Why do people in the US actually bother with lounge access?

[cmdwedge]

Hi all,

I was very surprised the first time I entered a US-style lounge - first time was AA, and I've also been into UA lounges. The idea of paying $50 to have one lounge pass - then having to pay for food and drinks is just completely foreign to me. You get one drink voucher in the AA lounges, which is just so piss-poor that I had to laugh.

Complain all you like about QP, but the lowliest Qantas lounge is 100x better than a UA or AA lounge. I feel bad for the Yanks who think that it's normal. I've also been to a Lufthansa, Cathay and BA lounge in the past, they've all been gratis everything.

Is there value in having that lounge access for you?

wedge.

 

[dajop]

I was very surprised the first time I entered a US-style lounge - first time was AA, and I've also been into UA lounges. The idea of paying $50 to have one lounge pass - then having to pay for food and drinks is just completely foreign to me. You get one drink voucher in the AA lounges, which is just so piss-poor that I had to laugh.

Isn't "bottom shelf" alcohol free these days, and payment only required for better class beverages? But I agree with your sentinment, in my experience most (but not all lounges) on different carriers in the US are not to the standard of the lounges in Australia. Although that could be said about the whole flying experience. One thing I find though is they are much more peaceful as they are not so busy.

 

[cmdwedge]

The strange part is the prices - things inside the lounge cost a lot more than things in the concourse. I recall being in an AA lounge at LAX (I think) and having to buy breakfast for our two toddlers - about $7 each for cereal and milk. McDonald's was about $3 each I found out later. A sandwich will set you back $10 in the lounge and much less in the concourse.

Why would people pay $50 for this product? Bizarre. I still go in, because my ticket allows it and I get free wifi to speak to my wife and kids on Skype. I'd never pay for it though.

 

[RooFlyer]

Isn't "bottom shelf" alcohol free these days, and payment only required for better class beverages? But I agree with your sentinment, in my experience most (but not all lounges) on different carriers in the US are not to the standard of the lounges in Australia. Although that could be said about the whole flying experience. One thing I find though is they are much more peaceful as they are not so busy.

But even with 'free' bevvies, there's the statutory tip.

AA Flagship lounges are OK (as was the UA F lounge at SFO), but I agree totally with the OP otherwise.

 

[whoistheg]

1000% agree with this.

We just got back and were quite shocked that we did not get lounge access even though we had First Class tickets with AA

We got in with our QF gold status and we got a voucher with 1 free drink.

The food was shocking.

Makes Qantas lounges in Aus amazing..

 

[TomVexille]

I don't think many people pay the $50 one time use price. Most have an annual membership.

 

[DrA]

But even with 'free' bevvies, there's the statutory tip.

AA Flagship lounges are OK (as was the UA F lounge at SFO), but I agree totally with the OP otherwise.

Free bevvies in the AA lounges? In the Flagship lounges sure, in the regular Admiral's Club I've had to hand over drink vouchers just to get a coke - and that's as a OW Emerald. They really hand out free alcohol in the A/C and not free soda?

 

[serfty]

Free bevvies in the AA lounges? In the Flagship lounges sure, in the regular Admiral's Club I've had to hand over drink vouchers just to get a coke - and that's as a OW Emerald. They really hand out free alcohol in the A/C and not free soda?

Basic Soda's in an A/C do not require a drink voucher, but if you proffer one they may take it anyway.

In any case, once you have used the voucher obtained upon lounge entry, you simply go back to the desk and get more. Redeem, Drink, and repeat.

 

[RooFlyer]

I think this is why "we" jump up and down so much at any perceived or actual cuts to QF lounges. We can see where its headed!

 

[tuapekastar]

Free bevvies in the AA lounges? In the Flagship lounges sure, in the regular Admiral's Club I've had to hand over drink vouchers just to get a coke - and that's as a OW Emerald. They really hand out free alcohol in the A/C and not free soda?

Yep free lcohol, though as stated it's 'house poor' stuff. OWE/OWS/QP members can use the vouchers for 'premium' drinks (e.g. last time I was drinking 9 or 10USD Cabs using vouchers, rather than whatever the free (and inferior looking) red was. As serfty said you can go back and replenish your voucher supply (2 at a time IME, but may vary from lounge to lounge, or staff to staff), in theory as often as you want.

 

[cmdwedge]

Yep free lcohol, though as stated it's 'house poor' stuff. OWE/OWS/QP members can use the vouchers for 'premium' drinks (e.g. last time I was drinking 9 or 10USD Cabs using vouchers, rather than whatever the free (and inferior looking) red was. As serfty said you can go back and replenish your voucher supply (2 at a time IME, but may vary from lounge to lounge, or staff to staff), in theory as often as you want.

Do they force the voucher system so that some people either:

1. Don't know about being able to replenish the vouchers (ie me)
2. Don't feel comfortable, as a grown adult, walking up with hands out, asking for another voucher

 

[drron]

No reason to feel uncomfortable asking for more vouchers.The aangels are quite used to it.
If it is meal time and no flagship lounge at the airport we will eat outside.usually a pretty good selection.
And yes you do get complimentary alcohol but vouchers needed for the better stuff.Though their house Chilean SB can be better than the premium USA SB.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

In any case, once you have used the voucher obtained upon lounge entry, you simply go back to the desk and get more. Redeem, Drink, and repeat.

Or as you are about to enter Lounge as soon as you come into view of ladies behind desk immediately stop and ask them 'Have I died and gone to heaven?' - when they ask 'Why?' - just say 'Cause I can see angels before me!' - that statement in your Australian accent will most times see the lounge staff stuffing your palms full of vouchers - no need to even to return to ask for more.

If not successful just ask pleasantly and they will willingly oblige.

 

[amaroo]

AA Flagship is Ok and can be completely barren of passengers.......we had LAX Flagship lounge to ourselves on the 18th Dec (Friday) around midday for our flight to LAS.



AA lounge offer is very basic however, its still better than waiting at the gate.

 

[casanovawa]

I have been to some ok lounges in the US, but your right, they are usually the stingiest lounges you will find in most of the developed world in terms of what they offer for free.... I have bought a $99 AA pass one time when i was over in the US for 3 weeks or so and worked out i would be going to a few airports with ACs, and got in when not always flying actual AA... The AC in LAX TBIT was one of the few i have seen with some rolls and cheese and stuff that you could eat, many other lounges it just some free cookies or pretzels with gets old pretty quick, the AC in Miami looked nice and had decent showers and all as well but just the cheapy pretzels for free...

The UA lounge that i went into in ORD recently was ok, free cereals and bagels and hot drinks and showers and all... Before i transferred over to another terminal for my OZ flight and an SAS business lounge which was completely ordinary!!! Had to go and use the public toilets outside of it...

So yes we do have it pretty good with our QPs even if we do complain... And i have ordered some free bottom shelf spitirts in ACs in the US, but tend not to offer a tip, i let them mutter how cheap us Aussies are as I have heard that we are rated low on the list of tippers...

 

[DrA]

Basic Soda's in an A/C do not require a drink voucher, but if you proffer one they may take it anyway.

In any case, once you have used the voucher obtained upon lounge entry, you simply go back to the desk and get more. Redeem, Drink, and repeat.

I always get asked for vouchers by the bar staff in the AC at MIA, even for soda. However I have always been aware that I could go and get more from the front desk if necessary, so it's never mattered. Just found it odd that someone suggested free drinks in the AC when that's not been my experience *shrug*

 

[DC3]

.... i let them mutter how cheap us Aussies are as I have heard that we are rated low on the list of tippers...

Yes, Australians generally have a poor reputation in the USA for tipping. While some in the hospitality industry do quite well from tips and are paid more than the minimum hourly rate, they mostly rely on the tips.

The hospitality industry in the USA is not known for high wages. The IRS assumes a certain amount in tips and with the minimum wage being $US7.25 per hour since 2009 ($5.85 in 2007, $6.55 in 2008), I don't begrudge anyone who is after tips.

While some USA states have a higher minimum wage, others use the Federal minimum. Six states have no minimum wage at all, while another four have the minimum wage at less than the Federal minimum.

When I order drinks I always have the tip in my hand so as it can be seen, and it seems to provide a good result anyway.

The accent is a dead give-away as probably being a poor (or zero) tipper.

 

[drron]

And if you have your tip displayed with your voucher when you order the glass is usually to the brim.

 

[drewbles]

1000% agree with this.

We just got back and were quite shocked that we did not get lounge access even though we had First Class tickets with AA

We got in with our QF gold status and we got a voucher with 1 free drink.

The food was shocking.

Makes Qantas lounges in Aus amazing..

Members entering the AA lounges courtesy of QP or SG/WP/WP1/CL membership, are entitled to as many drinks as they want.

As mentioned, basics are now free. Top Shelf can be obtained with a drink chit, and if you use one, go back to reception and politely ask for more. I've never been turned down one yet.

 

[amaroo]

In MIA a few days ago I gave our unused chits to a random standing at the bar.....he was very appreciative and said he would pass any unused chits along.