PREMIUM TRAVEL Some airlines give new meaning to first class

Lounge memberships have become more profitable for airlines.
LOS ANGELES TIMES
Slashing staffs, coach-class perks and other expenses may be just the ticket for financially strapped airlines these days. But there's at least one place where some carriers are pouring on the cash: airport lounges for members and premium passengers.
Several airlines are opening larger, more luxurious facilities with sybaritic touches such as showers, spa treatments and crystal chandeliers.
The goal, industry experts say, is to cater to big spenders in an era when low-cost competition has sent the price of a coach seat spiraling downward. First- and business-class passengers are "the airlines' bread and butter, revenuewise," said Matthew Bennett, editor and publisher of FirstClassFlyer.com, a consumer buying guide to premium travel.
Compelling reasons
The economics are compelling. "As tickets have become less and less profitable, lounge memberships have become relatively more profitable," said Tim Winship, editor and publisher of FrequentFlier.com, an online newsletter for frequent fliers.
Rules vary. American, for instance, sells Admirals Club memberships for $450, or 70,000 miles per year; renewals cost $400, or 60,000 miles. Elite frequent fliers pay as little as $300, or 45,000 miles, per year for new memberships.
Some first-class, business-class and other passengers also have access to the lounges. For details, visit www.aa.com and select "Airport Clubs & amp; Lounges" from the "Travel Information" pull-down menu.
You can even buy a lifetime Admirals Club membership in an offer good through the end of the year. But the price, starting at $5,300, may make it a questionable investment, experts said, unless you do a lot of flying and your company is paying.