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...

[1Kflyerguy]

Yeah - I would expect that an airline lounge would give first priority to those who have purchased membership in their lounge and to people who are flying on of their flights with access privileges. Second priority would go to people who are elite flyers within their airline travel group and who are at a level that gives lounge privileges throughout the group. Lowest priority would be any affiliations that are simply via credit card.

The Aspire Lounge in San Diego that I mentioned upthread is not part of an airline group. As I noted, it looked as if they simply shut the door once capacity was reached.

Thats similar to "The Club" in San Jose, no airline affiliation, but part of priority pass. Some of the airlines that fly international out of SJC with a Business Class, contract with them to provide pre-flight club usage..

 

[beejaybee]

Not a lounge and you must go through security again, but we will leave Terminal 8 at JFK to go to the TWA hotel just outside Terminal 5 for a look-see and lunch during our 5.5 hour layover there in August.
I'd investigated day pass options to while away our time, but nada. The TWA hotel was suggested on another forum I frequent.

Photos

www.twahotel.com

 

[jabberwocky]

Most lounges have lost their luster and are not the exclusive experience one would expect. Getting a few cookies/chips and a drink while sitting in a flattened seat just isn’t appealing in most locations.

Now that pretty much anyone can get into a lounge with a credit card I don’t bother even seeking one out before my flight in certain areas. I’m much better off having a good meal/drink at the hotel restaurant and then arriving at the gate and walking around for 30 mins or so.

If you want a real treat, the Air Canada Signature Lounges in Vancouver and Toronto are special. Real food cooked when you order (they also have a buffet), comfy seating and for those who like a beverage - a great selection of drinks (I typically avoid alcohol when flying).

 

[frank808]

Just visited the Chase Sapphire lounge in Boston. It was good but very crowded. Buffet, fresh cooked food and some interesting cocktails.

It was a better experience and burger than the Polaris lounge at EWR and San Fran.

Showers and massage chairs had a 3 hour wait though. Lots of staff cleaning and delivering food.

I am looking forward to visiting more Chase Lounges.

 

[rickandcindy23]

I just received an updated Priority Pass Lounge benefit message that basically said nothing at all. Just a note that the price per guest has gone up. I tried to look at my Chase account and online at the Priority Pass website for any new information and reduction is benefits, because we all know benefits decrease over time for everything.

What are the terms for the PP lounge now for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. How many people can you take with you to the lounge? We used to be able to take UP TO NINE people. Can you believe they used to allow that many guests!!!???? Is it one or two people now? I don't have a clue.

Our son and daughter-in-law have three kids and each have the card. I am sure patrons don't like to see twins that are under 2 in the lounge, but that is what they have. Mostly they like the restaurants.

 

[jmhpsu93]

CUN has two in Terminal 4 right next to each other...one takes Priority Pass and the other AMEX. The AMEX one (Mira) is much bigger and nicer, and usually less crowded. I can get into both so I choose that one. Not sure about going from Terminal to Terminal as they are far apart (not walkable) and not designed to transverse between the them.

Update: CUN Terminal 4 now has a Mira lounge by Gate 67. That was where it used to be, and then that closed during the pandemic, and now is reopen. AMEX Platinum only to get in, not Priority Pass. It's a very nice lounge with good food and beverages, and they have sleeping lounges if one is into napping.

 

[jmhpsu93]

I just received an updated Priority Pass Lounge benefit message that basically said nothing at all. Just a note that the price per guest has gone up. I tried to look at my Chase account and online at the Priority Pass website for any new information and reduction is benefits, because we all know benefits decrease over time for everything.

What are the terms for the PP lounge now for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. How many people can you take with you to the lounge? We used to be able to take UP TO NINE people. Can you believe they used to allow that many guests!!!???? Is it one or two people now? I don't have a clue.

Our son and daughter-in-law have three kids and each have the card. I am sure patrons don't like to see twins that are under 2 in the lounge, but that is what they have. Mostly they like the restaurants.

It's lounge-specific but all of the Priority Pass ones I've been to allow two guests for free.

 

[sun starved Gayle]

Just visited the Chase Sapphire lounge in Boston. It was good but very crowded. Buffet, fresh cooked food and some interesting cocktails.

It was a better experience and burger than the Polaris lounge at EWR and San Fran.

Showers and massage chairs had a 3 hour wait though. Lots of staff cleaning and delivering food.

I am looking forward to visiting more Chase Lounges.

Thanks for this review @frank808, I am looking forward to visiting this one in Boston soon. What time of day did you use this? We have an evening flight out and I’m hoping it won’t be crowded as you reported.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Rick just found some info that stated only one guest with the PP select member. Big reduction from nine. Pretty soon it will be only the card holder who can go in. A lot of people will be weighing the value of that card after it happens. Two cards for some families at $650 per card...so expensive. I like having the cards for 3X on travel and the $300 credit, but the lounge benefit is a big deal to us.

 

[frank808]

Thanks for this review @frank808, I am looking forward to visiting this one in Boston soon. What time of day did you use this? We have an evening flight out and I’m hoping it won’t be crowded as you reported.

We were there from about 3pm to 7pm. United kept delaying our flight to EWR. Like I said a very nice lounge and a good burger (better than the Polaris lounge burger at least). If you want a shower I suggest going to make an appointment ASAP when you check in as there are only 2 shower suites. Enjoy your time there.

 

[mdurette]

I just received an updated Priority Pass Lounge benefit message that basically said nothing at all. Just a note that the price per guest has gone up. I tried to look at my Chase account and online at the Priority Pass website for any new information and reduction is benefits, because we all know benefits decrease over time for everything.

What are the terms for the PP lounge now for the Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. How many people can you take with you to the lounge? We used to be able to take UP TO NINE people. Can you believe they used to allow that many guests!!!???? Is it one or two people now? I don't have a clue.

Our son and daughter-in-law have three kids and each have the card. I am sure patrons don't like to see twins that are under 2 in the lounge, but that is what they have. Mostly they like the restaurants.

It has been CSR holder and AU plus 2 for a few years.

Our home airport as a restaurant for PP, the food is nothing grand but it is good enough. We went last weekend for breakfast and as we sat down I heard a waitress tell another "can't wait until the 1st person tries to use their PP and find they can't" So I spoke up (we hadn't ordered yet) and she said they got new machines, but they were not working. Glad I heard her, I would not have been happy if I ordered up to $90 of food for us all and had to pay for it.

Now I'm going to edit: I just looked at my home airport terms and it only mentions $30 for holder and $30 for one guest....so maybe it is going down.


As for the CSR lounge in Boston, looking forward to visiting it on our next trip. Surprised it was full, I assumed wrong thinking limiting it to Reserve holders (some execptions) would keep the amount of people down. But, there must be a lot of people with it!

 

[Pompey Family]

The best lounges are the airline lounges where you can't pay to enter but must either be flying business/first class or have sufficient status with the airline loyalty program. My favourite so far is the Concorde Room at Heathrow T5. Only available to those flying first class with BA or a member of the Concorde Club. The Virgin lounge at Heathrow T3 is also excellent along with the Cathay Pacific and Quantas lounges. The BA First and Galleries lounges whilst crowded are infinitely better than any of the US lounges I've been to. I find US lounges to be way behind many other countries lounges with mediocre food, low quality drinks and bland spaces. The best US lounge I've been to is the Admiral's lounge at Miami International. It's an improvement on most US lounges but still has a long way to go to catch up with its international rivals.

 

[x3 skier]

The best lounges are the airline lounges where you can't pay to enter but must either be flying business/first class or have sufficient status with the airline loyalty program. My favourite so far is the Concorde Room at Heathrow T5. Only available to those flying first class with BA or a member of the Concorde Club. The Virgin lounge at Heathrow T3 is also excellent along with the Cathay Pacific and Quantas lounges. The BA First and Galleries lounges whilst crowded are infinitely better than any of the US lounges I've been to. I find US lounges to be way behind many other countries lounges with mediocre food, low quality drinks and bland spaces. The best US lounge I've been to is the Admiral's lounge at Miami International. It's an improvement on most US lounges but still has a long way to go to catch up with its international rivals.

I agree 100%

 

[rickandcindy23]

We are flying Delta a lot in the near future, including a trip to Europe, trip to Atlanta, and trip to Maui next year. I am considering the Delta card that has lounge privileges in the U.S. It's been a discussion in our household for a while, but I think we would need two cards or pay for an additional user. The card is already expensive. Flying out of Denver, the Delta lounge isn't much, according to friends who have the card.

 

[Miss Marty]

VIP ONE JFK: Skip Security Lines For A Fee, Or With Priority Pass​

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Priority Pass members can now skip New York JFK Terminal 1 TSA lines with the new VIP ONE fast track capability.

businesstravelerusa.com

 

[jackio]

We visited the MCO Club Orlando lounge on Friday. It was very crowded, so we were put a waitlist, and they texted my husband about 20 minutes later that they had room for our party of 4. There weren't 4 seats together inside the lounge, but in about a half hour a group opened up and we moved. Our flight was delayed so we stayed about 2 hours. There was an open bar, sodas, coffee and tea. No bottled water, but water in coolers. There were salad choices, and a vat of hot soup (New England Clam Chowder) and a hot chafing dish with a ramen noodle dish. There are only 2 unisex bathrooms, and one was out of order.
I would have been disappointed if we had paid to get it, but it was great for free with our Chase Priority Pass membership.

 

[melissy123]

I find it surprising that LAX has zero Chase priority lounges. A few years back there were at least two restaurant options but now zero.

 

[rickandcindy23]

Stopped (at DEN) this morning at the new restaurant with Priority Pass. It is called The Mercantile. Great breakfast of eggs, potatoes and sausage. It's concourse A as you come off the escalator from the train.

 

[Luanne]

I guess I didn't post this earlier. In October my daughter and I flew to Seattle, with a stop in Denver both ways. We used the United lounges in Denver in both directions. The one in Terminal A was new and huge. 24,000 sq.-ft club offers two premium bars and 400 seats across two levels of club space. The food was good, seating was comfortable. On the way back we used the lounge in Terminal B. My daughter said it had been upgraded since the last time she had used it. I thought it was just as nice as the newer lounge. Both of them took United passes

 

[buzglyd]

I was in Cabo in November and there was a line out the door for the lounge. They said roughly a 45 minute wait so I bailed out to the food court and got a slice of pizza and waited for my flight. I’m going to Cancun in March. That lounge gets packed too.

 

[marmite]

Unless you're Canadian, you may not have a chance to try the WestJet lounge in Calgary. You order the food from your phone and they deliver it to your table, it is beautiful and tasty... the menu changes frequently. There are always some interesting cocktails to choose from too.

Shower facilities are really nice and there is a lot of comfy feet-up seating. If I have to route through a city to get to my final destination, I always choose to go through Calgary on WestJet. It doesn't matter if you're far from the lounge as electric vehicles (that hold 10 persons) have several pick up points and can whisk you to it. It's all very civilized.

 

[CalGalTraveler]

At (DEN) tried Sweetwater at the end of Concourse B. It's a long walk to the end of concourse B so you need to allow plenty of time.

Expensive. Like most airport restaurants, most entrees were $18 to $22 plus tax and tip which would eat most of the $28 PP allowance not including a drink. A hamburger was $18.

Not impressed with my order. In both of our entrees, the fries were greasy and soggy. My cole slaw was pickled and limp. The signature sauce for my fish was too spicy to eat. All they could offer was ketchup or mayonnaise as substitute.

Draft beer was good so may just order that and a salad next time. Or skip the hike and try the other restaurant in Concourse A.

 

[jabberwocky]

Unless you're Canadian, you may not have a chance to try the WestJet lounge in Calgary. You order the food from your phone and they deliver it to your table, it is beautiful and tasty... the menu changes frequently. There are always some interesting cocktails to choose from too.

Shower facilities are really nice and there is a lot of comfy feet-up seating. If I have to route through a city to get to my final destination, I always choose to go through Calgary on WestJet. It doesn't matter if you're far from the lounge as electric vehicles (that hold 10 persons) have several pick up points and can whisk you to it. It's all very civilized.

I agree the Westjet lounge there is fantastic. I just wish they had more across the country! I’d probably fly a bit more with WS if they also had lounges in YVR and YYZ. Note that the YYC lounge is really only good if flying to another Canadian destination. International and transborder flights will take a long time to get to (and potentially have to clear security/customs if US bound).

Unfortunately I generally hate the YYC airport now. Rather than having the gates grouped by airline on the various concourses, they decided to disperse them so it would be “equitable”. That usually means you’ll now have a much longer walk if connecting domestically within the same airline - not fun if you have a tight connection.

I also don’t like the distance you have to travel from international or US arrivals to the Canadian border agents at YYC. It’s incredibly far and they don’t have the shuttles or moving walkways in that portion. I much prefer YYZ and YVR - they just seem to be designed better.

 

[marmite]

@jabberywocky I sure wish they had a WestJet lounge in Vancouver and Toronto too, but when flying through Calgary to a US destination we usually have a lot of time between flights so lounge-hop between the WestJet lounge, clear customs and then go to the Plaza Premium lounge on the US side. For some reason we have found clearing customs in Calgary incredibly fast and efficient.

I have actually had much worse experiences flying into YVR from Hawaii at night, they have been parking the plane out at the end of the Canadian departures area, and having everyone walk more than 10 minutes to get to the US arrivals area. I'd say it takes 10-14 minutes, but that is us doing a really brisk march as fast as we can, and at 1am that just is no fun. There are no moving walkways out in that portion either. Most of YVR is great, but not all of it.

 

[jwalk03]

I just product traded to the Ritz Card about a month ago so I have a Priority Pass Lounge membership now for the first time.

Flying through Atlanta tomorrow and it looks like there is a Club ATL or also a restaurant option- Sam Adams Brew House. Anyone have thoughts on which would be a better choice?