I’d like to comment on Fran’s blog yesterday. I couldn’t agree more regarding the importance of GT‘s placement in lounges for the premium traveler. I receive wonderful comments all the time from travelers I meet while on the road who find out I work for the publication. They have seen Global Traveler in various lounges, including United’s Red Carpet Club, and I believe a lounge is an ideal spot to take in the pages of GT.

As a frequent traveler myself, I find the use of airline lounges both essential to a busy business schedule and a life saver. They make the overall travel experience a better and more productive one.

This past weekend, I flew out to Aspen, Colo., to visit a friend to celebrate her milestone birthday. I was in and out of airports very often as a big snow storm hit the mountains and caused one flight to be canceled on the way home and the rebooked flight was delayed too much for  me to make my connecting flight. While the Aspen airport (if you’re not flying private) is too small to need an airline lounge, every time I fly through a major airport, I make sure to take advantage of the lounge.

Flying out to Colorado, I flew Continental to Denver from Newark.  I made a pit stop in the Presidents Club before boarding. They were able to help me with a seat change, and I was able to check emails, grab a drink and munch on some snacks. This made all the stress of my day slowly dissipate and allowed me to board calmly and look forward to the weekend ahead.

Despite the delay in getting home, the weekend was one for the books. It was an incredible privilege to spend the weekend with the birthday girl. She is obviously well loved; her friends flew in from around the country to help her celebrate. I hope the photos from this party miss the pages of  GT, but I know all our readers are looking forward to reading about our upcoming awards gala, taking place in New York City at  Andaz Wall Street in January!

— Alex Young, vice president and associate publisher