AMEX Priority Pass will exclude Restaurants (August 2019)
#241
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
I would be very mad if the Platinum was my only PP. My home international airport only has a PP restaurant. No Centurion, no Delta Sky Club, no other PP lounges. I understand this may not be a widespread scenario. Personally, I find the restaurant option to by far be the most practical use for a home airport departure, where I'm not arriving super early to sit in a lounge. That entree and cocktail is a great way to kickoff a trip. If there were limits or restrictions put into place, I'd be able to live with that. Here, they left someone like me with zero option.
Amex will probably lose some cardholders over this decision. A defection to Chase or Citi makes sense for those who have a PP restaurant at their frequent airports (just as someone moving to SEA might defect to Amex for the Centurion lounge).
#242
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
Let's put this in perspective:
THIS list from late May shows Priority Pass restaurants at 20 domestic USA airports.
Twelve of those airports have an actual Priority Pass lounge, or a Centurion (some under development), Escape, or Airspace lounge. Many have more than one.
This leave eight lounges with no coverage. Five of those have Delta Skyclubs.
THIS list from late May shows Priority Pass restaurants at 20 domestic USA airports.
Twelve of those airports have an actual Priority Pass lounge, or a Centurion (some under development), Escape, or Airspace lounge. Many have more than one.
This leave eight lounges with no coverage. Five of those have Delta Skyclubs.
#243
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,078
That would be quite an unhappy surprise for lots of cardholders. Is the system even set up to handle what would be varying charges for diners' bills? When I check in with a PP card, it looks like all the lounge is doing on the card reader is inputting the number of guests (if any).
#244
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
While I do not expect this to happen, American Express could simply pass through the stipulated fee for a visit without regard to the amount spent. Perhaps American Express will address this when they publish their official announcement of the benefit change.
I expect that the merchant's system will reject the American Express sponsored memberships, and the restaurant will have to deal with the problem at point of sale. This will be a powerful incentive to swipe before seating, and perhaps to leave the program altogether.
I expect that the merchant's system will reject the American Express sponsored memberships, and the restaurant will have to deal with the problem at point of sale. This will be a powerful incentive to swipe before seating, and perhaps to leave the program altogether.
#245
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Berkeley, CA USA
Programs: Piggly Wiggly "Shop the Pig!" Preferred Shopper
Posts: 57,078
I confess to having no expertise in restaurant management, but it doesn't seem that difficult to me to assure that the PP card is swiped before seating. The host asks if the guest will be using a PP card. If yes, swipe card. Done.
#246
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
Not sure how we determine what the "select locations" are.
#247
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: PHX, SEA
Programs: Avis President's Club, Global Entry, Hilton/Marriott Gold. No more DL/AA status.
Posts: 4,422
My June Hilton Aspire card statement has the following: "Effective August 1, 2019, Priority Pass non-lounge airport experience credits will no longer be available to Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members, except for select locations..."
Not sure how we determine what the "select locations" are.
Not sure how we determine what the "select locations" are.
In my limited experience, PP is treated as a payment method, and points of sale may not be equipped for a negative balance transaction.
#248
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: NYC/LA
Programs: DL Plat, AA Plat Pro, Marriott Titanium, IHG Diamond Amb
Posts: 7,487
My June Hilton Aspire card statement has the following: "Effective August 1, 2019, Priority Pass non-lounge airport experience credits will no longer be available to Hilton Honors Aspire Card Members, except for select locations..."
Not sure how we determine what the "select locations" are.
Not sure how we determine what the "select locations" are.
#249
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
While I do not expect this to happen, American Express could simply pass through the stipulated fee for a visit without regard to the amount spent. Perhaps American Express will address this when they publish their official announcement of the benefit change.
I expect that the merchant's system will reject the American Express sponsored memberships, and the restaurant will have to deal with the problem at point of sale. This will be a powerful incentive to swipe before seating, and perhaps to leave the program altogether.
I expect that the merchant's system will reject the American Express sponsored memberships, and the restaurant will have to deal with the problem at point of sale. This will be a powerful incentive to swipe before seating, and perhaps to leave the program altogether.
#250
Moderator
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,958
I assume Priority Pass will make a public statement in July.
#251
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 1,857
To my knowledge, that's not really any different than how PP passes through the cost of lounge fees to the card issuers. I guess it's now just a costlier benefit than Amex originally budgeted for.
But I agree, we really don't know what's in the agreements between card issuers and Priority Pass. It will be interesting to see how it's handled.
But I agree, we really don't know what's in the agreements between card issuers and Priority Pass. It will be interesting to see how it's handled.
#252
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: Seattle WA, USA
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Marriott LT Plat, AS Lounge
Posts: 3,478
While I do not expect this to happen, American Express could simply pass through the stipulated fee for a visit without regard to the amount spent. Perhaps American Express will address this when they publish their official announcement of the benefit change.
I expect that the merchant's system will reject the American Express sponsored memberships, and the restaurant will have to deal with the problem at point of sale. This will be a powerful incentive to swipe before seating, and perhaps to leave the program altogether.
I expect that the merchant's system will reject the American Express sponsored memberships, and the restaurant will have to deal with the problem at point of sale. This will be a powerful incentive to swipe before seating, and perhaps to leave the program altogether.
#253
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 10
My "favorite" long time was at LAX. They have a sign at the Rock and Brews to say if you're going to use PP. I did so, and the host said I'll be back to scan you after seating us. He never came back. Server came and I mentioned again I need to scan. She said she'd be back. Order taken, drinks brought, food delivered and I remind them again. She said she'd have to find it because they apparently only have one. The bill shows up and I mention it again, and finally, after about another 10 minutes of searching, they find it and scan it.
#254
Join Date: Aug 2017
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Global Entry
Posts: 2,862
Let's put this in perspective:
THIS list from late May shows Priority Pass restaurants at 20 domestic USA airports.
Twelve of those airports have an actual Priority Pass lounge, or a Centurion (some under development), Escape, or Airspace lounge. Many have more than one.
This leave eight lounges with no coverage. Five of those have Delta Skyclubs.
THIS list from late May shows Priority Pass restaurants at 20 domestic USA airports.
Twelve of those airports have an actual Priority Pass lounge, or a Centurion (some under development), Escape, or Airspace lounge. Many have more than one.
This leave eight lounges with no coverage. Five of those have Delta Skyclubs.
#255
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: BOS/EAP
Programs: UA 1K, MR LTT, HH Dia, Amex Plat
Posts: 32,063
Let's put this in perspective:
THIS list from late May shows Priority Pass restaurants at 20 domestic USA airports.
Twelve of those airports have an actual Priority Pass lounge, or a Centurion (some under development), Escape, or Airspace lounge. Many have more than one.
This leave eight lounges with no coverage. Five of those have Delta Skyclubs.
THIS list from late May shows Priority Pass restaurants at 20 domestic USA airports.
Twelve of those airports have an actual Priority Pass lounge, or a Centurion (some under development), Escape, or Airspace lounge. Many have more than one.
This leave eight lounges with no coverage. Five of those have Delta Skyclubs.
How cheap ... having 2 eligible Amex cards ... I might have to re-think things here with this change. This sucks big time.