Priority Pass

Hi,
As usual, apologies are offered in advance if this topic has previously been discussed.
I am just wondering if the Priority Pass site which v-flyer direct you to via a link at the bottom of the discussion page is worth investing in. I am what you would call an 'infrequent' flyer, making about 4 flights on average per year. Any info/advice on the above would be gratefully received.

Thanks
NOC[:D]

I think it depends where you are likely to go on your flights, if there's a PP lounge there, and the facilities. I get it free from my Amex card, but the pay per use card is good for low users, and you could try for a year and see what you think.

It is difficult to answer really, it all depends on how much value being able to use an airport lounge and to where you fly. Not all airports/terminals even have lounges that you can use with Priority Pass (heathrow terminal 5 for example) so it doesn't guarantee you lounge access everywhere.

If you take only 4 flights a year then it is going to end up costing you a minimum of £30 per lounge visit with Priority Pass, plus another £15 for each guest you take per visit. Most Priority Pass lounges have nicer seating, and free alcohol, but not much in the way of food.

At some UK airports you can even book entry into the same lounges that Priority Pass use directly with the lounge company for between £12 and £18.

I think only you can decide whether it is worth the money! [:)]

One other point - if you normally fly at the front, or on full fare UK domestic on BMI or BA, you'll usually get a lounge access anyway.

I have a Priority Pass as part of my Amex perks, but I probably use it tops abojut four or so times each year as usually I have louge access for other reasons. Coincidentally today I used it so a colleague and I could have a chat while waiting for a plane (he was on BMI I was on BA).

Although their network is getting better, there are sometimes holes in there: they may have a lounge at an airport, but is it in the terminal you want?

Very occasionally it works to my benefit, like at Rotterdam where I don't know who gets to use the the tiny lounge their unless you have a PP.

As another poster mentioned the food department is usually rather sparse with tiny bags of peanuts being generally representative.

H

Thanks very much for your replies, alot of good info there. The jury is still out as to whether I will bother or not, although I have to say that I am getting less tolerant these days of the 'ere we go brit boys you often have to share the same space with prior to boarding [:(!].
Hang on,it would appear that I have talked myself into it! How did that happen?[:D]

Thanks again

NOC

[Nottingham Nick]

In this thread about the President's Club Bill S posted a very interesting link to a credit card from Barclay's called i24. It may not suit points whores like me, as it features cash back instead of loyalty points, but it does include Priority Pass membership.

Nick

[RichardMannion]

As per the other thread, don't buy Priority Pass on it's own. I'd get it via Platinum AmEx or via i24. If it were me, I'd get the Platinum AmEx as the insurance cover is the most comprehensive I have seen on a mainstream card. You could easily be covering 15 people plus via one account, as it covers card holders + partner + kids, and you can have an additional 5 cards with the same respective cover. Cover includes renting a car globally, so no more CDW/SLI etc - you just pay the rental. That soon adds up.

[mitchja]

Dont forget though that both the Amex Plat and the i24 card require minimum annual incomes.

The minimum income required for an Amex Plat card is £40K and the i24 card is £50K.

This means that these cards arn't suitable for some people, myself included.

Regards

Originally posted by RichardMannion
As per the other thread, don't buy Priority Pass on it's own. I'd get it via Platinum AmEx or via i24. If it were me, I'd get the Platinum AmEx as the insurance cover is the most comprehensive I have seen on a mainstream card. You could easily be covering 15 people plus via one account, as it covers card holders + partner + kids, and you can have an additional 5 cards with the same respective cover. Cover includes renting a car globally, so no more CDW/SLI etc - you just pay the rental. That soon adds up.

You also get one with NATWEST BLACK Card - that how I get mine but to be honest have yet to use it and had it for nearly 5 years ! The other benefits I use extensively though.

HG

[RichardMannion]

Originally posted by mitchja
Dont forget though that both the Amex Plat and the i24 card require minimum annual incomes.

The minimum income required for an Amex Plat card is £40K and the i24 card is £50K.

This means that these cards arn't suitable for some people, myself included.

Regards

Mmm, it was £30k but I'm not aware of any checks ever been done for Platinum.

HG - NatWest Black is £70k min and over age of 25. I did look at it as it was offered via Private banking, but Centurion covers off most of the stuff.

[HG - NatWest Black is £70k min and over age of 25. I did look at it as it was offered via Private banking, but Centurion covers off most of the stuff.
[/quote]

Richard,

Yeah - unfortunately I am well over 25 and have been since I first got one a few years back ! However, too be honest I have found the concierge facility with NATWEST BlackCard more useful esp when booking hard to get restuarant tables and last minute theatre/opera seats over that the centurion, which I also hold, but the other benefits seem similar IMHO. NatWest asked me for proof that I earned over £75k per annum when I first applied and that was circa five year back so seems they may have relaxed the entry rules these days.

HG

[Neil]

Originally posted by RichardMannion

Originally posted by mitchja
Dont forget though that both the Amex Plat and the i24 card require minimum annual incomes.

The minimum income required for an Amex Plat card is £40K and the i24 card is £50K.

This means that these cards arn't suitable for some people, myself included.

Regards

Mmm, it was £30k but I'm not aware of any checks ever been done for Platinum.

It is def now 40k as I have recently just got the Plat card. It is however done on household income and not personal/applicant income.

We used our Priority Pass cards for the first time at MAN the other week and whilst it wasn't the best lounge in the world ever it was a nice break for the masses, and with both our cards worth over 550GBP it makes the 300GBP fee easily worth it.

We have found the Priority cards a useful addition with I24 on occasion it offers a choice when other lounges are busy.
The biggest saving with I24 is the car rental insurance (CDW etc) - coupled with AARP card the USA rental rates are very very much reduced from a normal UK licence rental in the US!
I24 is also much more convenient - not having to carry multiple cards for A/ 1% cashback; B/ use anywhere; C/ no currency exchange charges.

I don't recall any specific income checks on application although there would be a credit check.

Guys,

Having started the 'other' thread I'm seriously considering getting Priority Pass in one way or another but I have one question. The PP site seems a little ambiguous about the number of people you can admit to lounges using a PP. Do you need 1 pass each or can you admit more that one person on one pass?

The answer will determine which method I use to obtain my pass(es).

Thanks

Miopyk[8D]

1 Pass allows 1 entry, additional guests (if allowed in that lounge!) have to pay circa £15
They check the name on the PP against name on the ticket.