Air warriors and luxury travelers will have to buck up as the latest round of belt-tightening by airlines are closing the doors of many airport lounges. That last bastion of peace and quiet, comfy chairs, and online access are now fewer in number and shrinking as we speak.
United Airlines is closing four of its 38 Red Carpet clubs in addition to three others already closed over the last few years. Delta recently closed nine of its 47 Crown Rooms while American Airlines and US Airways are both closing one club.
The airport lounges are the latest in cost cutting measures by airlines trying to keep fuel in their planes and profits in their operations. As the bleeding continues and more cost cutting, added fees and increases are almost guaranteed.
The good news is that those lounges being closed, at least for now, are in the least trafficked locations or airports where airlines have discontinued service.
Although airlines say members can use lounges run by their alliances it is not always convenient and alliance clubs are often in another terminal.US Airways is closing its lounge at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. In the last two years, United has closed lounges at airports in Cleveland and Sydney, Australia, and at London Heathrow Airport. By Oct. 10, it will also shut lounges at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the Baltimore airport, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport.
In May and June, Delta reduced the number of its clubs from two to one in Boston, and from three to two in Cincinnati, one of its hubs. It has also eliminated lounges at airports in Kansas City, Mo.; Seattle; San Juan, P.R.; Phoenix; Denver; Honolulu; and London Gatwick Airport. New York Times
Members of airline lounge clubs pay an annual fee that costs up to $400, plus a onetime charge for a new member. Passengers can also buy day passes. Holders of certain first- or business-class tickets, holders of elite-level credit cards like the American Express platinum card, and members of the Priority Pass program are also granted entry to the airline lounges.
1 comments:
United in London Heathrow has not really closed the Red Carpet Club, all Star Alliance Airlines in Terminal 1 (UA is one of them) are using a common Club, to which Red Carpet Members are having access.
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