In the premium credit card space, airport lounge access has increasingly become an important competitive point. Most people are probably familiar with Amex Centurion Lounges, Capital One Lounges, Chase Sapphire Lounges, etc.
Well, here’s a new entrant to the market (though outside the United States), and there’s potentially quite a bit to like here (thanks to Doctor Of Credit for flagging this)…
In this post:
Mastercard opens airport lounges with a la carte dining
Mastercard has recently launched Taste by Priceless (or “Taste of Priceless”, as the branding is inconsistent), described as a premium airport dining experience, which is open to select cardmembers. This network currently has two locations:
- Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) Terminal 1, near gate 41, on the mezzanine level, adjacent to the Kyra Lounge, and this is part of the former Chase Sapphire Lounge; read a review from The Milelion here
- Sao Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) Terminal 3, on the right, immediately past passport control; see a video review here
- There’s also a location coming to Mexico City International Airport Benito Juarez (MEX), but it’s not yet open
These Taste by Priceless lounges offer a la carte dining and “chef curated tasting menus featuring locally inspired cuisine,” along with “signature Priceless deserts & beverages.” Then there’s plenty of seating for dining, working, and relaxing, power outlets, and free and unlimited high speed Wi-Fi.
Who gets access to Mastercard’s new airport lounges?
These lounge facilities are specifically open to those who have a World Legend and World Legend Exclusive Mastercard, along with up to three companions, with an unlimited number of visits being allowed, within three hours of departure. Other Mastercard cardmembers (aside from the above) can purchase access to these facilities for $70-100 per person, which is obviously steep.
In terms of proving your eligibility for access, you can either present your physical credit card, or your Priority Pass member that’s linked to an eligible Mastercard product.
So, which cards in the United States offer access to these lounges? Probably the three most common are the Citi® / AAdvantage® Globe™ Mastercard® (review), Citi Strata Elite℠ Card (review), and Bilt Palladium Card (review) (Rates & Fees).
It’s funny how the Citi AAdvantage Globe Card doesn’t otherwise have a lounge benefit, aside from four Admirals Club passes per year, but it does qualify for access to these lounges. So that’s a pretty cool perk, if you ask me.
Bottom line
Mastercard has recently started opening its own branded airport lounge network, with two locations now in Hong Kong and Sao Paulo, and the next planned for Mexico City. These lounges offer a la carte dining, and are open to those with a World Legend or World Legend Exclusive Mastercard, along with three guests.
These facilities truly look great, and it’s particularly cool how some World Legend products don’t otherwise include comprehensive lounge access, but do get you into these facilities.
What do you make of these new Mastercard lounges?
I was at the one in Sao Palo. This was the end of March, it had just opened and was tucked out of the way immediately after security. I only noticed it when we were waiting for our friend to clear customs. I ventured over and we asked if Strata Elite and/or Prestige let you in. ( I have both) they said not Prestige. It was a really nice lounge, good cocktails and food menu....
I was at the one in Sao Palo. This was the end of March, it had just opened and was tucked out of the way immediately after security. I only noticed it when we were waiting for our friend to clear customs. I ventured over and we asked if Strata Elite and/or Prestige let you in. ( I have both) they said not Prestige. It was a really nice lounge, good cocktails and food menu. They offer a lounge chair type massage and had a shower suite. It was fairly empty and we seemed to be the only Americans in there during this time. Highly Recommend.
can you talk about the other priceless perks like mastercard fast track? which airports are available and do you just show your card? i saw a ton of non elderly folks use the fast track at hkg and wondered how they did it
You book fast track for free at certain airports where this service is available, providing you have an eligible MasterCard.
https://travelexperiences.mastercard.com/
Great, I can see it on my PriorityPass App which I’ve got through my HSBC Premier World Elite MC
This is just a restaurant that has random access requirements, you're just paying $100 for a tasting menu at an airport.
I'm sure they're not expecting many takers at that price, it's just there as a credit card benefit and they might get the odd sign up from an airline that's unhappy with its current lounge arrangements.
Does the Citi Prestige get access?
It didnt when I was there in GRU in March.
Now I gotta make a dining trip through HKG again, Mott 32 here we go again.
Kinda ironic oxymoron for Mastercard to charge for something priceless.
But from Milelion's review. The menu without seeing the actual dish, I'd say it's still a notch below Centurion dining at HKG.
Not a good start for Mastercard.
I am sure it would be a decent enough lounge, but what a horrible name. It almost sounds like 'Tasteless'.
Thought it may include something at MEX as well (at least that was what DoC had found.)
And, AA Exec should get upgraded soon, too. Wild that Globe (a lesser product) got it first.
Somehow I don't think that 7-eleven tacos and cokes will be popular .