American Express luxury lounge opens at Natick Collection

Just picture one of those frequent-flyer airport lounges for the well heeled.

Now tired shoppers can pop in the luxury lounge and check their coats, use private restrooms, charge their iPods, check their email and grab some free snacks and drinks (water, juice, etc.). Even better, there is a free giftwrapping service.

All you need to do is flash your card to get in (no charge will appear on your statement). And you don't need one of those coveted black American Express cards. Gold will do.

The Natick lounge is only the second lounge to open in the country. The first opened last year in New Jersey.

The lounge is open every day. It closes for the season Dec. 31.

I truly hope it's so successful that it becomes a permanent offering and expands to other malls.

Three cheers for the luxury lounge.