Alaska Lounges (2020 and Earlier)
May 29, 2018, 1:54 pm
#16
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYF/YLW
Programs: AA, DL, AS, VA, WS Silver
Posts: 5,951
Are lounges which serve members paying $295/year, customers holding credit cards with net annual fees of $150, and domestic F passengers typically paying a hundred to a few hundred more per ticket less fancy than lounges serving long haul business class customers paying many hundreds to a few thousand dollars more per ticket as well as members paying $450-$700 annual fees or holders of airline-specific credit cards with $495 annual fees without $300 rebates that essentially amount to cash available to any cardholder? Yes (though by a remarkably small amount, IMO).
It is more appropriate to compare AS’s lounges to those offered by airlines like WN, B6, WS (though they do offer a limited long haul network), or pmVX (airlines with more comparable route networks) than to those with long haul flights to subsidize the lounge networks, even if AS also competes domestically with the big three. Put in that light, how do the Alaska Lounges seem?
It is more appropriate to compare AS’s lounges to those offered by airlines like WN, B6, WS (though they do offer a limited long haul network), or pmVX (airlines with more comparable route networks) than to those with long haul flights to subsidize the lounge networks, even if AS also competes domestically with the big three. Put in that light, how do the Alaska Lounges seem?
May 29, 2018, 2:34 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,391
Most of the time I vastly prefer not waiting in a lounge or at the gate.
Are lounges which serve members paying $295/year, customers holding credit cards with net annual fees of $150, and domestic F passengers typically paying a hundred to a few hundred more per ticket less fancy than lounges serving long haul business class customers paying many hundreds to a few thousand dollars more per ticket as well as members paying $450-$700 annual fees or holders of airline-specific credit cards with $495 annual fees without $300 rebates that essentially amount to cash available to any cardholder? Yes (though by a remarkably small amount, IMO).
It is more appropriate to compare AS’s lounges to those offered by airlines like WN, B6, WS (though they do offer a limited long haul network), or pmVX (airlines with more comparable route networks) than to those with long haul flights to subsidize the lounge networks, even if AS also competes domestically with the big three. Put in that light, how do the Alaska Lounges seem?
It is more appropriate to compare AS’s lounges to those offered by airlines like WN, B6, WS (though they do offer a limited long haul network), or pmVX (airlines with more comparable route networks) than to those with long haul flights to subsidize the lounge networks, even if AS also competes domestically with the big three. Put in that light, how do the Alaska Lounges seem?
VX had to use a pre-TSA lounge in a different terminal in their primary hub, though since it was an international longhaul lounge it was incredibly nice if you could overloook the relative inconvenience (the VS Clubhouse SFO- it also had operating hours that didn't work for all VX flights). The lounge they used at LAX had some cross-subsidization from VA (LAX Club) and was pretty good for a while, though it went downhill as VX aged and went into the AS acquisition. Never used the one in JFK, and everywhere else... no lounge.
And comparing WN and B6... I see what you did there.
May 30, 2018, 9:52 am
#18
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: Alaska MVPG, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Gold, Emerald Club Excutive
Posts: 83
Being Alaska Boardroom lounge member, with access to AA's clubs, and a few United Rooms, I am quite happy with AS. They run nice, quiet and quite comfortable clubs. Not sure what "Crap Food" means (must be a Trump fan with that such descriptive language), but provide a limited assortment of tasty food options. They opened up a few new clubs at SEA, including a state-of-the-art one at the end of the C gates and we are excited about the new one coming to the expanded N Gates.
Maybe @Gartthlewis it's best you go elsewhere.
Maybe @Gartthlewis it's best you go elsewhere.
May 30, 2018, 10:17 am
#19
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,639
The one spot lacking in the AS lounges (perhaps only as it relates to the PDX lounge and the LAX lounge) is that the furniture and furniture accouterments are dated. The PDX lounge needs some new furniture (badly worn leather chairs). But, the new Seattle lounge is great (and though I haven't been to JFK, it looks really nice too). I've been to ANC, and I absolutely loved the fireplace and the view of the runway.
May 30, 2018, 2:16 pm
#21
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: AS 75K, DL Diamond, former UA Plat, former AA Plat
Posts: 15
Speaking of old lounges, what is the former AS lounge at SFO doing these days?
May 30, 2018, 2:34 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 280
The Skyclub at SEA is insanely nice. I'd take it over the hot mess Centurion any day of the week, especially with the new access restrictions at SEA that make it effectively useless.
I'd say the nicest lounge in the system is by far the JFK lounge, which is apparently the model for all new Alaska Lounges going forward. They had some really nice cocktails, the barista station is legit (and better coffee than anywhere else in the building) and the atmosphere is great with nice views and lots of natural light. Hell I'd say in terms of atmosphere it's nicer than the Concorde Room. Even the bathrooms are well done with fancy toiletries instead of the "picked this up at Walgreens" I see at PDX and SEA.
The only downside is the free food seems to be slim pickings and maybe even slightly less than the other lounges, but not sure if it was opening day anomalies or not. They do have premium options for purchase at a reasonable price, which considering the state of the rest of the terminal (terrible) is fine.
I'd say the nicest lounge in the system is by far the JFK lounge, which is apparently the model for all new Alaska Lounges going forward. They had some really nice cocktails, the barista station is legit (and better coffee than anywhere else in the building) and the atmosphere is great with nice views and lots of natural light. Hell I'd say in terms of atmosphere it's nicer than the Concorde Room. Even the bathrooms are well done with fancy toiletries instead of the "picked this up at Walgreens" I see at PDX and SEA.
The only downside is the free food seems to be slim pickings and maybe even slightly less than the other lounges, but not sure if it was opening day anomalies or not. They do have premium options for purchase at a reasonable price, which considering the state of the rest of the terminal (terrible) is fine.
May 30, 2018, 2:36 pm
#23
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 90
Comparing AS lounges to DL, AA, and UA system-wide is pointless. I would assume that lounge's impact on tickets sales are generally location specific. However, in Seattle, Delta's lounge beats the crud out of Alaska's. Enough so that this AS Gold, AS Lounge Member, and frequent Sea-Tac patron has strongly considered switching carriers. I assume I'm not alone, which is a real problem for AS.
They should be operating like Delta. Increase the join fee, throw out Priority Pass, and make the lounge something I actually want to spend money on. It should be something that aides in joining AS and their customers at the hip, not something that makes their customers question whether they should be with Alaska at all. Making the D-gate lounge not filthy would be at least a start.
Why lounges don't have food for purchase options is another pet peeve of mine. Airport restaurants are generally garbage. Offer a legitimate dining option and the membership fee is automatically worth it to me.
They should be operating like Delta. Increase the join fee, throw out Priority Pass, and make the lounge something I actually want to spend money on. It should be something that aides in joining AS and their customers at the hip, not something that makes their customers question whether they should be with Alaska at all. Making the D-gate lounge not filthy would be at least a start.
Why lounges don't have food for purchase options is another pet peeve of mine. Airport restaurants are generally garbage. Offer a legitimate dining option and the membership fee is automatically worth it to me.
May 30, 2018, 2:39 pm
#24
Join Date: Apr 2011
Programs: DL Plat, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 90
Being Alaska Boardroom lounge member, with access to AA's clubs, and a few United Rooms, I am quite happy with AS. They run nice, quiet and quite comfortable clubs. Not sure what "Crap Food" means (must be a Trump fan with that such descriptive language), but provide a limited assortment of tasty food options. They opened up a few new clubs at SEA, including a state-of-the-art one at the end of the C gates and we are excited about the new one coming to the expanded N Gates.
Maybe @Gartthlewis it's best you go elsewhere.
Maybe @Gartthlewis it's best you go elsewhere.
May 30, 2018, 2:44 pm
#25
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 1,639
The Skyclub at SEA is insanely nice. I'd take it over the hot mess Centurion any day of the week, especially with the new access restrictions at SEA that make it effectively useless.
I'd say the nicest lounge in the system is by far the JFK lounge, which is apparently the model for all new Alaska Lounges going forward. They had some really nice cocktails, the barista station is legit (and better coffee than anywhere else in the building) and the atmosphere is great with nice views and lots of natural light. Hell I'd say in terms of atmosphere it's nicer than the Concorde Room. Even the bathrooms are well done with fancy toiletries instead of the "picked this up at Walgreens" I see at PDX and SEA.
The only downside is the free food seems to be slim pickings and maybe even slightly less than the other lounges, but not sure if it was opening day anomalies or not. They do have premium options for purchase at a reasonable price, which considering the state of the rest of the terminal (terrible) is fine.
I'd say the nicest lounge in the system is by far the JFK lounge, which is apparently the model for all new Alaska Lounges going forward. They had some really nice cocktails, the barista station is legit (and better coffee than anywhere else in the building) and the atmosphere is great with nice views and lots of natural light. Hell I'd say in terms of atmosphere it's nicer than the Concorde Room. Even the bathrooms are well done with fancy toiletries instead of the "picked this up at Walgreens" I see at PDX and SEA.
The only downside is the free food seems to be slim pickings and maybe even slightly less than the other lounges, but not sure if it was opening day anomalies or not. They do have premium options for purchase at a reasonable price, which considering the state of the rest of the terminal (terrible) is fine.
May 30, 2018, 3:06 pm
#26
Join Date: Dec 2009
Programs: Alaska MVPG, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Gold, Emerald Club Excutive
Posts: 83
May 30, 2018, 3:15 pm
#27
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,631
This is where we're spoiled @ SFO - especially T2. Save the membership fee, and enjoy a selection of pleasant dining options.
May 30, 2018, 3:30 pm
#28
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: SEA
Programs: Hilton/Marriott Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 2,036
May 30, 2018, 3:50 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: NYC
Posts: 280
I've seen it full of Priority Pass people, especially on foreign airlines. Hilariously, I was nearly denied entry the first time I showed my Alaska Lounge card because the agent hadn't seen one before (fortunately they corrected and quickly let me in).
To be honest I kind of wish they'd drop Priority Pass support. Some of the conduct (bare feet, commandeering a ton of couches, etc. ) was really gross.
To be honest I kind of wish they'd drop Priority Pass support. Some of the conduct (bare feet, commandeering a ton of couches, etc. ) was really gross.
May 30, 2018, 4:00 pm
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 38,631
I've seen it full of Priority Pass people, especially on foreign airlines. Hilariously, I was nearly denied entry the first time I showed my Alaska Lounge card because the agent hadn't seen one before (fortunately they corrected and quickly let me in).
To be honest I kind of wish they'd drop Priority Pass support. Some of the conduct (bare feet, commandeering a ton of couches, etc. ) was really gross.
To be honest I kind of wish they'd drop Priority Pass support. Some of the conduct (bare feet, commandeering a ton of couches, etc. ) was really gross.