Holiday Traveling like an Elite VIP
How to travel like an elite with a few dollars and knowledge.
Whether you are traveling business or pleasure, everyone faces situations that can be very stressful at any given moments. While some situations are unavoidable and beyond one’s control, there are many alternatives to happy traveling that are in the consumer’s control. A little knowledge goes a long way.
There are lots of benefits for being a frequent flyer. These programs offer access to various airport lounges. There are many ways to get or gain access to what the elite take for granted.
Airport VIP Traveling Lounges Tips
- Purchase an Airport Lounge Day Pass — sold by many airlines. They can range from $50 and up, not all airlines sell them. Also, if traveling internationally, checkout the Lounge Pass for purchase. The prices are approximately $30 to $40.
- Purchase an Airport Lounge Membership — Mostly preferred by business travelers and purchased by their company. If you travel exclusively with one airline then perhaps an airline membership is more beneficial.
- Optional Third-Party Vendor for Airport Lounge Access — Great when you’re traveling multiple airlines, a third party, Priority Pass, may offer access to more than 1200 airport lounges worldwide for an annual fee.
- Public Airport Lounge Purchase — These public lounges are outside of the airlines’ ownership and for a fee, you may acquire usage of comfortable chairs, snacks, Wi-Fi access, showers, complimentary snacks, and beverages for approximately $40. Following are a few airports that house Public Lounges, Cleveland, San Diego, Atlanta, Boston, Las Vegas, Orlando, Seattle, London, and Gatwick, just to name a few airports. Also available is a day pass to gain access to shower facilities.
- Attain Elite Airport Lounge Access — A little bit of loyalty with an airline goes a long way. You will gain access to most of the Star Alliance Airport lounges around the world. Namely, The SkyTeam Airline Alliance which includes Delta, Air France, and KLM. Also, OneWorld Alliance is a product of American Airlines. There are other airlines that offer Elite Plus membership.
- Credit Card Access to Airport Lounges — Acquire a credit card that offers airport lounge service. Namely, American Express Platinum Card. For an annual fee, you can gain access to hundreds of airport lounges around the world through Priority Pass, American Express International Lounges, Airspace, Escape Lounges, and Delta Sky Clubs. Also, airline credit cards come with additional perks. For example, the United Explorer Card will give you two one-time-use passes to the United Clubs, plus a few more extras.
- Guest your way into Airport Lounges — there are several ways for a guest to gain access. You may physically stand outside and ask to be invited in or via FlyerTalk or eBay and Craigslist.
Cruise Line VIP Traveling Tips
No matter what mode of traveling one does, there are always perks to be had. Being an educated consumer is the key. While I have traveled worldwide on cruises, most of my perks were obtained via the travel agent. Following are a few perks to get you on your way to enjoy being a VIP on cruise lines as s you cruise the waterway on luxury lines or frequent-cruiser programs.
Seabourn Cruise Line is a luxury line that specializes in making the unexpected come true. Cruise lines are in the business are making good things happen for all, for return business and it works. I am living proof of that. Cruise lines expend a lot of energy going that extra mile for all passengers alike. While all are treated equally, VIPs are privy to over-the-top perks. Crystal Cruises offer private Crystal Tours as a VIP perk. These private Crystal Tours could be private for you and a guest, or a private group to experience fine dining in a high-end restaurant, historical tours along with breathtaking views.
VIP perks also could include other amenities such as private car transfers to and from the ship, priority check-in and tendering, butler and concierge service, exclusive restaurant and free specialty dining, exclusive lounges, and free drinks. The perks may be quite extensive. On Cunard Line, platinum or diamond status guests, achieved by being frequent cruisers, receive an invitation to the World Cup cocktail party with senior officers. Nonperk customers often have a meet and greet with the Captain Night where everyone gets dolled up.
In addition, the Elite or VIP gets to hang out in their own private dining room, available exclusively to guests in Regent Suite aboard Seven Seas Explorer, Biking AmaWaterways European river cruise for a local tour, and go shopping at a local marketplace with a chef on a Seabourn cruise. Ponant, you can retreat to the underwater BlueEye Lounge to reflect on marine life.
Regent Seven Seas is known for its Block Party where everyone dances the night away with glow sticks and dressed in white. Princess Cruises throws a Love Boat Disco Deck Party, reminiscent of the days gone by. Royal Caribbean’s highlight, a Roaring ’20s party. Disney Cruise Line features a one-night Officer Pin Trading Night. Celebrity Cruises produces a ’20s party, with dancers, singers, and masked waiters offering cabaret-themed cocktails, appetizers, and dance performances.
In conclusion, allow your perks to begin with your frequent traveling via airlines or cruise lines. Allow your investment in your trip to pay lasting dividends of many perks. It’s a win-win for you and the airline and cruise line.
Learn your rights as a traveler and implement them more and more. Do your homework when booking trips. Perks are always there, perhaps not in your face, but certainly not very far from your grasp. Allow the VIP information above to be the launching pad to seek and find all the perks at your fingertips as you travel.
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