So when do I get access to that nifty airport lounge?

by Grant Martin on

A few friends recently have asked me about how I got access to that nifty club in the airport — you know, the one that says “Admiral’s Club” or “Red Carpet Club” in front of it and has that guy with the Bluetooth walking in. Seems like many people think that once you reach a certain level of airline worthiness that you can wander into the club and they’ll have flaming shots of sambuca waiting for you.

Unfortunately, its not that easy. The bad news is that everyone has to pay in some way to get into the lounge; most revelers cough up somewhere between $250 – $500 to get access for a year. And rate slides with your level of status with the airline — most will discount $100 or so off the price if you’re elite.

Some programs, like United Airlines‘, let you pay for a lounge membership with frequent flyer miles. Depending on how much you value your miles, this might be a good option for you.

The good news is that anyone can buy access to the lounge. Nobody cares if you’re a business traveler with an Armani suit or a pleasure traveler in flip-flops — anyone can stroll in and get some free drinks and WIFI (in most clubs).

The only exception that I can think of to the above parameters (and again, this may vary slightly by airline) is if you’re either in international business/first class or are a platinum or top tier elite flyer on an international itinerary. In either of those cases, you often can get into the club for free. But it’s best to check with your airline and see what their rules are for their clubs. I can only speak to my local airline’s rules.

Best of luck getting in, at the very least you can steal wireless from outside.

Showering at the airport makes the flight so much easier

by Grant Martin on

Traveling with an airport lounge membership for the past few months, I’ve been struggling to figure out whether or not the investment was actually worth it. Iva’s had some trouble with her Continental Airlines President’s Club membership, but I’m still on the fence. On one hand, I get free wireless internet, free drinks and a comfortable quiet place to work while waiting for my flights. But is the two hundred and fifty dollars really worth it?

Well, yesterday on the way to London, I decided that it is.

First, a little background: it’s about 5 degrees in Detroit, as it usually is around this time of year. I’m on my way to London to take care of a little work on the Focused Ion Beam at Loughborough University then I’m bouncing down to Paris to visit my sister and Eleanor Beardsley. I’ve got my favorite Arc’teryx long weekender pack, am wearing my favorite pair of travel jeans and pretty much the thinnest pair of boots I’ve ever purchased (I had to JB weld the sole to the leather last season).

Needless to say, I was pretty much freezing on my short shuttle ride between the off-airport parking lot and Detroit’s McNamara terminal. On the way in, however, I recalled that the Detroit airport lounge had a couple of showers. Nothing feels better than a hot shower after being out in the cold. And despite my fears that the lounge shower would be akin to the boys high school locker room, it was quite pleasant. Free towels and soap were waiting for me when I showed up, and soft classical music played in the background as I warmed back up to temperature.

Now, sitting in 14J on my way to London I have to admit, I feel a lot better than I did on the way in. On a flight that’s booked with about 50 out of about 250 passengers, I look over at the vacant row of seats next to me and think about the decent night of sleep that I’m about to get. It’s nice to be traveling again.

Considering an airport lounge membership? Think again

by Iva Skoch on

I know Grant recently wrote about how he enjoyed his airport lounge membership. I don’t know if WorldPerks (Northwest) does a better job than OnePass (Continental) but I am actually bitterly disappointed with mine.

I have had a Continental Presidents Club pass for about a year now, and, honestly, I don’t understand why anyone would want one. Once you get in, it is hard to find a spot to sit peacefully, because the place is always packed (with people on conference calls, usually). They serve terrible food, if you can call crackers and some cheap cheese “food.” Yes, they do have free newspapers and magazines, although their choice of magazines is quite peculiar — they range from what looks like advertising brochures on golf vacations to Spanish-language pop culture rags. OK, they do have free booze. “Free” is relative, though, since you actually pay for the membership ($400+ dollars annually.) My favorite part is the bathroom. They do have nicer bathrooms than what you find in most terminals. Is it worth $400? You tell me.

To be fair, I spend most of my “lounge” time in the New York metropolitan area and, perhaps, the lounges here are worse than average. Perhaps I am too spoiled by the lounges in Europe which are typically so much nicer! Or, perhaps Continental just gives out way too many of these memberships free with credit cards…