Changes in Dan lounge access with Israeli CCs
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
Programs: UA Gold, DL Silver, Hertz PC, Avis Pref+, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,107
We don't know how much the CC companies were paying (unless some insider would like to chime in....)
I am also pretty sure that the Dan lounges care not a hoot about crowding - the more fees, the merrier.
Both Leumi Business (?) and Visa Business are paid cards... I pay an average of 20 NIS per month per card, I guess I should drop a few (Visa business for one, if no free lounge access any more)
I am also pretty sure that the Dan lounges care not a hoot about crowding - the more fees, the merrier.
Both Leumi Business (?) and Visa Business are paid cards... I pay an average of 20 NIS per month per card, I guess I should drop a few (Visa business for one, if no free lounge access any more)
#17
Join Date: May 2010
Location: TLV
Programs: LY: GL; LH: SEN
Posts: 30
MasterCard Corporate changes
As of Sep 1st 2015 there will be some changes with MasterCard Corporate as well, Hebrew source:
https://www.isracard.co.il/pages/Art...0&mp=4,45,2540
From this date on, card entitles one free access every month providing a 2000NIS spending the previous month. Will require downloading a coupon from web site or app.
https://www.isracard.co.il/pages/Art...0&mp=4,45,2540
From this date on, card entitles one free access every month providing a 2000NIS spending the previous month. Will require downloading a coupon from web site or app.
#18
Join Date: Nov 2009
Programs: LY-PL, A3-*G
Posts: 1,680
As of Sep 1st 2015 there will be some changes with MasterCard Corporate as well, Hebrew source:
https://www.isracard.co.il/pages/Art...0&mp=4,45,2540
From this date on, card entitles one free access every month providing a 2000NIS spending the previous month. Will require downloading a coupon from web site or app.
https://www.isracard.co.il/pages/Art...0&mp=4,45,2540
From this date on, card entitles one free access every month providing a 2000NIS spending the previous month. Will require downloading a coupon from web site or app.
#19
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
I have another experience update:
Last week I used my High Miles card to get a free personal pie and lemonade from Pizza Hut. It was pretty simple: a short form to fill out on the CAL website and the confirmation was received within seconds to my inbox.
I told the cashier that I wanted to use the benefit and she didn't even need to see the confirmation, only the actual card. The receipt had a grand total of 0 NIS: a charge of 42 NIS for the deal and then a second line with -42 NIS discount.
I personally enjoy the lounge (and thankfully had access through a different card), but I think some of you would beg to differ and would rather have a benefit like this :-)
Last week I used my High Miles card to get a free personal pie and lemonade from Pizza Hut. It was pretty simple: a short form to fill out on the CAL website and the confirmation was received within seconds to my inbox.
I told the cashier that I wanted to use the benefit and she didn't even need to see the confirmation, only the actual card. The receipt had a grand total of 0 NIS: a charge of 42 NIS for the deal and then a second line with -42 NIS discount.
I personally enjoy the lounge (and thankfully had access through a different card), but I think some of you would beg to differ and would rather have a benefit like this :-)
#20
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Zichron Yakov, Israel
Programs: SPG Gold
Posts: 808
I have another experience update:
Last week I used my High Miles card to get a free personal pie and lemonade from Pizza Hut. It was pretty simple: a short form to fill out on the CAL website and the confirmation was received within seconds to my inbox.
I told the cashier that I wanted to use the benefit and she didn't even need to see the confirmation, only the actual card. The receipt had a grand total of 0 NIS: a charge of 42 NIS for the deal and then a second line with -42 NIS discount.
I personally enjoy the lounge (and thankfully had access through a different card), but I think some of you would beg to differ and would rather have a benefit like this :-)
Last week I used my High Miles card to get a free personal pie and lemonade from Pizza Hut. It was pretty simple: a short form to fill out on the CAL website and the confirmation was received within seconds to my inbox.
I told the cashier that I wanted to use the benefit and she didn't even need to see the confirmation, only the actual card. The receipt had a grand total of 0 NIS: a charge of 42 NIS for the deal and then a second line with -42 NIS discount.
I personally enjoy the lounge (and thankfully had access through a different card), but I think some of you would beg to differ and would rather have a benefit like this :-)
#21
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
Programs: UA Gold, DL Silver, Hertz PC, Avis Pref+, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,107
For me that means one thing - bye-bye, Mastercard.
As of Sep 1st 2015 there will be some changes with MasterCard Corporate as well, Hebrew source:
https://www.isracard.co.il/pages/Art...0&mp=4,45,2540
From this date on, card entitles one free access every month providing a 2000NIS spending the previous month. Will require downloading a coupon from web site or app.
https://www.isracard.co.il/pages/Art...0&mp=4,45,2540
From this date on, card entitles one free access every month providing a 2000NIS spending the previous month. Will require downloading a coupon from web site or app.
#23
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
Programs: UA Gold, DL Silver, Hertz PC, Avis Pref+, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,107
#25
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Programs: Delta PLT, IHG Ambassador Platinum, Hilton Honors Diamond, BWR Diamond
Posts: 550
To be honest I don't bother going into the Dan lounge anymore, it's almost always full, has no decent food offerings or proper seating - I prefer to sit near the central fountain, it has a much nicer atmosphere....
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
I go into the lounge for the bathroom because it has better toilet paper
Other than that, I no longer see a need/desire. I don't fly LCCs so I don't need food (either I ate before or will on the plane) and liquids can be brought past security so there's no need for something to drink. The WiFi in the lounge is worse than in the terminal, and worst case scenario, I could always tether my phone.
Am I missing something? Entering the Dan at some points feels like entering just because I can
Other than that, I no longer see a need/desire. I don't fly LCCs so I don't need food (either I ate before or will on the plane) and liquids can be brought past security so there's no need for something to drink. The WiFi in the lounge is worse than in the terminal, and worst case scenario, I could always tether my phone.
Am I missing something? Entering the Dan at some points feels like entering just because I can
#27
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: Virgin Atlantic Silver, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy Gold, Hilton Diamond, AA Platinum Pro
Posts: 1,386
#28
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
I'm in the Dan lounge on average 2-3x per month. Typically, I get a snack - a salad and hummus/tehina as that's all that's really edible there - a cappuccino and an orange Prigat. If I can get a seat with a plug, I'll plug in my phone. The free snacks/drinks make it worthwhile as a cappuccino at Arcaffe costs around 20 shekels! I get in for free with either elite status or priority pass (or a combination when I'm with my kids) so when you multiply that x3 it's worth it, but still, one of the worst lounges ever.
Furthermore, I don't buy the "busy travel season" thing, as while it is clearly a busy travel season, the LH lounge in FRA or many of the lounges in the European airports I have frequented in the last few weeks (AZ in FCO), 3rd party lounge at CGN, TK lounge at IST, etc. aren't nearly as crowded on a people per square meter basis as the Dan. The only one that comes close is the LX lounge in ZRH.
Furthermore, I don't buy the "busy travel season" thing, as while it is clearly a busy travel season, the LH lounge in FRA or many of the lounges in the European airports I have frequented in the last few weeks (AZ in FCO), 3rd party lounge at CGN, TK lounge at IST, etc. aren't nearly as crowded on a people per square meter basis as the Dan. The only one that comes close is the LX lounge in ZRH.
#29
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: HaMerkaz/Exit 145
Programs: UA, LY, BA, AA
Posts: 13,167
I'm in the Dan lounge on average 2-3x per month. Typically, I get a snack - a salad and hummus/tehina as that's all that's really edible there - a cappuccino and an orange Prigat. If I can get a seat with a plug, I'll plug in my phone. The free snacks/drinks make it worthwhile as a cappuccino at Arcaffe costs around 20 shekels! I get in for free with either elite status or priority pass (or a combination when I'm with my kids) so when you multiply that x3 it's worth it, but still, one of the worst lounges ever.
Furthermore, I don't buy the "busy travel season" thing, as while it is clearly a busy travel season, the LH lounge in FRA or many of the lounges in the European airports I have frequented in the last few weeks (AZ in FCO), 3rd party lounge at CGN, TK lounge at IST, etc. aren't nearly as crowded on a people per square meter basis as the Dan. The only one that comes close is the LX lounge in ZRH.
Furthermore, I don't buy the "busy travel season" thing, as while it is clearly a busy travel season, the LH lounge in FRA or many of the lounges in the European airports I have frequented in the last few weeks (AZ in FCO), 3rd party lounge at CGN, TK lounge at IST, etc. aren't nearly as crowded on a people per square meter basis as the Dan. The only one that comes close is the LX lounge in ZRH.
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: San Francisco/Tel Aviv/YYZ
Programs: CO 1K-MM
Posts: 10,762
TLV is operating at its design capacity, and it seems the lounges are too small in general.
EWR has the same problem with the UA lounges, its a zoo. and they don't even have hummus
would be great if star built a lounge in the new concourse...
EWR has the same problem with the UA lounges, its a zoo. and they don't even have hummus
would be great if star built a lounge in the new concourse...