Priority Pass benefit rapidly deteriorating
#257
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
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With the exception of the AS Lounges I haven't felt this benefit has deteriorated since I first started using PP in 2015. That said, I like PP because of how much it helps me at second tier airports. For instance I was able to use it in MTY last weekend for a lounge and I've also used it at smaller overseas airports like LCG, SOF, FUK, PUS etc. Even in the US it's nice that if I'm not flying Delta I have a lounge in CVG, a lounge at SJC, CLE, BIW etc. Beyond the Board Room the lounges I access through PP are never crowded.
#258
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SNA
Programs: Bonvoy LTTE/AMB, AmEx Plat, National EE, WN A-List, CLEAR+, Covid-19
Posts: 4,957
What?! ... and wait with just ... anyone?!
TBH, I have to agree, since 2012(?) for me. My home airport (SJC) has a decent PP lounge that to me is better than the AS lounges I've used (PDX, and SFO when it was a thing) and when I've gone in other domestic cities the lounges have been "OK" and better than nothing (and I'm only half joking above, sometimes you just need a break from the crowds of huddled masses).
I actually don't use the benefit as often as I could 'cause between CLEAR and PreCheck I tend to not get to the airport much more than ~45 mins before my flight, and if say, my WN flight ex-SJC is delayed, unless that delay is > 45 mins the potentially-longish walk back and forth shaves a fair amount of time from the visit.
I actually don't use the benefit as often as I could 'cause between CLEAR and PreCheck I tend to not get to the airport much more than ~45 mins before my flight, and if say, my WN flight ex-SJC is delayed, unless that delay is > 45 mins the potentially-longish walk back and forth shaves a fair amount of time from the visit.
#259
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 239
Can I check if my wife and me have our own unlimited PP cards (only valid for 1 entry per card, no guests), are we able to bring 5 more guests into Priority Pass restaurants in MEL? I understand we have $36 worth of credits per person ($72 for us), and let's say all 7 of us dine, and total bill came up to $100, we just need to top up $28 will do? And our 5 other guests will not be charged additional 'per-person' fee?
#260
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,744
My local airport (CLE) didn't have any options when I first signed up to my PP. Now it added a restaurant/bar from a local celebrity chef. I was bummed we ran out of time, and didn't get to use it on our most recent trip. It gives a $28 credit towards menu items, including alcohol, per person, even for qualified guests. CLE is not some huge hub airport, it's rarely a crazy busy airport. I'm happy to have that option for a quick, prepared meal when I'm flying out in the morning. It's hard to be mad at this option, especially considering there is no Centurion there.
All of my other connecting flights were close together. I wasn't able to explore ORD or ATL. On my return flight home, we did have a long wait in SJU. We walked into Avianca. One guest + me, no issue. It was pretty crowded there at first. It died down after an hour or so. They had small plates to eat and drinks including cocktails, soda, and bottled water. Worked for me. There was clearly a few bigger groups in there. Whether they were with the Sapphire Reserve unlimited guests, that I could not confirm.
All of my other connecting flights were close together. I wasn't able to explore ORD or ATL. On my return flight home, we did have a long wait in SJU. We walked into Avianca. One guest + me, no issue. It was pretty crowded there at first. It died down after an hour or so. They had small plates to eat and drinks including cocktails, soda, and bottled water. Worked for me. There was clearly a few bigger groups in there. Whether they were with the Sapphire Reserve unlimited guests, that I could not confirm.
#261
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 661
I think the standards should be higher, for CSR anyone who does not have $10,000 minimum spend in the prior year should not be able to get Priority Pass, otherwise it really dilutes the usefulness of the benefits. There is no point having a benefit if it is difficult to use because people are offered it for nothing essentially, there has to be some filtering standard. I use PP on my CSR perhaps 2-3 times a year and bring no guests, i'm solo... but it's frustrating that I am affected because people have 4 or 5 people in tow since they bring their entire families. I am not blaming the people but rather Chase for not implementing a filter to keep the quality of the benefit to something reasonable.
#262
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: DL Silver, Avis President's Club, Hertz President's Circle, Global Entry (Former AA Plt/Gold)
Posts: 4,417
I think the standards should be higher, for CSR anyone who does not have $10,000 minimum spend in the prior year should not be able to get Priority Pass, otherwise it really dilutes the usefulness of the benefits. There is no point having a benefit if it is difficult to use because people are offered it for nothing essentially, there has to be some filtering standard. I use PP on my CSR perhaps 2-3 times a year and bring no guests, i'm solo... but it's frustrating that I am affected because people have 4 or 5 people in tow since they bring their entire families. I am not blaming the people but rather Chase for not implementing a filter to keep the quality of the benefit to something reasonable.
#263
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
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Ok I will take the bait. It is not the families that are crowding PP lounges in the US. If anything it would be the 1000s of new PP members - Amex, Chase, whatever. Plus for AS lounges you have all the VX flyers cramming in. Families typically travel a couple times a year, and many airports (like my home airport) don't even have PP lounges that are accessible for the vast majority of flights due to terminal security limitations.
I suspect the real reason Chase is making the change is for the same as airlines, hotels that shave elite benefits - cut costs by cutting corners. And if done right there will be little fallout. Sure, it will also eliminate the few abusers who bring dozens of friends into the lounge, but that's a rare occurrence.
Given the lack of a footprint here - I can easily live with 2 PP guests per visit. Would probably be more incensed if PP actually had a decent US network.
I suspect the real reason Chase is making the change is for the same as airlines, hotels that shave elite benefits - cut costs by cutting corners. And if done right there will be little fallout. Sure, it will also eliminate the few abusers who bring dozens of friends into the lounge, but that's a rare occurrence.
Given the lack of a footprint here - I can easily live with 2 PP guests per visit. Would probably be more incensed if PP actually had a decent US network.
#264
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: IAH
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Posts: 12,760
Completely agree. I posted something similar elsewhere, and while limiting guests will probably help in edge cases, the real issue is adding tens of thousands, if not a hundred thousand plus users, to a system simply not large enough to handle that level of increase.
#265
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,099
I think the standards should be higher, for CSR anyone who does not have $10,000 minimum spend in the prior year should not be able to get Priority Pass, otherwise it really dilutes the usefulness of the benefits. There is no point having a benefit if it is difficult to use because people are offered it for nothing essentially, there has to be some filtering standard. I use PP on my CSR perhaps 2-3 times a year and bring no guests, i'm solo... but it's frustrating that I am affected because people have 4 or 5 people in tow since they bring their entire families. I am not blaming the people but rather Chase for not implementing a filter to keep the quality of the benefit to something reasonable.
That said, it is at the end of the day a proposal to say "they should change the rules to such that they limit others but leave it unchanged with me". Most of the proposals around here tend to be along those lines.
#267
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Seattle, WA. USA
Programs: MR, AA, UA, DL, AVIS and growing
Posts: 1,172
I like the idea and it would be useful for Chase to discern a bit between people who actually use the card and just Churners who use it as a place to accumulate their other UR points.
That said, it is at the end of the day a proposal to say "they should change the rules to such that they limit others but leave it unchanged with me". Most of the proposals around here tend to be along those lines.
That said, it is at the end of the day a proposal to say "they should change the rules to such that they limit others but leave it unchanged with me". Most of the proposals around here tend to be along those lines.
What value is there in Ultimate Rewards(UR) by buying high lounge price items which I assume is your comment?
What items are being bought?
#268
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend; Moderator: American Express, Capital One, Citi, Chase, Credit Card Programs, Diners Club, Signatures
Join Date: Jun 2003
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#269
Join Date: May 2013
Location: MAD
Programs: IB+, BAEC
Posts: 3,099
A minimum annual spend for the PP membership could get around them dealing with lots of people just squatting on the card.
Like I said, I like it because it would benefit me by having fewer PP members since I do use the card for quite a lot of spending.
#270
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