V-Flyer

I have heard that the Club America Lounge in Concourse F at MIA is dreadful, and we intend to spend as little time in MIA pre-departure as posiible.

However, after a day on the road driving up from Key West we would like a pre-flight shower. And reading the internet i have found reports that this lounge charges for use of their shower facilities. Can anyone confirm if, in their experience, this is true? I have never been charged for the use of shower facilities in any lounge facility I used previously.

According to the PP app, "showers and fax facilities are subject to payment and upon request"

Have never noticed any shower facilities, but that's probably been because I try and spend as little time as possible there .

David

Didn't notice showers in there either, unless they were on the other side of the lounge (it's split in 2 sections)

We were in the MIA lounge recently & didn't notice showers, given the general state of the lounge & terminal I am not sure I would want to use a shower if there is one. Dependent on how much time you will have available in Miami area there are pretty reasonable day time hotel room rates on offer.

It's probably too late to give advice but when we stay in Key West and are flying home from MIA, we spend our last night in Key Largo, making the drive to the airport about 1.5 hrs at most. We also keep our hotel room for an extra day, so can freshen up before we leave and don't have to worry about getting out of our room. Personally, after having done the Keys many times, I would not want to risk the drive up from Key West on the day I fly. If there's an accident, you really could be stuck for hours. Once you get to Key Largo there are two ways to get back to the start of the Keys, Highway 1 or Card Sound Road, so even if there is an accident on one road, you can use the other. Apologies if you have been to the Keys before and know all this!

Thanks all. We have rearranged the last days itinerary so we will have a gentle ride back up Highway 1 and just hope a shower is not needed. We could try the Centurion Lounge though that is in Concoure D I believe.

Looks like a strip wash with wet wipes in the back of the car might be your final option Maximus

My usual trick to replace the Club America lounge with the FountaineBleau

As if you book a treatment in the Lapis spa, you get the spa facilities as well as a full pool pass so you get to use the resort facilities. They also give you free parking and there is also a Hertz location inside so you can return the car and have a few cocktails with the beautiful people and its just by the Julia Tuttle Causeway which leads you directly to the airport in your uber/cab with 2 hours to spare before take off.

Bretty wrote:Looks like a strip wash with wet wipes in the back of the car might be your final option Maximus

It would not be the first time Bretty I assure you Several years of backpacking has prepared me to take the rough with the smooth and it may of course be a more luxurious in the back of the hire car than in the Club America Lounge

RyanJW wrote:My usual trick to replace the Club America lounge with the FountaineBleau

Great idea, but sadly I don't think we shall have the time to do it justice. And doubt Iwill be considered beautiful enough for entry looking at the website and Spa menu photographs

Greetings Trailblazer Maximus !

Just remember how ever awful the ( to quote David) Lounge that time forgot is it is still better than the rest of the departure area ( or was, last time I was there !!).

Thanks hiljil

I have been in the lounges at RAK and BOD, surely Club America can't be as bad as those?

If needs must I shall just have a dip in Biscayne Bay or, as a last resort, hose myself down at a car wash

Hiljil, you are right! The departure area at MIA is soul destroying. It really puts a damper on the end of the holiday.

Maximus wrote:, surely Club America can't be as bad as those?

Oh yes it can



David

Worryingly, that photo makes it look not too bad

David

BOD is worse, essentially a cupboard with chairs and a coffee pot! But admittedly not a major hub like Miami.

The flight is at 21.30. I am planning on approaching the UC bag drop off no earlier than 90 minutes before departure. We may head straight to the gate after security.

My usual course of action is to nip into the lounge, have some sandwiches and drinks quickly, then just go and sit at the gate....45 minutes post security at most.

David wrote:Worryingly, that photo makes it look not too bad

David

What it doesn't show:
- Airless atmosphere, no windows
- Dreadful limp sandwiches and third rate drinks selection
- It's quiet, wait until it's busy!

slinky09 wrote:

David wrote:Worryingly, that photo makes it look not too bad

David

What it doesn't show:
- Airless atmosphere, no windows
- Dreadful limp sandwiches and third rate drinks selection
- It's quiet, wait until it's busy!

Maximus wrote:And doubt I will be considered beautiful enough for entry looking at the website and Spa menu photographs

It's a attitude Maximus! Miami is all about promoting an air of sophistication and beauty whilst wearing thick shades! As long as your paying, then it really doesn't matter about anything else!

LOL! It really is one of the most dire lounges on the planet. The 'limp sandwiches' have been on the menu for as long as I can remember and not entirely sure the flavors are rotated either. On the last couple of occasions I've had to fly out of Miami I've opted for a bar on the main concourse. It's depressing as hell in that lounge and hardly a calm, tranquil experience you'd want before a flight actors the atlantic.