Post: #1

https://www.prioritypass.com/en
Anybody using this? Seems like a good deal for frequent flyers.
Whats your experience?

Post: #2

You get it for free with some credit cards, Amex plat and citi prestige maybe others also

There's usually at least one lounge wherever you go, they have a list on their website

Post: #3

I have it, its great, used domestically and internationally. Few free boozy drinks, some free snacks, cleaner bathrooms, can easily get hydrated with some water or whatever, you save on having to buy food at the overpriced airport restaurants.

Post: #4

Yep-- I use it all the time.

I can bring two family members/guests with me too. Usually Air-conditioned and the snacks are decent. Coffee/drinks help the layover become a bit more enjoyable.

Post: #5

You can't help but notice that they only have one lounge in Australia, in Cairns, which is a big gap in their global coverage.

Post: #6

Indeed, AMEX platinum and Citi Prestige give Priority Pass Select I believe. In the major airports, if you've status or are flying biz class, there may likely be a lounge with better amenities from one of the alliances, or a major airline like Etihad. However, if you're not in that situation, PP at minimum will provide a place to sit thats somewhat comfortable, some light snacks and some drinks (sometimes alcohol, sometimes just beer, sometimes only soft drinks). I've used it around China quite a bit, and in Asia more generally. Download the App which has a lounge finder function.

Thought they apparently fixed this, since its a loose network of lounge operators, best to have your card on you to access. In Sri Lanka, I was denied even though PP confirmed my membership on the phone. Also, quality of the lounges will vary wildly, and so just because there's a lounge, doesnt mean its necessarily your best option. The Lounge WIFI may be worse than the airport free wifi in cases, and the food so bad that its preferable to sit in a nice restaurant rather than a shitty lounge.

I'd pair the card also with the app Lounge Buddy, for more detailed info and reviews on the lounges. Keep in mind that while there may be a lounge that's PP in the airport, it can very well be in a different terminal (in many there may be a lounge only in one terminal). Check out lounge buddy, load in the types of memberships you have and any cards you have that grant entry, and it'll help sort that out, plus give reviews and a more detailed description of the lounge locations by gate and terminal.

Post: #7

A bit off topic, but as the Amex Platinum card has been mentioned...if you are considering this card with a view to gaining access to the airport lounges, it also provides you with very comprehensive travel insurance.

Amex Platinum Card Travel Insurance pdf

Up to $2.5million medical expenses among the highlights.

I recently got an Amex Platinum. When I got the paperwork through in the post I read it was a pleasant surprise - they say all the right things I want to hear. The only downside is that I think there is a limit of 240 days in a 12 month period that counts as a "trip". So if you're on the road more than that you would need to fill in the gaps.

Post: #8

As of today I have flying Blue Silver, but that only gives me access to some off Skyteams lounges across the world for a fee (between 25 - 50 USD).

These lounges includes.
Europe: Amsterdam, Berlin, Frankfurt, Paris-Charles de Gaulle (except La Première- and Terminal 2G-lounges), Stuttgart and Zürich.
North America: (AIR FRANCE/KLM/Delta-airport lounges): Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York-JFK, San Francisco, Toronto, Washington, Atlanta, Cincinnati, Tampa, Dallas, Raleigh, New Orleans, Jacksonville, Seattle, Fort Lauderdale, Minneapolis, Portland, Detroit, West Palm Beach, Memphis, Milwaukee, Boston and New York-LaGuardia.
South America: (Air France-airport lounges): Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
Asia and Pacific: (Delta airport lounges): Tokyo and Honolulu.
Africa: (Air France airport louges): Douala and Johannesburg.

As a Gold Elite member there is more than over 600 lounges that welcomes you (and mostly free).

Through my re:member card I can get a 14 USD off the price for the Priority Pass.

Post: #9

(12-20-2015 07:14 AM)rdp Wrote:  https://www.prioritypass.com/en
Anybody using this? Seems like a good deal for frequent flyers.
Whats your experience?

Had it before several years ago. Like others say, it comes with some credit cards, and on its own it doesn't sound like a bad deal but check to ensure the lounges which accept it will be where you usually fly. Too often I found the one lounge that accepted priority pass was at the opposite end of the airport or a different terminal completely. I eventually gave it up. Maybe it's changed a bit now but I would do my research before subscribing.

Post: #10

I got that one from an ordinary AmEx card but haven't had the opportunity to use it yet. It seems like more of a marketing device for lounges than an actual privilege to me, but maybe I'm wrong.

Post: #11

^^yes, sir, with all due respect entitled to a poster of your seniority, you're wrong.

Post: #12

(12-22-2015 10:38 PM)Global Entry Wrote:  ^^yes, sir, with all due respect entitled to a poster of your seniority, you're wrong.

I got mine complimentary (the highest tier) with the Citi Prestige ($450 annual fee; mine was $350 as i'm CitiGold checking).

I have gotten AT LEAST $200 worth of food, snacks, drinks, etc. from Priority Pass over the last 6 months. I travel often, but when I bring a woman or friends with, they can come in too.

Considering the costs of snacks/booze in an airport, the convenient service, and AC (like the lounge in Jamaica where the rest of the airport is humid AF) --- totally worth it.

Post: #13

No offense taken Global, you're way more experienced on this stuff. But here's what my letter that came with the card says:

Quote:Enter up to 700 lounges around the world at $27 per person per visit, bring in guests at the same price

It doesn't say anything about these lounges giving you free stuff, especially not stuff worth more than $27.

What am I missing?

Post: #14

(12-23-2015 12:16 PM)Handsome Creepy Eel Wrote:  No offense taken Global, you're way more experienced on this stuff. But here's what my letter that came with the card says:

Quote:Enter up to 700 lounges around the world at $27 per person per visit, bring in guests at the same price

It doesn't say anything about these lounges giving you free stuff, especially not stuff worth more than $27.

What am I missing?

You guys are both right--- paying for it each time is not worth it.

Getting it with a premium credit card (that has other benefits) is completely worth it.

Look into getting the Citi Prestige if you travel a lot.

Post: #15

After checking more into the Priority Pass I decided I will rather try to go for the flying blue gold (elite plus).
This will be a better deal in the long run.

Requirements to become a Gold member is not that "bad".
From their website:
"You become a Gold member when you have reached one of the following thresholds within 1 calendar year:
You have earned 40,000 Level Miles (60,000 in France and Monaco) on flights with one of the SkyTeam partners."

OR

"You have made 30 qualifying flights with one of the SkyTeam partners."

I have a lot of upcoming flights next year with KLM and AIrfrance so the 30 qualifying flights is within reach.

Post: #16

30 qualifying flights or segments?

Post: #17

I'd never pay 27 for these lounges, HCE - I agree with you that the vast majority of them aren't nearly worth it.

You've two choices. But selfishly, I'm gonna address them in my thread, rather than splitting this stuff up in another travel thread.

Post: #18

(12-26-2015 02:37 PM)Mentavious Wrote:  30 qualifying flights or segments?

That's 30 qualifying flights with any of the 20 SkyTeam members.
They include: Aeroflot, Aerolíneas Argentinas, Aeroméxico, Air Europa, Air France, Alitalia, China Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Czech Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Garuda Indonesia, Kenya Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Korean Air, Middle East Airlines, Saudia, TAROM, Vietnam Airlines and Xiamen Airlines.

Post: #19

This thread doesn't make mention of status matching, which one can parlay into lounge access pretty much all of the time if they have it with one of the major airline alliances.

So the Flying Blue status mentioned above, although not recommended for its poor mileage earning ratios on partner airlines, can be matched to OneWorld status via Air Berlin. That Air Berlin status can give you free access to any OneWorld business class lounge, including the American Airlines lounges in the US.

Then, the status can be further matched to Turkish Airlines, which will give Star Alliance Gold status. Then you can use Star Alliance lounges and the priority check in and baggage allowance.

There are some places where I have used Priority Pass, but rarely do so these days. China is one place where I use it often. Also the Low-cost terminal at KUL when I force myself to fly Air Asia has a nice lounge.

This would be recommended most as a product for those that don't have elite status or is a frequent flyer on an airline that isn't part of a major alliance. As always, the best advice is to check-in online and show up an hour before a flight.

Post: #20

I've been pretty disappointed with it. Occasionally it works, but it always seems to be that the lounge I need it for isn't covered - and this is with full Priority Pass.

Priority Pass Select, in all of my years of moderate travel, never was worth a damn. I'm keeping it for one more year (in which I'll travel 300+ days), but I think I'm pretty much going to cancel it at the end of 2016.

Post: #21

elcidcampeador: with flying blue gold I will have access to over 600 lounges worldwide for free, and also be able to bring guests.
Elite status also generates more earned miles with each flight (depending also on booking class).
I am based in Norway so for me KLM is an good option when it comes to prices, service and destinations.
I have allready 22 flights coming up before the june, so the gold elite status will be a reality way before the end of 2016.

Please do elaborate more on "status matching" thanks.

Post: #22

I have a priority pass because it came with my credit card, and it is a big plus because i am not paying for it and can enter a lot of vip lounges while waiting on the airports.

Im pretty sure that they have an app where you can check the avaliable rooms for you.

In some cities the vip lounge they offer is pretty shitty (better than the regular waiting room though) but in others like in barcelona or hong kong the have even showers and full meals.

A bug perk for the frequent flyers, specially if you are on a budget and get this for free heh.

Post: #23

It's great, but I think you get 4 accesses a year including guests.

After that you pay 24 USD, which can still be a good spending if you have many hours to wait, considering drinks and snacks will also cost you elsewhere in the airport.

This give you access to second tiers lounges in airports, some are great, some are very ordinary, but they all share the existence of free alcool, wifi, snacks and a nice place to relax to it's way better then nothing or rotting out in the airport.