Pay-per-entry Lounges

I have received a few PM's about pay-per-entry lounges, the sort of lounges that you can buy entry to for about £12-£15 from people like holidayextras. Also they tend to be the lounges used by schemes like priority pass (PP).

So the question is, do you think they generally represent good value for money? Do you think the lounges have now become so free access that they tend to be too crowded? Maybe you feel, like me, you are better spending your £15/head on beer in the public bar? Do schemes like PP make sense for people generally, or do you need to be a superfrequent flyer (in which case you may well get BA/VS/etc lounge access)? And where you get PP for free with say a credit card, is this a really useful benefit?

Originally posted by sailor99
I have received a few PM's about pay-per-entry lounges, the sort of lounges that you can buy entry to for about £12-£15 from people like holidayextras. Also they tend to be the lounges used by schemes like priority pass (PP).

So the question is, do you think they generally represent good value for money? Do you think the lounges have now become so free access that they tend to be too crowded? Maybe you feel, like me, you are better spending your £15/head on beer in the public bar? Do schemes like PP make sense for people generally, or do you need to be a superfrequent flyer (in which case you may well get BA/VS/etc lounge access)? And where you get PP for free with say a credit card, is this a really useful benefit?

Suspect this is pretty subjective (not to say emotive) subject. I've tried out the Servisair lounge and also have used the Clubhouse a couple of lucky times. Personally, I don't think you can compare the two items. Personally too, I'd very much like to be able to buy one-off access to the clubhouse, maybe as a perk of being part of the frequent flyer scheme and perhaps more pertinently, being a paid member here! I'd like to add having a Virgin credit card, but realise how far this could potentially open it up.

Before lots of you lucky very frequent flyers/gold card holders shoot me down - I DO realise that many of you feel fairly strongly it should remain exclusive and a perk of being au. In defence of me and others of a similar ilk - I'd much appreciate access to the oasis of calm that is the clubhouse. I really DON'T appreciate being in the scrum that can parade as the general departure areas. I'm happy to pay around £20 for access to a lounge, though I do feel that £35 (LGW) and £60 (LHR) probably isn't justifiable.

OK, will shut up now...[:p]

I'd pay to get in the lounges as long as wives and children were barred

I think this also depends on where you are wanted the lounge. For example at LGW on Easter Friday I would pay any amount to get away from the hussle. I would also pay to use the lounge at CDG at any time. LHR T3 on a good day is fantastic and I wouldn't pay for a lounge here.

MCO is a nice terminal generally, but it can get busy and when it is busy paying for a lounge there can be nice also.

So my opinion would be that I would pay for lounge access in the right place at the right time.

Paul

[RichardMannion]

Interesting topic Sailor!

I think there is a distinct overlap of lounges that you can pay to go in and those that are members of Priority Pass. In terms of value for money, it all depends on how often you travel and you preferences for travel.

For me, I get 2 Priority Passes with my AmEx card, I have one and my dad has the other - we get a lot of use out of them. When I am flying in Europe, it is economy most of the time and I like the ability to go into a much quieter place, have a sit down and a cup of tea and catch up on mail/internet or read the paper. Priority Pass has grown significantly in the last few years, and the coverage is very good now; I use it the US when making connecting flights too. Call me a snob, but I just like to get away from the hustle and bustle of the main departure areas, so if I didnt have a PP, I would happily pay to use the lounges (but like cat said, upto a sensible maximum - no more than £20). I don't like crowded places and it just adds unneccesary stress. My father uses his PP card regularly too as he is travelling a couple of times a month across Europe, and he is of the same opinion - its somewhere for him to go and relax or prepare for his next meeting. Only problem I have is that PP have not produced a proper handbook for a while now, so he is always phoning me and asking if there is a lounge he can use! [:(] Of course there is the ability for the PP cardholder to take in guests for a fee, and this is very useful for him if he is flying with a customer.

I agree its pointless trying to draw a comparison between the Clubhouses (and the BA Terraces facilities for that matter) to other airport lounges, VS and BA are streets ahead.

In terms of them becomign crowded, a little bit but then more and more people are happy to pay to access the lounges, but this focus is on the UK airports. A few lounges in the US allow you to pay, but the figure is at least $30 per person, if not more. But fo the UK it is understandable, the prices at the airport for a couple of drinks and snacks can easily match the entry fee.

PP has various levels of membership, I find the top one (and middle one to be fair) poor value when you consider you could get an AmEx Platinum for £275 and get a lot of extra benefits that would be of use for a lot of people. A decent family travel insurance policy is around £100, and the AmEx one is very comprehensive and would easily be over £200 without even trying. If you remember that your 5 supplementaries are coverd too, you could easily add on your parents or siblings and maybe get them to chip in to the cost.

Hope this helps,
Richard

It's all very interesting. As we don't have Amex cards either, our choices are pretty limited. But, as Richard says, having a bit of quiet is great. Rob (hubby) and I also often talk about the cost of buying snacks in the departure lounge versus buying into Servisair - by the time you've bought a bacon sarnie and a drink and been hassled from all quarters, even that looks attractive. Plus - to be able to sit somewhere quieter, read the papers, and maybe go online makes more sense than just twiddling your thumbs. I was going to say sit, twiddling your thumbs, but sitting isn't always an option either!


Call me a snob too, if you like, for wanting to be away from all that! I happily hold up both my hands to that! I WANT to make being at the airport part of my holiday, not just something I have to endure.

Oh, and by the way Richard (and totall off topic) - just howm uch of that Cheesecake Factory chicken pot pie did you manage to eat - or how many people did you have help you eat it? We discovered the Factory around 6 years ago - couldn't believe the size of portions.....[:o)]

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by catsilversword
Oh, and by the way Richard (and totall off topic) - just howm uch of that Cheesecake Factory chicken pot pie did you manage to eat - or how many people did you have help you eat it? We discovered the Factory around 6 years ago - couldn't believe the size of portions.....[:o)]

Ahem, about half of it. I could barely walk back to the hotel (which was less than 100m), I thought I was going to have to roll back there! It's when the waiter came over and asked if we were interested in desserts.... [:0]

Cheesecake Factories are a must, I was introduced to them a few years ago now by the crew of a flight out to SFO. Great food, great selection, and well priced.

Thanks,
Richard

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by catsilversword
Oh, and by the way Richard (and totall off topic) - just howm uch of that Cheesecake Factory chicken pot pie did you manage to eat - or how many people did you have help you eat it? We discovered the Factory around 6 years ago - couldn't believe the size of portions.....[:o)]

Ahem, about half of it. I could barely walk back to the hotel (which was less than 100m), I thought I was going to have to roll back there! It's when the waiter came over and asked if we were interested in desserts.... [:0]

Cheesecake Factories are a must, I was introduced to them a few years ago now by the crew of a flight out to SFO. Great food, great selection, and well priced.

Thanks,
Richard

Hope you got a doggie bag:D

We stumbled across our first one in Chicago. Mile high takes on a differerent meaning when referring to cheesecakes....

It is one of the things that annoys me most about travelling.
I personally would chose a lounge whenever I could, and if I had to pay to gain entry, so be it. Im lucky enough to have free PP through Amex too, but the PP lounges you have access too is not always the most convenient to your departure area.
However without prospect of lounge access we simply have to traipse around in the hope of finding a seat without having to buy a coffee or a burger to be allowed to sit there.

I think it is right to have an area as a perk for those who are @ AU level, however I think for most its the lack of a viable alternate for the rest of us who would maybe like something in between. I dont care about a massage, sauna or dip in the pool (although would prob. use if I went UC or got to AU) - but I do like to have somewhere I can go sit for a while & relax. The airlines afterall want us there 2, 3, 4 hours before a flight - whilst there are operational & security issues behind this, as the average flyer will have 2hrs+ in an airport before a flight its not good enough IMO to simply fob us off with the offerings of the airport.

Originally posted by williestott

However without prospect of lounge access we simply have to traipse around in the hope of finding a seat without having to buy a coffee or a burger to be allowed to sit there.

Can't say I've ever had a problem finding a seat at any airport without having to buy something from a specific location - perhaps if you have loads of kids with you, that may turn out to be more of a problem.

Originally posted by williestott

I dont think it is right simply to have these exclusive areas as a perk merely for those select few who are @ AU level, without a viable alternate for the rest of us who would maybe like something. I dont care about a massage, sauna or dip in the pool (although would prob. use if I went UC or got to AU) - but I do like to have somewhere I can go sit for a while & relaxWith strategic alliances - surely the alliances could/should(are??) work(ing) more on a general lounge for the bulk of passengers who would pay an extra £10/£15 for some tranquility. This would cater for all pax. who wanted access & were on the alliance network, whilst the individual airlines continue to develop their own more exclusive lounges for their AU & UC pax. How many airport operators would want this though??

Surely if lounges became available for non-UC etc passengers, then after a while, you'd get so many people using them that they would be no better than sitting around in general areas..........and then there's the matter of where to put these in a limited space airport.

Originally posted by williestott

Yes, the frequent flyers should have benefits above the less frequent flyers, but I dont think that giving them their own little private enclave in the airport is perhaps the best solution right now - when 90% of those on the flight are left to fend for themselves. Being able to fly only 2/3 times a year on a specific airline makes me no less of a valued customer IMO, if I could fly more often I would.
A basic lounge available to more , with a CH style lounge for the AU & UC pax would suit me fine & kills 2 birds with 1 stone.

Not sure if this is true, but from an airline's point of view, someone who does travel many times a year and therefore spends more £ is surely going to be worth more than a once or twice a year tourist who would probably know little about seat types and fly something like N class after picking up £299 economy sale seats or whatever?
By providing perks like the lounge, Virgin are trying to encourage people to spend that bit extra flying UC and so on.....

eek - was in middle of editing what i typed *lol* - hit "submit reply" instead of "preview"

Agree with your sentiments willie - those of us who fly only a couple of times a year, should we then assume we're any less valuable? I guess you could argue that, yes we are, simply as we bring in less revenue - but on the other hand, if we don't feel valued, are we not likely to vote with our feet - er, wings?

I don't agree with Xenole - we never have any kids in tow, yet it's often nigh on impossible to find somewhere to sit, let alone somewhere reasonable - and yes, airlines do want us there ever earlier. It can actually be quite stressful having to hang around for so long. You can only spend so much time perusing the shops, and having a snack.

I don't really see there's an answer to this. It's a bit irksome though, that any Tom, Dick or Harry can buy access to the clubhouse if they've bought a Virgin holiday, while if you try to use VS as your preferred airline, but book independently - you can't. I know this has been covered elsewhere, so will leave it at that.

Originally posted by xenole
Can't say I've ever had a problem finding a seat at any airport without having to buy something from a specific location - perhaps if you have loads of kids with you, that may turn out to be more of a problem.

There is finding a seat & there is finding a seat - Ive no kids, but I do have personal space. I shouldnt have to squeeze myself into a seat between 2 people simply because its there. Last time I flew from LHR to GLA I had to sit opposite WHSmith as there wasnt enough room @ the departure gate. I had PP but no directory & didnt know where the nearest lounge I could use was.
Ive had some flights where I could get a seat no problem, but at present this isnt a guarantee every time I fly - unless I get along to the a cafe or resturant.

Surely if lounges became available for non-UC etc passengers, then after a while, you'd get so many people using them that they would be no better than sitting around in general areas..........and then there's the matter of where to put these in a limited space airport.

Im not sure it would be?? Afterall I had been referring to paid-access before I reviewed & rewrote my thoughts...
I was referring to a general lounge like many/most that already exist - not a CH style lounge. Essentially a 2-tier lounge system.
As there are already lounges you can pay to access this really changes little , however it might/would give a few more people access to a lounge for some peace & quiet - whilst the AU/UC pax would then have their own seperate haven that at present they are already losing.

At present there are 2 options & everyone who isnt PP, AU or flying UC is lumped together. Some existing lounges that are open to paying pax. etc are becoming overcrowded at present - to the detriment of those who have the free access. Whilst the CH might address this somewhat for VS pax. , theres been complaints of it becoming overcrowded (understandable if it was simply down to more FC-AU or more going UC with VS, but its not). Those who have free access as a perk should have their own space, however those who wish to pay should be able to have their space too.
If/when I go back to Frankfurt Id certainly rather go to a resturant versus seeking to pay for a lounge - some of the best airport food Ive ever had.
As for limited space - Im not so sure this is the issue, the cost of redistributing & better use of existing space is perhaps more pertinent. Shortterm its certainly better to keep the status quo. Long term though - how many of the businesses will continue to thrive? The virtual loss of the "duty free" hasnt helped some & if you shop around can find most of the duty-free items on the highstreet for same/lower price.

Not sure if this is true, but from an airline's point of view, someone who does travel many times a year and therefore spends more £ is surely going to be worth more than a once or twice a year tourist who would probably know little about seat types and fly something like N class after picking up £299 economy sale seats or whatever?
By providing perks like the lounge, Virgin are trying to encourage people to spend that bit extra flying UC and so on.....

Yes - they should be worth more & have more perks. However at the end of the day my custom is no less important. There should be some sort of distinction between the once a year tourist & the regular business user - I personally am somewhere in the middle.

Ive paid the little extra to go PE in June & whilst I dont think that should entitle me to CH access - frankly I also didnt think it worthwhile paying the extra £1000+ essentially for the lounge access on top of the extra on-board service, but with up to 2 hours to kill in LHR (transfer from GLA) I would like to have some sort of lounge access. Its for this reason I think airlines should be looking at a 2-tier lounge system - a basic one simliar to many exisiting lounges that their pax. could pay to enter & a CH style one that their most valued pax had free entry too - making it a real perk for the UC & AU pax, not something that many could simply buy access too.
At present if you book a VH deal - you can buy access to CH. Maybe Im wrong - but those going through VH would be more likely to be touristy types than business travel types (I could be wrong). When Im travelling on pleasure Im certainly more hyped about getting away than if Im on business & Im certainly not the only one.

Interesting that both willie and I made the same point about booking with V holidays or not. I'm flying with Virgin in April - PE out, UC back - and not a sniff of a lounge.

But am I bitter? Am I twisted? [:I]

Well, maybe just a little envious... I know I'll get access on the way back, but from what I hear about Orlando, maybe that's not worth much.

Originally posted by catsilversword
Interesting that both willie and I made the same point about booking with V holidays or not. I'm flying with Virgin in April - PE out, UC back - and not a sniff of a lounge.

But am I bitter? Am I twisted? [:I]

Well, maybe just a little envious... I know I'll get access on the way back, but from what I hear about Orlando, maybe that's not worth much.

I have to agree with the Clubhouse comments...

I have purchased 5 almost full fare PE tickets (had cheap, but needed to change dates). I am a silver card holder, and so is the wife! I want to get 5 of us into LGW lounge for a few hours on the way out. As you all know... I cant!

I could have paid for 5 Econ tickets via VH and a cheap hotel. Probally a lesser spend than my current flight only deal, and then paid for the CH access!!!

Seems a little odd really... Maybe it should be a Silver perk... Paid CH access when flying PE or something...

Not bitter on this one, just seems a little muddled up!

Danno

[Decker]

Can anyone not just pay into ServisAir?

I very rarely travel in J and used to use pay lounges, always taking the token alcoholic drink and bag of crisps to make it seem a bit better value but now as I have become more experienced I am quite happy to go to $tarbucks, find a quiet corner airside and watch something on my laptop. I do however travel alone without the need to work or freshen up for meetings etc...

A benefit of silver FC used to be access to the T3 servisair lounge when travelling on a W fare. I imagine it was withdrawn because it was either too popular or because it was hardly used.

funny - i paid for the 7 of us to use the serviceair lounge at LGW on the way out to MCO - worth every penny as the terminal was heaving.

Don't get me started on the value of AG 'rewards'[:(!]

Remember Buzz? I flew with them to Marseille ('98 I think it was) and they had really cheap lounge access for a LCC. For only a fiver you could get access to their executive lounges (and even prepay and print a voucher for it online). I only flew with them once and was quite willing to try out their lounge at STN - can't remember who operated it - but didn't have enough time. Alcoholic drinks weren't included but who needs one at 9am anyway? For that price it was a bargain!

Nowadays I never pay for lounge access. I'd rather save my money for something better. I don't have Priority Pass as that doesn't interest me. Besides, most of the destinations I travel to I already have free access.

The Strawb

Originally posted by Decker
Can anyone not just pay into ServisAir?

Yes, anyone can - but you're not comparing apples with apples....

Claire, we've only just got the Platinum AMEX which gives you the Priority Pass aforementioned by some other V-Flyers. Will feed back on my experiences after our first trip and uses in April, if you like? Might help you think about whether the AMEX is worth the annual fee?

We've already taken advantage of the free travel insurance cover with them by using it to pay for trips. Also, they got us a very competitive price on 2 days car hire in Boston. Fingers crossed it all pans out when we get round to doing it!

Jacq x

Originally posted by Jacqueline Lewis
Claire, we've only just got the Platinum AMEX which gives you the Priority Pass aforementioned by some other V-Flyers. Will feed back on my experiences after our first trip and uses in April, if you like? Might help you think about whether the AMEX is worth the annual fee?

We've already taken advantage of the free travel insurance cover with them by using it to pay for trips. Also, they got us a very competitive price on 2 days car hire in Boston. Fingers crossed it all pans out when we get round to doing it!

Jacq x

Thanks Jacq - though I doubt I really want to think about taking out yet another card if the only advantage is a Priority Pass! We already get free travel insurance as part of my husband's package at work, so can't even say that's a plus!

Never mind, guess I'll be the one struggling to find somewhere (quiet or otherwise) to sit...[ii]

You should think yourself lucky you don't have to travel in school holidays...not only are the airports heaving, but full of spoilt kids too [:(] ! I can see that the lounges are really going to pay off then!

Jacq x

Originally posted by Jacqueline Lewis
You should think yourself lucky you don't have to travel in school holidays...not only are the airports heaving, but full of spoilt kids too [:(] ! I can see that the lounges are really going to pay off then!

Jacq x

Understand that feeling Jacq - it's only been the past 6 or 7 years we haven't had to go in school holidays and have kids in tow. Somehow though, it's made me less tolerant, [}:)]not more - go figure!