Priority Pass benefit rapidly deteriorating
Jul 26, 2017, 11:17 pm
#46
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+1
Many of the complaints in this thread seem US-specific. The US has always been in a category of its own for lounges with carriers denying even their own elites and front cabin passengers domestically because they'd be overwhelmed. A lot of major US airports are also built in a way that would require 5+ lounges to properly serve (thinking LAX, ORD, EWR, LGA - all very weak points for PP). They just can't keep up with the demand for lounges and it's always becoming cheaper and easier to get access through credit cards.
I still find PP to have a lot of value when travelling internationally, with decent lounges in some pretty far-flung places like Rangoon, Puerto Montt, and Siem Reap. But I'm not sure PP's business model can support, say, spending tens of millions of dollars to build nice, new 3rd party lounges at LAX now that the carriers have taken their ball and gone home.
Many of the complaints in this thread seem US-specific. The US has always been in a category of its own for lounges with carriers denying even their own elites and front cabin passengers domestically because they'd be overwhelmed. A lot of major US airports are also built in a way that would require 5+ lounges to properly serve (thinking LAX, ORD, EWR, LGA - all very weak points for PP). They just can't keep up with the demand for lounges and it's always becoming cheaper and easier to get access through credit cards.
I still find PP to have a lot of value when travelling internationally, with decent lounges in some pretty far-flung places like Rangoon, Puerto Montt, and Siem Reap. But I'm not sure PP's business model can support, say, spending tens of millions of dollars to build nice, new 3rd party lounges at LAX now that the carriers have taken their ball and gone home.
I travel frequently around Asia and Europe and have never been denied or expelled at a PP lounge in approx. 30+ visits/year. There are beautiful lounges in the network, like Bali DPS, and not so great ones like Yangon, Myanmar. But in each case, they are better than sitting in the terminal... And when I travel on LCC, being able to access an (average) lounge takes the sting out of flying LCC! I got my PP through Citi Prestige and it's alone worth to me keeping the card!
Jul 26, 2017, 11:17 pm
#47
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While I concede that you can blame the issuers for giving this benefit, it is not the issuers' fault just because you can't use the lounges.
The reality is simple - unless at least one (AMEX, Chase, Citi) eliminates PP Select or restrict access, it will only get worse.
Jul 27, 2017, 1:30 am
#48
Join Date: Nov 2013
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Exacerbating the issue is not only how many CSR cardholders there are, but Chase negotiated 2 guests for PP, which prompted Amex to do the same. Folks who previously would skip the lounge with their families to save $26 or $52, are taking advantage.
Honestly, I was fine with $26/guest fees because it's just me and the wife, but now it's causing headaches for lounges. Alaska has nearly pulled out of PP as a result and I fly through PDX and SEA visiting family. If it cost me $26 to get in versus us being turned away, that's a loss for me.
I hope Chase has mass defections and downgrades from folks who showed up for the 100k UR points and double-dip on the $300 travel credit (both of which are gone now). Defections might help things settle down. But the long lasting effect, whether or not Chase succeeds, is the change to the guest policy.
Honestly, I was fine with $26/guest fees because it's just me and the wife, but now it's causing headaches for lounges. Alaska has nearly pulled out of PP as a result and I fly through PDX and SEA visiting family. If it cost me $26 to get in versus us being turned away, that's a loss for me.
I hope Chase has mass defections and downgrades from folks who showed up for the 100k UR points and double-dip on the $300 travel credit (both of which are gone now). Defections might help things settle down. But the long lasting effect, whether or not Chase succeeds, is the change to the guest policy.
Jul 27, 2017, 4:38 am
#49
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Jul 27, 2017, 6:33 am
#50
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It's Citi that allows 2 guests (or entire family) without a charge. Chase doesn't charge for any number of guests. (In practice I am not aware of anyone being charged by Citi.) I don't think we have any way to know if Citi/Chase "negotiated" with Priority Pass, or if they simply absorb the guest fees which are surely much less than the $27 retail price.
Jul 27, 2017, 7:08 am
#51
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Personally, if you use the Explorer card, i think you would be better off converting to the United Club card--the AF is lower on the margin vs maintaining an explorer card and a UA Club membership, and you receive priority access for boarding, check-in and 2 pieces of checked luggage in addition to the membership.
Jul 27, 2017, 8:18 am
#52
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They should clarify that PP access is on a space-available or other discretionary basis and the benefit is not guaranteed. I would prefer not to have the benefit at all than be always wondering whether it'll work this time. I don't need the level of uncertainty so widely reported.
Jul 27, 2017, 8:30 am
#53
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It isn't mandatory to activate the feature. (I have never requested one from Sapphire Reserve.) However, there was a sustained clamoring in this forum for this benefit, which American Express had long offered in other countries, until it was added to USA cards in 2011.
Jul 27, 2017, 9:54 am
#54
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
Having read through this thread just now, I see many of those who have posted generally falling into 1 of 2 camps.
Is this not sufficient?
- Those that understand that the Amex benefit is PP membership
- Those that have the perception that the Amex benefit is PP lounge access
The cardholder accepts that the Priority Pass Group of companies has no control over the lounge operator’s decision whether to admit any cardholder, the number of people allowed in any lounge at any time, facilities offered, the opening/closing times, the length of time which cardholders may spend in the lounge and any charges payable for extended lounge visits or the personnel employed by the lounges.
Jul 27, 2017, 10:12 am
#55
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Lounges are like freeways.
PP is like the Auto manufacturer.
When you buy a car there's no guarantee you can drive 65mph.
At rush hour Freeway or Peak time lounges, capacity will be impacted.
Big accident, other Freeway mishap there will be a detour or shutdown.
Peak times, Loungers may impose capacity limitations.
PP is like the Auto manufacturer.
When you buy a car there's no guarantee you can drive 65mph.
At rush hour Freeway or Peak time lounges, capacity will be impacted.
Big accident, other Freeway mishap there will be a detour or shutdown.
Peak times, Loungers may impose capacity limitations.
Jul 27, 2017, 11:19 am
#56
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
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They should clarify that PP access is on a space-available or other discretionary basis and the benefit is not guaranteed. I would prefer not to have the benefit at all than be always wondering whether it'll work this time. I don't need the level of uncertainty so widely reported.
Jul 27, 2017, 11:22 am
#57
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I will concede that, as other posters have pointed out, this problem we are discussing is predominately seen in the US. That may be true, but the majority of AMEX card holders are US-based, so this is not a free pass to AMEX.
Jul 27, 2017, 11:25 am
#58
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: Previously top-tier everything, now a happy free agent
Posts: 1,003
Lounges are like freeways.
PP is like the Auto manufacturer.
When you buy a car there's no guarantee you can drive 65mph.
At rush hour Freeway or Peak time lounges, capacity will be impacted.
Big accident, other Freeway mishap there will be a detour or shutdown.
Peak times, Loungers may impose capacity limitations.
PP is like the Auto manufacturer.
When you buy a car there's no guarantee you can drive 65mph.
At rush hour Freeway or Peak time lounges, capacity will be impacted.
Big accident, other Freeway mishap there will be a detour or shutdown.
Peak times, Loungers may impose capacity limitations.
Jul 27, 2017, 11:35 am
#59
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Lounges are like freeways.
PP is like the Auto manufacturer.
When you buy a car there's no guarantee you can drive 65mph.
At rush hour Freeway or Peak time lounges, capacity will be impacted.
Big accident, other Freeway mishap there will be a detour or shutdown.
Peak times, Loungers may impose capacity limitations.
PP is like the Auto manufacturer.
When you buy a car there's no guarantee you can drive 65mph.
At rush hour Freeway or Peak time lounges, capacity will be impacted.
Big accident, other Freeway mishap there will be a detour or shutdown.
Peak times, Loungers may impose capacity limitations.
I am rather surprised the defense of, for many, an illusory benefit that is sold as one of the peak benefits of this card.
Jul 27, 2017, 11:40 am
#60
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