Airport lounges, please post your experience, how to get to the lounge, if it was worthy of the visit, and if you had to go through security again...

[jmhpsu93]

I can never find a lounge near Southwest gates at MCO. Where the heck is it? We fly SW all the time to MCO, would love to take advantage!

It's not by the Southwest gates (100-129?). It's in the gates 70-99 pod. It's on the same security side, only you take the other train. As I noted above, make darn sure you take the train on the right (when facing the tracks), otherwise you wind up outside of security.

Here's a map...the yellow dots are "The Club at MCO" which are Priority Pass. I've never been to the 1-29 area so not sure exactly where it is over there. There's also a Delta Club Lounge in 4. I've also noted the Southwest gates and the correct train to take back to main hub if you want to use the lounge in area 4 but are flying Southwest:

 

[TravelTime]

We get 2 free passes for the United lounges. A huge problem is that we need to pay extra for our 2 kids. They each require a pass and I did not think the benefits of the lounge would offset the cost for them to go in. So we passed. This was in Chicago. Also as someone mentioned, the United lounges get crowded. We stood in a long line only to find out the kids could not go in with us.

I looked into Priority Pass and getting the higher end Chase Sapphire Preserve card. Guests are included with PP. The main reason I did not pick that card is that they do not have a lounge in Sacramento and that is our home airport.

I am rather surprised that PP does not have a lounge in Sacramento. It is a huge region serving millions of people in at least 4 counties that span from west of Sacramento all the way to the Nevada border. I feel like this area is ignored. Sacramento is the capital of CA too. PP has lounges in many smaller airports so why not Sacramento?

 

[jmhpsu93]

We get 2 free passes for the United lounges. A huge problem is that we need to pay extra for our 2 kids. They each require a pass and I did not think the benefits of the lounge would offset the cost for them to go in. So we passed. This was in Chicago. Also as someone mentioned, the United lounges get crowded. We stood in a long line only to find out the kids could not go in with us.

I looked into Priority Pass and getting the higher end Chase Sapphire Preserve card. Guests are included with PP. The main reason I did not pick that card is that they do not have a lounge in Sacramento and that is our home airport.

I am rather surprised that PP does not have a lounge in Sacramento. It is a huge region serving millions of people in at least 4 counties that span from west of Sacramento all the way to the Nevada border. I feel like this area is ignored. Sacramento is the capital of CA too. PP has lounges in many smaller airports so why not Sacramento?

SMF has two AMEX lounges. The advantage of AMEX over Chase is the broader lounge access of both the Centurion/Escape lounges AND everything else in Priority Pass. It's the only reason I carry that card.

 

[rickandcindy23]

The Minute Suite in the Boston airport is something Rick and I used with Priority Pass, and we happened to stumble upon it on our way to the gate, just when we found out our flight was delayed. We each used our card for an hour, so two hours in that suite. We thought it was a nice quiet place, but the time went quickly. We had a TV and good internet. Snacks were extra, and I thought that was odd that not even water was included. We went to a fast food place in the airport to get a bite before flying back home on Southwest.

 

[rickandcindy23]

We get 2 free passes for the United lounges. A huge problem is that we need to pay extra for our 2 kids. They each require a pass and I did not think the benefits of the lounge would offset the cost for them to go in. So we passed. This was in Chicago. Also as someone mentioned, the United lounges get crowded. We stood in a long line only to find out the kids could not go in with us.

I looked into Priority Pass and getting the higher end Chase Sapphire Preserve card. Guests are included with PP. The main reason I did not pick that card is that they do not have a lounge in Sacramento and that is our home airport.

I am rather surprised that PP does not have a lounge in Sacramento. It is a huge region serving millions of people in at least 4 counties that span from west of Sacramento all the way to the Nevada border. I feel like this area is ignored. Sacramento is the capital of CA too. PP has lounges in many smaller airports so why not Sacramento?

Priority Pass is adding lounges all of the time, but many have closed. I noticed that Alaska Boardroom locations, which used to be a part of the Priority Pass, are no longer listed.

When Denver opened up new gates in Concourse C for Southwest, I was so sure we would get a new lounge for Priority Pass. There is so much space for one, but so far, nothing added. That has been about six months ago, maybe longer. When we went through those gates from our late-night flight home from Orlando, most of the gates were still missing chairs. I don't know how many gates were added, but it was substantial. It was quite a walk to the train from those gates.

 

[LisaH]

MSP has a PGA lounge after security access. $15 per person.
Yankee Piers at SFO doesn’t accept Priority Pass by AmEx, but Chase Sapphire is OK.

 

[buzglyd]

MSP has a PGA lounge after security access. $15 per person.
Yankee Piers at SFO doesn’t accept Priority Pass by AmEx, but Chase Sapphire is OK.

AMEX removed restaurant payments a few years ago. AMEX is lounge only everywhere.

 

[zentraveler]

I'm reminded of the "lounge" at OGG. Yikes.

Ridiculous PP "lounge". Doesn't even have a bathroom. Crowded, minimal food mostly snacks, no wine or beer. Had such a bad experience there a couple of years ago that I left and had lunch at the large restaurant. Got PP to refund my $32 when I explained how bad it was.

 

[melissy123]

It's not by the Southwest gates (100-129?). It's in the gates 70-99 pod. It's on the same security side, only you take the other train. As I noted above, make darn sure you take the train on the right (when facing the tracks), otherwise you wind up outside of security.

Here's a map...the yellow dots are "The Club at MCO" which are Priority Pass. I've never been to the 1-29 area so not sure exactly where it is over there. There's also a Delta Club Lounge in 4. I've also noted the Southwest gates and the correct train to take back to main hub if you want to use the lounge in area 4 but are flying Southwest:

View attachment 70213

while it’s on the same security side, we had to leave the gate area after visiting the MCO lounge and then go back in through security to get to the Southwest gate. Good thing we had TSA pre-check or we would have been late boarding.

 

[jmhpsu93]

while it’s on the same security side, we had to leave the gate area after visiting the MCO lounge and then go back in through security to get to the Southwest gate. Good thing we had TSA pre-check or we would have been late boarding.

You DON'T have to go through security again IF you take the train I noted on the map (the right hand one as you're exiting the gate pod area looking at the train tracks heading towards the terminals). If you take the left train you get dumped out of security. I've done that too. There aren't any signs, either.

 

[bnoble]

...assuming they don't change which side(s) do/do not force you out. If memory serves, they could re-route or "wall off" either side. It would not surprise me if it changed from time to time. But, if you pay attention to what happens to both sides of the shuttle before you leave the landside building, you should know which side(s) will allow you to return without leaving the secure area (if any).

 

[jmhpsu93]

...assuming they don't change which side(s) do/do not force you out. If memory serves, they could re-route or "wall off" either side. It would not surprise me if it changed from time to time. But, if you pay attention to what happens to both sides of the shuttle before you leave the landside building, you should know which side(s) will allow you to return without leaving the secure area (if any).

I don't think it's possible for them to force you out of security on that other side. You'd have to cross where people board the trains FROM security to the gate pods. The only way would be to reverse the doors and signage on the terminal/security side.

We'll be there next month. I'll take pictures where security will permit me to.

 

[x3 skier]

Use PP I get with the AMEX Hilton every year at PVR. Nice lounge with free drinks and good finger food. Pays to get there early for your flight as it fills up later.

Best lounge at ORD is the AA Flagship Lounge I can access with my Biz Class ticket to LHR on my yearly trip.

CVG has a small The Club I use when flying SWA. DEN The Club was jammed the last few times I was there.

After 60 years of flying (commercial and private) I can take or leave Lounges and would never pay the megabucks for member access as I don‘t fly more than 7-8 trips a year. And half the time the connection is short or the place is jammed.

Cheers

 

[bnoble]

megabucks

The total cost of my AmEx Plat is:

$875 (~$700 annual fee for first card, $175 for the other three)
- $240 (reimburse part of a few media subscriptions that I already buy)
- $200 (airline fee credit on designated airline)
- $75 (pro-rated global entry; each of us renews it every five years, for $400 over five years)

Total cost: $360 so that each of the four of us has (independent) lounge access to Delta + Priority Pass + Centurion. I live in a Delta hub city, so my partner and I fly Delta pretty much everywhere, and the kids often do so as well. For example, my son hung out at the brand new LAX SkyClub (which is very nice) on his return trip home for winter break from UCLA.

Lounge access for $90/person/year is a pretty good deal.

It pays for CLEAR for both my partner and I, though I would not buy it if I had to pay for it, so I don't count that as money "saved." It also gives access to Executive Aisle at National, which happens to be the rental car agency my employer (a) has a very good bulk contract with that (b) I am allowed to use for personal travel. That usually gives me a great rate, plus I get to pick a car off the Aisle. Sometimes, that's Just Another Sedan, but for e.g. our Palm Beach Shores trip last Febraury we grabbed a Mustang convertible for the midsize rate. Again, nothing I would pay for, but an awfully nice perk.

So, as I said above, if you travel frequently and live in a Delta hub city, it's pretty much a no-brainer. However, if I wasn't a Delta captive (i.e. the SkyClub access didn't matter) then it would be a harder sell.

 

[jmhpsu93]

The total cost of my AmEx Plat is:

$875 (~$700 annual fee for first card, $175 for the other three)
- $240 (reimburse part of a few media subscriptions that I already buy)
- $200 (airline fee credit on designated airline)
- $75 (pro-rated global entry; each of us renews it every five years, for $400 over five years)

Total cost: $360 so that each of the four of us has (independent) lounge access to Delta + Priority Pass + Centurion. I live in a Delta hub city, so my partner and I fly Delta pretty much everywhere, and the kids often do so as well. For example, my son hung out at the brand new LAX SkyClub (which is very nice) on his return trip home for winter break from UCLA.

Lounge access for $90/person/year is a pretty good deal.

It pays for CLEAR for both my partner and I, though I would not buy it if I had to pay for it, so I don't count that as money "saved." It also gives access to Executive Aisle at National, which happens to be the rental car agency my employer (a) has a very good bulk contract with that (b) I am allowed to use for personal travel. That usually gives me a great rate, plus I get to pick a car off the Aisle. Sometimes, that's Just Another Sedan, but for e.g. our Palm Beach Shores trip last Febraury we grabbed a Mustang convertible for the midsize rate. Again, nothing I would pay for, but an awfully nice perk.

So, as I said above, if you travel frequently and live in a Delta hub city, it's pretty much a no-brainer. However, if I wasn't a Delta captive (i.e. the SkyClub access didn't matter) then it would be a harder sell.

There's also a $200/year Uber benefit if you utilize that rideshare program. And $100/year at Saks Fifth Avenue if you want to make a down payment on a pair of shoes.

 

[bnoble]

Yeah, I generally don't use Uber, for Reasons, but do get a few $10 credits out of it over the course of a year. It felt like piling on to include it.

 

[TravelTime]

SMF has two AMEX lounges. The advantage of AMEX over Chase is the broader lounge access of both the Centurion/Escape lounges AND everything else in Priority Pass. It's the only reason I carry that card.

I was looking at their cards and their points program does not look very strong. How is it to earn points for normal purchases?

 

[10spro]

I'm reminded of the "lounge" at OGG. Yikes.

We waited 45 minutes to get into that "lounge" at OGG. It felt like we had the budget version, maybe it's improved recently, othewise I did not find it worth the effort.

 

[mdurette]

Also, be watching for Chase Saphirre lounges to open in a few airports......

The complete guide to Chase airport lounges - The Points Guy

The airport lounge game is getting even more interesting with Chase opening its own Chase Sapphire Lounges. Here's how to access them.

thepointsguy.com

 

[mdurette]

@jmhpsu93 : thanks for the map. Thus the reason why I have never seen it as we are usually at gates 100-129. I see how the train would work, but I will most likely still end up in the food court in the area of the gate unless I get to the airport crazy early for whatever reason! My next flight out of MCO is on Frontier. I need to look up where there gates are, maybe I will be lucky and get one in the general location of a lounge.

 

[x3 skier]

The total cost of my AmEx Plat is:

$875 (~$700 annual fee for first card, $175 for the other three)
- $240 (reimburse part of a few media subscriptions that I already buy)
- $200 (airline fee credit on designated airline)
- $75 (pro-rated global entry; each of us renews it every five years, for $400 over five years)

Total cost: $360 so that each of the four of us has (independent) lounge access to Delta + Priority Pass + Centurion. I live in a Delta hub city, so my partner and I fly Delta pretty much everywhere, and the kids often do so as well. For example, my son hung out at the brand new LAX SkyClub (which is very nice) on his return trip home for winter break from UCLA.

Lounge access for $90/person/year is a pretty good deal.

It pays for CLEAR for both my partner and I, though I would not buy it if I had to pay for it, so I don't count that as money "saved." It also gives access to Executive Aisle at National, which happens to be the rental car agency my employer (a) has a very good bulk contract with that (b) I am allowed to use for personal travel. That usually gives me a great rate, plus I get to pick a car off the Aisle. Sometimes, that's Just Another Sedan, but for e.g. our Palm Beach Shores trip last Febraury we grabbed a Mustang convertible for the midsize rate. Again, nothing I would pay for, but an awfully nice perk.

So, as I said above, if you travel frequently and live in a Delta hub city, it's pretty much a no-brainer. However, if I wasn't a Delta captive (i.e. the SkyClub access didn't matter) then it would be a harder sell.

I get GE on another much cheaper card
If you mean print media, I have none other than those that come with my memberships in organizations
Is the airline “fee” baggage etc. or ticket cost. If the former, I don’t recall paying any. Ever
So my cost would be either $875 or maybe $675 for the privilege of a Club visit (if there is time) on maybe 6 trips a year. Not good use of money compared to what I get with other cards. But clearly Your Mileage DID vary

 

[rickandcindy23]

We get Global Entry on way too many cards to even consider it a benefit of any card. I get it on my Marriott Amex Brilliant, and my Hilton Aspire, and my Chase Sapphire Reserve. I have only used CSR for the Global Entry.

I keep the Marriott because we get so many points with our MF's. The lounge benefit is not good for restaurants, but the hotel room can be a very nice perk of that card because we get up to an 85,000 point reservation with it, and that is a pretty nice hotel on Maui for those points. The fee is $650, and $300 credits for restaurants (which means I have to remember to use that card when we go out) + the hotel night, it's not a bad card to have. I also have the Platinum Elite hotel status to go with it, which I never had it before.

I get 6X on my Marriott MF's.

 

[zentraveler]

We waited 45 minutes to get into that "lounge" at OGG. It felt like we had the budget version, maybe it's improved recently, othewise I did not find it worth the effort.

Unless things have changed dramatically I wouldn't wait 5 minutes to get in there. And until someone can post a better review I will just skip it altogether and go to the restaurant (forgotten the name).

 

[rickandcindy23]

Unless things have changed dramatically I wouldn't wait 5 minutes to get in there. And until someone can post a better review I will just skip it altogether and go to the restaurant (forgotten the name).

Maybe Sammy's after Sammy Haggar?

Rick likes the Burger King at OGG. We go there often before flights. He doesn't like airline food. He picks at it and gives it to me.

 

[zentraveler]

Maybe Sammy's after Sammy Haggar?

Rick likes the Burger King at OGG. We go there often before flights. He doesn't like airline food. He picks at it and gives it to me.

That is probably it. It is a short walk from the PP lounge at OGG and on the other side of some other restaurant (Burger king? Pizza? It's been a couple of years.)