Trying Tradewinds for the first time

[cassidain]

Another benefit is you can use the Tradewind lounge on your departing flight home from SJU.

I've never thought of that ! We have a 2h45 connection in SJU on way home, and we will certainly take advantage of their their very nice lounge.
Merci pour l'astuce !

 

[cassidain]

This reminds me, the TW lounge is not within the TSA security zone. Last time down in March, the TSA pre-check line was insane long. Like miss-your-flight long.
But they do have CLEAR.
So, who has CLEAR, and do you think it’s a worthwhile expenditure in general ?
$335/couple/year.

 

[cec1]

This reminds me, the TW lounge is not within the TSA security zone. Last time down in March, the TSA pre-check line was insane long. Like miss-your-flight long.
But they do have CLEAR.
So, who has CLEAR, and do you think it’s a worthwhile expenditure in general ?
$335/couple/year.

I have CLEAR . . . and think that all or part of the annual fee is paid by Amex or a MasterCard. In any event, it's great! I just used it at SJU two days ago when the TSA line -- even the Pre-Check line -- was crazy crowded. I literally walked immediately into the CLEAR area and was past the TSA agent in no more than three minutes! In this regard, I'll say that CLEAR occasionally has been slow for me (maybe 5 minutes) because the system couldn't read my eyes or fingerprints. A facial recognition system now is used, however, and its speed is incredible in identifying the CLEAR customer. Highly recommended in my experience.

 

[cassidain]

I have CLEAR . . . and think that all or part of the annual fee is paid by Amex or a MasterCard.

you must have the Amex Unicorn Card
I think we'll give it a go

 

[erikb923]

Another benefit is you can use the Tradewind lounge on your departing flight home from SJU.

Really? Flying back on AA to PHL in Dec, that would be great, have a longish layover... would be nice!

 

[TERP37]

We fly in the day before-(no need for VIP service)-stay at the Vanderbilt hotel-have a nice relaxing dinner-get up the next morning nice and refreshed and take one of the morning flights to St Barts

 

[Jeanette]

I just booked a cruise that lands us in San Juan a few days before the Bucket. We plan to fly from SJU to SBH on Tradewind and enjoy the regatta this year. I was thinking of spending a day or two pre-cruise in Old San Juan at El Convento. Does anyone have any thoughts on this hotel or staying in Old San Juan?

 

[cassidain]

AA changed our February itinerary SJU to stateside . . . yet again. And, yet again, Tradewind has been so accommodating to adjust our booking to match AA's latest changes. God bless them and their commitment to old-fashioned customer service. Worth the price. Plus, we'll enjoy their SJU lounge in the layover.

 

[PeterLynn]

AA changed our February itinerary SJU to stateside . . . yet again. And, yet again, Tradewind has been so accommodating to adjust our booking to match AA's latest changes. God bless them and their commitment to old-fashioned customer service. Worth the price. Plus, we'll enjoy their SJU lounge in the layover.

AA just changed our May flights. Must be an end of the year thing.

 

[bobrosen]

MMMMM..... We lived in Charlottesville for a long time, an area served almost exclusively by AA. Over the years we've had the opportunity to unexpectedly sample the hotel accommodations in CLT (twice), MIA, and SJU due to missed AA connections. For us, if the alternatives were horseback or AA.....

 

[Guenther]

Airport hotel, easy bag drag, clean, small and basic. Skip the dining. For us not worth the shuttles for a quick one nighter.
Uber to Santaella for dinner. Fun happening area of the town. Sit at bar is best. Great authentic food and drinks! Reserve now...

 

[CaribbeanSoul]

AA just changed our May flights. Must be an end of the year thing.

Our May flights as well but instead of SXM-MIA-DFW-PDX now SXM-PHL-PDX so much better! What are your dates in May?

 

[PeterLynn]

Our May flights as well but instead of SXM-MIA-DFW-PDX now SXM-PHL-PDX so much better! What are your dates in May?

May 22-June 5. How about you?

AA moved our MIA-SXM flight up and then put us overnight in CLT on the return. Got them to change the return through MIA with no overnight. Arrival only gives us a 50 min layover in MIA. Fortunately, I learned last year (2025) to buy the "Flex" fare on SBC, so we'll get to SBH earlier instead of spending 3 hours in SXM.

 

[CaribbeanSoul]

May 22-June 5. How about you?

AA moved our MIA-SXM flight up and then put us overnight in CLT on the return. Got them to change the return through MIA with no overnight. Arrival only gives us a 50 min layover in MIA. Fortunately, I learned last year (2025) to buy the "Flex" fare on SBC, so we'll get to SBH earlier instead of spending 3 hours in SXM.

May 22-June 1. Interesting on the MIA connection. They require 95 minutes on an international connection (inbound) and our flights were changed that only gave us 85 so they couldn't re-ticket and the flight just disappeared from our AA accounts. It all worked out for the better but that's typical when I book our flights so far in advance! Also using SBC for our island hop! We are on the 3:15 flight on May 22.

 

[PeterLynn]

May 22-June 1. Interesting on the MIA connection. They require 95 minutes on an international connection (inbound) and our flights were changed that only gave us 85 so they couldn't re-ticket and the flight just disappeared from our AA accounts. It all worked out for the better but that's typical when I book our flights so far in advance! Also using SBC for our island hop! We are on the 3:15 flight on May 22.

Looks like our wives might be fighting over the co-pilot seat!

Are you arriving from MIA as well?

 

[CaribbeanSoul]

Looks like our wives might be fighting over the co-pilot seat!

Are you arriving from MIA as well?

CLT is our connection to SXM.

 

[PeterLynn]

CLT is our connection to SXM.

See you in May and finger's crossed AA doesn't change anything else!

 

[dadto6]

I will be there between May 2 and 10. Look forward to meeting up with new friends...

 

[PeterLynn]

I will be there between May 2 and 10. Look forward to meeting up with new friends...

Be nice to meet, but it looks like we'll miss each other as we arrive May 22.

 

[cassidain]

I have CLEAR . . . and think that all or part of the annual fee is paid by Amex or a MasterCard. In any event, it's great! I just used it at SJU two days ago when the TSA line -- even the Pre-Check line -- was crazy crowded. I literally walked immediately into the CLEAR area and was past the TSA agent in no more than three minutes! In this regard, I'll say that CLEAR occasionally has been slow for me (maybe 5 minutes) because the system couldn't read my eyes or fingerprints. A facial recognition system now is used, however, and its speed is incredible in identifying the CLEAR customer. Highly recommended in my experience.

Just enrolled in CLEAR.
Apparently Delta and United both have ownership stakes in CLEAR. While AA does not and apparently restrict its positions in terminals they dominate. Hence, no CLEAR in CLT. And only in one of five DFW terminals.
Typical AA.
They seem chronically outmaneuvered by Delta.