Category Archives for Lounges.
I think I like the B44 lounge more than the A concourse United Club, but not so much that I’d choose one over the other for any reason other than being closer to my gate. A has more empty seats up on the top floor, because it’s not as convenient to get up there, and it’s brighter.
American Airlines has the most exclusive lounges in the country. Few people realize though that there are certificates that AAdvantage elites can redeem miles for to gain access to these lounges. And it’s actually a pretty good deal, especially when traveling with family.
At this point I think that Capital One has the two best credit card lounges in the United States – their JFK lounge, and their ‘Landing’ tapas restaurant at Washington National airport in D.C..
There are 3 United Airlines United Clubs in Denver, plus the grab ‘n go Club Fly. One of the two clubs on the B concourse is currently closed. The lounge on the A West concourse near gate A25 is just a couple of years old. It’s big, it’s bright, and there’s plenty of seating.
Airport lounges are the distinctive domain of the upper middle classes, and with the rise of the new wealthy in China outstripping their capacity, one lounge has a fascinating restriction to keep away the crowds.
One rumor about tipping just isn’t true, that when you pay for premium drinks with SkyMiles at a Delta Sky Club that the airline pockets the tip and doesn’t pass it onto the server.
The highlight of the lounge – and some people love it, others hate it, my view was a bit more in the middle – is the food. They have actual beef, not something I’ve seen much of in Centurion lounges the past several years as the food budget appears to have been cut back.
Order up a cocktail, sit at the bar, in a quiet spot, or by the fireplace. Head to the gameroom with friends. Book a facial using a QR code that’s ubiquitous throughout the lounge. And see whether you agree with the majority opinion that the food is spectacular, or with me that it’s a bit of a disappointment.
It’s good that American Airlines is joining this trend. I’d rather see them investing in more lounges and lounge renovations. But additional options are certainly better than not. Hopefully those refrigerators will be stocked with a couple bottles of water I can grab when I pass through in a few days.
American Express is launching a new lounge concept, in airports where they already have Centurion lounges. It will be branded “Sidecar by Centurion Lounge.”
Gary Leff is one of the foremost experts in the field of miles, points, and frequent business travel -- a topic he has covered since 2002.
Co-founder of frequent flyer community InsideFlyer.com, emcee of the Freddie Awards, and named one of the "World's Top Travel Experts" by Conde' Nast Traveler (2010-Present) Gary has been a guest on most major news media, profiled in several top print publications, and published broadly on the topic of consumer loyalty. More About Gary »
