Priority Pass, which is the world’s largest network of independent airport lounges, has announced that it’s increasing the visit fee for guests at lounges. Let’s talk about what that looks like, and who this impacts.
In this post:
Priority Pass’ new visit fee for guests
As of October 1, 2023, Priority Pass will increase its visit fee for guests to $35, compared to the current amount of $32. For context, the latest price hike happened in 2018, and prior to that the visit fee was $27.
The visitor fee is always based on where the account is based, so for those in the UK, the visitor fee is increasing to £24, and for those in the European Union, the visitor fee is increasing to €30.
Here’s how Priority Pass justifies its decision to increase these fees:
Like many other companies we need to balance our pricing with rising costs. We have held our prices for over four years, however, at a time when businesses face unprecedented challenges and cost increases, we do now have to make an adjustment to our visit fees.
You’ll always want to crunch the numbers when it comes to the value of bringing additional guests into Priority Pass lounges and experiences. For example, many Priority Pass restaurants offer a $28 credit per person for eligible Priority Pass members. You obviously wouldn’t want to pay $35 for a $28 credit (and don’t expect the credit amount to increase).
Who is and isn’t impacted by this change
The visitor fee applies for any visits beyond what your membership allows, whether you buy a Priority Pass membership directly, or have one through a credit card.
Those of us in the United States who have a Priority Pass membership through a credit card may be used to being able to bring two guests into most lounges at no extra cost. Nothing is changing there. However, if you want to bring in additional guests, that’s when this kicks in.
A lot of Priority Pass memberships outside the United States through credit cards don’t come with the same generous guesting privileges, so for those people. this higher cost would be much more significant. Similarly, if you have a Priority Pass membership that only includes a certain number of visits per year, this would also be more significant.
Bottom line
Priority Pass is increasing the cost to bring extra guests into lounges as of October 2023. The price is increasing from $32 to $35 for accounts in the United States, and is similarly increasing for those in other countries.
If you only bring guests within your typical limit then you don’t have to worry about this. However, for those who bring in guests beyond that, this is worth being aware of when deciding if it’s worth paying for lounge access for guests.
What’s your take on Priority Pass increasing guesting costs?
Im a victim of priority pass during my visit to L.A. they gave me 1 chip and mineral water and charged me $65(us) to my credit card. I’ve the photos still w me. Help me w this complain(june 2023)
@Joey Paz, it sounds like you visited a Gameway. What's your basis for the complaint? It's a space to play games, and they throw in a drink and snack. If your PP doesn't cover the visit (e.g.: Amex Plat) and/or if you exceed the free hour, then you were properly charged. LAX PP options suck, but if you have a PP card that includes non-lounge options like Gameway, it's better than nothing (and free).
Good decision by Priority Pass and love your service
Not nearly enough increase for sub par lounges
Their tap water costs have gone through the roof they serve
And their free sparkling water they now charge for
Hard Pass
They are planning a new name for their lounge program
Freeloader Pass
Line up boys and girls
Unfortunately in many lounges, priority pass cardholders can't get in as the lounge is sold out to pre paid package holidaymakers. It should be renamed as thier is no priority..its seriously misleading
Given reasonable Wi-Fi/cellular in most airports and more/better for options, I just don't see the point anymore. Especially given crowding in many lounges.
I work at a priority pass restaurant at an airport. I wish they would get rid of it completely. Maybe 30 percent of the people who use priority pass at my restaurant leave a gratuity
The difference of a few dollars is not much. This makes the Chase card issued priority pass more valuable. Yes the credit should increase at the restaurants.
@Ben or anyone - do you know if this is possible at PP restaurants?
Let's say that 2 pax have PP, and the restaurant allows take-out and up to 1 guest per card.
Pax A uses their card to dine in = 2x $28 credits. Pay and leave.
On the way out (or even a bit later), Pax B uses their card for take-out = 2x $28 credit.
Please note u say for four year u have not raised any price but around two years of covid most travel were stopped or restricted so it's wrong to say that u kept the price unchanged. I understand now the operation cost have gone up. So need to check that as people's income overall has not goneup too.
Does this mean priority pass are just taking the extra cash or that they are paying lounges more so that priority pass users dont get turned away about 90% of the time in busy airports?
The card is close to useless in London.
Would have been nice if the article told us the number of allowable guests for different cards.
"Primary Cardmembers and Authorized Users are granted complimentary access to the Priority Pass lounges and are allowed a maximum of two accompanying guests each. For any additional guests, your card will be charged $X per guest, per visit." So, if my wife and I are traveling together and we each can bring in two guests, the fee only kicks in with the seventh person in our party. And, Ben, you're saying that fee is going...
"Primary Cardmembers and Authorized Users are granted complimentary access to the Priority Pass lounges and are allowed a maximum of two accompanying guests each. For any additional guests, your card will be charged $X per guest, per visit." So, if my wife and I are traveling together and we each can bring in two guests, the fee only kicks in with the seventh person in our party. And, Ben, you're saying that fee is going up $3. This is absolutely intolerable. What profiteers! :-)
I don't see why the restaurant credit shouldn't increase in proportion. Airport restaurant prices have increased. Priority pass is mainly a conduit. If they are collecting more per visit, then they should pay the providers more per visit
Yeah this. If they're using the inflation argument, they need to increase the restaurant credits as well or it's bullshit.