By Gal Jurick
I’m a self-proclaimed lounge enthusiast. I love arriving at the airport early, unwinding in a quiet corner with a glass of wine, and treating myself to a good meal before a long flight. For years, my Priority Pass membership and premium cabin tickets made this a seamless ritual. But during a recent trip out of JFK’s Terminal 1, my lounge-loving dreams turned into a chaotic comedy of errors—one that speaks to the shifting, reality of modern air travel.
The Perfect Plan (Or So I Thought)
We arrived at JFK Terminal 1 with time to spare. Armed with Priority Pass cards and a business class ticket for our flight to Lisbon, my family and I looked forward to starting the trip with some pre-flight pampering. However, it quickly became clear that my usual lounge-hopping strategy was about to hit turbulence.
Lounge #1: Air France—”No Entry for You (at This Hour)”
Our first stop was the Air France Lounge, which we’d enjoyed on past trips. But as we approached the entrance, a staff member informed us of a new restriction: Priority Pass members were no longer allowed entry between 3 PM and 9 PM, the lounge’s peak hours. This was a stark departure from the welcoming experience we’d had here just a year ago.
Lounge #2: Turkish Airlines—”No Booze, But Come On In”
Undeterred, we made our way to the Turkish Airlines Lounge. The staff let us in without issue, but we quickly discovered another surprise: no alcohol. While the lounge was clean and the food decent, it lacked the celebratory vibe we were hoping for. For my son, who didn’t mind the absence of wine, it sufficed—but for the rest of us, the search continued.
Lounge #3: Lufthansa—”Sorry, No Guests Allowed”
Next, we tried the Lufthansa Lounge, buoyed by the fact that three of us were flying business class. However, when we asked if our son could join us as a guest, we hit another roadblock. Not only were guest privileges unavailable, but the lounge staff wouldn’t even allow us to pay for his entry. Despite the lounge being about 60% full, they claimed a “waitlist” was in effect. Frustrated, my son headed back to Turkish Airlines, opting to forgo alcohol in favor of guaranteed access.
Lounge #4: Primeclass—”At Least It’s Near the Gate?”
Meanwhile, I received a text from TAP Air Portugal asking me to verify my passport in person. This brought me to the Primeclass Lounge, conveniently located near our departure gate. Sadly, it was far from a prime experience. The lounge had a distinct odor that was hard to ignore, and the food offerings were subpar at best. I found humor throughout the whole situation and, at the same time, kept reflecting on how much the lounge experience has changed.
What’s Going On With Airport Lounges?
This whirlwind of lounge visits left me pondering: what happened to the once-glorious airport lounge experience? A few trends are at play:
- Increased Demand: Credit card issuers have made lounge access more accessible than ever, especially with perks like Priority Pass memberships included in popular cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum. More travelers in lounges means stricter rules to manage capacity.
- Peak-Time Restrictions: Lounges, especially at major hubs like JFK, are enforcing access restrictions during busy hours to preserve the experience for premium-paying guests.
- Cost-Cutting Measures: Some lounges are cutting back on amenities like alcohol or limiting guest access to reduce overcrowding.
- Overlapping Memberships: With so many travelers holding Priority Pass or other lounge memberships, supply often fails to meet demand.
Tips for Navigating the New Lounge Reality
If you’re finding it harder to enjoy the lounge experience, here are a few strategies:
- Check Restrictions Ahead of Time: Many lounges now have peak-hour restrictions or limited guest policies. Use apps like LoungeBuddy or check your lounge’s website for updates.
- Consider Airline Status: Airline-branded lounges often prioritize elite status or premium cabin travelers over third-party memberships like Priority Pass.
- Be Flexible: Sometimes, the best option is the one with the shortest line—even if it means forgoing alcohol or dealing with less-than-ideal conditions.
- Explore Alternatives: If lounges are overcrowded, airport restaurants that accept Priority Pass credits can be a surprisingly good fallback.
Final Thoughts: A New Era of Lounge Hopping
This experience was a wake-up call: the golden age of airport lounges might be behind us. What was once a reliable oasis has become a game of strategy, patience, and lowered expectations. While I still love the idea of arriving early and indulging in a little luxury, it’s clear that flexibility is now the most important thing to pack.
So, here’s to the next trip—and to hoping the lounge gods smile on me again someday.
Best Airline Card? Look no further
The Points Mom’s Got It!
