Never been to a VIP lounge? Here's what you need to know and how not to look like a newbie
I have written many articles regarding the rules of access and the different types of vip lounges one can [...]
I have written many articles about the Access rules and the different types of vip lounges that can be found in airports around the world, I also explained How do I always find the lounge where I can enter and how do I manage to Get in for free even when flying low-cost.
In this article:
Since the article where I list the types of travelers I can't stand has been quite successful, today I want to talk about the rules of behavior in airport lounges, but which potentially apply to hotel lounges as well.
Inform yourself first
Premise this doesn't mean to go to the secret group of TFC. and write, "I'm at JFK tomorrow, which lounge do you recommend?"
If you depart from New York JFK towards Italy, you can depart from as many as 5 different terminals depending on the airline you use. This means that there are dozens of potential lounges accessible depending on the ticket you hold.
The classic question is the search for the "best" and even then you have to understand that since you cannot jump from terminal to terminal, it will be impossible to visit the space Virgin Atlantic clubhouse at T4, If you fly ITA from T1. So my advice is to do your homework and already choose which and how many lounges you will be able to visit.
Set the alarm clock
It is not just a question of "how long before I have to get to the gate," but more importantly how long it takes me to get to the gate.
If departing from the airport Singapore's Changi, the best in the world, and you fly Cathay Pacific, you need to know that you will have to change terminals and it will not be enough to take the little train that moves from one part of the airport to another. Gozzovigliare in the Qatar lounge is possible (and highly recommended), but you have to calculate the time well because moving from this lounge to the gate used by Cathay will take at least a half hour. No insurance will ever cover late arrival, no airline will "give away" a seat on the next flight if you got lost on the way between a lounge and duty free.
You can do in/out as many times as you want
If you have access to more than one lounge, there are no limitations whatsoever. Holders American Express Platinum thanks to Priority Pass Prestige can enter countless times, with a guest, for free in any lounge in the world that participates in the PP network. The same applies if you hold status in an alliance.
For example at theBangkok airport if you travel Star Alliance and fly with an airline from this alliance there are 4 lounges that can be accessed and visited with the same ticket. One will be able to visit those of Thai, Singapore Airlines, Eva and Turkish. If you travel business class, or have Gold Star Alliance status, you will be entitled to exceed all of them without having to pay anything.
The important thing is to calculate time and opportunity well. If I have to give up an extra 2 hours at the pool in Hawaii. I will not waste time in the terrible lounges of Honolulu, in the same way I will not leave New York 3 hours earlier to visiting JFK's terimnal 1 lounges..
Don't be an asshole
Once inside please abide by these simple rules of behavior so you don't end up in the ranking of the worst travelers.
- Don't take up more space than you need. Lounges are increasingly crowded, we avoid occupying a couch for 8, leaving other guests to eat standing up.
- Don't binge and waste food. Yes it's free, but that doesn't mean you have to eat your table legs too (probably) you'll eat on the plane and especially there's no point in putting roast beef on top of Nutella pancakes, you can get up and drink and eat as many times as you want.
- Do not disturb other guests (use headphones). Some people want to sleep, some people want to read the newspaper in peace, and if you're without headphones, it's not like the whole lounge has to hear your tik tok and no one cares about your millions in revenue selling ice to Eskimos.
- Take a tour of the lounge. Okay to place your backpack and take off your jacket, but if you don't go around the lounge you might miss the SPA, or maybe the secret bar as in New York's Centurion lounge.
In conclusion
I hope this article will be helpful to all new travelers, sometimes it takes very little to be more relaxed and live well among the rest of the pack.
