Pick and choose. I have had some pretty good food in there at times
- As for value of the wine, no idea since I don't drink it, so I cannot comment on the "you could not pay me to drink some of their wines". I will drink champagne and some lounges in the world have a very nice bottle or 2 to choose from. At a standard ML Lounge I do however have a couple of mixed drinks or perhaps a craft beer. Nice to get them for free instead of paying $15 or more per drink at a bar/resto in the airport.
- There are some great lounges in the world. Sorry if they don't appeal to you, but I certainly have enjoyed them as has any travelling companion with me. Beats sitting in a plastic chair staring at the gate.
Dec 11, 2018, 3:00 pm
#67
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: YYC
Programs: BA bronze, Aeroplan peon
Posts: 4,745
Dec 11, 2018, 3:10 pm
#68
Join Date: Aug 2012
Programs: AC E35K, NEXUS
Posts: 4,368
Everyone knows iron rings shrink after about 25 years. That's why they have ring fittings at the reunions. @Stranger, they do have iron rings in the U.S., but it is more of an optional honour society. Same underlying story.
On topic, I like the lounge because I arrive very early to avoid being late, and the bar and snacks and magazines (and oatmeal mmm boarding school oatmeal) amuse me. I share the appreciation for being able to leave a bag and coat on a chair and walk to refill my drink without expecting it to be stolen or marked as a suspicious abandoned bag. I do not get the shower thing at all. Is that a guy thing? Or is it equally popular with women travellers?
@Stranger, they do have iron rings in the U.S., but it is more of an optional honour society. Same underlying story.On topic, I like the lounge because I arrive very early to avoid being late, and the bar and snacks and magazines (and oatmeal mmm boarding school oatmeal) amuse me. I share the appreciation for being able to leave a bag and coat on a chair and walk to refill my drink without expecting it to be stolen or marked as a suspicious abandoned bag. I do not get the shower thing at all. Is that a guy thing? Or is it equally popular with women travellers?
Dec 11, 2018, 3:53 pm
#69
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 2,648
We use the lounges before and after flights for potty for our toddler:
- cleaner than the public ones.
- generally no line-up.
- some of the MLL's have separate handicap/family washrooms (i.e. YYC & YVR).
- cleaner than the public ones.
- generally no line-up.
- some of the MLL's have separate handicap/family washrooms (i.e. YYC & YVR).
Dec 11, 2018, 3:55 pm
#70
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
Speaking of the value of the lounge, and AC MLL more specifically, there is little value when the airport is not busy and I have a short layover. But the value increases substantially when there is an IRROP and I am stuck at the airport with an unknown departure time.
Dec 11, 2018, 8:55 pm
#71
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: YYZ
Programs: Air Canada SE /*A Gold, Emirates Skywards Silver, Marriott Titanium Elite
Posts: 131
My position is that the value of a lounge is inversely proportional to the quality of the general airport terminal.
In some relatively pleasant airports, like YVR, which have abundant seating, free drinkable water and fast wifi, it's barely an upgrade.
In ADD or LIM, even a mediocre lounge could be a godsend. In Southeast Asia it's worth it just for the air conditioning. And in FRA, ZRH or LHR, where many facilities are available but a coffee is likely to set you back 5 EUR and a mediocre pastry another 5, free access just for a snack and a drink can be a good value.
I reserve particular disdain for first-world airports that don't have free potable water, ahem, Frankfurt.
In some relatively pleasant airports, like YVR, which have abundant seating, free drinkable water and fast wifi, it's barely an upgrade.
In ADD or LIM, even a mediocre lounge could be a godsend. In Southeast Asia it's worth it just for the air conditioning. And in FRA, ZRH or LHR, where many facilities are available but a coffee is likely to set you back 5 EUR and a mediocre pastry another 5, free access just for a snack and a drink can be a good value.
I reserve particular disdain for first-world airports that don't have free potable water, ahem, Frankfurt.
As well, I find the value in the lounges can be those that have showers, for when you have a late night red eye long haul flight and you just went to the airport straight from a full day of meetings or other work. It's nice to be able to freshen up and get changed.
Dec 11, 2018, 9:47 pm
#72
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,165
I also usually don't eat much in the MLLs, but I do like them for drinks.
While I could always buy something to drink in the terminal, I just don't want to pay for overpriced airport drinks, so I appreciate the free drinks in the lounges.
While I could always buy something to drink in the terminal, I just don't want to pay for overpriced airport drinks, so I appreciate the free drinks in the lounges.
Dec 11, 2018, 10:40 pm
#73
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: AC75 MM
Posts: 959
+1 Totally this is when lounges are valuable. Expert help, no (or shorter) line ups to get said help, and somewhere not unpleasant to hang out for a few hours.
Dec 12, 2018, 12:16 am
#74
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Melbourne MEL Calgary YYC
Programs: UA1K, QF Plat, *A & Marriot Gold, OW Emerald, Hyatt Hertz PC CanPass Nexus APEC Global Entry
Posts: 468
I’m guilty of the iron ring and have enjoyed the company fellow engineers chatting in Albania, Japan and USA , it’s like minded people educated with a similar interest , not like those with the yellow FT tags...... ( wait for it....)
Last edited by Jimmie Jet; Dec 12, 2018 at 12:18 am Reason: Spelling
Dec 12, 2018, 4:59 am
#75
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: OSL
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 303
For me, I've done a pretty heavy amount of long haul / "ultra" long hauls recently (ie, YYZ-YUL-MUC-DEL-TRV-DEL-YVR-YYZ last week). Lounges are the difference between coming out one end of a trip relatively refreshed, or the "30 hours of travel" smell and feel.
Showers, wifi, comfortable chairs. Snacks are a perk, but relatively low on my list - and booze I avoid when flying. I do my crazy travel in J, but even with that, lounges are a requirement on trips that long. Good shower facilities are by far my biggest lounge item (and allow me to take this time to say that AC's YYZ international MLL showers are terrible).
Showers, wifi, comfortable chairs. Snacks are a perk, but relatively low on my list - and booze I avoid when flying. I do my crazy travel in J, but even with that, lounges are a requirement on trips that long. Good shower facilities are by far my biggest lounge item (and allow me to take this time to say that AC's YYZ international MLL showers are terrible).
Last edited by epiphani; Dec 12, 2018 at 5:05 am