PP still works great internationally. I really enjoy being able to use it on arrival (which Amex and Chase I think don't allow). This isn't always possible of course as international flights don't drop you air-side but I've done it in BKK (domestic), CMH, and MSP.

Landside Lounges -- Opinions?
 

After a recent slog through the hyperstore scrums at Cancun (CUN)'s Terminal 3, I made it to the Priority Pass (Et al.) lounge; one sign mentioned its location as "across from United check-in."

A boarding pass is required to enter, of course, but I can't understand why these landside lounges exist. Needing to pass security means grabbing any to-go drink is pointless. A shame there can't be some duty free souvenir-style Get Smart-sealed bag that allows one passage through security. Why unopened beverages can't pass security anywhere but Japanese domestic flights is a topic for another thread.

I used to rely on Mexican Priority Pass lounges to grab a pre-flight (potable) bottle of water. Those options seem to be diminishing, too.

What are FT members' thoughts on landside lounges? Worth it for the microwaved grub, and ability to place your suitcase in front of a different unoccupied chair? Or, mostly pointless, and that's that?

Notwithstanding my thoughts, here are a couple of photos from the lone T3 Priority Pass (landside) lounge:
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a62a901c8b.jpg
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...6b69680e0d.jpg

I am torn. The lines at CUN can be so long that people might arrive really early, check in, then have time to kill before security (which moves faster than the check in lines in my experience). Or their hotel or other ride gets them to the airport super early. Or, on your way into CUN if you are waiting for a pre-arranged van or group tour to meet up (assuming you can access after arrival)? In general, I don't get it, but I could see a use case at CUN. The lounges inside security are so slammed and not worth the trouble to me so I don't bother. This, maybe.

This is only there because there is zero space for another lounge post-security at T3. I'm sure Mera wants a larger lounge there as the line at the only airside lounge is always insane from mid morning to late afternoon, and I'm sure The Lounge wants to be airside as well with a large layout. Honestly, I could even see DL or Amex wanting to open a lounge there as well given the premium leisure push the past few years, but there simply isn't any space airside without significantly reducing retail in the central part of the terminal (I believe the only part airside which has enough space), which is also very busy.

Ummm, no. CUN could easily reduce the garbage retail and food outlets but chooses not to. Just as other airports do. No doubt they generate more $$ than lounge space.

it would be nice if Amex et al negotiated priority access for the higher value customers but I don’t see that happening as PP doesn’t seem set up to do so.

Though presumably PP could set up a paid waitlist program. I am not sure if I would like that but at least it would at least reduce the absurd wait times at peak times (for those of us who don’t do lines)

Yes, they have to weigh the pros and cons including money, but which retail / restaurant space will they give up? You talk about it like there are dozens of places for it to go in the terminal. The only 2 full-service restaurant spaces large and proper enough for a lounge are always slammed, and putting a lounge in the duty free area (even forgetting that Dufry probably has a very long-term contract for it) would likely reduce the shopping footprint there by 2/3, and it's not even that large to begin with (especially given there is very little full-size retail stores once past it).

The terminal is too small as it is, they aren't going to squeeze pax into an even tighter space to put in a second airside lounge. Hopefully when the Terminal 4 expansion is complete in the next few years, they can relocate some of the T3 airlines there and finally have some breathing space.