I’m pro lounge after previously thinking luxuries were frivolous.
The first time I paid to get into a lounge my flight was cancelled. The lounge staff called us up to the desk and rebooked us on first class (a huge upgrade). On the way to our new flight we passed the angry line of travelers from our canceled flight.
I know it’s not a typical experience but the year of membership felt worth it for me just for that one moment.
Comfy chairs aren't expensive and neither are croissants and sparkling water. There's no reason everyone couldn't have most of the lounge experience, but airports intentionally build uncomfortable seats and not enough of them. They want your experience to suck, because that's how they sell people on lounges. Same applies for basically anything that sucks about planes - it sucks because it's more profitable that way.
I went to a few lounges back when I got them for free and seeing how clear of a money grab and intentonal stratification they are made me not want to pay for them ever in the future.
You didn’t engage with the example. I don’t care about comfy seats.
The level of service isn't possible for everyone. ex: I got to skip a line because other people were excluded. If everyone got that experience I’d probably have missed my departure time and missed a wedding. That’s worth a lot to folks.
The first time I paid to get into a lounge my flight was cancelled. The lounge staff called us up to the desk and rebooked us on first class (a huge upgrade). On the way to our new flight we passed the angry line of travelers from our canceled flight.
I know it’s not a typical experience but the year of membership felt worth it for me just for that one moment.