E-mail updates
Follow on Twitter
Subscribe to RSSSarah Spagnolo of Travel + Leisure magazine explains airport loyalty programs and how perks can save you a bundle and make travel less of a hassle.
Imagine arriving at the airport for a domestic flight, first-class ticket in hand, only to find that you aren’t welcome in the airline’s lounge. It’s a rude shock, especially if you used 15,000 frequent-flyer miles plus a $75 co-pay to upgrade from coach.
Slideshow: See the how-to's of getting into a VIP lounge
A domestic first-class flier on many airlines may discover he has no more pre-flight perks than the backpacker in row 48 who got a discount economy ticket from a back-alley bucket shop. The only difference is that the backpacker doesn’t expect to be treated well by the airlines. Front-of-the-cabin customers usually hope for better.
That’s exactly what happened to me before a recent flight from Newark to Phoenix. To say I was disappointed does injustice to my blighted hope. I had been looking forward to a nice glass of chilled Sancerre blanc, a complimentary copy of The New York Times, free Wi-Fi, and a little something to nibble on — maybe some Beluga caviar on organic toast points — while I basked in the comfort of a cushy leather armchair. Instead I found myself sipping a Styrofoam cup of weak coffee on a hard bench at the dismal McDonald’s stand in Terminal C. Bummer.
Courtesy of Plaza Premium Lounge
Plaza Premium Lounge has 50 lounges in 16 cities in seven countries, mostly in Asia.
Had I been better prepared, I might have considered one of several alternative ways to get into the executive lounge. I could have bought a membership, or even a day pass. I could have chosen to go to Phnom Penh instead of Phoenix (international business- and first-class passengers almost always get lounge access.) As I later discovered, there are numerous ways to get first-class treatment at the airport even if you’re not a first-class passenger.
In my case, relaxing in the lounge wasn’t crucial. But sometimes access to one of those sought-after sanctuaries is almost a necessity — especially if you have a long transit wait on an international flight, or if you must check out of your hotel at noon but have work to do for the next 10 or 12 hours until your red-eye departs.
So if you don’t otherwise qualify for lounge access, consider one of the many optional ways to elicit the magic words, "open sesame."
More from Travel + Leisure
- Best and worst airlines for flight delays
- Adorable baby animal photos
- America's best college football stadiums
- World's most beautiful museums
Leave a Comment:
So, if I understand this article correctly, the major tips on getting into a lounge are as follows:
1. Buy a membership. Wow - stunning insight. I'm writing this down so I don't forget it. I never even thought about the fact clubs might offer memberships to generate the revenues that offset the clubs' costs.
2. Buy a day pass. See comment above.
3. Change your flight to go international for no other reason than to get into the club. I realize this was meant tongue-in-cheek, but it's in no way helpful. Or funny.
How about this: If you're going to have a link that suggests there are some hidden tricks to getting into a lounge, how about including some tricks? Buying a membership/day pass isn't a secret to, well, anyone. If there really are no tricks, don't waste our time on trying-to-be-clever fluff with no substance. That's what Facebook is for.
I was thinking the same thing, BS...was waiting for the author to actually tell me something I didn't already know.
Amazing what paid journalists have become.
The post is perfectly stated. What a waste of bandwidth. And to think he collected a paycheck for it.
It turns out that all the useful information is in the slide show. It would be nice if the text of the article would actually tell the reader that little fact!!
Did anyone click the Slideshow link???????
Yes, was there something useful there I missed?
Bin - You didn't miss anything. The slideshow is nothing but variations on the pay for entering the lounge theme anyway. i.e. use miles...buy a day pass...buy a pass on ebay, etc. The only one that was different was the suggestion that your American Express Platinum card gets you into lounges, but they forget to mention that it by no means gets you into all of the lounges. For instance, United does not let you into their clubs with an American Express Platinum. Really, really crappy article.
Awww come on, guys. You KNOW that there is no secret (and free) handshake or facial gesture that gets one into a lounge. The slide show offered more detail that just "Buy it." The credit card idea is good. Discounters too. There were some very good options described - with appropriate links. Something for nothing just doesn't work. The show offered something for.... a little.....
It reminds me of those announements on TV - you know, "Big tips on staying young....tune in for news at 11" or "Life-threatening foods in your pantry....tune in for news at 11" - you know them! So you think, wow, I'm going to find out something extraordinary and you do tune in to news at 11 and guess what....all that hype...all those spots throughout the day....all that waiting until the end of the broadcast...and then what is the "big news"? A ten-second blip with something like....stay young by wearing sunblock....get that moldy food out of your pantry....or my favorite when offered Secrets of Weight Loss ABC offered one night. Want to know what I stayed up until midnight for? To find out the secret to weight loss is eating less and exercising - who knew? Please media, if you think you have something to offer, please be sure you can deliver before making the claim!!!!
Worst article I've ever read. Where are the tips, hints, and tricks? Buy a membership/day-pass? You have got to be kidding me.
Here's a tip from a frequent traveler, get the AmEx Platinum card. You have free access to the lounges. Best thing I did when I flew cross-country twice a week.
You should be a travel journalist! You had 1 genuine tip, which is 1 more than he had!
One of the most useless articles I've ever lost 2 minutes of my life to.
Not to mention a couple of more minutes you chose to lose in order to Newswhine.
Guess I type faster than you do. :)
Not useless to comment on an article as many times the authors read the comments and sometimes respond. Glad you gave the feedback for this lame turkey.
My GF has the Platinum card, went to Oregon in October, tried to get into the United lounge at LAX, said, sorry, not anymore. So, went to the gate and had that coffee mentioned in the article.
Was it good coffee?
The worst ever article. I think I could have offered more tips. Maybe I'll write one!
In Manila, depending who's guarding the door, you can usually bribe your way in for like 20 bucks. Haven't been there in quite a while, so it may have gone up by now. I'd suggest carrying a bunch of $5 bills. In some of the grosser places in Asia, all it takes is a little green. http://justlooklikefrog.wordpress.com for stories.
Thrilla in manilla
Geez, this guy is an amateur traveller. Caviar in a Skyclub or United Club? HA! The only benefit to being in the club is just to get some quiet time to get away from rookies who think that Domestic First Class means filet and lobster (and the free wi-fi, which many airports have anyway).
I like the other suggestions.... get the AMEX Platinum card!
I agree with the other posters. This article was by far one of the worst things I have ever read. If only I had my 30 seconds back so I could have read something useful instead, like the do not remove tag on my mattress...
If the slideshow is to give the answers to the title of the article, than that should CLEARLY be indicated. Teaser articles only cause someone to become angry with the news site (thus the many complaints posted here). There are many other news and advice sites to choose from and the more articles like this from MSNBC.com and I think I'll permanently switch.
Your best option, domestically, is a day pass...worthwhile only if you have a substantial layover. Alternatively, though I've never tried it myself, you could hang out near the club entrance and try to strike up a quick friendship with a member, who can usually bring in a guest for free.
This is classic click-harvesting. A useless lead-in article with no info and then a 12 page slideshow that refreshes every time so you they can show you 12 different sets of ads. Jeez
What can you expect from the Media, they have to fill in the gaps in real news. That means 90 percent BS or more. What is the big deal about a lounge at the Airport and why should you get in free? Get a life and deal with it.
Where are the tips? Guess you needed something to fill a page with? Sheesh what a waste of space.
Horrible article:
SEVERAL? I thought the point of the whole article was to TELL us the several ways. And he mentions there are ways to do it without First-Class tickets, but then says that international business and "first-class" ALMOST always get access.
Scratch the ticket to that one asia city.
Scratch the method that is a MAYBE
So,,,, the several methods really is just BUY A DAY-PASS.
Anyone know if there is a way to block reading any additional articles by this person, cause this one was useless?
I have lucked out on something I did 40 years ago. I bought a Lifetime membership to the Airline Club for National Airlines for $500.00. When Pan AM bought national they converted it to a Lifetie membership for the Pan Am Clipper Club and when Delta Bought Pan AM they converted it to a Lifetie membership in the Delta Crown room which is now the Sky Club. Delta has never sold any Lifetie memberships in any of their clubs but when I arrive all the attendants know that I was a Lifetie member of the Clipper Club. Currently a three year membership in the Delta Sky club is $1,500.00 for married status.
A deal that keeps paying and paying and paying
Been a member fo these VIP lounges for years. It sure does make international travel bearable, especially during the Haj when no one takes a shower. YUK!
What a disappointing article.
THANKS - I read the whole article and it says nothing boooooooooo
Best way to get in is follow somebody throughout the door and nobody will say anything to you
Not all travelers, travel agents or travel writers are as clueless and overpaid as this author was. You're all correct. There was nothing in this article that gave out-of-the-box solutions, just what we all already knew. I'm a travel writer and travel consultant myself and am continuously looking for tips to help my own readers and clients. This article was an embarrassment to the media industry.
I expected more......
This is all crap advice....just be nice to your airline...no magic.
I would like to echo the sentiments voiced by all of you. This article was truly useless, but for its utter force in uniting a group of disparate, witty and smart people as evidenced by these many comments.
I read a lot of news story comments and never before have I seen so many people on the same page. I agree that journalists should be paid for intended consequences, but I am proud that this worthless article generated such a connected fraternity of protestors.
Seriously msnbc. Either can this author or send him on a trip around the world where the only condition is that he is forbidden from writing.