APR
05

The best kept secret for a relaxing airport experience

By Dana McMahan
Business Elite Lounge in Cinci I don't know about all my fellow travelers but I find the cacophony, the hard chairs, the masses of people in airports exhausting. As I'm about to embark on an adventure I want to relax in peace, enjoy a cocktail and have a little conversation with my companion(s) or read over my guidebooks. That's not possible in the airport waiting areas.

A few years ago my husband and I discovered a peaceful oasis within the airport mayhem. We had saved our flier miles for years, and cashed them in for two business class tickets to Europe. With our tickets came admittance to the airline's lounge. Now why hadn't someone told me about this before? Free cocktails, snacks and beverages, comfy seats, clean bathrooms, and above all – quiet. Now that's the way to start a trip.

We loved the experience so much we looked into buying an annual pass. We couldn't justify the expense though, at several hundred dollars when we only take one or two international flights a year. That's when we learned you can pay your way into these havens with a one day pass. We haven;t left the country since without whiling away a couple hours in the Delta Crown Room Club. For $25 each, we have a couple drinks, some nibbles, and I take a huge bottle of Dasani on the plane with me (since getting water in coach is harder than in the Sahara).

Check with your airline, all the major carriers offer some version of a one-day or one visit pass.

American Airlines Admirals Club: - $50 for one person, $75.00 for two.

Delta Crown Room Club: $30 per person (recent increase – it was $25 last month)

Continental President's Club: $45 per person

Northwest WorldClubs: $45 per person

United Red Carpet Club: $50 per person

US Airways Club: $40 per person

Check the world-wide airport lounge guide for reviews of the lounges.

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[ READER COMMENTS ]

  1. 1

    Kathy & Ralph said:

    So does this club membership get you on the plane before all of the others? And, what if you have children....do you pay this price for a child? I wish I had had this on my last Northwest flight.

    Posted at 08:55 AM, on April 15 2008

  1. 2

    Dana McMahan said:

    You still board at the same time as everyone. I actually like to stay in the lounge until the last possible minute so I don't have to sit on the plane any longer than I have to.
    And I'm sure in this day of nickel-and-diming that they'd probably charge you for children.

    Posted at 06:16 PM, on April 15 2008

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