I use to think that arriving to airports 2-3 hours in advance was a waste of time. I would always find myself waiting in the waiting lounge for a good hour at least before boarding flight. I thought to myself, why??? What's the point? I can still make it on time even if I arrived about 1 1/2 before scheduled departure. Sometimes even an hour.. Yes, it's better to be safe than sorry I know.. I learned the hard way one time when my pre- 1 1/2 hour arrival for an international flight never happened. It was too late and there were about 200 people ahead of me on line.

My outlook on airport arrivals have changed since then. I no longer think it's a waste to come 2-3 hours in advance to an airport. Actually, sometimes I prefer it. This is all to the thanks of Continental Elite Access!! All my travels coupled with my Chase Account (yes, I'm a Chase member despite my long tenure with its competitor) have awarded me this new status. As a result, I am able to cut lines and get to the ultimate desired destination quicker. What is the desired destination of any airport?? Yep, the Members Only Lounge aka Presidential Suite! It is here that I indulge in all the complimentary food and drinks and then kick back on the comfy seats. Yes, the Presidential Suite! :) All of a sudden flying seems a tad bit more bearable.

Of course admission to these lounges are complimentary with any first class ticket but I like to indulge in the fact that my hard work (of collecting miles) have paid off without having to spend thousands on one first class ticket. With that said, I am here at the Presidential Suite right now as I write this entry awaiting for my boarding call to Luxembourg. It quickly hit me that this lounge is much different than the lounge in CDG/Paris. Why?? Why does CDG have sandwiches and pastries and this place only has packaged cheese and crackers??!! This makes me wonder about the other Continental lounges all over the world. Perhaps I shall start a grading system of all the CO members lounges. I shall start with this one.

Newark, NJ
Continental Presidential Suite Lounge

DECOR: B+
Positive: Plenty of comfortable seats. Individual working stations. Separate tv room. Friendly customer service.
Negative: No view

FOOD: D
Positive: PACKAGED NUTELLA!!!
Negative: Limited choice of food. Packaged cheese.

DRINKS: B+
Positive: Complimentary first shelf
Negative: Only half and half cream for coffee. Very limited tea selection.

OVERALL: C+