Airport lounges

[scubajelly]

I used the lounge in Fiji in May and it was great. I took a shower, ate fresh food, and drank some fresh brewed coffee. Our travels are usually through Asia and the South Pacific, so we always have connecting flights with long connection time. I love the lounges--the food is often better than what is offered for sale and having wifi is nice, too.

The Canadian card probably comes with health insurance.


Yes, the Global Entry credit is another great benefit, though I don't know if this is available on the Canadian card, either. But going back to the original question, the lounge benefit just doesn't seem to be very useful for small airports at dive destinations.

I don't know about the Caribbean, but I have used PP to get into lounges in Tahiti, Fiji, and all over Southeast Asia--the area I primarily go to dive--as long as the airport is big enough to have a lounge. Some airports are so small there is barely a restroom. You can look up the lounges on PP website.

 

[Dogbowl]

I used the lounge in Fiji in May and it was great. I took a shower, ate fresh food, and drank some fresh brewed coffee. Our travels are usually through Asia and the South Pacific, so we always have connecting flights with long connection time. I love the lounges--the food is often better than what is offered for sale and having wifi is nice, too.


I don't know about the Caribbean, but I have used PP to get into lounges in Tahiti, Fiji, and all over Southeast Asia--the area I primarily go to dive--as long as the airport is big enough to have a lounge. Some airports are so small there is barely a restroom. You can look up the lounges on PP website.

So I guess I’m just gonna have to dive SE Asia and South Pacific so I can make use of my card benefits! Kinda sucks to be on the east side of Canada though.

 

[Damselfish]

We've periodically looked at the AMEX platinum for the lounges and whatnot, last time just a few months ago. Sounds tempting, but have always come to the conclusion that the benefits we might actually use aren't nearly worth the price. Part of it for us is, my husband has enough airline status that the lounge and baggage benefits he might use just duplicate much of what he can already get. You'd think it would be a great benefit for him since he travels so much, but it turns out not to make much difference. And any other stuff doesn't add up to enough to matter.

As far as lounges on dive trips, there's usually either none available, not enough time to bother, or so much time we'd probably just check into a hotel. And the hotels they have deals at, which might be a big $ win if you used that benefit, aren't ones we'd likely stay on any trip. It's really something you need to make a list for yourself and add it up.

 

[hilljo88]

PP Loungres

Nassau
Guayaquil
Punta Cana
Cancun
Kingston
Mo Bay
London (heathrow and Gatwick)
Antigua and Babuda
Grenada
...

 

[Lorenzoid]

I used the lounge in Fiji in May and it was great. I took a shower, ate fresh food, and drank some fresh brewed coffee. Our travels are usually through Asia and the South Pacific, so we always have connecting flights with long connection time. I love the lounges--the food is often better than what is offered for sale and having wifi is nice, too.

I don't know about the Caribbean, but I have used PP to get into lounges in Tahiti, Fiji, and all over Southeast Asia--the area I primarily go to dive--as long as the airport is big enough to have a lounge. Some airports are so small there is barely a restroom. You can look up the lounges on PP website.

So at the end of a dive trip do you intentionally arrive at the airport an hour early to give yourself lounge time? Between connecting flights, sure, I get that, but you mentioned Tahiti and Fiji, which aren't often used to connect flights. As I said, I think lounges are great for waiting between flights when you have no other option, but not so useful when you have control over your time.

 

[scubajelly]

I always have a connecting flight in Fiji and Tahiti. For Fiji, I go to Taveuni, which is a domestic flight from Nadi. In Tahiti, it's from the other islands such as Bora Bora, Tikehau, or Rangiroa. I also like lounges, so when I leave SFO, I go a little early, grab a cup of coffee/glass of wine, a quick bite to eat, and wash up before my flight out. It's a personal preference. For Papaete, if the flight is more than 4 hours, I usually go to the the dock and hit the food trucks, but I usually get back when the check-in opens to beat the long, long lines. Then it's usually an hour or two of waiting before departure, so the lounge is totally worth it. The Tabua Lounge in Fiji is newly remodeled, with a living plant wall, constellation lights in the ceiling, and spacious. I'd much rather wait there for the flight than then the food court area.

 

[Lorenzoid]

Aha. That makes sense, jelly.

 

[mi000ke]

We travel to Cayman a few times a year and usually connect through Miami, and to Seattle a couple of times a year. The Centurion Lounge at both airports is great. Excellent food, free bar, massage, shower. We've used the PP benefit a bit less as the lounge always seems to be in another terminal, although we have used it. All the benefits add up to where the card is essentially paid for. We also have used their concierge to get us hard to get reservations for restaurants, events, and attractions around the world. They have worked some real magic for us.

BTW, the chase Sapphire reserve card is also a pretty sweet deal. After the travel credits and mileage, it essentially pays for itself. And they offer the PP deal as well.

 

[Lorenzoid]

BTW, the chase Sapphire reserve card is also a pretty sweet deal. After the travel credits and mileage, it essentially pays for itself. And they offer the PP deal as well.

If I were in the market for a card today, I'd get the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

 

[Snoweman]

PP Loungres

Nassau
Guayaquil
Punta Cana
Cancun
Kingston
Mo Bay
London (heathrow and Gatwick)
Antigua and Babuda
Grenada
...

Add Cozumel to the list, too.