Anyone want a free Northwest Airlines WorldClub pass?

by Grant Martin on

[Sorry for the delay in getting this posted — we had some legal issues to iron out]

Many of you have been privy to the ongoing discussion between Iva and myself about the virtues and the vices of airline club memberships. I think the benefit has come down to how valuable you find a) free snacks and alcohol and b) free wireless. While the noise is a bit quieter and the seats a bit more comfortable, other purported benefits may not be as useful as the airlines say.

Well, it’s time for you to make your own opinion. I have an extra one-time use WorldClub pass that I can send to any Gadlinger that can use it. It expires March 31st and you must be 21 years old to use it. It also helps if you’re flying on NW, although you don’t necessarily have to be. Just make sure that the terminal that you’re flying through has a WorldClub in it (and that its not in the next terminal over).

All that we ask in return is that you USE the pass and write in to tell us what you thought of the WorldClub. It doesn’t have to be an award-winning essay — just drop us an email telling us how you found the experience.

If you want me to mail the pass to you ASAP, post a comment below. We’ll make the drawing on Wednesday and you’ll have it before the end of the week.

Check out lounge locations here.

Good luck!

  • To enter, simply leave a comment below.
  • The comment must be left before Wednesday, March 12 at 2:00 PM Eastern Time.
  • You may enter only once.
  • One winner will be selected in a random drawing.
  • One Grand Prize Winner will receive a Northwest Airlines WorldClub pass good until March 31 (valued at $45)
  • Click Here for complete Official Rules.

[Thanks for all of your comments, we’ve already selected a winner]

    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.