Priority Pass is increasing prices for all paid lounge visits across the world as the airport lounge operator addresses rising operating costs.
The price rise will vary by region, with the highest increase being implemented in the UK (20%) and the lowest in the EU (7%), reports simpleflying.com.
The increases mean the price range will vary between USD30 (R577) and $35 (R673) per paid visit. Members will still receive their free allowances in line with their membership option – the fees apply to visits outside their membership allowance.
The Hong Kong-based firm offers members and their guests access to thousands of lounges across the globe. However, much like the rest of the world, supply chain issues and inflation have affected the operator, resulting in inflated access fees to be introduced from October 1.
In other international destinations, prices will go up by 9,4%, from $32 (R615) to $35 (R673) for guests and paid visits. In Europe, prices will go up by 7,1%, from €28 (R579) to €30 (R620), while the UK will see rates go up by 20% from £20 (R482) to £24 (R579).
Members have been informed of the increases. If members’ priority passes were issued through a credit card such as American Express Platinum, the members will continue to have unlimited lounge access and will be allowed to provide access to one or two guests before being charged for access.
According to simpleflying.com, lounges are struggling with overcrowding due to the resurgent travel after the pandemic and more memberships having been acquired via credit cards. Overcrowding is especially prevalent at the lounges in London Heathrow, New York, Lisbon Airport, and New Delhi IGI. As a result, the increase in fees is unlikely to affect lounge numbers and will only deter visitors in the short term, leaving the job up to credit card membership providers.
Credit card membership networks have increased members’ annual spending requirement to $75 000 (R1,4 million) for them to receive Priority Pass Lounge access.
Furthermore, Priority Pass is diversifying its services to include purely paid services for membership holders. This includes its first-ever bar, Intervals, which has already opened up in Hong Kong International Airport.
