The idea of flying today conjures up images of long waits, missed flights, stressful delays, and rigorous security. While most travelers endure the discomfort of crowded airport gates, frequent flyers take advantage of the luxury airport lounge as a quiet and civilized escape. What if we could bring this “country club” atmosphere to credit union members? Why not?
One of Filene’s i3 teams is now working on a project to do just that. According to the team, a survey conducted at two large credit unions showed that 92% of members are very or somewhat interested in access to an airport lounge as a benefit of credit union membership. Considering that there are over 80,000,000 credit union members in the United States, that’s a lot of possible Airport Oasis Lounge visitors!
What will Oasis visitors enjoy? Members will relax with all the amenities of the airline lounges, while non-members will be welcomed in, given a tour, and provided with the opportunity to become CU members.
Where will Oasis be located? The vision is to have the initial pilot lounge in a major US airport, with the long-term goal of having lounges in all major US airports.
How can Oasis become a reality? America’s Credit Union’s Airport Oasis Lounge needs sponsorship and support from credit unions. Interested? What do you think of the idea? Sound off here!
Comments
5
I like this idea a lot! It is a doable concept that puts the ‘club’ in CU membership. It is also is a very visible differentiator that will get people talking.
Link to this comment
Love this idea. It would take a lot of CU’s stepping up to implement, but if it takes off it could be a great differentiator for us. I really like the club feeling of it. It gives the regular Joe (who happens to have an account at a credit union) the treatment that is usually reserved for the upper class of the world. Very cool idea.
Link to this comment
Check out the comment from an Affinity CU member on their blog… The i3 team surveyed consumers at Arizona Federal, Affinity, and Coastal (the i3 member’s CUs) to gauge consumer sentiment and it was off-the-hook positive. One Affinity member went so far as to blog about it. Sounds to me like they endorse the shared branching “connection” to the lounge!
Affinity member blogger said, “We’ll see if it happens. It would be a huge perk, but for it to be truly valuable, it would need to be in several cities. And getting into ANY airports is a challenge: Space is at a premium at America’s hubs, so it’s frankly hard for me to see dedicated credit union lounges happening, but you never know what magic they can work… If they can cut me a cashier’s check in 2 minutes, a thousand miles from their closest physical branch, who knows what they can manage.”
http://www.upgradetravelbetter.com/2007/12/12/members-only-airport-lounges-for-credit-unions/
Link to this comment
It seems your i3 team might be onto something more than I originally thought. Check out what American Express is doing at:
http://www.americanexpress.com/lacidc/en/laccards/viplounges.shtml
Platinum cardholders get access to over 450 airport lounges across the country.
The big advantage that the CU program could offer is access to the members financial services. Good luck on the innovation!
Link to this comment
Tim, thanks for your positive comment! Obviously, as one of the three i3 members working this project, I feel the same way. Is there any chance you comment about this on your blog in an effort to get a more people discussing our idea? We’re finding it to be a big rock to push and the more minds the merrier!
Link to this comment