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Plaza Premium lounges tend to be some of the nicer ones you can access using a Priority Pass. There are a significant amount of Plaza Premium lounges around the world too – about 180 at 50 different airports. Therefore, the news that, from 1st July, Plaza Premium Lounges will no longer be accessible to Priority Pass holders seems like very bad news…
Why this change probably won’t bother you
The vast majority of Priority Pass holders reading this will have got their pass as a perk of having an Amex Platinum card. Amex has a separate deal with Plaza Premium, meaning that you will still be able to access the lounges (with a guest) simply by handing over your Amex Platinum card to get swiped.
Plaza Premium explained the reasons for dropping Priority Pass as follows:
““In view of the rapidly changing travel environment and staying true to our mission in Making Travel Better, we have reassessed our product and service offerings in the hope of creating a comprehensive airport hospitality experience to reach more travellers globally. As a result, it is with regret that we have decided not to renew our contract with Priority Pass and LoungeKey, effective 1 July 2021 except for a small number of lounges which are still under review.”
Bottom line
Remember to hand over your Amex Platinum card, rather than Your Priority Pass one, when trying to get into Plaza Premium lounges from 1st July 2021!
Images: Plaza Premium
What about people who have the Amex gold card, it does bother them
True, but to a much lesser extent. 2 passes (that can still be used at lots of other lounges, so will probably still get used) is a completely different kettle of fish to if Plat cardholders had genuinely lost access to Plaza Premium lounges (which could easily be dozens of visits for frequent travellers).
I have only recently paid my yearly charge haven’t been able to use last years lounge passes, with travel plans all over the place this is just another kick in the teeth after a years worth of setbacks. I have been good enough to keep flight reservations & hotel reservations & as mentioned pay an unnecessary credit card fee, but my loyalty is not being repaid
Aye, very fair point in those circumstances. I very much hope you get to use them (relatively) soon! – It could be worth giving Amex a quick ring to see if there’s anything they might be able to do. No guarantees, but they can be quite good with these sort of things.
It is disappointing. Another reason to go for Amex Platinum. However, Barclays travel pack includes a Dragonpass which I think that still gives access.