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

[UP4014]

As someone else mentioned, the UA first lounge at SFO is very good and of course no money needs to be exchanged. I haven't been there for a while though.

Admirals Club, always given enough chits to never have had to pay for a drink which of course I also have never seen a measure used when pouring, if you tip for your drink they don't seem to collect the chit. I have bought food there as well which I considered quite good.

Overall, I think the AA lounges I've been in are more plesant to the eye than many in Australia. They each have their pros and cons.

Matt

 

[Kolo]

But I might need a stiff gin if my flight goes red.

Fill that glass! Sadly I'm stuck in New York. If you want to read the gory details its in my trip report:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tos/hkg-sin-usa-va-vs-56952-2.html#post974865

But specifically to this thread, I was quickly and easily rebooked onto a flight tomorrow, but DL don't arrange accommodation for weather delays. So I sat in the lounge making all my own arrangements. Better than being out in the zoo.

 

[DC3]

... So, if you're in LAX, and you're either Emerald or QF WP, my firm advice is to go to the AA Flagship lounge.

Yep. That's the way to go.

 

[MelUser]

I once saw a little old lady paying $50 at DFW for access. If I'd known earlier I would have guested her.

 

[VA777]

When I went through LAX and RDU about 18 months ago alcohol was available self serve in the DL lounge

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I once saw a little old lady paying $50 at DFW for access. If I'd known earlier I would have guested her.

lol. 'sweet little old lady' reminds me of Arthur Hailey's Airport.

 

[TheBOSman]

Why do people bother with lounges in the US? Have you seen the terminals? :shock::evil:

 

[ShaneN]

It seems that I've had a completely different experience with an AA lounge to nearly everyone else here.

So, if you're in LAX, and you're either Emerald or QF WP, my firm advice is to go to the AA Flagship lounge.

I agree the Flagship Lounge at LAX T4 is very pleasant. Very different to typical Admirals Club.

 

[G-Roger]

I am a first time member of QF lounge and will be utilizing this in US on AA soon. Could you please enlighten me on what Food and Refreshments are in fact FREE in the lounges??

 

[drewbles]

I am a first time member of QF lounge and will be utilizing this in US on AA soon. Could you please enlighten me on what Food and Refreshments are in fact FREE in the lounges??

Basic beer, wine and spirits are complimentary to all. As a QP member or QF gold or above, you are presented with drink chits for premium beverages. If you're platinum or above you may use the flagship lounge which are only in LAX, ORD and JFK.

Regular admirals clubs typically have mini pretzels and chex mix for free with other items for purchase. Breakfast may see bagels but not always. The LAX T4 admirals club used to have cheese and crudités in the evening before the QF flight but not sure if they still do.

The lounges are not great by any means in general.

 

[serfty]

There is very little substantial food available for free in the admirals clubs.

Generally food such as a prepackaged salad or a toasted sandwich can be purchased.

Generally there are some better options in the terminals.

 

[mozerz]

There is very little substantial food available for free in the admirals clubs.

Generally food such as a prepackaged salad or a toasted sandwich can be purchased.

Generally there are some better options in the terminals.

Some lounges used to serve decent complimentary alcohol. Now they took it away and/or served low quality complimentary beverages. Agree, very little substantial complementary food available... If the airport has wifi and one can find a place to plug the laptop, then skip the lounge altogether

 

[serfty]

Some lounges used to serve decent complimentary alcohol. Now they took it away and/or served low quality complimentary beverages. Agree, very little substantial complementary food available... If the airport has wifi and one can find a place to plug the laptop, then skip the lounge altogether

Of course, those entering on non-AA *O sapphire/emerald status¹ or via QP get drink chits enabling complimentary access to these Decent drinks.

¹ e.g QF WP/SG, BAEC Gold

 

[amaroo]

There is very little substantial food available for free in the admirals clubs.

Generally food such as a prepackaged salad or a toasted sandwich can be purchased.

Generally there are some better options in the terminals.

We did exactly this for our lounge visit in MIA a couple of weeks ago. After walking the AA lounge, viewing the offer and catching up on AFF via the free wifi - we departed for the terminal.

4 x Jambon and Fromage Baguettes later we were 4 happy travellers.

The AA MIA lounge (D30) was pretty disappointing - for the food offer. The lounge is large and would be an oasis on a busy travel day.

 

[serfty]

...
The AA MIA lounge (D30) was pretty disappointing - for the food offer. The lounge is large and would be an oasis on a busy travel day.

The E oneworld lounge at MIA is better - approx halfway between an Flagship and an A/C. QF Emerald/Sapphire should get access.

Only issues are it is only open in the PM and it is a long walk from the low D gates.

 

[amaroo]

The E oneworld lounge at MIA is better - approx halfway between an Flagship and an A/C. QF Emerald/Sapphire should get access.

Only issues are it is only open in the PM and it is a long walk from the low D gates.

When checking in I asked about Flagship lounge.....got told there is sort of one however, it's a shared lounge outside of OW rules and was for three class flights only. We were traveling to DFW in a 737-800 two class bird.

Is this the lounge you are talking about?

 

[tuapekastar]

Re food in US lounges, as stated it seems complimentary food is rather sparse and rudimentary in general.
The only time I purchased some food (AC at LAX I think) it was some sort of bread roll thing, cost about USD10, was quite stale and did not taste very good. Once bitten, twice shy - it would take extreme hunger for me to buy anything else to eat in a lounge over there.

 

[serfty]

...

Is this the lounge you are talking about?

It probably is the lounge.

That three class thing likely relates to AA elites and A/C members.

Other oneworld elites should have no problem - I used it most recently before a two class flight to SJU.

There's a dedicated thread on it in the FT AA forum.

 

[Kangol]

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!

But those cuts are not significant in comparison to lounges in the USA - it's not like QF are removing all complimentary alcohol or substantial food offerings.

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.

Probably a good time to be there - in my experience it is busy-ish in the mornings and much busier in the evenings.

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*

Some ACs have self pour fountain drinks for sodas (SFO), others don't (IIRC the DCA A/C is smaller and doesn't). Don't remember exactly in larger ones like MIA/DFW.
Anyway, if I'm going to the bar to get a drink using a chit, it will definitely be a premium spirit or a bottle of water/juice. ORD had a nice bottled mango juice from memory.
I once had a nice bartender make me a lovely Grey Goose and cranapple (mixed version of the Minute Maid version).

Another reason - the AA ACs have got pretty good Wifi, for a lot of people - esp travellers - that would be of value.

Does anyone know if paid AA AC members are entitled to unlimited drink chits?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Does anyone know if paid AA AC members are entitled to unlimited drink chits?

premium drinks require payment in the USA by AC members. (in fact the only people that can get in there are AC members aside from OW status holders - so if they got free premium drinks there wouldn't be a paid bar )