::: Priority pass :::

scotcheggs_2 · 9 October 2016 at 4:13PM

Are you a Priority Pass member? If so, read this.

To cut a long story short, Priority Pass, part of the Collinson Group who offer their priority pass memberships to RBS customers, cannot guarantee airport lounge access. They do not make this clear on their website. You will discover this, when you are in an airport during a long haul or transit situation (when you need it most), only to find that each third party lounge can refuse you entry because they are 'too busy' even though you can see that they are not that busy.

Clearly there is little point in being Priority Pass member, when it essentially serves no purpose when you need it most.

We did gain access to the lounge via sheer determination and likely because the desk agent wanted us away from the desk; however that should not ever be necessary.

If you are a Priority Pass member, I would encourage you to contact them and raise the question of lounge access; just so you can be sure of lounge access when you need it, or at least, be clear on the limits of your membership.

fifeken · 9 October 2016 at 6:43PM

Their Conditions of Use say (my bolding):

All participating lounges are owned and operated by third party organizations. The cardholder and accompanying guests must abide by the rules and policies of each participating lounge and the cardholder accepts that registering for a lounge does not guarantee continued 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. The administrators of Priority Pass will use reasonable endeavors to ensure the benefits and facilities are available as advertised, but the cardholder accepts that the Priority Pass Group of companies does not warrant nor guarantee, in any way, that all or any of the benefits and facilities will be available at the time of the cardholder's visit.

which seems to cover it. In addition their FAQs say:

Sometimes lounge operators will impose restrictions based on lounge capacity, to ensure guests have a pleasant experience.

Maybe you should familiarise yourself with the program before ranting.

budgetflyer · 9 October 2016 at 7:05PM

I think u can prebook for a fiver

bigadaj · 9 October 2016 at 7:25PM

budgetflyer wrote: »

I think u can prebook for a fiver

You can book for nothing, but it still won't guarantee you entry.

littlereddevil · 9 October 2016 at 8:07PM

We had to queue at LHR the other week!

SW17 · 10 October 2016 at 5:39AM

Well, although the PP T&Cs do clearly cover this, and in fact this can apply to any lounge even when accessed via airline status or class of service, the OP does have a point.

It's pretty well known that when there are any capacity issues, the first people to be refused entry to lounges are holders of PP (and their similar competitors) cards, when others will still be allowed in. Airline contracts and direct bookings with the lounge operator take priority in reality.

That said, these situations are the exception rather than the rule, IMO. I've had a PP card in the recent past, and while I wasn't a massive user, I didn't have problems accessing lounges. It does happen though, e.g. the No.1 lounge at LGW North is often very busy as BA's temporary lounge, and 3rd party lounge programme card holders sometimes get turned away.

silvercar · 10 October 2016 at 8:58AM

bigadaj wrote: »

You can book for nothing, but it still won't guarantee you entry.

It will give you priority over those that haven't booked. What it won't do is give you priority over those accessing due to flight class or airline status.

::: Priority pass :::

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