AMEX Priority Pass will exclude Restaurants (August 2019)
#91
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: USA
Programs: AA2, DL2, Amtrak2, US2, SPG1, MAR2
Posts: 2,550
It also does not fit what AXP envisions the airport lounge benefit to be; and that is what PP is supposed to be a part of. So I think you're both right. They might have kept it if it was cheap enough, but it's not cheap and it's high volume and it's all over the map (and then some) in terms of experience, and with the exception of some far flung (and frankly weird) lounges in the PP network, are up against the rest of the lounge program via Delta/Cent/Escape/Airspace which are all branded and have clear expectations within each inside the parameters of the category of airport lounges.
Last edited by DrivingRain; May 29, 2019 at 12:30 pm
#92
Join Date: Nov 2017
Programs: AS 100K, HH Diamond, SPG/Marriott Gold
Posts: 189
There is nothing exclusive about an Amex card. That is just marketing hype that was created decades ago when they had higher credit standards. Now they are happy to issue the card to any Tom, Dick or Harry with a pulse and a minimal credit score. This is all about Amex shaving costs, just as the decision to implement restrictions on signup bonuses.
#94
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: BNA
Programs: Hyatt Explorist, Bonvoy Plat, HHonors Diamond, DL Gold
Posts: 383
The Priority Pass restaurant credit at participating restaurants was a benefit that I haven't used, but was looking forward to trying. It is disappointing that this benefit will be going away.
In 2016, I was able to access Alaska Airlines Boardroom lounges in LAX and SEA, and found the Boardrooms to be the best PP Lounges I have tried in the US. Unfortunately those are not very accessible to PP members anymore. Most other PP lounges seem basic but uninspiring. Last Friday, I tried the Virgin Atlantic ClubHouse in LAX Terminal 2 (morning), and it was not nearly as good as the Delta SkyClub across from it.
I have made use of some international PP lounges, although often the lounges I tried didn't inspire special memories. Right now, the AMEX Priority Pass lounge benefit is nice to have, but a benefit I don't value very highly. The loss of restaurants won't help.
Is it clear that AMEX or Priority Pass were the main party pushing for this change? There were several participating restaurants from before that are no longer participating, which leads me to believe it isn't always a benefit to the restaurants.
In 2016, I was able to access Alaska Airlines Boardroom lounges in LAX and SEA, and found the Boardrooms to be the best PP Lounges I have tried in the US. Unfortunately those are not very accessible to PP members anymore. Most other PP lounges seem basic but uninspiring. Last Friday, I tried the Virgin Atlantic ClubHouse in LAX Terminal 2 (morning), and it was not nearly as good as the Delta SkyClub across from it.
I have made use of some international PP lounges, although often the lounges I tried didn't inspire special memories. Right now, the AMEX Priority Pass lounge benefit is nice to have, but a benefit I don't value very highly. The loss of restaurants won't help.
Is it clear that AMEX or Priority Pass were the main party pushing for this change? There were several participating restaurants from before that are no longer participating, which leads me to believe it isn't always a benefit to the restaurants.
#96
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Washington, DC, USA
Programs: Amex Membership Rewards, Chase Ultimate Rewards
Posts: 191
#97
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,815
I think that the Amex LoungeBuddy purchase provides a glimpse of the future they will offer.
Centurion lounges at AA + UA hubs...I'd be surprised if ORD, DCA, EWR, and IAD did not have Centurion Lounges in five years. Also would not be surprised to see a Tokyo lounge at Haneda, or maybe Narita.
Escape Lounges at smaller airports + perhaps Delta hubs. Would be surprised if places like PDX, SAN, HNL, AUS and BNA were not on this list.
Something like PriorityPass, but probably not Priority Pass, for coverage elsewhere. I could also see a $x/mo or yr statement credit for airport restaurants.
Centurion lounges at AA + UA hubs...I'd be surprised if ORD, DCA, EWR, and IAD did not have Centurion Lounges in five years. Also would not be surprised to see a Tokyo lounge at Haneda, or maybe Narita.
Escape Lounges at smaller airports + perhaps Delta hubs. Would be surprised if places like PDX, SAN, HNL, AUS and BNA were not on this list.
Something like PriorityPass, but probably not Priority Pass, for coverage elsewhere. I could also see a $x/mo or yr statement credit for airport restaurants.
#98
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Dallas, TX, USA
Posts: 937
Without specifics that is hard to evaluate. I've dined at 4: Yankee Pier (SFO), SF Giants Clubhouse (SFO), Bracket Room (DCA), Barney's Beanery (LAX). I was happy with all the meals and SF Giants even brought bottled water that I could take on the plane. It's not fine dining, and the service can be mixed (fast at SFO, slow at the others) but the food options are way better than any free food I've seen in the UA, DL, AA, AS, former-VX, and Escape lounges. It's a great benefit and it is too bad it is being shut down for Amex cardholders. But not a surprise in light of the abuses reported elsewhere.
#99
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Boston, MA
Programs: SPG Plat, PC Plat, AA ExPlat, LT Gold
Posts: 1,892
Not just the churners. I have not been a churner to this point but this very well may be the tipping point that will make it much harder for me to justify renewing next year. Now granted, I'm a Marriott Brilliant Amex holder, not an Amex PLAT holder but still with a $450 AF this was a big part of my decision to get the card given that there are not lounges I an access normally at my home airport (BOS). Sure, I fly AA and there's an Admirals Club but I don't have access unless flying internationally so this card made sense in that regard there.
#100
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: RDU
Programs: DL(PM), UA(Silver), AA(EXP) Marriott(Ti), HH(Gold), Hertz(PC)
Posts: 2,641
For my next job I want to be the genius that comes up with credit cards with an aura of exclusivity and high AF. I bet those geniuses get paid very well.
#101
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 600
Whether these people actually dump cards, who knows, but it's easy to jump on the dog pile.
#102
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
For some outside FT perspective into the thread, I will share that I mentioned this change (and being upset at the cut) to a few people at work that also have the card. Neither cared, they haven't used the option so to them it was no loss. I have only taken advantage a few times but really appreciated it when it was the only option which is why I'm bummed out about it.
#103
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: SFO
Posts: 3,868
#104
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
100% honest. PP is what tipped the scale in my decision to get the AMEX Platinum card. But I noticed quickly that PP was useless in many airports, particularly my own, LAX - the AS lounge has a "no Priority Pass" sign out almost permanently and the VS and KE lounges have limited hours, that is if they decided to let PP members in which KE lounge dragons frequently will not. Airside-isolated T1 has zero lounges and due to this, no PP benefit. The restaurant option was an excellent stop-gap for those who found themselves loungeless.
#105
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: California
Programs: American, SWA, United, IHG,Hilton, Hyatt, Marriott
Posts: 1,829
If I use it 5 times hotel breakfast, and 5 times restaurant / lounge, I feel like I got the value for the annual fee. But without the restaurant benefit the lounges now really dont offer any food value to me. So yes. I will cancel because of this loss in benefit. I guess thats why AMEX is cutting the benefit. Not many ppl are in my situation.