Lounges

Category Archives for Lounges.

Virginia Passed Emergency Legislation To Let Chase, Capital One Lounges Serve Alcohol

by Gary Leff on February 24, 2023

Feb 24 2023

Sometimes the easiest route to serving alcohol in an airport club is just to… change the law. That’s what’s happening in Virginia. And it’s going to get you served in new Capital One spaces at Washington Dulles and National airports, and at the Chase ‘The Club’ collaboration at Dulles.

Virginia’s legislature has passed an ’emergency’ law (i.e., goes into effect right away rather than waiting until July 1), to extend “mixed-beverage carrier licenses to financial institutions, their subsidiaries or contractors.”

It’s (Almost) Time For American Airlines To Raise The Fee For Admirals Club Lounge Membership

by Gary Leff on February 23, 2023

Feb 23 2023

American Airlines seems prepared to raise the price of access to its Admirals Club airport lounges, but this will make sense only if they improve the lounge product. I alluded to this in my explanation of how each of the major U.S. airlines is at a crossroads. Fortunately the lounge product is improving and this will make a higher fee worth it.

Details Of New Chase “Sapphire Experience” At Austin Airport, Opening Next Month

by Gary Leff on February 22, 2023

Feb 22 2023

It appears that Chase is taking over the outdoor deck that had been open to all passengers next to the Delta Sky Club near gate 1 at the East end of the terminal – and could be finished as soon as next month.

Food is “most likely pre-packed grab and go.” and “[w]ord on the street is that it’s a high end local taco spot that will be serving food.”

San Francisco Airport Getting New “The Club” Priority Pass Lounge Near American Airlines, Southwest

by Gary Leff on February 19, 2023

Feb 19 2023

San Francisco is getting a The Club lounge, a brand owned by the same company as Priority Pass. It will be in terminal 1, which serves American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest. It will be located airside near security.

It’s Time To Expect More From Passengers In Airport Lounges

by Gary Leff on February 12, 2023

Feb 12 2023

I frequently write about the things that airline lounges need to do for customers. They need to be more spacious and less crowded. They need to offer better food. They need to stay open until an airline’s last flight.

But what about the things that customers need to do for airline lounges? And… for each other?

7000 Delta Employees Are Protesting Being Locked Out Of Sky Clubs

by Gary Leff on February 7, 2023

Feb 07 2023

Since Friday, February 3 Delta Air Lines employees are no longer permitted to use Sky Clubs when traveling as nonrevs – even if they purchased a club membership or have the American Express co-brand Reserve card that comes with access.

Now there’s a petition with over 7,000 signatures asking Delta to restore access. It’s an open letter to airline CEO Ed Bastian, ‘let my co-workers in!’

Capital One Cardmembers Won’t Lose Access To Virgin Atlantic Lounges After All

by Gary Leff on February 3, 2023

Feb 03 2023

There were reports this week that Virgin Clubhouses were cutting Plaza Premium lounge access, it was natural to expect this would affect both American Express and Capital One customers. However Capital One confirms their cardmembers will still have access.

New Chase Sapphire Airport Location Revealed: Permit Issued At Austin Airport

by Gary Leff on February 1, 2023

Feb 01 2023

While Chase’s use of the space is confirmed the Austin airport offering will not be a permanent space or part of the lounge network.

Location Of 9th Chase Airport Lounge Discovered, As Bank Soon Becomes #3 Travel Platform In World

by Gary Leff on January 31, 2023

Jan 31 2023

Chase expects their travel platform will generate $10 billion in sales initially 2023, and $15 billion within a couple of years, becoming the third largest travel agency behind Expedia and Booking.com. Already Chase generates 25% of total leisure travel spend on its cards.

As Chase puts together the details, we learned Last summer that there were plans for a total of 9 Chase Sapphire lounges, but only 6 locations had been detailed.

Delta Announces Two New New York JFK Clubs, Including First Dedicated Business Lounge

by Gary Leff on January 17, 2023

Jan 17 2023

With the closure of New York JFK terminal 2 last week, Delta has consolidated its operations in terminal 4. Since that terminal was already crowded – it features the longest lines to get into any Sky Club – that didn’t seem like a positive for customers.

Fortunately relief is on the way for those accessing the Delta club at New York JFK, and not just because the airline is banning employees from using their lounges and charging more for memberships, banning non-elite customers from buying them, taking away access from elites flying coach on international trips and from club members who are flying on basic economy tickets.