Should Alaska Lounge Access Be Inclued With the AS / BofA Visa?
#2
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
Not at all. So many people, particularly in SEA have the AS credit card, this lounge would just revert back to the Priority Pass capacity sign being out all the time. If they debuted a "premium" version of the card, with a higher annual fee and other benefits (with things like reduced change/cancellation fees, early boarding, a GGU or two, AL access, bonus mile earning, EQM credits, etc etc), I could see that being possible. But at $99 annual fee and at their home base, that would be way too many potential guests.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 6
Not at all. So many people, particularly in SEA have the AS credit card, this lounge would just revert back to the Priority Pass capacity sign being out all the time. If they debuted a "premium" version of the card, with a higher annual fee and other benefits (with things like reduced change/cancellation fees, early boarding, a GGU or two, AL access, bonus mile earning, EQM credits, etc etc), I could see that being possible. But at $99 annual fee and at their home base, that would be way too many potential guests.
#4
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: LAX
Programs: AS MVPG, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 1,445
When I was still SEA based, AS lounges in SEA were still PP, so never used the other PP options there. But I've used similar in other cities and they aren't fantastic. While the Alaska Lounges are decent, they're definitely not the best lounges out there either, but at least they're close to Alaska gates. The other SEA PP lounges are a bit of a hike. Depends on how much $25 is worth to you and how much you've already sunk in to your PP membership, but IMO $25 isn't a bad deal for a comfy and quieter place to sit, a few drinks, some coffee and a light bite to eat nearby my boarding gate, especially in the brand new lounge.
#6
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MM, MVPGold100k, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,475
Not at all. So many people, particularly in SEA have the AS credit card, this lounge would just revert back to the Priority Pass capacity sign being out all the time. If they debuted a "premium" version of the card, with a higher annual fee and other benefits (with things like reduced change/cancellation fees, early boarding, a GGU or two, AL access, bonus mile earning, EQM credits, etc etc), I could see that being possible. But at $99 annual fee and at their home base, that would be way too many potential guests.
#7
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
Typically the credit card issuer (bank) subsidizes the cost of the membership. That is why membership in a UC, SC, or AC is more expensive through direct payment than through the relevant CC's annual fee.
The question is whether BOA would be willing to subsidize the annual fee of $450 and thus provide its card for $350-400. The question then becomes whether there is a market for the card at that price and finally whether there is capacity.
So, the better question for this board is, "would you pay $400 for the card if it included access?"
The question is whether BOA would be willing to subsidize the annual fee of $450 and thus provide its card for $350-400. The question then becomes whether there is a market for the card at that price and finally whether there is capacity.
So, the better question for this board is, "would you pay $400 for the card if it included access?"
#8
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
#9
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Seattle
Programs: AS MM, MVPGold100k, Hilton Diamond, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,475
Typically the credit card issuer (bank) subsidizes the cost of the membership. That is why membership in a UC, SC, or AC is more expensive through direct payment than through the relevant CC's annual fee.
The question is whether BOA would be willing to subsidize the annual fee of $450 and thus provide its card for $350-400. The question then becomes whether there is a market for the card at that price and finally whether there is capacity.
So, the better question for this board is, "would you pay $400 for the card if it included access?"
The question is whether BOA would be willing to subsidize the annual fee of $450 and thus provide its card for $350-400. The question then becomes whether there is a market for the card at that price and finally whether there is capacity.
So, the better question for this board is, "would you pay $400 for the card if it included access?"
#10
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
Right, like the Hilton Diamond thing, why bother about actual stays? Just get the Aspire and enjoy the free night, bonus points all the assorted travel credits/benefits.
#12
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 6,752
#13
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska Airlines
Posts: 658
Free lounge access will never be an option on the existing BofA card... the annual fee is just too cheap, the card is too common, and the lounges wouldn't be able to handle the capacity. Plus BofA would be taking a bath on the subsidizing the annual lounge fee.
As with some other cards, who have offered a "premium" version of the airline cards in the price range of $400-$500, then maybe lounge access would be included. But like those other premium cards, it'd have to have some other pretty nice perks. There was a thread awhile back where people daydreamed about what features such a card might include.
As with some other cards, who have offered a "premium" version of the airline cards in the price range of $400-$500, then maybe lounge access would be included. But like those other premium cards, it'd have to have some other pretty nice perks. There was a thread awhile back where people daydreamed about what features such a card might include.
#14
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: PDX
Programs: AS MVP Gold 100K
Posts: 2,329
Not now that the discount is a permanent feature. For me, the $25 discounted entry is a perfect balance. I don't fly enough Y fares to warrant the lounge membership (or the high annual fee that would accompany the card), but enough to have the $25 discount come in handy.
#15
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AS MVPG
Posts: 2,205
The easy solution to overcrowding if they did give credit card holders lounge access would be to turn the entire area where Alaska gates are into one huge lounge. Then convert the current lounges into holding pens for those without lounge access, complete with armed escorts to and from the gates so they don't cause any trouble in the "lounge."