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Have we really overproduced elites, or have social media and credit card companies convinced non-elites that they should spring for ad-hoc entry into a lounge w

Have we really overproduced elites, or have social media and credit card companies convinced non-elites that they should spring for ad-hoc entry into a lounge with money they don’t have? It seemed that lounges used to require some kind of membership that had a decent vetting process. Not only has the bar been significantly lowered, but I believe many simply let you buy your way in. These luxury experiences are being sold to people who want to cosplay and elites while on holiday. Charge it and worry about it later. It’s not much different than people paying for 20 minutes on fake jet to make videos for instagram or TikTok. The simple solution would seem to be to stop letting people buy their way into lounges. I see this at hotels too. Getting a certain status for 60 nights stayed in a year gets you in the lounge… or pay an extra $10/night on your room for the same thing.

sockaddr 1y ago
> or have social media and credit card companies convinced non-elites that they should spring for ad-hoc entry into a lounge with money they don’t have? This is something I've detected too. If I can naturally and appropriately afford a bit of luxury that offers value I don't mind, but if I'm reaching for no reason other than to feel "better" than my current status allows because other people are doing it too I shy away from that. It's just a ploy to take money from me. > It’s not much different than people paying for 20 minutes on fake jet to make videos for instagram or TikTok Ehh, this is more of a business expense for them I think.
labcomputer 1y ago
There was never any vetting process for airline lounges. You pay your $500/year and visit any time you have a flight. That's how it has always been. Sometimes you got a membership discount for having one of the higher status tiers. Elites stopped using public airport terminals on 9/11, and just fly private now. You'll find them in the FBO on the other side of the field. The crowds filling up the lounges today are people with $500/year credit cards that grant lounge entry and one free checked bag. It just turns out there are way more people who will apply for a $500/year credit card than a $500/year club membership.
- deleted 1y ago
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- spicyusername 1y ago
  It just turns out there are way more people who will apply for a $500/year credit card than a $500/year club membership. Which is one way of saying we've overproduced elites
- al_borland 1y ago
  It doesn’t even take a $500/year credit card. That’s what I’m saying. That sets a higher bar. A couple going on 1 trip isn’t going to get an expensive credit card to get into lounge one time. People also need to qualify for that card, which is another hurdle. I have a card that’s only $50/year that gets me into some lounges (last I looked I think some of that access is going away). And even less than that are the ones where you can just pay your way in one-time, no membership of any kind needed.
Suppafly 1y ago
>Getting a certain status for 60 nights stayed in a year gets you in the lounge… or pay an extra $10/night on your room for the same thing. It's essentially the same problem with the fastpass system at theme parks. After a few years they have to invent another system that is ultra-ultra-ultra fastpass once the poors decide to start paying for fastpass and ultra fastpass and ultra-ultra fastpass.

sockaddr 1y ago

> or have social media and credit card companies convinced non-elites that they should spring for ad-hoc entry into a lounge with money they don’t have? This is something I've detected too. If I can naturally and appropriately afford a bit of luxury that offers value I don't mind, but if I'm reaching for no reason other than to feel "better" than my current status allows because other people are doing it too I shy away from that. It's just a ploy to take money from me. > It’s not much different than people paying for 20 minutes on fake jet to make videos for instagram or TikTok Ehh, this is more of a business expense for them I think.

labcomputer 1y ago

There was never any vetting process for airline lounges. You pay your $500/year and visit any time you have a flight. That's how it has always been. Sometimes you got a membership discount for having one of the higher status tiers. Elites stopped using public airport terminals on 9/11, and just fly private now. You'll find them in the FBO on the other side of the field. The crowds filling up the lounges today are people with $500/year credit cards that grant lounge entry and one free checked bag. It just turns out there are way more people who will apply for a $500/year credit card than a $500/year club membership.

deleted 1y ago
[deleted]
spicyusername 1y ago
It just turns out there are way more people who will apply for a $500/year credit card than a $500/year club membership. Which is one way of saying we've overproduced elites
al_borland 1y ago
It doesn’t even take a $500/year credit card. That’s what I’m saying. That sets a higher bar. A couple going on 1 trip isn’t going to get an expensive credit card to get into lounge one time. People also need to qualify for that card, which is another hurdle. I have a card that’s only $50/year that gets me into some lounges (last I looked I think some of that access is going away). And even less than that are the ones where you can just pay your way in one-time, no membership of any kind needed.

Suppafly 1y ago

>Getting a certain status for 60 nights stayed in a year gets you in the lounge… or pay an extra $10/night on your room for the same thing. It's essentially the same problem with the fastpass system at theme parks. After a few years they have to invent another system that is ultra-ultra-ultra fastpass once the poors decide to start paying for fastpass and ultra fastpass and ultra-ultra fastpass.