I joined Priority Pass last year, basic membership, and have now used it on two trips to Europe, one via Abu Dhabi and one via Kong Kong.
We were able to use my American Express lounge access before departure - trip 1 in Melbourne, trip 2 in Sydney, so only used PP in our transit airport
Abh Dhabi outwards was good. We had a beer and a shower. The shower did not cost extra and had a short wait. The shower and cold beer justified the entry charge, which is significant at about Au$55 per person on top of the PP annual membership.
On the return leg, there was a massive slow moving queue for entry, and we figured we wouldn't have enough time to get any benefit from the lounge, so washed and changed clothes in airport toilets.
Fast forward to July this year. We accessed a PP lounge in Hong Kong. On top of the entry charge, there was another US$35 charge to have a shower. There was a significant wait for the shower and we were told the only way we would both have time would be if they didn't clean it between our use. They would not allow us to shower together. The food and drink on offer in the lounge was dismal, and the lounge was small, busy and dingy.
On the way home to Australia we ended up with a very long transit in Hong Kong, and decided to try the public showers instead of using the PP lounge. We had a big towel with us, so didn't need to buy one. The showers were free and okay, and there was no queue. My shower's drain was quite blocked with hair, but still useable. There were others I could have jumped into if it had been unusable.
Au$110 to have a shower and some coughpy finger food and a very limited selection of beers is not good value.
I don't think I will renew my PP membership.
www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au
