Several airports, primarily in international cities, are embracing the idea of a "silent airport," where announcements and other interruptions are less frequent. In fact, one of the most enjoyable aspects of stepping into a lounge is the lack of these announcements.īut it doesn't have to be like this. We take it for granted that blaring, airport-wide announcements are made every few minutes. One of the biggest problems is noise pollution. It's how inhumane the airport itself can be (though charming airports do exist). What I'm saying is this: Someone who likes noisy dive bars will love airport lounges.īe sure to read: These are the airlines with the most delays and cancellations So if lounges are packed or full of screaming kids, they're worse than an empty gate. The real benefit for me is peace and quiet and somewhere to work productively. No amount of iced tea makes me feel like I'm getting my money's worth. For example, I don't drink alcohol, so I always feel like I'm getting a little short-changed on my lounge visits. travel-rewards: Which credit card gives you the most bang for your buck?Īnd then there's the squishy question of personal preferences. Of course, whether airport lounges are worth it depends on how you're accessing them. That means many travelers are missing connections, waiting for delays and desperately seeking a quiet corner to munch on their airport grub. Department of Transportation (up from 76.4% in the same period from 2022). Already, only 76.9% of flights arrived on time between January and March of this year, according to the U.S. If you thought last year's travel landscape was bleak, this summer could be even worse. More: How credit cards ruined the airport lounge Delta (DAL) even has an FAQ on its Sky Club page, reading, "Why are Clubs so crowded these days?" Still, these are ad-hoc solutions that don't address the core problem: More people want into these lounges, and not enough exist. And Delta Sky Clubs now limit visits to three hours unless you're in a connecting city. American Express Centurion Lounges recently amended the guest policy, effectively making it harder to bring in multiple guests using the same account. Lounges are taking steps to mitigate these crowds. That's more than the 25% who get it through their airline ticket (i.e., first- and business-class fares) and the 19% who get it from their elite airline status level. lounges, "No Priority Pass" signs are a dreaded and common feature of many check-in desks.Īccording to the same Airport Dimensions survey, 30% of travelers who access an airport lounge do so with a subscription like Priority Pass. Priority Pass - an airport lounge subscription included with many premium travel credit cards - used to mean subscribers could access these lounges around the world. Among frequent travelers, 57% visit airport lounges at some point in their travels, according to a 2022 survey of more than 8,500 air travelers by Airport Dimensions, a shared-use airport lounge creator and operator.Īnd, while new lounges are frequently opening, supply hasn't kept up with demand. Are they even still worth the hype?Īirport lounges are struggling under the weight of their success. But the point is: The secret is out on travel lounges. Yes, crocodile tears for the poor travel writer who can't eat his kale salad peacefully. ![]() It felt more like a disaster zone than an exclusive club. Bedraggled passengers had spread themselves out over multiple chairs, creating makeshift forts with their suitcases and jackets in a desperate attempt to sleep. By the time I was granted entry and had waited in a snaking line for my (admittedly decent) food, I couldn't find a seat in the lounge. I visited the American Express (AXP) Centurion Lounge during my last visit to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and had to wait 30 minutes to get in. I hurriedly ate my food while standing in a corner and fled for the relative peace of the terminal. Exiting the chaos of the main terminal for the peaceful, snack-filled serenity of the lounge made me feel like I had figured it all out. ![]() I'll admit, I used to feel a little smug while walking into an airport lounge. This article is reprinted by permission from NerdWallet. Most airport lounges are so crowded they feel more like dive bars than elite perks.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |