Priority Pass - Worth It?
 

We used to travel almost exclusively American, and belonged to the Admirals Club. But lately our travels - domestic and international - have been on various airlines, so the Admirals Club is often not available. I've heard about Priority Pass, which has lounges in many airports. Have any of you had experience with this pass? Is it worth joining?

The value of priority pass depends upon how often you travel and where you travel. For example, on a recent multi-stop African trip, we found it invaluable. I think you would also find it useful anywhere if you are traveling a lot and making many connections. But, the availability of free or discounted membership is very wide. Check with every credit card you have, as well as any other travel related programs, such as Interval World and, I think, some of the travel agencies of the big box retailers. Because it is often less crowded in the Priority Pass lounges, we have used them when we had an airline lounge available. Athens comes to mind in that regard.

Thanks for your reply, Jeff801. I will look into discounted membership.

I used they I agree with Jeff, you can also look in local forum.

We have Priority Pass "Select" with our AmEx Platinum card. It replaces our Delta SkyClub membership. Be aware that American Airlines and US Air have both pulled out of the PP fleet. The card will no longer get you into the Admirals Clubs, etc. Also know that each traveler has to have his/her own card to enter the PP clubs on a "Select" membership. Guests are charged $27 per visit. The cost of a platinum card is substantial, but it works for us since Delta raised their club membership fees substantially this year. Other benefits of the AmEx PL card make it a worthwhile investment.

We too have the PP Select as a perk of Amex Platinum. We greatly miss the Admiral's Club access, but just had a chance to use a PP lounge in the Copenhagen airport during a layover flying Premium Economy on Norwegian, an airline which offers no lounge access. That airport is like a fantasy luxury mall with dozens of comfortable cafes and other places to hang out, so the lounge was appreciated but not a necessity. Probably would not have paid if we didn't have free access. I would rate the lounge as decent - stylishly with a good selection of snacks, but more crowded than most other lounges we've visited. I would give it a 7 on a scale of 1-10.

These people are criminals. There is no other word for it. I bought a pass on Amazon Local in Feb. The pass never arrived, even though they claimed they posted it twice. After a lot of to-ing and fro-ing - and generally appalling response and dreadful lack of customer service from PP - Amazon finally stepped up to refund the money and cancel the pass. I thought it was all over until I just saw my current bank statement - and PP has helped itself to £61 without telling me or asking for permission! So not only have they illegally kept bank details I never gave them (as I purchased through Amazon) but they have decided even though I was never a member, they are entitled to treat me as if I am and help themselves to my hard-earned cash. Oh, and the best part? Despite helping themselves to my bank account, I have STILL never had a card! Awful company. I am preparing to wage war once again. Never, ever give them or any provider your bank details. You will clearly never hear the end of it. Felt I had to warn anyone foolish enough thinking of taking up membership - you have been warned.

Confused.....did you or did you not give them your bank details? You state it both ways in your post.

Good Luck.

Honestly, don't bother. I fly from London Gatwick every week, and I can recall only 2 or 3 occasions in the last 12 months on which my PP card has allowed me access to a lounge at the airport. PP does not own the lounges, and in reality is nothing more than a secondary revenue stream for the lounge operators at times when their lounges are under-utilised by their regular paying customers and/or airline business class flyers. Consequently, the PP card only works at super-offpeak times, which at many airports is almost never. What is more, you will find PP's "customer service" response is truly a masterclass in brainless platitudes. My advice, don't waste your money.

I think it depends on which level pass you get and how much travel you do. If you have to pay for the pass and then pay for each visit, then no, not worth it IMO.

However, I have a pass that comes with a credit card (Chase Sapphire Reserve) and allows free entry plus guests. For me, it's great. I just did a trip to Cambodia and Laos. Spent about 5 hours in the PP lounge in Hong Kong as well as visited twice to the lounge in Siem Reap. Both times had free food and drink, clean bathrooms and a comfortable place to sit. I like it. And while I might have paid for the long visit in HK, I would not have paid for the visits that were under an hour in Siem Reap.

FYI - the original question was asked on this post in 2014.

I also have the PP from my Chase Reserve card and have not used it yet. I hope to use it in ATL in May. we'll see how it goes. I don't have high hopes.

I used mine from Chase reserve at LHR in December and it was quite pleasant.

IMO It can be a mixed bag. For me the biggest issue is the low number of lounges available and that they are generally not "mainstream" airline lounges. I have found myself in airports or terminals that have no PP lounge. :-( I have also been denied entrance to an Alaska Airlines lounge because they were saving "space" for Alaska airlines lounge customers. The lounges I have visited have been mostly acceptable. I was recently at LAX and was quite bothered by several children running around the whole place using their loud outside voices. No adult intervention noticeable at all. That was not the relaxing experience that I seek in these lounges.

Bottom line for me, If it's free OK, gotta pay .. no way.