Priority Pass is the world’s largest network of independent airport lounges. We recently learned that most Plaza Premium lounges will no longer be accessible with Priority Pass as of this summer, leaving many of us wondering how Priority Pass will fill the void. We now have our answer.
Continue reading: Priority Pass Expanding Network By 20% In 2021
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Ben, the Star Alliance lounge at GRU is no more: https://www.staralliance.com/en/news-article?newsArticleId=GRU_STATEMT&groupId=20184
@ Luke -- Whoops, thanks! Updated the post to reflect that. I should have known better/maybe Priority Pass shouldn't send out a press release today specifically highlighting this as one of the exciting new lounges that has been added. :p
I wonder if they’ll accomplish this by getting some member lounges from the Amex Lounge Collection back into the fold? Seems unlikely but unsure how else to get space in airports!
I know restaurants are now excluded from priority passes issued through Amex Platinum/Centurion cards. What about spas, airside sleeping pods, and so on? Are these also not free those who are customers through Amex?
@ John -- Yep, those are generally excluded as well (basically any non-lounge experiences), though there are exceptions.
@John Sleeping pods seem to be generally included. At least MinuteSuites locations in the US are included, Sleep n fly at DXB...are included.
Pre-pandemic I am ok with just chilling in PP lounges and having a small bite of decent food, but if these lounges continue to serve COVID-tier per-packaged junk then I would welcome more restaurants. Also I am a CSR holder
It's nice that Priority Pass can release a press release saying they're adding 150 airport lounges to the network. But if those lounges are capacity controlled and/or have severely restricted hours and/or reduced amenities during those hours, as is often the case with airline lounges contracted to priority pass, then it's not nearly as good as they make it out to be. I've learned that you have to take priority pass lounge listings with a big grain of salt.
I agree with Justin that adding a bunch of lounges that are open for an hour or two here and there combined with a downgraded experience is a waste and borderline misleading. I greatly welcome anything new including rail like eurostar or amtrak.
Amex really needs to bring back non-lounge experiences.
People were abusing it, but getting rid of guests and limiting the benefit to just the cardholder would be a good compromise.
I'm bit pessimistic on this, of the 250, I could see crazy restrictions...
Lounges: "Tuesdays and Wednesday only, excluding holidays, between the hours of 8am-10am; one hour max, must swipe a credit when checking in, if you don't check out within an hour your credit card will be automatically charged the following: The overage fee, a $25 convenience fee, local sales tax and a 3% credit card transaction fee, for your convenience"
Experiences: "Buy two (of whatever the experience is) and receive a complimentary gift! (small bottle of branded hand sanitizer)"
@Ben: Thanks for clarifying.
@Justin: I agree.
Personally, I find Priority Pass mostly useless. I got lounge access with the three major alliances. Usually, they have the better offer than PP. It's really rare that there is a nice PP lounge when no airline-provided lounge exists or when the airline-partnered lounge is overcrowded, but the PP lounge isn't.
Sometimes, I enter the PP lounge just out of curiosity and I typically end up being disappointed. So it's really only 2-3 random times per year where PP is useful. For those 2-3 times, I might as well pay for a dining establishment.
It was different when the restaurants were included for us Amex users. Had a couple of fun dining experiences prior to the change.
The Marhaba lounge in Melbourne is a good addition. Also used a few of their restaurants pre-Covid and was pleasantly surprised so looking forward to more of those in the network, essentially when travelling with the family.
Agree with TheJagMan and would also add I wonder how well planned their plan is. Consider that they often have lounges that are on the international side of the terminal so how does that help people that fly domestic or vice versa or lounges only in certain terminals or landside not airside.
》》 “Be Relax” sounds like a grammatical error. Stupid name.
Oh come on. Some of us were enduring Be Best for years.
Shirley, you can Be Relax and Become Sense Of Humor?
Is it 20% growth over what PP was before or is it 20% growth from what they were after plaza premium left? Frankly plaza premium lounges were the few PP lounges that i found to be worthwhile.
Priority Pass had a number of lounges in Russian railway stations in the past but dropped them in 2019. I stayed overnight in 2018 at the one in Novosiberisk and it was excellent for sleeping. Hopefully these will be brought back.