Other ways of getting access to airline club lounges

Last week, we gave you the nitty-gritty details about airline clubs and what they offer. This week we're going to cover the other option: non-airline programs that allow access to a combination of airline clubs.

The first choice is Priority Pass (www.prioritypass.com or (800) 352-2834), which offers entry to 500 lounges, many of them not airline affiliated, in airports worldwide (compared to United's Red Carpet Club, which has 40 locations). Membership costs either $99 annually plus $24 per visit or $399 annually for unlimited visits. Guests cost $24 extra.

Unfortunately, there are gaps in Priority Pass-affiliated lounges at a few airports -- no one wants to trek to a different terminal for a few free drinks -- but most domestic airports are pretty well-covered.

For example, in Baltimore you can use the US Airways or United lounges in Concourse D, whereas at Orlando it's United or Delta.

At New York's JFK there are two lounges, the United lounge in Terminal 7 and the Korean Airlines lounge in Terminal 1. This presents an obvious problem: If the available airline club is in Terminal A, and you're flying on another airline from Terminal Z, you might not even bother.

A much better deal might be American Express Platinum Card's airport club program (www.americanexpress.com or (800) 223-2670), which allows members to use their cards to get into participating Delta, Northwest, Continental and American lounges.

Just show the card to get free access for yourself and up to two guests at 107 locations worldwide, with the caveat that you must be flying on the airline of the lounge that you use that day. This is not the case with Priority Pass.

American Express Platinum cards, whether business or personal, have a $450 yearly fee with no spending limit. Essentially it's a combined Delta/Northwest/Continental/American membership, which would otherwise cost the equivalent of $950 (a membership to either Delta, Northwest or Continental plus American), with an attached credit card, albeit a very fancy card with no spending limit and lots of other perks.

Finally, Diners Club cards (www.dinersclub.com or (800) 234-6377) provide access to more than 80 lounges worldwide for $95 a year. The cards offer access to lounges in some interesting international locations, but at a mere two U.S. airports (Miami and Newark). However, if you find yourself in need of a lounge in Skopje, Macedonia -- not traditionally a popular airport for layovers -- you're covered.

The bottom line is, if you fly just one airline and fly a lot, join that airline's club. Northwest, Delta and Continental are especially good choices, thanks to reciprocal privileges. But if you fly on American often as well as the aforementioned carriers, the American Express Platinum Card makes sense. Either way, you'll experience less stress and work more productively -- unless you overdo it with the open bar.

Toronto Fairmont has winter package

The Fairmont Royal York (www.fairmont.com/royalyork or (416) 368-2511) is offering an Only One Way winter promotion.

Guests booking a room with this promotion (starting from about $170, subject to availability) can either receive double airline miles or a fourth night free after staying three consecutive nights. Airlines participating in this program are Aeroplan, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Asia Miles and Lufthansa.

To qualify for either promotion, book your stay at the hotel before Dec. 31 for stays through April 15.

Located in downtown Toronto, the Fairmont Royal York is close to the theater, entertainment and financial districts, shopping, sightseeing and sports facilities.

To make a reservation or for more information, call the number above or visit www.fairmont.com/royalyork/HotelPackages/SpecialOffer/OnlyOneWayWinterRates.htm.

This winter promotion also applies to other Fairmont properties in North America. More information is available at www.fairmont.com/promo/winter.

Helping you travel responsibly

For the eco-friendly traveler, the November issue of Travel + Leisure magazine is not to be missed. It's dedicated to responsible travel and examines how change is affecting the diversity and qualities of destinations, with an emphasis on conservation, cultural preservation and sustainable development.

Among the articles in this issue are "20 Trips to Change Your World," easy itineraries for travelers looking to make a difference on the road; a "Good to Go" report, looking at trends in responsible travel; "Electric Avenue," which examines the future of the American road trip including the advent of all-electric cars; and the cover story on "The New Costa Rica," which looks at what happens when the world's original ecotourism destination grows up.

Also included in the November issue are 15 properties around the world that are taking measures to conserve water and energy, eliminate waste and support their local habitats and communities. A partnership with Conservation International developed a comprehensive green-hotel assessment questionnaire, which is available in this issue or online at www.travelandleisure.com/responsibletravel.

Among the hotels included are Devil's Thumb Ranch in Colorado where only 1 percent of this 5,000-acre ranch has been developed, leaving the rest free for guests -- and elk, moose, bears and beavers -- to roam; Spice Island Beach Resort in Grenada where water is solar-heated, the bulbs are energy-saving compact fluorescents and the pool is treated with salt instead of chlorine; Chumbe Island Coral Park in Zanzibar, Tanzania, designated 13 years ago as Tanzania's first managed marine-protected area and one of the region's most diverse reefs, with a rooftop rainwater-collection system and solar-powered lights, as well as a ranger program to educate locals about marine ecology and prevent illegal fishing; and Tenuta Di Spannocchia in Siena, Italy, an 1,100-acre organic estate of managed forests, vegetable gardens and hiking trails dedicated to preserving the region's cultural and agricultural legacy.