Priority Pass will increase its annual lounge membership fees from 1 December 2022. From the same date, it will also increase its individual lounge visit fees and guest charges.
The current Priority Pass membership prices are still available until 30 November 2022, and there’s even currently a Black Friday sale on Standard and Standard Plus memberships.
Priority Pass offers 3 membership levels:
- Standard membership (currently USD99/year) does not include any complimentary lounge visits, but gives you the right to purchase access to any Priority Pass lounge for USD32/visit
- Standard Plus membership (currently USD299/year) includes 10 annual lounge visits in conjunction with a same-day boarding pass
- Prestige membership (currently USD429/year) includes unlimited lounge visits with a same-day boarding pass
From 1 December 2022, the price of Standard Plus membership will increase to USD329 (~AU$487) per year and Prestige membership increases to USD469 (~AU$695) per year.
The cost of each visit over your annual allowance, as well as guest visits, will also increase from USD32 (~AU$47) to USD35 (~AU$52).
At airport restaurants that partner with Priority Pass, you can receive AU$36 off your bill in lieu of a lounge visit. So, while it still makes sense to use your Priority Pass benefit if you have unlimited or spare lounge visits, it does not make sense to spend USD35 (~AU$52) to save AU$36.
Several Australian credit cards offer Priority Pass benefits as an inclusion of the card. This includes the Amex Platinum and Citi Prestige cards, which come with unlimited Priority Pass lounge visits for the cardholder and a guest.
The Citi Prestige credit card has an annual fee of $700, so it may be better value to apply for that card rather than spending $695 on a Priority Pass Prestige membership.
The increased membership fees do not impact people with Priority Pass memberships through a credit card. But the increased guest access fees will apply to everyone.
You can leave a comment or discuss this topic on the Australian Frequent Flyer forum.
