A firsthand look inside PS LAX, the private terminal Starlux first class passengers use before flying to Taipei, from caviar service to tarmac limousine rides.
The generous caviar, martini, and 7 Series do seem 'nice,' but the 'best' part of this is that it was 'included' with your ticket, because otherwise, let's be real, if not for a review (or, if you truly 'need' the 'privacy' as an 'actual' VIP), this is inherently bad value.
As Ben mentions, it's $1,295/person/visit without membership; or, I was reading, it's $750+ per use even with memberships (starting at $1,250 annually for 'Salon' members, and upwards of $4,850/yr for whatever 'All Access' includes).
Sorta related, I was discussing the lack of a D1 lounge at ATL with a Delta 360 member recently; they remarked how they just pay for P/S, instead. (Eh, I guess some folks are 'bad with money,' or it's all a 'business' expense/other peoples' money, which, c'mon, not all that different.)
There will be comments to the effect of "it's not worth it." Which is framed in solely dollar terms. And, for this type of person, it's not worth it. There are others who assign subjective value to this service and believe it is worth it . . . to themselves. And, if they have the financial means, they'll use it.
Eh, even 'rich folk' are not a monolith. In fact, some of the wealthiest people I know are the stingiest around—flying basic economy on their way to their third home in Aspen. 'Penny wise, pound foolish,' and yes, very subjective. Meanwhile, the Instagram crowd would sell an limb just to post from there, but many of them are juggling credit cards to pay rent. Anyway, if someone really wants it, let them (but nobody needs this). P/S’s business model somehow works... for now. (Who knows, like with Blade and Blacklane, maybe Bilt will soon provide a Bilt Cash redemption for access... Ankur??)
Well , for that price I get a lift bar next to the commode . Many places don't invest in lift bars for the disabled .
Maybe I’m foolish but I think PS (at least the Salon) is worth it now and again for a special occasion. Makes a trip feel so much more relaxed and luxurious.
Nice that you can recoup some 'value' of the points you purchased in this experience
I have to admit, this appeals to me more than I expected. Not because I particularly need caviar before a flight, but because almost anything that allows me to pretend LAX doesn’t exist has some value.
That said, $1,295 is a lot of money to spend when you’re still being told to show up two hours before an international departure. At that point I’m not sure we can call it a time saver so much as an extremely pleasant place to serve your sentence.
The avgeek in me would probably justify the entire thing based on the drive across the airfield in a 7 Series. Included with a Starlux first class ticket, though? Absolutely. That’s a genuinely impressive ground experience.
I think one other thing worth mentioning is that food can also be prepared to go, so if you prefer, you can have them prepare food for you to enjoy on the flight.
@Ben, let's imagine that a 'poor' soul booked this facility to enjoy it right before an ultra long-haul [gasp!] economy [gasp!!] flight operated by [name your favorite arline with bad food] [gasp!!!].
Would you be able to have a full meal here and then order another full meal packed to go?
@ hbilbao -- Hah, there are no stated limits, so I think that should be fine. I mean, I'm sure there's some theoretical limit if you ask for 50 meals to go, but I also imagine that there aren't too many "value maximizers" dropping $1,295 on this experience, and then seeing just what they can get away with.