What is a Priority Pass for lounge access at the airport and is it worth it?
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rip off or the real deal?
I'm travelling to Europe in a few months and don't have lounge access or status. I'd like to get into a lounge for my trip. Is Priority Pass worth it?
If you're going to spend a bit of time in airports over a 12 month period, but don't have a ticket or status that gets you into a lounge, Priority Pass can be a good option. Even if you're only travelling a few times in a year, it can make sense if lounge access is non-negotiable for you. Let's break it down.
What is Priority Pass?
It's your ticket to 1,700 lounges in 600 cities and 145 countries including Australia. The program works as an annual membership which grants you lounge access over a 12-month period. Most Priority Pass lounges offer drinks, snacks, free Wi-Fi and somewhere comfortable to sit. Some offer hot buffets, complimentary spa services and even the ability to fast-track you through the immigration queue.
If an airport doesn't have a lounge or you feel like something different, Priority Pass offers a $36 food and drink credit at selected restaurants and bars. For example, if you're killing time in Melbourne's domestic airport, you can have a pint at the Stomping Ground Brewery and Beer Hall, or pop into Luke Magnan's Luke's Bistro & Bar at Terminal 2 in Sydney.
Lounge access can be a godsend during airport delays.
How much does it cost?
There are three membership tiers starting at US$99 ($154) all the way up to US$469 ($730). For the standard membership tier, every time you go into a lounge, you'll pay US$35 ($54) and an additional US$35 for a guest. As the tiers progress, you have more freebies into terms of member visits.
Membership to Priority Pass can go on sale on occasion so sign up to the newsletter to stay in the loop. For those holding premium credit cards, Priority Pass often comes bundled as a benefit, which can offset the cost entirely. Cards like the American Express Platinum, Westpac Altitude Rewards Black or St.George Amplify Signature offer complimentary Priority Pass membership.
Certain credit cards include Priority One access.
Cons
It isn't without drawbacks. For one, not all lounges are created equal. Some are small and may have limited amenities or space, particularly during peak hours. Another issue is access restrictions. Even as a member, you might be turned away from a lounge that is at capacity. This can be frustrating particularly if you planned to rely on the lounge for a meal or to rest.
If your travel is infrequent, the annual fee might not be justified. For casual travellers, the pay-per-visit costs may outweigh the benefits unless each trip is lengthy or includes significant wait times.
Pros
One of the biggest draws of Priority Pass is its global reach. Whether you're flying out of Sydney or transiting through Singapore, chances are there's a participating lounge nearby. For frequent international travellers, particularly business travellers or those with long layovers, this access can be a game-changer.
Is it worth it?
Priority Pass can be a smart investment for those who travel often, especially internationally. The peace, comfort and convenience it offers can significantly improve the travel experience.Considering airport lounges internationally will generally cost more than a membership, Priority Pass offers a solid alternative. If your credit card includes it for free, it's a no-brainer. If you're paying out of pocket, assess how often you're planning to travel and whether you need lounge access on your trips. Ultimately, it comes down to your needs, budget and travel style.
Have a question about points? Drop Sabine an email at escape@news.com.au. Personal replies are unfortunately not possible.
Originally published as What is a Priority Pass for lounge access at airports and is it worth it?
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
a day ago
- News.com.au
Famous US burger chain opens pop-up in Sydney for one day only
A popular American fast-food chain will launch a pop-up store in Sydney today, opening for a one-day-only event. Fans of In-N-Out Burger will have the opportunity to snag some of the chain's most popular menu items at the Coogee Bay Hotel from 9am to 3pm or until sold out on June 11. A spokesperson for Coogee Bay Hotel has told that crowds were already lining up before the opening time. 'The international In'N'Out team have flown out to run the pop-up,' they explained. So Aussies who have tried the American burgers can rest assured they'll be the same ones they know and love. The pop-up will be serving up In-N-Out's famous Double-Double burgers, featuring two beef patties, two slices of American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and the brand's signature sauce. Also available will be the Animal Style burger from the chain's 'hidden' menu, which features mustard-cooked beef patties, extra melted cheese, grilled onions, pickles, and an extra dollop of the special sauce. For those wishing to forgo the carbs, the Protein Style burger is also available, replacing the bun with lettuce wraps. 'For those who have not yet experienced In-N-Out Burger, be sure to come and check us out at this special promotional event,' the chain said in an Instagram post on the Coogee Bay Hotel's page. Aussies were thrilled at the news, taking to social media to share their excitement. 'This is so exciting!' said one. 'Yes, please,' another wrote. However, others anticipated that the burgers would sell out before many people had the chance to get their hands on one. 'Let us know if (when) it sells out at 10:30am so we don't waste a drive,' said one. Someone else said so many people will have 'FOMO', so will line up for hours and hours, only to be disappointed. Although there's no permanent outlet in Australia, previous In-N-Out pop-ups have proved popular and sparked calls for the chain to be introduced in the country. In-N-Out is a family-owned and operated burger restaurant, established in California in 1948. It has become renowned for not using any frozen products, meaning that all of its menu items are prepared fresh. The main menu consists of burgers, chips, and milkshakes.
Herald Sun
3 days ago
- Herald Sun
I stayed at 3 of New Zealand's best luxury lodges, it was incredible
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. The first few tentative steps atop the white snowy caps of New Zealand's Southern Alps are not what I expected. From a distance, the ancient glaciers appear as a soft blanket of freshly fallen snow blanketing the mountaintops, not the hard, compacted ice we find when our helicopter lands among Fiordland National Park's highest peaks. 'Edmund Hillary climbed that peak three times in training before he tackled Everest,' our pilot says, pointing at Mount Tutoko. 'Sadly, these glaciers are disappearing. I remember seeing those mountain peaks covered in snow, not exposed like that.' His commentary forces me to put down my camera and take in the precious moment; breathe in the crisp, clean air and marvel at the silence and glaring whiteness stretched out before me. Mercedes Maguire on a helitour of Fiordland National Park. We were picked up from the front lawn of Blanket Bay luxury lodge for a helitour of Fiordland National Park. En route, our pilot points out the remote cabin on the edge of Lake Wakatipu where Brad Pitt's still-in-production film Heart of the Beast recently wrapped filming, and fans of The Lord of the Rings and Mission Impossible: Fallout movies will recognise the scenery of the lake sandwiched between mountains. The Southern Alps is the final stop in a multi-lodge holiday of New Zealand. New Zealand's lodges are different to those anywhere else – often in remote, natural settings, they offer the perfect combo of intimate service, amazing food and genuine sustainability. I like to think of this trip, which will include a stay in three of the country's best luxury lodges, as a bit like an island-hopping adventure with a twist – lodge leaping, perhaps? The Otahuna Lodge mansion dates back to 1895. First stop Otahuna Lodge may be just 30 minutes from Christchurch Airport, but it has getting-away-from-it-all vibes. The seven-room Queen Anne mansion – built in 1895 by politician Sir Heaton Rhodes for his new bride, Jessie – comes into view on approach along the long gravel driveway. Hall Cannon and Miles Refo took on the then-crumbling pile in 2006 (left derelict after its time as a Christian monastery and a 1960s hippie commune), opening the largest private historic property in New Zealand after a year-long restoration. My room is a light-drenched space styled in modern Victorian with high ceilings, a wood-burning fireplace and a large recessed picture window overlooking the grounds. The Botanical Suite at Otahuna Lodge. It was once the room of the lady of the house, and I'm happy to be its latest occupant, even if it's just for the night. While the lodge operates as a fine hotel under the Relais & Châteaux banner, it feels more like I'm a guest in a private country home, each room a perfect blend of authentic old and comfortable new. There's no minibar or television in my room, for example, because they didn't have them in Jessie's time. But on the main landing, an old timber sideboard serving as a shared minibar heaves with freshly baked friands and Anzac biscuits, tea, coffee and cold drinks. The extensive gardens were remodelled into a series of spaces that are like living jewellery boxes – the Dutch garden, rose garden, orchard and a 130-variety fruit and vegetable patch that inspires executive chef Jimmy McIntyre's seasonal menus. Guests are encouraged to book cooking demonstrations and garden tours for the full experience. Hall waves us off the next morning, after a country breakfast that included a delicious multigrain no-knead bread made from a 100-year-old recipe in New Zealand's beloved Edmonds Cookery Book, farm fresh eggs, homemade jams, honey and muesli. Whare Cottage at Wharekauhau Lodge. North Island hop A short plane trip to Wellington and a helicopter ride across the water (or a 90-minute drive) takes us to our second stop, Wharekauhau. If Otahuna Lodge is reminiscent of an old English hunting lodge, Wharekauhau is more like a luxe farmstay, cradled between the Remutaka mountains and Palliser Bay. The main building is the hub for meals, activity-planning, evening drinks, exercise or just a place to hang out, while the accommodation is away from the lodge in 16 cottage suites and a villa. Wharekauhau has a dedicated 'activity outfitter' and planning your days over cocktails in the formal lounge is all part of the experience. We toured the 1200ha estate on ATV quad bikes (keeping an eye out for movie-director neighbour James Cameron), hand-fed eels, went clay-target shooting and walked the black-sand beach at Palliser Bay – and that was without leaving the estate. A 45-minute drive takes you to the charming town of Martinborough, a great spot for lunch and shopping and the home of Lighthouse Gin, run by New Zealand's first female head distiller, Rachel Hall. Refusing to get caught up in the 'crazy-flavoured gin trend', Hall produces a core range of three gins: Original, Navy Strength and Barrel Aged, all made using nine botanicals and spring water from Wharekauhau. The picturesque Blanket Bay lodge at dusk. And back south The luxury lodge trifecta finishes at picture-perfect Blanket Bay, 45 minutes from Queenstown Airport. There are eight rooms in the main lodge plus four chalets and a four-bedroom villa elsewhere on the estate. The area is a perfect base for adventure activities like horse riding, ziplining, bungee jumping, helifishing, hiking and jetboating. But with a helipad on the grounds, flights over nearby Milford Sound and the glaciers of the Southern Alps are the ultimate local experience. Our pilot tells us that what appears to be dirt on the glacier tops is actually ash from Australian bushfires. That doesn't stop me bending to scoop the water, drip-fed from a glacier to a small steam, into my mouth. It's crisp, perfectly chilled and delicious. And after a week of pure indulgence, it seems like a fitting finale to New Zealand. The writer was a guest of Relais & Châteaux. The lodges Otahuna, 30 minutes from Christchurch Airport. Rooms from $NZ2600 a night for two adults twin share (about $2411). Wharekauhau, 90 minutes from Wellington. Rooms from $2700 a night for two adults twin share (about $2472). Blanket Bay, 40 minutes from Queenstown. Rooms from $NZ2250 a night for two adults twin share (about $2086). Originally published as I stayed at 3 of New Zealand's best luxury lodges, it was incredible
Perth Now
6 days ago
- Perth Now
How much this couple paid for all-inclusive cruise for 15yrs
Australians are cruise fanatics, with an estimated 1.3 million people boarding a liner this year. The average duration of a domestic cruise is eight days, which would be enough for most people. However, American couple Johan Bodin and Lanette Canen are just a few months in to a planned 15-year voyage aboard the Ville Vie Odyssey, a ship that offers guests the ability to purchase a room and explore the world for years at a time. According to during the next three years the couple will stop at 425 ports in 147 countries on board the ship spending multiple days in some ports allowing a greater amount of time to explore the exotic locations. The ship boasts a flatter hull meaning it can navigate inland water ways and rivers as well as reach locations that larger vessels cannot. For this couple the attraction lies in being able to see the world at a fraction of the cost at a time in their lives when they are no longer satisfied by things but want more experiences. 'People think we're rich but we're not. It makes financial sense and we're at the right age to do this. We're curious people,' Mr Bodin told WGN News. 'We love our new lifestyle. It's just fantastic we couldn't have wished for anything else.' The couple paid $155,000 for the cabin and spend an additional $5400 per month for meals and other on-board amenities. Documenting their adventures on their YouTube channel: Living Life On A Cruise, they are just shy of 30,000 followers.
