Priority Pass members can enjoy complimentary spa treatments at select airports. This feature was first rolled out in 2021 at several airports in the United States, and this is also now being introduced in Canada.
In this post:
“Be Relax” spas join Priority Pass
Priority Pass is the world’s largest network of independent airport lounges, with over 1,300 locations around the world. While most Priority Pass locations are traditional lounges, the network also has some other unique experiences, including dozens of airport restaurants belonging to the network.
Priority Pass members can now receive credits at the following eight “Be Relax” spas:
- The “Be Relax” spa at Dallas Forth Worth Airport (DFW) near gate B28; it’s open daily from 7AM until 9PM
- The “Be Relax” spa at Detroit Airport (DTW) near gate A46; it’s open daily from 7AM until 9PM
- The “Be Relax” spa at Detroit Airport (DTW) near gate A18; it’s open daily from 7AM until 9PM
- The “Be Relax” spa at Los Angeles Airport (LAX) in Terminal 1 after the security checkpoint; it’s open daily from 6AM until 11PM
- The “Be Relax” spa at New York Kennedy Airport (JFK) in Terminal 5 between gates 6 & 7; it’s open daily from 6AM until 10PM
- The “Be Relax” spa at New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in Terminal B after the security checkpoint; it’s open daily from 6AM until 10PM
- The “Be Relax” spa at San Diego Airport (SAN) near gate 27; it’s open daily from 6AM until 9PM (until 8PM on Tuesdays and Saturdays)
- The “Be Relax” spa at Toronto Airport (YYZ) in Terminal 3 near gate C36; it’s open daily from 6AM until 10PM (starting at 7AM on Saturdays and Sundays)
What “Be Relax” treatments do Priority Pass members get?
Priority Pass members are entitled to one of the following treatments at “Be Relax” airport spa locations:
- 30 minute Lounger Massage — Be Back ($35 value)
- 15 minute Lounger Massage plus Aromatherapy & O2 — Be Back ($35 value)
- 10 minute Head Massage plus Aromatherapy & O2 — Head Up ($38 value)
- 10 minute Foot Massage plus Aromatherapy & O2 — Be Feet ($38 value)
Note that:
- You’ll need to present a boarding pass for confirmed same day travel (though an arriving boarding pass should be fine)
- Members are allowed to bring up to one guest (meaning two people could get treatments)
- Those who have a Priority Pass membership through an Amex card, including The Platinum Card® from American Express (review), aren’t entitled to this, as Amex excludes most non-lounge experiences for members; however, Priority Pass memberships through the Chase Sapphire Reserve® Card (review) and Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (review) do qualify
Time permitting, who wouldn’t love a quick head, foot, or back massage between flights? “Be Relax” has locations at a lot more airports around the globe, and it’s nice to see that more locations are being added, though slowly. I wonder if the locations being added are the ones that are the quietest and most in need of more business, or what.
For those curious about the economics, essentially Priority Pass pays participating locations a fixed amount for each visit. In some cases that just goes toward being admitted to a lounge, in some cases that goes toward dining at a restaurant, and in some cases that goes toward another cool experience (like this).
Should you tip at “Be Relax” spas?
I figured I’d address this, since the question will likely otherwise come up in the comments section. My take is that if you’d tip for a paid spa treatment then you should probably also tip for a spa treatment through Priority Pass:
- Priority Pass is just another form of payment for your massage, in lieu of cash; think of it like paying with a gift card
- In the USA there’s generally the expectation of tipping for spa services
Bottom line
More “Be Relax” airport spas are joining Priority Pass, giving members the opportunity to enjoy a complimentary spa treatment before or after their flight. This is an awesome concept for Priority Pass to expand, and I’m crossing my fingers that we see a lot more locations added. Here’s to hoping that this doesn’t get so popular that there’s an hour-long wait to take advantage of this.
What do you make of “Be Relax” spas being added to Priority Pass?
The comments here are dripping with condescension about the value of manual labor in today’s America. Especially funny coming from a bunch of privileged men (most likely) trying to maximize the value of their business class trips.
Sure, I see no reason to give a tip for being pointed at a self-massaging chair. But for everything else, tip 15-20% or a minimum of $5. Whatever pain anyone using Priority Pass went through this year...
The comments here are dripping with condescension about the value of manual labor in today’s America. Especially funny coming from a bunch of privileged men (most likely) trying to maximize the value of their business class trips.
Sure, I see no reason to give a tip for being pointed at a self-massaging chair. But for everything else, tip 15-20% or a minimum of $5. Whatever pain anyone using Priority Pass went through this year pales in comparison to the pain of the workers at these spas (and everywhere else).
Anyone who thinks THEIR not tipping is some kind of way to help tear down the tipping system is lying to themselves. They’re just being cheap AF.
The problem isn't really about tipping per se. The fundamentals of economics will still make it cost the same to me if business pays livable wage to employees which I then will have to pay higher for the cost of service. It's a broken system, but it wouldn't cost less to me. Just like the stupid sales tax, resort fees, basic economy etc.
...That's not really the problem. (maybe basic economy is pure greed)
The problem isn't really about tipping per se. The fundamentals of economics will still make it cost the same to me if business pays livable wage to employees which I then will have to pay higher for the cost of service. It's a broken system, but it wouldn't cost less to me. Just like the stupid sales tax, resort fees, basic economy etc.
That's not really the problem. (maybe basic economy is pure greed)
It's about being force to tip on a very bad service. It becomes a disincentive for me to give incentive for some good service.
Wait basic economy is pure greed?
What are resort fees because some like @DCS who stays at Hilton on points doesn’t pay resort fees same with Hyatt properties
Wait basic economy is pure greed?
What are resort fees because some like @DCS who stays at Hilton on points doesn’t pay resort fees same with Hyatt properties
Tipping is a disease that needs to be eliminated once and for all. It is used as an excuse for business to underpay its workers. Why should customers subsidise the bottom line when they are already paying for the goods or services? As long as tipping exists business will continue to exploit workers pay. End Tipping and Help End Workers Exploitation
Massage chairs charge $2 or less in malls around the world… $35 is quite a stretch.
Presumably the Ritz-Carlton Priority Pass world also get one into Be Relax.
First priority pass option ever in JFK T5 woohoo for Jetblue!
I am definitely not tipping for this, not that I frequent any of these airports anyways. Especially in states like California or New York, where their minimum wage laws require something like $15+ per hour, which is a far cry from the $3.50/hr in middle America which weirdly wants you to make their income livable by paying their wage via tip. Tips are for when extraordinary service is provided. If they provide me with service...
I am definitely not tipping for this, not that I frequent any of these airports anyways. Especially in states like California or New York, where their minimum wage laws require something like $15+ per hour, which is a far cry from the $3.50/hr in middle America which weirdly wants you to make their income livable by paying their wage via tip. Tips are for when extraordinary service is provided. If they provide me with service I would not have expected, then yes I will gladly tip.
Was in T2 at SAN on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Actually there are 2 Be Relax Spas in T2.
However, both told me that all they offered to PP holders was the 30-min chair massage. Was tempted to pull up the info on the app, but decided it was not worth the hassle to try for other covered services.
I was in San Diego on Tuesday Nov 30th and it was closed. Looks like they are open on Mon,Wed, Th & Friday. Hours also very limited.
Wonder why head massage isn’t named like others.. Be-head…Wait..
Welcome to America in the 21st Century where sitting in a chair that “massages” your back for 30 minutes is charged at $35 plus tax plus 20% “tip” (for the attendant who showed you to the chair).
But DYKWIA folks with their $700 Amex platinum (of course newly minted with crayon scribbles on it) will be thrilled to go and use this service because all that matters is getting something for “free” that others...
Welcome to America in the 21st Century where sitting in a chair that “massages” your back for 30 minutes is charged at $35 plus tax plus 20% “tip” (for the attendant who showed you to the chair).
But DYKWIA folks with their $700 Amex platinum (of course newly minted with crayon scribbles on it) will be thrilled to go and use this service because all that matters is getting something for “free” that others have to pay for.
For some reason this “spa service” and this whole post almost seems to spell out one of the main problems of our time. If we just practiced patience, respect and human decency and stop staring at screens all day long we wouldn’t need dirty massage chairs in an airport that cost 7x more per hour compared to minimum wage.
Can't bring a guest, at least at the LAX location.
I used their massage chair as well, but I wouldn’t tip. For what exactly?
I have been to the LAX Be Relax! three times. The 30 minute chair is great but O² delivered outside of a mask is silly.
Pressing a few buttons for a few seconds then letting the chair do all the work does not trigger a tip.
You shouldn’t have to tip for the lounger massager. It’s a massage chair and unless staff are coming by to provide you a service (getting you water, cold towel, etc), there isn’t any service to tip.
so let's talk about the sad situation of Priority Pass at LAX. LAX has always been on the poorer side in terms of PP experience but now there are no more restaurants or lounges, just 2 of these Relax spots. and no, the "due to COVID" excuse doesn't cut it anymore. this is just unacceptable, LAX
Oh, hang on. 10% off the "AMERICA" store in TBIT.
I suspect the Amex lounge will be open by the time the Los Angeles Olympics happen in 2028.
I agree that one should tip, but whats the right amount, $10?
$5 for 10 minutes seem like more than reasonable.
Have you ever used your PP benefit for a Minute Lounge? Did you tip? How much? I don't tip at Minute Lounges or hotels. My sister says she feels tips left in bedrooms suggest sex work.
Travelers are free to tip $1,000 or more if they deeply care about the pay of service workers.
I only tip if a person does something for me that is beyond their paid job responsibilities.
The App says that members may not register any guests. Seems like one cannot bring guests for free?
Does the complimentary massage benefit extend to amex plat cardholders (Amex plat cardholders still get free priority pass membership, right?)?