A look at the current state of airport lounges from Businessweek. I can attest to their popularity in Denver, where we couldn't get into the United lounge "for an hour or so" because it was full of people waiting for their Lufthansa flight. OTOH, the Delta lounge at JFK is monstrous (used to be the United lounge) and that was a very pleasant experience. Thank you Amex Plat for getting us into that.
Posted by
11569 posts
We recently had a nice day long visit to United’s Club at ORD Terminal 1. Quiet, not crowded, and plenty of good food and drink.
Posted by
Hudson Valley
2267 posts
I'll take a solo seat in a busy lounge over anywhere else in the terminal any day! I've reached a status level with AA that lets me access any partner lounge while on an international itinerary. Between that the my Priority Pass (from Chase), I usually have options for lounge choices.
Note- Tipping just a dollar per drink at a staffed lounge bar will make you passenger #1 for your stay. (sadly)
Posted by
Ohio
330 posts
I was lucky through my previous job to have a United club pass for each year paid for. It was worth its weight in gold. Besides the snacks and drinks and more private comfy lounging spaces, the staff helped with any rebooking and mishaps. Now with that said, I haven’t utilized that in over 5 years, so not sure of “current state”.
I get 2 free United Club passes thru my Chase United credit card every year. Definitely going to take advantage of that next week while in Newark flying to Milan. I’ll post an update if I run into any issues with getting into the United club.
Happy travels!
Lisa
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA, USA
226 posts
I have Priority Pass and AMEX Plat card with Amex lounges. Its totally worth their weight in gold. I can eat,shower, work and drink without paying the high airport or Airline Buy On Board prices .
During a delay I was relaxing and had a dinner and skipped the airline meal .
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8050 posts
I get free access to both AMEX and Delta lounges (plus their partners), based on my credit card, and used and enjoyed it a lot when I traveled for business.
The Delta lounges were getting to be a zoo before the pandemic, and they have taken measures to limit access such as ending the purchase of some passes, a limit on the number of hours you can access, etc.
Even retired, I still pay for the card and the access. My unfortunate situation is that with flight changes, my airport only has one flight to Atlanta, at 7 AM Sunday, for my flight to Madrid at ~6 PM...so I get to spend 8 hours at ATL...the lounge will be a godsend. If one is packed, ATL has many lounges to choose from. Even this one trip goes a long way towards justifying paying what I do for the card. And anytime I travel overseas, I have a layover of at least 3 hours, on the way back next month, I get 6 hours at ATL.
ATL is also due to get an AMEX Centurion lounge, so that may ease crowding as well. They are expanding their lounge network, probably due to pressure from the airlines.
Posted by
OP
Los Angeles
4853 posts
Paul be careful you don't run into the time limit that Delta might or might not be enforcing
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8050 posts
Paul be careful you don't run into the time limit that Delta might or might not be enforcing
Yeah, I looked into that, but the time limit applies to your initial departure airport, basically you can only enter up to 3 hours before departure.
Since we will be in-transit, I am told that does not apply. My home airport is small, so no lounge anyway, but also no need to be there hours early.
Posted by
SF Bay Area, CA, USA
226 posts
I use the lounges because you can drink,eat,work on projects etc. I also love the showers too.