Priority Pass Help

KevinUTO1867

DullGreyGuy said:

KevinUTO1867 said:

DullGreyGuy said:

KevinUTO1867 said:

Hi, I have just received an offer for what looks to be a decent discount off Priority Pass access.

However, when I delve further into what Priority Pass offers, it appears that you have to pay an extra fee to pre-book airport lounges. Sadly, their website doesn't list what the pre-book fees are - just that it varies based on airport.

Having done the maths vs booking lounge access as and when, the savings seem ok - c. £11/adult with the Standard membership. So, a family of four using, say the lounge at Glasgow Airport, would save £22 (the membership is £44 currently via the MSE link). We would have to use it for two visits in the year to break even. Then factor in I'll have to pay a pre-book fee (as we want guaranteed entry, not paying £44/year on the off chance they can accommodate us!), it's starting to feel like I'm paying the membership for potentially very little saving (if any).

Has anyone had experience using this service? And if so, any idea what the pre-book prices are?

I have to say with 10 years of using it I can only remember a handful of times when been turned away at the door due to it being full. 

Lomond Lounge - £16 and doesn't accept walk ins 
Upper Deck - does allow walk ins and would strongly suspect the fee would be £6 as all other lounges of a similar standard are the same

Unfortunately never got my online access to work so can't see for definite myself.

Thanks for this, much appreciated.

I think the Lomond Lounge is adults only, so we'll have to slum it in the Upper Deck!

I have had a look around and LoungePass seem to do discounted access - 2 * £32/adult and 2 * £21/child = £106. Priority Pass would be 4 * £24 = £96. Should the Upper Deck be £6/person pre-book fee, Priority Pass would work out at £120 - so £14 more expensive before the membership fee of £44. Based on that, I guess it's only worthwhile if you don't pre-book and you manage to gain access 5 times per year before you save anything.

I think Glasgow is one of the cheaper lounges (Edinburgh is £42/adult and £29/child, Heathrow is £40/adult and £38/child), so perhaps that plays a part too.

Amex Gold comes with 4 free Priority Pass passes a year, but seemingly can only bring 1 guest per visit. So, I'd have to leave the kids outside... or take one in with me and buy two additional passes for my wife and other child.

It is adults only, its entry fee is also higher if paid in cash than upper deck... unfortunately upper deck is one of the more basic loungers. 

You seem to only be considering the outwards lounge though, happy to be in cattle for the way back? Would the Standard+ with 10 free visits, ie 5 trips both directions maybe be better value? 

All comes down to how much you travel, a friend ended up getting the AmEx Platinum because both cardholder and 1st secondary cardholder get an unlimited visits PriorityPass each and can take 1 guest in each for free. So his wife and 2 kids go to their second home on the med 5-6 times a year plus holidays and whilst £650 fee is very high the savings on lounges more than covered the other options plus there are other benefits to the card. 

Thanks - never been in the Upper Deck, so good to know expectations shouldn't be too high!

I hadn't considered the way back - mainly because the schools will be back on our return legs, so thought the airports might not be as busy. That said, the main holiday we have a 3hr layover in Dubai Airport both ways and a 7hr wait at Male Airport on the way home due to seaplane running hours, and I'd almost certainly want to access a lounge then (not sure if it's part of the Priority Pass mind - would need to check).

Will take a look at Standard+; I hadn't even considered it when I saw the price but it might work out a worthwhile purchase.