Priority Pass to Add Over 150 New Lounges to Network
Joe Cortez May 19, 2021
In time for the travel sector to reopen, Priority Pass is expanding their network to include over 150 new lounges around the world. Over 30 have been added so far in 2021, including Lufthansa business lounges at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark and Washington Dulles.
As travelers are getting ready to fly around the world once again, Priority Pass is preparing a major expansion to welcome guests to their affiliated lounges. In a press release, parent company Collinson announced the lounge access program would grow by 20 percent in 2021, including over 150 airport lounges and 100 premium airport experiences and off-airport lounges.
Program Expansion Includes Mix of Established Clubs and New Construction
Among airports alone, Priority Pass has already added 32 new locations to their network so far this year. The locations include the Lufthansa Business lounges at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The remainder of the expansion so far includes 14 locations in China, along with new clubs in Egypt, India, Russia and Turkey.
However, the expansion won’t be limited to just existing airline and independent lounges. Through Collinson subsidiary Airport Dimensions, Priority Pass is adding newly-built spaces in airports including Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and in the Harvey Milk Terminal at San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
Complementing the new lounge access is 100 new premium airport experiences and off-airport lounges. The airport experiences include new premium dining experiences, while the 100 off-airport options will be located at railways and seaports around the world.
“Our investment in Priority Pass is a clear reflection of our confidence in the travel recovery, which our research has shown will also include an increased appetite for premium spaces and experiences while traveling,” David Evans, joint CEO of Collinson, said in the press release. “With a network growing to include over 1,500 lounges and premium experiences available, we look forward to welcoming travelers back to our Priority Pass program as they return to travel.”
The list of currently open lounges operated by Collinson is available on their website and is updated every Thursday.
New Access Comes as Priority Pass Partners Tighten Lounge Access
The Priority Pass expansion comes at a time when one of their partners is trying to reduce access to some luxury spaces. In April 2021, American Express changed their terms and conditions to limit complimentary guest access to The Centurion Lounges in 2023 to those who spend at least $75,000 in purchases on The Platinum Card from American Express in 2022.
they are also losing plaza premium on july 1
Maybe. But if the rumor of plaza premium being taken out of the network is true, this really hurts me. I travel to Canada several times a year, and typically, these are the only non Air Canada lounges available. Having them in the network alone makes my Chase CSR worth it. Without it, my card may not be worth renewing.
Cool! I just received a Priority Pass membership through my credit card.
Great to see some more options on PP and interesting to see Amex making a move like that for 2023.