Is Priority Pass Removing Restaurants from Credit Card Memberships?
Update: It looks like this page was meant only for American Express Priority Pass cardholders. These changes may apply only to Amex cards as previously announced.
American Express recently announced that they would be removing restaurant access from its complimentary Priority Pass. This is the membership that comes free with several of their credit cards.
But seems like it’s not just Amex that will have this change. Priority Pass has a dedicated page about the program changes and looks like it has just confirmed that it might cut the non-lounge access benefit for all Priority Pass Select members. These are the Priority Pass memberships provided to cardholders from issuers American Express, Chase, Citi and CNB.
The changes go into effect on August 1, 2019.
The page does note that “these FAQs only relate to the membership referenced in the email that you have received. Please log in to your online account for each membership to understand the features available against each membership.” Maybe there’s some hope for non-Amex cards?
RELATED: Why Amex Removing Priority Pass Restaurants is not a Huge Deal to Me
FAQs
Is my Priority Pass lounge benefit changing?
No, you will continue to have access to over 1200 airport lounges through Priority Pass. Non-lounge airport experiences (including restaurants, bars and cafes) will be removed from the program effective August 1, 2019.
What are non-lounge airport experiences?
Non-lounge airport experiences are not traditional airport lounges. These experiences include but are not limited to restaurants, bars and cafes that provide a credit toward your food and beverage bill.
Have all non-lounge airport experiences been removed from my Priority Pass program?
No, a small number of non-lounge airport experiences will remain available subject to your complimentary benefit. These locations are detailed below:
| Lounge Name | Airport code | Airport | Terminal | Country |
| Minute Suites | ATL | Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International | Concourse B | USA |
| Minutes Suites | ATL | Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International | Concourse T | USA |
| Minute Suites | CLT | Charlotte Douglas International | Atrium | USA |
| Minute Suites | DFW | Dallas / Fort Worth international | Terminal A | USA |
| Minute Suites | DFW | Dallas / Fort Worth International | Terminal D | USA |
| Minute Suites | PHL | Philadelphia International | Terminal B | USA |
| Sleep’n’fly – the new airport sleep concept by YAWN | DXB | Dubai International | Terminal 3, Concourse A | UAE |
| The Grain Store | LGW | London Gatwick | South Terminal | UK |
How can I find out which locations are available to me using my Priority Pass membership?
Previously it has not been necessary to log in to your Priority Pass online account to view lounges available to you when traveling, however, from August 1. 2019 logging in on the web or app will ensure only accessible locations are visible to you.
Conclusion
This is bad news for lots of people, if it does indeed apply to all Priority Pass Select memberships. American Express actually looks like the most honest guy here for giving its members the news ahead of time.
We are reaching out to confirm if this is for all Priority Pass accounts and are still holding out hope that this is just for Amex cardholders. But the wording and the terms do not make it seem that way.
Let us know what you think.
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Just got a reply from PP NOT ALL cards are effective she said check your card issuer sounds to me Amex is cost cutting
They feed you on the plane. You’ve got snacks in your bag. You ate before leaving anyway. You’ll eat when you get to where you’re going too.
Plus, you’re not really hungry anyway even if you get a table. Haven’t you already consumed 2000+ calories for the day, and it’s not even noon?
Sure, you’ll tell yourself you’ll hit the treadmill at the hotel, but will you really?
In short: you’re fat enough! Consider this development a win for your health and an anecdote for your lack of will power.
I guess you fly a higher class than me, because my last flight from IAD to LAX only fed me pretzels.
Or in other words:
“Is my Priority Pass lounge benefit changing?
No. Yes.”
Is anyone surprised? This was the most abused benefit. So many people bragging about ways to take advantage of the program – for example inviting a total stranger into a restaurant as the persons ‘guest’ so that this person can get a free meal. Come on if your traveling alone then it should only be the solo card member getting the free breakfast. In this example the benefit is intended for the card member traveling solo – and not for a total stranger who was randomly picked from a crowd. With all the abusing the program is not sustainable. You know it as well as I know it. Those that abused/took advantage of the program has apparently ruined it for everyone else. When you abuse a benefit it gets taken away.
Yep, just got the email:
From August 1, 2019 access to non-lounge airport experiences will be removed from your membership program. You will continue to have access to over 1200 lounges in more than 500 cities across 143 countries.
Doesn’t surprise me. Most of the restaurants have horrible lines anyways.
On what card did you get the email for? If it’s an AMEX then it’s not news