Chances are good, if you’re a regular business traveler, that in the past few months you have experienced a delayed or canceled flight departure---or worse, an unwelcome bumping. Tens of thousands of travelers have and it’s getting worse. Most dislodged travelers languish in the airport’s public spaces, shouting into cell phones, huddled glumly at the gate, clacking on laptops or staring at CNN Airport News and waiting for “word.”
But there’s a better way. It’s called an airline club, those private places with the sleek doors that open and then swoosh shut with no more noise than a marble rolling on a plush carpet. Club benefits typically 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, and free or low-cost wireless internet connection. Club environments range from comfy/cozy to downright luxurious; some even have showers where you can refresh after a long flight.
Out of your reach, you say? Probably not, if you know what it takes to open the door:
1. Pledge your loyalty to one or two airlines.
2. Pay as you visit.
3. Carry the right plastic.
4. Buy a one-size-fits-many pass.
Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done
Choose the best air partner options
If your primary departure city is home to several major airlines, choose one or two that will take you to the places you expect to go most frequently. Then enroll in their frequent flyer programs. 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 member with elevated status, the fee will generally be lower.
I recommend: Check out airport websites for your primary departure and destination cities---who flies in and out, and how often? Choose the best for your needs and then visit the
airline websites and join the frequent flyer programs.
You can pay as you visit
Not a frequent traveler? Not a problem. You can usually get a club day pass for the carrier you’re flying (typically at a one-time cost of $25-$50) that will get you in the door plus access to most or all the club benefits.
I recommend: Look into one-day passes for
Alaska Airline’s Board Room,
Continental Airline’s President’s Club,
Delta’s Crown Room,
Northwest’s World Club,
United’s Red Carpet Club,
US Airways Club.
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 Continental, Delta and Northwest clubs around the world. If you’re not presently at platinum status with your current 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.
I recommend: Check out the
American Express Platinum Card club access program. Look into these websites for
card programs offered by airlines -- apply if you want to rack up miles on a single carrier. Trade miles for club membership or attain a high enough status and you can get in free.
Buy one pass, access many airport clubs
If you typically fly on a few different carriers, and if you travel internationally, look into the Priority Pass, a one-size-fits-many program that for a fee gives you access to 500 airline clubs (100 in the US) in 245 cities worldwide, representing many carriers. The best part of the Priority Pass concept is that it is not carrier-specific---it doesn’t matter which carrier you are flying--- and you don’t have to be traveling business class to gain access to a club.
I recommend: Priority Club offers three different fee levels as well as corporate memberships when several join. Check out the details
here. For a look at various airline clubs and what they offer,
go to this Web site.
Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide
- Some airlines, like Continental, sell one-day visits in books of 10. Check airline Web sites for details.
- Some airlines (American, for example) require you to be flying on an international ticket in order to access their clubs at no cost.
- Others require that your ticket be booked in business or first class for free access.
- 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 some of the points to pay for your membership.
- When you access any club where you are not a member, the club rules governing whether or not you can bring along guests and what services you have access to that day will apply.
- Many clubs offer free Wireless Internet access; check the club Web site for details on this and other services as well as hours of operation.
- Airline clubs can be an excellent place to hold small meetings. Check into club rules first.
- Platinum credit cards can carry hefty annual fees—check it out before you sign up.
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