Priority Pass anyone? I want airport lounge access

Bob63

A couple of years back I was crossing the Atlantic every month. I had a Virgin Atlantic gold card and BA silver card so lounge access was never a problem. Now, thanks to travelling only 3-4 times per year, I have lost both and therefore don't get lounge access unless I'm travelling with colleagues who can take me in as a guest. To be honest I'm happy about the loss of status because it means I'm spending much less time travelling away from home.

I miss the lounges though! Through my bank I can get a Priority Pass for £200 - a discount on the full £250 price. It seems a pretty good deal - lounge access at airports all over the world. Having checked my usual airports I don't see any that aren't covered (except maybe Heathrow T5 which I'm unlikely to use anyway).

Does anyone here have a Priority Pass? Is it as good as it seems to be? Are there any alternative schemes?

_Andy_

Have you considered Amex plat as an alternative?

£300 annual fee but that does give you pretty good annual travel insurance as well as lounge access

https://www.iplatinum.americanexpress.com/prospect/uk/FrontServlet?request_type=PlatinumHome&PID=832&BUID=CCG&AFFID=GoogleGL&CRTV=1717&PSKU=D6X&sourcecode=X70026PC02

zzzLazyDaisy

Do you still do a fair amount of travelling? If not doesn't £200 for airport lounge access seems a bit steep?

I just book in on an 'as and when' basis whenever I travel. Lounges cost about £17 - £20 per visit, and sometimes there are special deals or discount codes floating around.

Bob63

Amex Platinum is more expensive than the NatWest Black which is what I am being offered for £200 and that too comes with good travel insurance and other benefits.

I also do quite a few puddle jumper flights on low cost airlines where I previously had no lounge access. I'm pretty certain that £200 will represent a saving over pay-as-you-go lounge access. Good thought though!

richardw

Depends which lounges you want to go in, there are these on pay as you go https://www.executivelounges.com/en/index.asp

moonrakerz

If you want to pay for Lounge access you won't find one in T5 anyway - it's all BA !

I've always used Servisair.

bluemorph

I have has my pp for a couple of years now and would not want to be without it, it has a very good world wide lounge access.

Bob63

At short notice I am off to Denver on BA next Saturday, which luckily goes from T4. So for this trip I'll pay for the lounge access at T4 but then I'll go ahead and get the Priority Pass which wouldn't arrive in time for this trip if I applied immediately

Juicylmt

I've jsut signed up for a new competitor to Priority Pass, called Airport Angel. I chose it cos it's cheaper anyway, but also currently has a 3 month introductory free trial:

https://www.airportangel.co.uk/airportangel/page.aspx?PageID=8

Bob63

Thanks. Airport Angel looks interesting but unfortunately doesn't cover Denver, which is one of the US airports that I use. Priority Pass at £200 still looks the best bet for me at the moment.

zzzLazyDaisy

I can't see the point of Airport Angel. You pay an annual fee of £65, and then £15 entry fee to the airport lounge. Most lounges are only around £18 to use anyway, and there are often discount codes and offers around.

Or am I missing something?