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| CRBJ Home > October 2006 | ||||||
If you're tired of airport delays, join the clubBetty Stark
If you are nodding "yes" to this list of frustrations, you are not alone. The U.S. Department of Transportation reported recently that airline passengers are getting bumped off flights more frequently than at any time since 2000. In the April-June 2006 quarter, Southwest Airlines alone reported 32,000 involuntary and voluntary bumpings. And what do these tens of thousands of dislodged travelers do while they wait and hope for a flight that will take them to their final destination? The majority languish in the airport's frenetic public spaces, shouting into cell phones, huddled at the gate, clacking on laptops or staring at CNN Airport Network, waiting for "word." Some stand in line, at airline counters, at rest rooms, or three-deep at fast food counters. Others cram into dimly lit airport bars to share tales of woe with fellow travelers in the same fix. And still others, those fortunate enough to have an airline ticket in the right class of service, or an executive credit card or, best of all, membership in an airline club, head to those sleek doors that open and then swoosh shut with no more noise than a marble rolling on a plush carpet. The inner sanctums of these members-only airline clubs offer environments that can be described with words seldom heard in the same sentence with "airport": comfortable, relaxing, quiet, clean, even luxurious or cozy -- many with WiFi to boot. So how does the average Joe or Jane gain access? First and foremost, if you haven't done so already, join one or two of your primary airlines' frequent flyer programs. Even if you decide against a club membership, there are benefits to pledging your loyalty. Then evaluate your travel patterns to determine if a full annual club membership makes sense for you. Note: Some frequent flyer programs allow you to convert miles in lieu of cash to pay for club membership. If your company earns points in an airline "perks" program like Northwest BizPerks or United PerksPlus, ask about using points to pay for your membership. Airline club fees can vary, from the lowest, Continental/ Northwest at $250 a year, to United's top fee of $500. There are many variables, however, and plenty of ways to get your foot into that cushy clubhouse without paying full price. You can pay as you visit. If you're not a frequent traveler, you can usually get a club day pass for the carrier you're flying (typically at a one-time cost of $50) that will get you in the door and give you access to all the club benefits. These usually include complementary beverages and light snacks, current newspapers and magazines, assistance with reservations, seat assignments, boarding passes and rebooking of flights, free local phone calls, flight status information, a free or low-cost wireless Internet connection, and information on the status of delayed flights. Some airlines, such as Con-tinental, sell one-day visits in books of 10. Check airline Web sites for details. The right credit card can be a door-opener. Carry that weightiest of all cards, the American Express Platinum, and you'll automatically be granted entrance into clubs around the world. If you're not presently at platinum status with your credit card, ask what they offer, then look into upgrading to gold or platinum level for a nominal fee (several will include two free club passes a year). Many airline-affiliated credit cards, like American's AAdvantage Gold, Platinum and Executive Platinum offer club access, too. Note: Be sure to check the annual fee for these upgraded cards; some can cost as much as $350 to $400. Put your frequent flyer status to work. By regularly flying the same carrier and attaining elite, gold or platinum status, you'll usually have access to that airline's clubs on your days of travel. If you opt for a full-year club membership and you're a frequent flyer with elevated status, the fee generally will be lower. Raise your class of service. If your company's travel policy supports it, book travel in business or first class and you'll automatically be granted club access for your travel dates. Note: Some airlines (American, for example) require you to be flying on an international ticket to access their clubs at no cost. Look into a Priority Pass. If you typically fly on a few different carriers, and if you travel internationally as well as domestically, look into the Priority Pass (www.prioritypass.com), a one-size-fits-many program that, for a fee, gives you access to 500 airline clubs (100 in the U.S.) in 245 cities worldwide, representing many carriers. There are three fee levels, as well as a corporate membership program that offers discounts ranging from 10 percent to as high as 70 percent when a company enrolls several members. Here's how Priority Pass works: Pay the standard annual fee of just $99 and you'll be charged $24 additional for each club visit. Or, you can opt to pay $249 annually for 10 visits or $399 annually for unlimited visits. Guests can accompany you for an additional $24 per person at all three fee levels (the number of guests may be limited by individual club rules). The best part of the Priority Pass concept is that it is not carrier-specific and you don't have to be traveling business class to gain access to a club. Airline club amenities, as well as hours of operation and rules governing guests, can vary from one destination to another, one carrier to another. For a comprehensive look at several airline club facilities, visit the OAG (Official Airline Guide) Web site at www.oag.com/NorthAmerica/AirlineAndAirport/ clubsandlounges.asp or your airlines' Web sites. Airline clubs have been around a long time. American Airlines opened its first lounge at New York LaGuardia in 1939. Sixty seven years later, airline delays and cancellations are at a record-shattering high. Maybe it's time to join the club. Betty Stark is a Madison travel industry consultant and business travel writer with 25 years' experience. travelingwriter1@aol.com madison.com ©2009 Capital Newspapers. All rights reserved. |
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