I'm new to FT...but LOVE IT already!!!

I am starting my own business very soon (an independent consulting practice) and know that my days of traveling are going to increase again. I had recently heard about a "special" airport lounge pass you could buy, for around $300, that would grant you access to a multitude of different airline airport lounges. This sounded like a great deal to me, as opposed to buying a pass for one specific airlines lounges.

Anyone have any idea how to find out information about such a pass? What does everyone think of this idea? Would it be better for me to just buy a pass to either Northwest or American lounges, as I know that these are the two primary airlines I will be flying out of Dubuque (NW mostly).

Thanks for the input.

evanjill, Welcome!

The Priority Pass:
http://www.prioritypass.com/priority...ripts/home.asp

Passengers on Northwest and Continental use to be able to use their lounges if they had an American Express Platinum card. The cost for a Platinum card use to be around $300 per year.
Possibly someone can add to this post and advise if this is still valid.

welcome evanjill -

the priority pass offers the lounge access program. you can get membership info at the web site mentioned above.

FYI the cost is $ 50 - 100 for IAPA membership + $ 150 for the unlimited use priority pass.

I would recommend calling and asking them to fax you the applications. their email response time is pretty slow. although once you fax the app back you get your member pack within 3 - 4 days.

good luck

indogulf

Yes, Cont and NW do accept the Am Ex platinum card to gain access to their clubs... and the annual fee is around $300.

jexjex

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TWA also accepts the AMEX Platinum Card to get into their lounges now, so for $300 you get CO, NW, and TW ... you do have to have a ticket for that day to get in also ...

Our Admiral's Club membership has come up for renewal and it's gone up $100. I'm thinking of not renewing and this Priority Pass looks very interesting. The only thing I can't figure out is the difference in the $99 standard pass and the $295 Executive (or whatever it's called) pass. They each require a per person per visit charge of $21, so why would anyone pay $295 instead of just $99. Their website didn't make that clear.

Nanook,

I understand your confusion, but after reviewing the information on their website, here is the difference:

For the $99 membership level, you pay for airport lounge entry as you go, at a rate of $21 per visit.

For the $295 membership level, you pay this one-time annual fee and get UNLIMITED access to the airport lounges. So, you have to visit the lounges 10 times in a year to make the unlimited use membership worthwhile.

The $21 "GUEST" fee is just that...for when you invite a guest to come along. It does not apply to you the membership holder if you have the $295 level.

I hope this clears things up. At least that's how I understood their website information.

What's interesting is that with all the alliances and such you can buy yourself access to all the clubs (on the day of travel) relatively cheaply compared to just a year or so ago.

For instance, right now I have an AMEX Platinum Card, which gets me access to CO, NW, and TW clubs when traveling on those airlines.

I also have a DL CRC membership, which gets me access to DL and now UA clubs when traveling on those airlines.

Now, if I wanted access to AA or US clubs when traveling those airlines, I would just need to add a membership in one of those clubs ...

Total cost, $300 + $350 (DL CRC membership, less if you are elite) + $350 (US Airways), so for $1,000 you get membership in all seven major airlines' clubs (plus the other benefits of the AMEX Platinum card).

Nanook: Before you renew/purchase the Admiral's Club membership, take a look at joining Canadian's Empress Lounge.

For $200 CAD ($140 US?), you get access to both CP's and AA's lounges! Quite a bargain and better lounges, too (CP's in Canada vs. US domestic).

Wow-- this sounds very interesting. I usually fly UA, but also spend a lot of time in STL. Does anybody know if the Red Carpet Clubs in Chicago are included as part of Priority Pass (I almost always connect through there)?