Can people please stop using "hacking" about every little tweak, tip, or technique to gain something?
Complaining about the usage of "hacking" is also very tired.
Hacking complaints - blog post coming up.
Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
61–70 of 119 posts
Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
#62Earlier quoted context omitted.
I don't understand the apparent desire for early boarding. Almost every airport lounge I've been in has been more comfortable than the aircraft. The plane's not going to leave without you. I much prefer sitting in the lounge and wandering on last.
> The plane's not going to leave without you. I saw at least one case where a checked-in passenger arrived around 7 min before the official departure time (he was in a bar) but the gates were already closed and they didn't let him in.
Airlines in the US close boarding 10min before departure (assuming no delays). Once they close the gate door, they are not allowed to reopen it to allow a passenger through
Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
#63Can people please stop using "hacking" about every little tweak, tip, or technique to gain something?
Hacking has unfortunately become a buzzword, and now you can apply it to just about anything to make something stupid sound clever: "Honey, let me hack the light bulb for you". I agree with you, it's plain ridiculous.
"Honey what are you doing with your hand down there?"
"It is a growth hack, dear"
Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
Space for carry-on luggage is limited. If you board last, there is a high possibility that the airline will check-in your carry-on luggage instead. This will cause you a delay since now you need to wait in the baggage claim area after arrival. Had you boarded just 5mins prior, someone else might have to wait 30mins in baggage claim instead of you.
Ever have this happen? It doesn't happen this way. They have special space for "checked carryon." they ticket it with a special ticket and put it in a SEPARATE part of the plane. When you unload the flight attendants get the "checked carryon" and put it next to the door, then you grab it on your way out. I sat on the front of a small plane before and there was no space for carryon at all on that seat. There was no se…
I've had to check my bags and go to baggage claim lots of times because I was in a late boarding zone.
Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
#65Earlier quoted context omitted.
Space for carry-on luggage is limited. If you board last, there is a high possibility that the airline will check-in your carry-on luggage instead. This will cause you a delay since now you need to wait in the baggage claim area after arrival. Had you boarded just 5mins prior, someone else might have to wait 30mins in baggage claim instead of you.
Ever have this happen? It doesn't happen this way. They have special space for "checked carryon." they ticket it with a special ticket and put it in a SEPARATE part of the plane. When you unload the flight attendants get the "checked carryon" and put it next to the door, then you grab it on your way out. I sat on the front of a small plane before and there was no space for carryon at all on that seat. There was no se…
This is by no means how it commonly works.
Some planes will "gate check" your carryon, but most of the time that last-minute checked luggage gets checked through to your final destination.
And for the other comment above, the plane certainly WILL leave without you.
I travel 60-100K miles per year.
Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
#66The "hack" I've seen the most frequently is buying a ticket that gets you in the priority lane in addition to a standard ticket so that one can go through minimal security wait times and then cancel the ticket in time for a refund.
Couldn't it get you in trouble? You'd have to check your bags under the standard ticket, but enter security under the premium one, and airport security might realize they have the same person on the flight twice.
I thought that was a classic red flag?
Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
#67The idea of having to go through security everyday for free meals sounds unpalatable.
In SFO, the Delta lounge is outside of security.
Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
#68In any airport I frequent, this would not be worth the money. Some garages offer free parking for 30 minutes for pick-ups, but by the time you park, go through security, eat, and return you would owe at least $4. Then there's the time/gas cost of getting to/from the airport. Even if you used public transport it could be expensive, it's like $16 round-trip on BART from SFO to downtown San Francisco.
It's really not a problem for places with decent public transportation. There are parts of the world where it makes sense to have a monthly or annual pass. I've no idea what it is like in the area where this occurred though.
The Skytrain in Vancouver goes from the downtown to YVR in about 30 minutes. It is possible to go to the airport and back on a $2.75 ticket (on weekends and holidays; the ticket is valid for 90 minutes).
Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
#69Can people please stop using "hacking" about every little tweak, tip, or technique to gain something?
I agree - articles like this are saying, "I'm hacking the phone system by checking busy payphones for change," or "I'm hacking my favorite bar by not tipping the waiters, so I save 15%!" It really gives hacking a bad name.
Re: Hacking Airline Lounges for Free Meals
#70Once upon a time the lounges in the US had unlimited free drinks. (I don't travel as much now, so I'm not sure any more) It might not be worth the commute to an airport for a mediocre lunch, but for all you can drink?
The real issue is the time involved though. A few hours is worth more than a couple dollars saved.