AMEX Priority Pass will exclude Restaurants (August 2019)
May 28, 2019, 3:52 pm
#46
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
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It would if Priority Pass is actually terminating the feature, but that's not the way it was presented in the original reports. It's always a challenge to separate fact from speculation until there are official announcements. I would not take any action based on this discussion.
May 28, 2019, 4:39 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
Programs: AA, DL Platinum, AS, AF/KL, UA, VS, HA, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,788
For LAX this effectively means no PP options for most of the airport for most of the day.
The totally airside-isolated T1 will have zero options.
The T2 VS lounge is only open to PP until 11:30am (to 10:45am in other parts of the year).
The TBIT KE lounge is only open to PP 1-7pm (12-6pm in other parts of the year) and during those hours it's a zoo and they'll frequently reject PP.
The T6 AS lounge has a "we're not able to admit Priority Pass" sign out almost permanently.
There are reports that AMEX is building a Centurion lounge in TBIT. They could've at least waited until that was open to drop this bomb on LAX travelers.
The totally airside-isolated T1 will have zero options.
The T2 VS lounge is only open to PP until 11:30am (to 10:45am in other parts of the year).
The TBIT KE lounge is only open to PP 1-7pm (12-6pm in other parts of the year) and during those hours it's a zoo and they'll frequently reject PP.
The T6 AS lounge has a "we're not able to admit Priority Pass" sign out almost permanently.
There are reports that AMEX is building a Centurion lounge in TBIT. They could've at least waited until that was open to drop this bomb on LAX travelers.
Last edited by Oakshadow; May 28, 2019 at 4:46 pm
May 28, 2019, 5:17 pm
#48
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: SNA
Programs: MARRIOTT TITANIUM / HILTON GOLD / UA SILVER / AMEX PLAT
Posts: 609
Amex has CONFIRMED the austerity measures for PP.
It looks like my brother and his family will be enjoying the legendary catering available at the KAL Lounge at TBIT. Perhaps AMEX can pull off a miracle and complete the Centurion Lounge before their vacation in November 2019. /s
It looks like my brother and his family will be enjoying the legendary catering available at the KAL Lounge at TBIT. Perhaps AMEX can pull off a miracle and complete the Centurion Lounge before their vacation in November 2019. /s
Last edited by OUTraveling; May 28, 2019 at 5:29 pm Reason: Adding Photo
May 28, 2019, 5:54 pm
#50
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Canada
Programs: AC E50k, A3*G, UA*S, MR Titanium, HHonors Gold, Carlson Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 3,669
Looks like this is still around for Canada, judging by the results from AmEx's lounge searcher: https://global.americanexpress.com/lounge-access/the-platinum-card/LAX
Or maybe I'm extrapolating. Do US cards have the same thing?
Or maybe I'm extrapolating. Do US cards have the same thing?
May 28, 2019, 6:30 pm
#51
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Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
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Of course I don't have a Plat card ...
May 28, 2019, 6:39 pm
#52
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Location: Miami, Mpls & London
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May 28, 2019, 6:40 pm
#53
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,669
I would not value this at anything near $180 as I use Uber (and Lyft) infrequently - more in short bursts that coincide with daytrips to SF or overnight trips elsewhere. So I may have zero for a few months then $50-100 in a week. That's why Chase $300 travel credits and Amex Bonvoy (fka SPG) $300 Marriott credits are far more valuable to me. I can easily zero them out in a single month. I expect Amex loves the high breakage on the Uber credits.
Of course I don't have a Plat card ...
Of course I don't have a Plat card ...
May 28, 2019, 6:49 pm
#55
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: stl
Programs: AA LT Plat/8.1mm now with 1350 miles left in my account and proud of it.. SPG LT Titanium.
Posts: 3,082
I have used this a number of times and each time all I could think was this can't last as it just is way too generous. As for AMEX fees, my card is Schwab so I get a nice rebate, airline credit (although a little harder to use now), Uber and Saks which means they are paying me to have the card and funding additional cards for the rest of the family. Throw in some Centurion Lounge visits and this is quite a deal. I never saw how they could give that much hard cash away at these PP restaurants and make it economically viable.
May 28, 2019, 7:08 pm
#56
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: SNA
Programs: MARRIOTT TITANIUM / HILTON GOLD / UA SILVER / AMEX PLAT
Posts: 609
This comes off as really poor execution and planning. Granted, the resturant benefit may well have been unsustainable under the current system but the resturants served a purpose.
This purpose was to offer an alternative to the lounge either through choice or rejection due to overcrowding. With this benefit removed, we will see cardholders with No Benefits when the PP lounges turn people away or when the terminal one is at does not have a PP lounge.
Certain actions could have been taken such as removing resturant benefits once a Centurion lounge at that airport opens in addition to allowing resturant visits if a lounge reaches capacity. This broadbrush and sudden change is grossly incompetent.
How can a top tier premium card have members who do not get top tier coverage.
This purpose was to offer an alternative to the lounge either through choice or rejection due to overcrowding. With this benefit removed, we will see cardholders with No Benefits when the PP lounges turn people away or when the terminal one is at does not have a PP lounge.
Certain actions could have been taken such as removing resturant benefits once a Centurion lounge at that airport opens in addition to allowing resturant visits if a lounge reaches capacity. This broadbrush and sudden change is grossly incompetent.
How can a top tier premium card have members who do not get top tier coverage.
May 28, 2019, 7:13 pm
#57
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Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: GE, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 15,508
May 28, 2019, 7:27 pm
#58
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Miami, Mpls & London
Programs: AA & Marriott Perpetual Platinum; DL & HH Gold
Posts: 48,959
Centurion Lounge could give a voucher for use at airport restaurants when full. Priority Pass wouldn't be involved.
I think Priority Pass added the restaurant feature primarily to offset the lack of independent lounges at some airports, particularly in the USA. If it's true that Restaurants are getting $23 – $24 from Priority Pass for each $28 credit, Priority Pass priced it wrong, and if they are trying to pass the full cost back to their credit card sponsors I am not surprised that there is pushback.
I think Priority Pass added the restaurant feature primarily to offset the lack of independent lounges at some airports, particularly in the USA. If it's true that Restaurants are getting $23 – $24 from Priority Pass for each $28 credit, Priority Pass priced it wrong, and if they are trying to pass the full cost back to their credit card sponsors I am not surprised that there is pushback.
May 28, 2019, 8:46 pm
#60
Join Date: May 2015
Location: LAX, BUR
Programs: AS,AA,JB, HH Gold, Starriott Titanium Elite, Hyatt Explorist, Global Entry
Posts: 1,933
Since you know how to use the PP app, I recommend you also use the notes app on your phone, I store the last 5 numbers of the CC, the last 4 of the PP number and the login. I have a couple. You can also write on the strip on the back of the PP which CC it corresponds to.