Does The Airport Lounge Influence Your Choice of Airline/Destination?

[clifford]

I guess most people would think I'm a bit odd (!), but I just booked a trip on the basis of getting access to the OneWorld lounges (BA,CX, QF) in LHR T3.

I also wanted to go to somewhere in Italy, but had no particular preference (apart from not Northern Italy). So, looking at BA's destinations in Italy from T3 I chose PEG (Perugia), as I'd never been there before and it seems quite interesting, and it was also quite inexpensive (AUD$114).

I'd previously panned to spend the time in London, but the alternative was a no brainer, as it turned out. Amazing what whims can do for you...

 

[serfty]

Lounge crawls notwithstanding, lounge availability and offering does influence my bookings.

Sometimes for sleep as it may be possible in the lounge. For example, SQ in SIN, QR in DOH, MH in KUL are all 24 hours.

Other times for F&B, I'll book a later flight out of AKL where possible given the availability of the EK lounge after 5pm.

 

[Human]

On one occasion it influenced my class of travel.

My wife and I needed to get from Istanbul to Budapest -- it's less than a 2-hour flight and the vast majority of the time we'd have been more than happy in Economy.

Also, using KrisFlyer points, the 33,500 point cost (each) for such a short flight didn't seem worth it.

But I couldn't help it. I'd heard such amazing things about the Turkish Airlines Lounge at IST that I just had to book us in Business, not for the flight but so we could give the Lounge a try.

And we did not regret it for a second. Any Lounge which has gozleme made to order, Turkish coffee and 10 different types of olives is absolutely worth it!

 

[Scarlett]

No.
I’ve racked my brains for the over 1500 flights I’ve taken and can’t think of an occasion where lounge access has trumped choice of airline or departure/arrival locations.

 

[SYD]

No.
I’ve racked my brains for the over 1500 flights I’ve taken and can’t think of an occasion where lounge access has trumped choice of airline or departure/arrival locations.

I’ve never flown JQ domestic ex SYD… No lounge. (Well, not practical at least). But there have been very good deals over the years.

Otherwise, it is a factor in my decision making for international flying.

 

[markis10]

I’ve never flown JQ domestic ex SYD… No lounge.

Domestic leg of an international flight different story, There was an AFF do a few years back where we caught JQ from Mel at omg o’clock enabling breakfast in the F lounge, at SYD some folk worked out you didn’t need a BP to go through transfer security and thus proceeded to the F lounge in Sydney for round 2, while others had to wait for checkin to open. Think the return flight left at 3 or 4, both JQ international service with most Thai crew back to MEL.

The kicker, from memory the flights cost $35-40, so $100 for a day of dining and having the odd sports drink. Please don’t tell Greta

 

[RooFlyer]

Its been a factor sometimes. For instance, some upcoming bookings to MAD on QR could either originate in CGK or SIN. QR has a premium own lounge in SIN but a Plaza Premium lounge in CGK. SO that was a tick towards SIN.

 

[SYD]

Domestic leg of an international flight different story, There was an AFF do a few years back where we caught JQ from Mel at omg o’clock enabling breakfast in the F lounge, at SYD some folk worked out you didn’t need a BP to go through transfer security and thus proceeded to the F lounge in Sydney for round 2, while others had to wait for checkin to open. Think the return flight left at 3 or 4, both JQ international service with most Thai crew back to MEL.

Yeah, could have qualified that comment specifically to SYD T2.

I have been meaning to try the JQi Dom hops - but reports they’re often canceled and it’s off to T2…

The kicker, from memory the flights cost $35-40, so $100 for a day of dining and having the odd sports drink. Please don’t tell Greta

There was a large group of peeps sitting in the QF F lounge dining area regaling their previous “trip” to MEL. They were already checked in and at the lounge when the JQ flight was progressively delayed and then cancelled. They were poured out the day back through immigration and customs around 4pm…

It’s been a factor sometimes. For instance, some upcoming bookings to MAD on QR could either originate in CGK or SIN. QR has a premium own lounge in SIN but a Plaza Premium lounge in CGK. SO that was a tick towards SIN.

Having recently done that (and some others), yes SIN (or BKK) would have been preferable but CGK is easier to get to, usually has cheaper airfares than SIN, and is also super cheap to stay (even after paying eVOA). Pity it’s a dump otherwise… The PP lounge is ok (cooked to order food but can be very busy).

 

[RooFlyer]

but CGK is easier to get to, usually has cheaper airfares than SIN, and is also super cheap to stay (even after paying eVOA).

True, but there wasn't much in it for airfares for the itinerary/dates I'm taking. Plus I'm now using my ancient store of Alaskan Miles to get to SIN on SQ J - 65K miles and US$85 charges, refundable! Makes the Crowne Plaza cost more palatable

 

[markis10]

Crowne Plaza cost more palatable

Hope your using the family and friends rare

 

[SYD]

True, but there wasn't much in it for airfares for the itinerary/dates I'm taking. Plus I'm now using my ancient store of Alaskan Miles to get to SIN on SQ J - 65K miles and US$85 charges, refundable! Makes the Crowne Plaza cost more palatable

I prefer to use my QF points to access the SYD F lounge! Alas, CR seats to SIN on QF are rarer than rocking horse poo at the moment…..

I can’t be bothered calling up to get seats released, so work around the 3x Asian ports that still have good CR availability - one of which has excellent lounge options!

 

[dajop]

Flying ZRH-LON last year had a choice of using UA miles on LX, Avios on BA or cash on Easyjet and ended up choosing to Swiss so I could visit the LX long haul (non Schengen) lounge with its whiskey bar. Did involve two unnecessary air-train rides but worth it.