Priority Pass - Access Denied (lounge full)
Dec 29, 2015, 1:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
Priority Pass - Access Denied (lounge full)
I tried to use my Priority Pass Select membership that comes with the Citi Prestige card for the first time.
I was denied access at the No. 1 lounge due to the club being full. The interesting part was that only some people were refused. After some googling it appears that only Priority Pass members are selectively targeted and refused entry in these situations.
Needless to say that this is extremely disappointing. What good is a membership if its members are being selectively denied access to a lounge whenever the lounge so desires?
This was the first time that I tried to use this card. I simply don't have the opportunity all that often.
Is this normal at the No.1 lounge and others?
I was denied access at the No. 1 lounge due to the club being full. The interesting part was that only some people were refused. After some googling it appears that only Priority Pass members are selectively targeted and refused entry in these situations.
Needless to say that this is extremely disappointing. What good is a membership if its members are being selectively denied access to a lounge whenever the lounge so desires?
This was the first time that I tried to use this card. I simply don't have the opportunity all that often.
Is this normal at the No.1 lounge and others?
Dec 29, 2015, 8:23 am
#2
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What do you think a lounge should do when it is full?
What happened when you went to the other Priority Pass lounge at Terminal 3?
Dec 29, 2015, 4:09 pm
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,111
http://www.businesstraveller.com/dis...d?page=2#55066
Calling Priority Pass will do nothing. I expect this not to be their policy but I am asking for feedback whether other people have experienced this behavior as than what can be easily googled and may or may not be true.
Dec 29, 2015, 4:29 pm
#4
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Heathrow allows passengers to prepay lounge visits...
https://secure.heathrow.com/?p=l&src=WLHR71
I speculate that as lounges approach capacity they would give preference to those who have paid to visit on a specific date over Priority Pass / Airport Angel / Diners Cub and other memberships.
I am curious if you encountered the same problem at the other lounge?
https://secure.heathrow.com/?p=l&src=WLHR71
I speculate that as lounges approach capacity they would give preference to those who have paid to visit on a specific date over Priority Pass / Airport Angel / Diners Cub and other memberships.
I am curious if you encountered the same problem at the other lounge?
Dec 29, 2015, 9:42 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 441
hmmm...where could I find this info. Maybe I will pull up Priority Pass website and read the FAQ's...bam in 20 seconds I found an answer
"Why have I been denied access to a lounge on the Priority Pass program?
We apologize for the inconvenience. Sometimes lounge operators will impose restrictions based on lounge capacity, to ensure guests have a pleasant experience."
I have been denied at ORD T5 before, but went back an hour later after a couple flights departed and was allowed in.
"Why have I been denied access to a lounge on the Priority Pass program?
We apologize for the inconvenience. Sometimes lounge operators will impose restrictions based on lounge capacity, to ensure guests have a pleasant experience."
I have been denied at ORD T5 before, but went back an hour later after a couple flights departed and was allowed in.
Dec 30, 2015, 10:17 pm
#6
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I've been denied access to a Priority pass lounge only once, it was the Wingtips lounge @ JFK. I was admitted 10-20 mins later once people had cleared out for a flight. In their defense it was also the peak of the evening rush of international departures.
I'd suspect its very much YMMV, both with the lounge and PP.
I'd suspect its very much YMMV, both with the lounge and PP.
Mar 24, 2016, 9:01 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 1
No1 lounge at T3
Very interesting, had the same experience today at No1 lounge at T3, access denied on the basis that lounge was at capacity.
Stayed in front of the lounge from 2.40pm to 3.05pm while complaining with Priority Pass cistomer service, while i counted 15 people getting out, but access still denied.
It seems more of a sales strategy rather than a coincidence - if in peak days i can charge 36gbp for entrance, why would i let those 'free riders' of Priority Pass in?
Stayed in front of the lounge from 2.40pm to 3.05pm while complaining with Priority Pass cistomer service, while i counted 15 people getting out, but access still denied.
It seems more of a sales strategy rather than a coincidence - if in peak days i can charge 36gbp for entrance, why would i let those 'free riders' of Priority Pass in?
Mar 10, 2017, 10:57 am
#9
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 116
Mar 10, 2017, 11:14 am
#10
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http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/alask...b-c-space.html
Yes, it's a known problem at Alaska Airlines lounges, and I expect them to leave Priority Pass the same as AA, DL and UA did, but are there recurring problems at independent lounges?
Yes, it's a known problem at Alaska Airlines lounges, and I expect them to leave Priority Pass the same as AA, DL and UA did, but are there recurring problems at independent lounges?
Mar 10, 2017, 1:56 pm
#11
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If you believe that the lounge operator systemically excludes PP members, then you can file a complain with PP and let PP to deal with it.
Then why does OP bother to apply for a card with AF that has a benefit that can't use?
Aug 1, 2017, 3:32 am
#13
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 456
Unfortunately this is pretty common. While I haven't been denied to any lounges before, I know the lounges essentially have a hierarchy when it gets busy. Priority Pass users are sadly at the bottom of that hierarchy and will be restricted access first due to capacity control when there is high demand. I love my PP, but I am aware of the risk. Fortunately, most of the airports I usually travel to have multiple lounges to choose from, and I haven't been turned away so far.
Aug 4, 2017, 12:04 am
#14
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It also happens at UA Clubs. Tried to enter a UA Club in AUS last year with a day pass and was told to come back "in awhile" because they full. Came back in 15 min. and they let me in. Bogus...
Aug 4, 2017, 12:41 am
#15
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The purpose of PP, at its first place, is to provide access when the lounge has excess capacities.
