A couple of weeks ago, we learned that Plaza Premium lounges would be rejoining Priority Pass, which is a pretty significant development. I wanted to post a reminder of this, as the integration is now complete.
In this post:
63 Plaza Premium lounges join Priority Pass
All 63 Plaza Premium lounges have rejoined the Priority Pass network as of June 20, 2023. Here you can find the full list of Plaza Premium lounges belonging to Priority Pass.
In the United States, this includes the lounges in Dallas (DFW) and Orlando (MCO). Note that Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses access through Plaza Premium isn’t part of this arrangement, since Clubhouses aren’t actually Plaza Premium lounges, but just have an arrangement in place with the group.
For context, Priority Pass is the world’s largest network of independent airport lounges (and other experiences), with over 1,300 lounges around the world. All kinds of premium credit cards offer a Priority Pass membership, which is a great way to get lounge access when traveling. Priority Pass doesn’t operate lounges as such, but rather has partner lounges that it pays when a member visits.
Plaza Premium operates the world’s largest collection of independent airport lounges, with over 60 of its own lounges. You can’t directly buy a Plaza Premium lounge membership, but rather Plaza Premium acts as a contract lounge provider for premium airline passengers, and for other lounge access programs. Plaza Premium has had partnerships with American Express and Capital One, to offer cardmembers access to these lounges.
Plaza Premium lounges left Priority Pass in 2021
Historically Plaza Premium lounges belonged to Priority Pass, but that changed in 2021, when the two companies cut ties. Officially, Plaza Premium provided the following explanation when the two companies ended their partnership:
“In view of the rapidly changing travel environment and staying true to our mission in Making Travel Better, we have reassessed our product and service offerings in the hope of creating a comprehensive airport hospitality experience to reach more travellers globally.”
It seemed pretty clear what was going on at the time:
- Plaza Premium lounges are able to negotiate different reimbursement rates through different partners; for example, an airline that sends their business class passengers might pay more per person than a Priority Pass member who visits, since Priority Pass can offer so much volume
- My guess is that Priority Pass was reimbursing Plaza Premium among the lowest amounts of any source of lounge access, so Plaza Premium decided to focus on other partnerships instead; presumably the two companies couldn’t agree on a “fair” price as they renegotiated their contract
So I imagine that Plaza Premium tried to find new ways to monetize its lounges more profitability, but ultimately wasn’t successful, and decided that Priority Pass is the way to go. One thing is for sure — belonging to Priority Pass is one way to guarantee a lounge will consistently be filled, even if the margins aren’t great. 😉
Here’s what David Evans, CEO at Collinson (the parent company of Priority Pass) had to say about this development:
“We are dedicated to creating the very best propositions for our clients and partners whilst delivering the best possible travel experience for our global members. The rekindling of a long-standing relationship reminds us that the travel industry is a rich ecosystem that delivers the best experience for consumers when the various players work together as one. With demand for premium travel stronger than ever we are significantly increasing our network of lounges and experiences in key travel hubs across the world.”
Is this development good or bad news?
It goes without saying that Plaza Premium lounges rejoining Priority Pass is great news for members, since they’ll suddenly have access to more lounges. Plaza Premium lounges are superior to your typical contract lounges, so that’s positive.
That being said, for those of us with a premium American Express or Capital One card that directly offers access to Plaza Premium lounges, I’d say this is less great news. Plaza Premium lounges haven’t been as crowded as other Priority Pass lounges specifically because the entry requirements were a bit stricter. So you can expect that Plaza Premium lounges will now be more consistently crowded.
Bottom line
Plaza Premium lounges have rejoined Priority Pass as of June 2023. The two companies had cut ties about two years ago, as Plaza Premium seemingly wanted to find new ways to monetize its lounges. I guess that didn’t work out, because the lounges are now once again open to Priority Pass members.
What do you make of Plaza Premium lounges rejoining Priority Pass?
Complete mess. Live in Budapest and the plaza premium lounge used to be empty with food completely full. Then after one month of luxury the hoards of people full with their kids came with the priority pass expansion. Food always gone, so messy, and it’s always full!!
Yesterday, I went to the Plaza Premium Lounge at LHR T5. The sign mentioned Priority Pass but had a big American Express by it as well. I gave the person both my Priority Pass and Amex Platinum card and she wanted the Amex Platinum card instead of the Priority Pass card, so I was not sure whether they accepted Priority Pass or not.
NO access to the MERA lounges in Cancun though. Those are 3rd party operations like Virgin and Avianca.
Ben, can you use your network to find out what happened to the Plaza Premium Frankfurt Lounge? It has been „temporarily closed“ for months now and also does not appear in the list of transitioning lounges.
Priority Pass does the job for me. It is nice to have a place to get a cup of coffee and some fruit or biscuits before a flight.
This is a big devaluation for Amex Platinum - being able to access these nice quiet lounges with that card when all the PP ones were overcrowded was a godsend.
On the other hand, this is a great re-valuation of Priority Pass... included in my Visa Credit Card. Bravo, Bravíssimo!
I guess this is one reason to keep the CSR/Citi Prestige/etc. IMHO, the PPLs are better than the average contract lounge. Some airports don't have (m)any other lounge options, so it's great news for non-Amex Plat and non-Venture X PP members. And if the lounges weren't getting enough revenue, even with all the Amex Plats around, I wonder if they'll really get that much more crowded (at least outside the US/Canada).
AFAIK, Plaza Premium memberships...
I guess this is one reason to keep the CSR/Citi Prestige/etc. IMHO, the PPLs are better than the average contract lounge. Some airports don't have (m)any other lounge options, so it's great news for non-Amex Plat and non-Venture X PP members. And if the lounges weren't getting enough revenue, even with all the Amex Plats around, I wonder if they'll really get that much more crowded (at least outside the US/Canada).
AFAIK, Plaza Premium memberships were pretty pricey and a poor value, so maybe that's why they didn't get many takers...
Priority Pass is just a recipe for unhappiness. Getting it free with Amex Platinum means it us potentially of some use, but zero value as the times it isn't accepted or refused due to capacity or some other reason outweighs the times you actually can use it in a decent lounge. I'd attribute zero value to Priority Pass and the idea of anyone actually paying real money to join Priority Pass puzzles me. Sure some...
Priority Pass is just a recipe for unhappiness. Getting it free with Amex Platinum means it us potentially of some use, but zero value as the times it isn't accepted or refused due to capacity or some other reason outweighs the times you actually can use it in a decent lounge. I'd attribute zero value to Priority Pass and the idea of anyone actually paying real money to join Priority Pass puzzles me. Sure some people may have travel routes that work but for me, if I had to pay for it, I'd be hard pressed to find enough decent lounges to make it a better deal than just paying into ths lounge. Maybe my experiences have been unlucky but when the lounge staff themselves are pretty much saying the Pass is useless, well that's gotta mean something.
I have to wonder how many people actually pay real money for Priority Pass though.
I did years ago prior to Amex offering the benefit. The plan I had actually billed each visit.
Ugh… DFW is going to be waitlisted now. It’s too small for this.
Well, it's pretty bad anyway. I regretted my stop there. Anyone with Amex or Capital One should not be going there.
Well, it’s the only option in terminal E. Obviously not worth it if you’re leaving from terminal D.
Well, US travel still gets those few Virgin Clubhouses.
Abroad, Plaza wasn't that useful unless you're in like Colombia or SE Asia, and even then lounges are plentiful (but mediocre).
Plaza Premiums in Canada have been mostly PP pax all along too.