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Priority Pass provides members (largely gained through holding certain credit cards) with access to airport lounges around the world. The company was founded in 1992 and says it is the largest global network of airport lounges. I have checked out many of the lounges that are part of the program and find that the quality varies greatly. Priority Pass used to also include some restaurants, but those have been removed from memberships provided by credit card issuers. Recently, I wrote about the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse that opened at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This lounge just became part of Priority Pass, but it will cost you $35 per person to enter.
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse is the only lounge in Tom Bradley International Terminal at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). With so many Priority Pass members and flights departing from this airport, I would imagine it would have become very crowded. Priority Pass came up with a solution: charge $35 per guest to enter. What’s the point of the membership if you have to pay for a single entry?
Many lounges sell day passes for $25, $35, $50, or more. Priority Pass will sell you access in Los Angeles up to three hours before your flight between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM (at times when the lounge is quieter). While the lounge looks gorgeous and provides amenities like a la carte dining, a bar, work areas, and wellness spaces, I don’t think I would spend the money to enter.
This lounge looks much nicer than other locations that Virgin Atlantic operates in the United States, but one has to wonder how long it will be before those charge an admission fee as well. At that point, will other lounges also add fees? The value of Priority Pass diminishes greatly if you have to pay to enter a lounge each time.
Anthony’s Take: This is not a good idea for passengers, but certainly one that will drive revenue for Virgin Atlantic and Priority Pass. Honestly, I’ll pass on ever paying.
(Image Credits: Virgin Atlantic.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
