| | Lounge lizards, rejoice! | | by Tarah Chieffi, Senior Writer | |  | I've been in many airports recently where the line to get into the lounge was long enough that I did an about-face and searched for another lounge (or … gasp … bought a soda and a sandwich and waited at my gate). Even when I am able to get into a lounge, I often feel like the new kid at school who can't find a seat in the crowded cafeteria.
Airlines and credit card issuers are taking various steps to combat overcrowding, including tightening up access policies for authorized users and guests. As a mom of three lounge guests, I'm not a huge fan of that approach, but I can get behind some of the newest methods that focus on adding lounge capacity rather than limiting who can get in.
Later this summer, American Airlines will unveil a grab-and-go concept called Provisions by Admirals Club. Provisions will debut at American's Charlotte hub, offering travelers an option to pick up a drink, snack or sandwich on the way to their gate.
And next year, American Express will open what I hope is the first of many Sidecar by the Centurion Lounge locations. The first will be in Las Vegas, offering quick bites or drinks, along with restrooms and Wi-Fi. The smaller size and minimal offerings mean access will be limited to within 90 minutes of your departing flight.
Of course, new lounge locations can also help with overcrowding, like the recently opened Centurion Lounge at Tokyo's Haneda Airport, the first-ever for the brand in Japan.
Read up on these stories to be sure you can get into these (and other) airport lounges on your next flight, and stay tuned to TPG for the latest lounge news:
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