Access declined [Priority Pass member experiences]
Nov 15, 2018, 8:50 am
#77
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
I've been in the AF/KLM lounge many times with PP, usually between 12:00 and 18:00. Sometimes it's crowded, but never been denied and always found a seat.
The Swissport lounge is always EMPTY. Also what a depressing lounge -- no natural light and mediocre food/drinks. But very quiet, if that's what you're looking for. Unless I had to bury myself in my laptop, I think I would grab a snack and then head to the gate so I could look out the window.
Nov 15, 2018, 10:53 am
#78
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SFO
Programs: AY Plat, LH FTL
Posts: 7,370
Nov 17, 2018, 8:42 am
#79
Join Date: Feb 2016
Location: CONUS
Programs: Bonvoy LT Gold, UA Platinum, AA Gold
Posts: 6
Just turned down x2 in IST
Forced to have a long layover (12 hours) in IST due to an international connection on a fairly uncommon route. After 11 hours in the seat I attempted to get in to the CIP Primeclass lounge with PP. the attendant started to scan, then changed her mind, indicating they were at capacity. I’m dressed in a collared shirt and presentable as usual... but she did suggest the Comfort Lounge 2.
I made the trek to Comfort Lounge 2. It was fairly subdued, definitely not a capacity issue. I was told that due to the length of the layover I had two options: go away due to their four hour limit or have her charge PP for me +2 guests to get to the 12 hours. Now my membership allows two free guests (brain farted at the moment) but I was taken aback by the negotiating, the attendant grew tired and changed her mind, saying just come back 4 hours prior to departure. I was totally cool with staying for 4 hours, getting a quick nap and some water and walking on my merry way to the next stop, and checking out with the staff to not “get one by” on them... but not today.
Generally I’ve found PP to be moderately useful so this took me aback. Now I see why folks get so heated about the inconsistencies. Understood that these folks are independent contractors, but anyone who has done contracting knows that the rules are usually pretty clear in both directions and there should be a bit more transparency in what they are from location to location.
Had I realized this would have been an issue I’d have just grabbed a transit visa and slipped in to town for dinner and come back to TAV landside for a nap.
I made the trek to Comfort Lounge 2. It was fairly subdued, definitely not a capacity issue. I was told that due to the length of the layover I had two options: go away due to their four hour limit or have her charge PP for me +2 guests to get to the 12 hours. Now my membership allows two free guests (brain farted at the moment) but I was taken aback by the negotiating, the attendant grew tired and changed her mind, saying just come back 4 hours prior to departure. I was totally cool with staying for 4 hours, getting a quick nap and some water and walking on my merry way to the next stop, and checking out with the staff to not “get one by” on them... but not today.
Generally I’ve found PP to be moderately useful so this took me aback. Now I see why folks get so heated about the inconsistencies. Understood that these folks are independent contractors, but anyone who has done contracting knows that the rules are usually pretty clear in both directions and there should be a bit more transparency in what they are from location to location.
Had I realized this would have been an issue I’d have just grabbed a transit visa and slipped in to town for dinner and come back to TAV landside for a nap.
Nov 18, 2018, 6:59 am
#80
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: Koweit, Continental, Delta, (AA UA, USAir, BA)
Posts: 53
Kudos to the attendants and staff, the facilities within the lounge once you have gained entry ARE always sufficient however crowded they are
Nov 18, 2018, 9:41 am
#81
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 31,977
Had some issues at Art&Lounge more recently at EWR. Didn't use to be a problem. They told me to come back in 45 minutes, but I told them I was going to the much better LH lounge instead ... through security ... but that's just 10 mins vs. 45!
Nov 18, 2018, 5:53 pm
#82
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,397
Denied access to the Club at ATL Friday afternoon. They said they were only allowing airline partner business class partners in and to come back in 90 minutes.
Nov 20, 2018, 10:33 am
#83
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 556
FWIW, the AF/KLM lounge is much nicer than Swissport!
Another tidbit is that I didn't even have a flight out of Terminal 5. I had a long layover, with my departure flight from Terminal 1. I went to Terminal 5 to see if TSA would let me in. It turned out to be no problem. I was told that I was at the wrong terminal for my flight, but when I explained that I intended to visit the lounges, I was allowed right through.
Nov 20, 2018, 2:15 pm
#84
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, MM, NR; HH Diamond, Bonvoy LT Gold, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Diamond, others
Posts: 12,159
Never been denied in the US, usually denied elsewhere. (But I have Amex Platinum and usually fly Delta, so I use the Centurion Lounges and Sky Clubs when available.)
Nov 21, 2018, 8:28 am
#86
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,397
Friend was denied at Arts & Lounge yesterday at EWR. I've only been in there twice and both times there weren't many people and wasn't impressed with the it. FOrtunately at EWR I always fly Delta and the skyclub is better than the PP lounge.
I wish they would put in a PP lounge at DTW north terminal or offer a food and beverage credit.
I wish they would put in a PP lounge at DTW north terminal or offer a food and beverage credit.
Nov 23, 2018, 10:08 pm
#87
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: EWR / PHL
Programs: UA 1P MM, HH G, Marriott G
Posts: 802
Were the EWR Art and Lounge denials during the El Al peak period of approx. 1000-1300, ex Fri/Sat? Their menu card shows an enhanced food service during this time, with a notice that PP members are limited to the non-enhanced (snack only) menu.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Nov 24, 2018, 5:18 pm
#88
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Toledo, OH
Programs: Delta DM & MM, Hilton DM, Marriott gold, Hyatt Globalist, Alaska 75K, Wyndham Diamond,
Posts: 15,397
Friends would have been weds late morning. May have been due to a lot of holiday travelers. I flew into ewr yesterday morning and Airport was dead and Starbucks in terminal b and at least one restaurant were closed and I was also denied entrance. I was told pp members can only enter if on an outbound flight. I have never been denied on an inbound flight at a lounge before. I just wanted to fill my coffee travel mug up for the train ride into nyc
Nov 26, 2018, 8:47 am
#89
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Seattle, WA
Programs: Alaska, Bonvoy, Hyatt
Posts: 600
JFK Term 7 Alaska Lounge, 630am - denied PP, even tho I was flying First (upgraded - paying gets entry). Didn't look that busy to me. T7 looked relatively quiet judging from security lines (no clear but Precheck worked fine).
Dec 2, 2018, 12:30 pm
#90
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: YUL
Programs: UA 1K, MR Bonvoy Bonzaiiiii, National EE
Posts: 622
You can get a Burger and Beer for under $28, so all you have to pay is the tip.
Been to PDX three times in the past year; all three times the sign denying access to PP members was in front of the entrance due to capacity constraints. Looked into the lounge on the first occasion and there were plenty of open seats. Argued w/ the receptionist who stated that it was because they were "understaffed", which I thought was odd for aam almost exclusively self service lounge.
LAX. Flying American so in Terminal 4. It is in the AM (around 10 AM) so PP website says no access to VA lounge at TBIT. The only restaurant that takes PP in TBIT is not open. So I walk in the tunnel to Terminal 6 to the Alaska Airlines lounge only to find a sign out from saying Priority Pass not admitted.
At least I got my walk in. But having PP didn't help that day.
At least I got my walk in. But having PP didn't help that day.