Save 30% on 'life saver' airport lounge access and escape the crowds this summer
Booking an airport lounge is the ultimate travel hack for avoiding overcrowded airports
With Easter now behind us, it's time to look ahead and get excited for those sunny summer escapes. Whether you've booked already or just starting to plan, the countdown to your holiday fun has officially begun.
To make the next holiday one to remember, depart in style by skipping the noisy departure hall. Priority Pass is currently offering 30% off airport lounge access, letting holidaymakers take advantage of snazzy looking spaces away from the crowds, with complimentary snacks, drinks, WiFi and comfy seating.
Booking an airport lounge is the ultimate travel hack for avoiding overcrowded airports. With more than 1,700 Priority Pass airport lounges in 600 cities and across 148 countries, journeys can start and end in style from £48 plus a £24 visit fee.
This deal will help flyers feel like a first-class passenger for less. Tucked away from the busy terminal waiting areas, visitors can enjoy some quiet refreshments, bathroom facilities without the queues and WiFi for work or pleasure.
Whether travelling for business and needing a quiet spot to work or someone looking for a stress-free airport experience, these lounges are a game-changer. For families flying with children, they also offer respite from the stress of large terminals, keeping little ones in sight and easier to entertain.
All Priority Pass airport lounges have flight info screens available. Some even have access to sleep pods for longer layovers, as well as access to dedicated spa areas and treatments at an additional cost. Priority Pass digital membership is available instantly via the app letting passengers book and relax from the moment they sign up.
Unlike one-time lounge passes, lounges can be used on departing and returning flights, whereas a one-day lounge pass is applicable for a single leg of the journey. This is typically cheaper than buying a single-use entry pass for a departing flight lounge, and the more you use the lounges, the more affordable your subscription is.
If the Priority Pass airport lounges don't quite fit the bill, single use airport passes can be booked at Expedia with Heathrow Airport lounges starting from £34. Other options are available from airports across the UK and beyond. It's also worth noting that Holiday Extras also offers a range of airport lounge deals, as well as car hire, hotel stays and more.
The Priority Pass app includes additional perks such as early duty-free shopping, access to premium fitness content, and lounge pre-booking. Members can also get access to spa treatments, gaming zones, takeout pre-orders, private transfers and discounted car rentals worldwide.
Passengers who have already experienced the Priority Pass airport lounges, have been sharing their thoughts on Trustpilot. One traveller said: "Six family members visited the lounge in Florence, Italy while waiting for our flight back to the USA. It was very relaxing, good food and drinks, nice bathrooms, no wait to get in. Very good experience."
Another frequent flyer added: "Been using Priority Pass in Europe for over a year. I made 22 visits last year and all of the experiences were smooth. Zero complaints and I would highly recommend Priority Pass to anyone interested."
A third who flew from the UK, agreed saying: "Our experience was very good! The staff at Heathrow Airport was courteous and efficient. The food was good and the lounge was nice although rather crowded! Would definitely use the lounge again!"
Sadly, not all members have been as impressed with the service. One disappointed flyer, said: "I like the clubs but they aren't at all the airports I fly out of. Lately, they have been crowded and have to wait. Often they are located in different terminals than the one I fly out of."
On the whole, booking a Priority Pass airport lounge has been a positive experience for most passengers. One delighted flyer summed it up saying: "Literally a life saver when traveling. I love having a place to relax and grab a bite to eat or a drink before a flight. It's truly a game changer."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business News Wales
11 hours ago
- Business News Wales
Spring Sunshine Hits May Footfall Figures as Consumers Choose Leisure Over Shopping
Unseasonal warm and sunny spring weather may have impacted retail footfall in May as consumers prioritised leisure and outdoor activities. According to WRC-Sensormatic data, Welsh footfall decreased by 0.4% in May (YoY), down from 13.6% in April. Shopping centre footfall decreased by 5.4% in May (YoY), down from 8.1% in April. Retail park footfall increased by 1.2% in May (YoY), down from 11.6% in April. In May, footfall in Cardiff decreased by 2.1% (YoY), down from 9.0% in April. Sara Jones, Head of the Welsh Retail Consortium, said: 'Retailers will be a little disappointed as visits to shopping destinations fell back slightly in Wales in May. Hopes were high after a positive Easter trading period but sadly the figures were a small fall back from 2024's performance. It wasn't all bad news. Wales was the top performing nation in the UK last month, and retail parks continued to show growth. However, visits to Cardiff fell a little, and shopping centres saw a five per cent decrease. 'Last June saw concerts and sporting events draw consumers onto the high street but didn't translate into increased sales. The hope is this summer will see that footfall bounce repeated, but this time hopefully consumers will choose products rather than experiences. With consumer confidence shaky right now and businesses grappling with higher costs there is a lot on the line in the coming months.' Andy Sumpter, Retail Consultant EMEA for Sensormatic Solutions, said: 'Welsh retail footfall held up better than the UK average in May, with a year-on-year decline of just -0.4% compared to -1.7% nationally. High streets and shopping centres still saw some softening, but retail parks continued to show resilience, supported by their convenience and accessibility. 'Despite the warm and sunny weather – more typical of peak summer than late spring – footfall didn't fully reflect the brighter conditions, suggesting that consumers may have prioritised leisure and outdoor activities over shopping. Nevertheless, May's result marks a clear improvement on the -5.0% seen in the same month last year and contributes to a more stable trend in 2025. 'Encouragingly, consumer sentiment is on the rise, with more people feeling optimistic about their personal finances and the wider economy. Notwithstanding ongoing cost-of-living pressures, retailers in Wales will be looking to make hay while the sun shines – focusing on the right mix of experience, value, and convenience to convert seasonal footfall into sustained growth.'
The Independent
a day ago
- The Independent
Is an affordable holiday in Bermuda possible? How to stay budget-conscious on one of the world's most idyllic islands
Bermuda: home of brightly-coloured shorts, salmon-coloured sand and one seriously mysterious triangle. Brits might also know it for its offshore banking and top-tier sporting events. What it's not renowned for is being a bargain holiday destination. Replete with palm-fringed beaches and a nightly tree frog chorus loud enough to defy even the best sound insulation, Bermuda is often confused as being located in the Caribbean. In fact, this fish-hook-shaped archipelago, formed of seven primary islands, lies 1,000 miles north of that colourful collection, floating alone in the Atlantic Ocean like a last puzzle piece lost beneath the sofa. For many, it's a popular travel spot. In 2024, the total number of visitors arriving by air had almost returned to pre-pandemic levels, while the average spend per person was $2,151, shelled out over roughly nine days. That cost is in addition to forking out for airfares, which can average a few hundred pounds more expensive than flights from the UK to Caribbean islands. While hardly Maldives -level spending, it's also undoubtedly not a bargain. So is Bermuda a destination happy to remain reserved for cruise lovers and the private yacht-owning elite? Or is there a way your average holidaymaker can enjoy it too? Thankfully, the answer seems to be yes. According to Expedia, average flight prices to Bermuda dropped 6 per cent for Brits between 2023 and 2024, meaning it's more affordable now than in recent years. And while accommodation and dining add up, there are ways to conserve spending while there without sacrificing feeling like you're watching your pennies (universally agreed as the antithesis of a good holiday experience). So if you're keen to soak up the sight of white stepped roofs, yawing sailboats and Bermudian blue seas, you need to be smart about it. Here's what I learnt about visiting Bermuda on a budget. At just 20 square miles, Bermuda's landmass is smaller than Manhattan 's. This makes it easily explorable, particularly Hamilton, its colourful capital city. Sign up for the free walking tour, which sets off each day from City Hall and is delivered by ebullient 'town crier', Ed Christopher. A showman who missed his calling, Ed has been revealing the secrets of Hamilton for three decades. Listen closely for fascinating facts fired out between greetings of 'Yes, sir!' bellowed at acquaintances across the street, on passing motorbikes or through truck windows. Facts you might glean include that the roof of the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity is made from the keel of an old ship and local brewery Goslings is the only rum maker in the world with the patent for 'black rum'. The tour runs weekdays between April and December. Inside City Hall, the National Gallery is free to enter and has a rotating slate of exhibitions by local artists. There are also events, talks and performances throughout the year. For a creative injection while taking some sunshine, opt for the self-guided city art tour, which leads visitors around the burg via some of its most striking outdoor displays. Free maps are available from City Hall reception. Another wallet-friendly, engaging activity is spending an afternoon at the Royal Naval Dockyards, perched at the very tip of the country's 'fish hook'. This collection of shops, museums and eateries is free to wander, though I'd recommend paying the $18 entry fee for The National Museum of Bermuda, which provides a comprehensive retelling of the country's history. Begin in the basement of the Custodian's House for an introduction to Bermuda's wartime legacy, then head upstairs for stories on slave trade history, the Portuguese influence and photo exhibitions by locals. It's also a great place to spot the distinctive Bermuda Longtail, which flits over the buildings. Access it by the Blue Route ferry from Hamilton for as little as $3.50. Explore beaches, parks and Bermuda's natural beauty While Bermuda's beaches and golf courses rightfully receive a lot of attention, it's in some of the less manicured locations that the country's natural diversity flourishes. I spent a morning wandering the untamed wilds of Cooper's Island Nature Reserve with vegan chef and forager Doreen William-James. Giant conch shell in hand and daughter-in-law's post-op Yorkshire Terrier strapped to her chest, she began the tour with the excellent point: 'Why walk by food to buy food?' We began, somewhat surprisingly, in the car park, at whose concrete edge I nibbled on nasturtiums, hibiscus and wild fennel. Further in, the variety within this 120-acre park (which also houses a NASA facility) revealed itself. Every plant seemed to hold some natural nourishment, whether it was the omega-3-rich sea purslane, vitamin C-filled 'Scurvy' grass or New Zealand Spinach, bursting with Vitamin K. It's no wonder Doreen estimates around 40 per cent of her produce comes directly from the land. The tour was $65 well-spent, not least because I got to taste Doreen's delightful fennel hummus and vegan coffee cupcakes. The Bermuda Railway Trail is another enlightening way to enjoy Bermuda's blooming nature. Tracing the edge of the island for 18 miles (excluding Hamilton), and skirting some of the country's most beautiful bays, this disused railway line is now the location of choice for runners, hikers and cyclists looking to enjoy the island's scenic allure. Though it can be tackled in a day, it's advisable to break it into sections and soak it up at a slower pace (you are on holiday after all). The route takes visitors via the old capital and docks of St. George's, by stunning vistas of the Dockyards from Palmetto Park and alongside Gibbs' Hill Lighthouse. For a modest fee of $2.50, visitors can climb the 185 spiralling steps and, on a clear day, be rewarded with views of white roofs peeking out between oleander and palm leaves, and always, the inescapable blue sea. Short diversions from the trail lead to the lauded likes of Horseshoe Bay and Warwick Long Bay, two of Bermuda's best beaches. All its public beaches are free, so stock up on drinks and snacks before you arrive, borrow a brolly from the hotel, and dig in for the day. Focus on festivals for an affordable slice of Bermudian life Visiting during an event season is a good way to ensure low-cost entertainment. During my visit in April, the Bermuda Annual Agricultural Exhibition was all anyone could talk about – giant rabbits, huge hogs and gourds to make you blush were due to be on display within the Botanical Gardens' 36 acres. This long-running, weekend event (first held in 1843) celebrates Bermuda's diverse agriculture and horticulture and features woodworking exhibits, fruit and vegetable stalls, livestock pens and technicoloured floriculture displays. If such an environment isn't stimulating enough, there are also interactive zones for children and live arts performances. At $10 per adult ticket, $5 for under-16s and free entry for under-five-year-olds, it promises an affordable, culturally rich day out. In summertime, events ramp up a notch. Mid-June sees carnival chaos descend on the island, and while a plethora of parties fill the calendar (Raft Up, Euphoria and Glow offer yacht-, beach- and costume-based events), visitors can enjoy much of the celebrations for free, such as the parade, which lasts almost an entire day. Food stalls, live music and the joie de vivre of festivities infect the islands, making it an easy, affordable way to soak up the country's vibrant culture. Sports fans should plump for the end of July when one of Bermuda's biggest events (the Cup Match) takes place across two significant holidays (Emancipation Day and Mary Prince Day – July 31-August 1). A historic cricket game between rival teams from either end of the island, St. George's and Somerset, this sporting event is a world away from the restraint of British cricket. Scaffolding is erected around the pitch and sections rented out to spectators, who, dressed to impress, spend as much time following the on-grass rivalry as they do sampling local delicacies from food stalls, playing Crown & Anchor (an old Navy game) and socialising. Tickets cost around $25 per adult and entry starts at 6am. The carnivalesque vibes extend into 3 and 4 of August with other adrenaline-fuelled events such as the Bacchanal Run (where runners are covered in powdered paint en route) and sleek sea vessels collect in Mangrove Bay for the Non Mariners Raft Up. Pack lunches and plan meals out strategically As with many remote island destinations, grocery shopping and dining out in Bermuda can be pricey. If you're staying somewhere with a kitchen and can cook at your accommodation, it's worth making up lunches for days out and planning the odd dinner in too. Look to local markets for groceries as they often have decent offers – the Farmers Market in the Botanical Gardens runs every Saturday morning and sells locally-grown fruit and veg as well as novelty treats such as guava candies, banana bread and mango fruit sticks. Some convenience stores also sell hot buffet food, which is popular with locals and perfect to pick up on the way back from sightseeing (boxes tend to go for around the $13 mark). Fans of all-inclusive resorts will find limited options here; currently, Grotto Bay Beach Resort is the only all-inclusive property. It charges $129 per person, per day, for its full meal plan on top of the room rate (which is one of the more reasonable rates on the island despite an incredibly generous offering). Even by the price tags of most Bermudian restaurants, this still isn't an inconsiderable cost, but for the convenience of three meals a day from either a comprehensive buffet or à la carte menu – and a lunchtime poolside eating option – it could be worth considering. When you dine out, do your research, as there are some reasonable options which come with character. Look to the island's 'oldest' pub, The Swizzle Inn, which serves burgers, pizzas and salads for around the $20 mark in a rustic, sticker-wall clad atmosphere. For a local's lunch, stop by Mamma Mia in Hamilton Parish (just off the Railway Trail), a hole-in-the-wall fish shack serving shrimp wraps and fish burgers alongside chicken wings and breakfast plates. Prices range from $6 to $27 so sampling the seasonal catch can be an affordable option. Use public transport Considering it's such a small country, Bermuda sure does like to complicate its geography. For example, you won't find the city of Hamilton in Hamilton Parish, but in Pembroke Parish. There's a Paget Island and a Paget Parish, and a Smith's Island and Smiths Parish, but neither of the islands fall within their namesake's Parish. It's probably a good thing then that visitors can't hire cars here (though scooters are available for around $50 a day), and whilst taxis are sure to get you to the right place, they charge handsomely for the pleasure – the two minute drive from the Airport to Grotto Bay for example, could set you back as much as $20. Thankfully, the bus system is comprehensive and more than capable of ferrying visitors from one end of the country to the other. Hotels can organise passes or tokens, or tickets can be bought with cash. Prices vary depending on your travel plans, but are likely to cost less overall than taxis. Ally Wybrew travelled as a guest of the Bermuda Tourism Authority and PADI.
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Brits face summer of rolling chaos on 12 Spanish holiday islands
British holidaymakers face potential strike action in popular tourist destinations this summer as unions threaten a number of walkouts due to a row over wages Holidaymakers face disruption on 12 Spanish holiday islands this summer as workers threaten to hold a series of strikes. Spanish hotel bosses have proposed substantial wage increases for their staff, but unions have rejected the offer, threatening disruptive strikes this summer that could impact thousands of British holidaymakers. Union leaders in the Balearic Islands are vowing "several days of strikes" in July and worker protests from the end of this month unless their pay demands are met. Meanwhile, in Tenerife and three other Canary Islands, British tourists have been warned to brace themselves for potential chaos this summer if hotel workers follow through with their threat to strike every Friday during July and August. The likelihood of walkouts in both popular holiday destinations has increased as employers raised their pay offers, only to be dismissed by union leaders who labelled the proposed rises as "crumbs." The Canary Islands are made up of eight main islands: Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and La Graciosa. The Balearic Islands number 151 in total, but the big four workers will likely target with strikes are Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera. At the same time as works threaten to strike over industrial disputes, overtourism protesters are planning to hit the streets in holiday hotspots across Spain. Grassroots union members staged protests outside two hotels in southern Tenerife on Tuesday to protest against the Ashotel employers' association's "blocking" of a 6.5% wage increase before the negotiation of a new hospitality agreement. Hotel chiefs in the Balearic Islands upped a wage rise proposal already on the table to 9.5 per cent over three years - but were warned to expect a 'no' from worker representatives set to demand more than double that at a crucial meeting this afternoon. UGT union spokesman Jose Garcia Relucio described the offer ahead of the meeting as "more crumbs" and claimed hotel bosses wanted their workers to survive on tips. READ MORE: Little-known airport rule could see Brits slapped with £1,000 fine Further south, the prospect of strike action this summer seems more likely after a lukewarm response from unions to a proposed 13.5 per cent pay rise over three years by hotel association Ashotel. Late yesterday, Ashotel unveiled its new wage increase proposals, which would impact over 33,000 workers in Tenerife and the islands of La Palma, La Gomera and El Hierro. The statement read: "This increase is broken down as follows: seven per cent in the first year from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, 3.25 per cent from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027, and the remaining 3.25 per cent from 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2028." A representative for the hotel association added, describing a previous Easter hotel strike in the area as "unfair": "Ashotel has always been open to negotiate, even with a collective agreement in force until 2026 and with a strike held at Easter, which it considers was unfair." Union members are scheduled to vote on potential strike action next Monday in Tenerife and the western Canary Islands. If they proceed, the first strike is slated for July 4, followed by further industrial action every Friday for the remainder of July and August. Unions are also planning to stage protests outside hotel entrances. During the last strike in Santa Cruz de Tenerife, union representatives highlighted that the tourism subsector depends on an increasingly precarious workforce, with exhausting workdays, insufficient wages for a decent living, and conditions that directly impact the physical and mental health of workers. "They talk a lot about tourism excellence, about how we are a leading destination, but they don't talk about the conditions endured by the workers who keep this sector alive. It's over; it's time to recognise and value the role we play, and that must be reflected in a fair agreement," stated José Tomás Ramos, a member of the negotiating table for the Provincial Hospitality Collective Agreement in Santa Cruz de Tenerife for the UGT (Union of Workers' Unions).
