What's old is new again in the world of airport lounges and how you can get in: Two years after slashing access, Plaza Premium Lounges are rejoining the massive Priority Pass network.
Located in Asia, Europe, and increasingly here in North America, Plaza Premium lounges are a big step above your typical, lackluster airport clubs with better seating, decor, and food, too. But Plaza Premium was dropped from the Priority Pass network of 1,200-plus lounges back in summer 2021. Now, the two sides are rejoining forces: 63 Plaza Premium lounges are back in the fold.
Starting today, Tuesday, June 6, 39 Plaza Premium lounges are available to Priority Pass members including excellent outposts in major Asian hubs like Singapore (SIN) and Hong Kong (HKG), several in Europe and Canada, and the two U.S. locations in Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Orlando (MCO). The other 24 lounges will go live on June 20, including many more throughout Asia and Australia and a few more in Europe like Rome (FCO). Here's the full list .
Unfortunately, Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses here in the U.S. won't make the cut despite currently being managed by Plaza Premium. Sorry, Priority Pass holders.
One of several Plaza Premium lounges in Toronto (YYZ)
“The rekindling of a long-standing relationship reminds us that the travel industry is a rich ecosystem that delivers the best experience for consumers when the various players work together as one,” David Evans, the CEO of Priority Pass's parent company Collinson, said in a statement. “With demand for premium travel stronger than ever, we are significantly increasing our network of lounges and experiences in key travel hubs across the world.”
The biggest win here is for flyers with a Chase Sapphire Reserve® who can now access these lounges. Other, less-popular cards that will soon regain a free pass into these lounges through Priority Pass Select membership include the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card , the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card , and the Citi Prestige® Card . Travelers can also buy Priority Pass memberships outright.
Despite a two-year absence from Priority Pass, travelers with some other top premium travel credit cards still had a way to get in:
The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with a Priority Pass membership but also offers the broader “Amex Global Lounge Collection,” which has long included access to Plaza Premium lounges. The same goes for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express .
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card beefed up its own lounge access last year by adding Plaza Premium lounge access to the card – and not just the 60-some lounges rejoining Priority Pass but many others that Plaza Premium merely manages or contracts with.
The Plaza Premium Lounge in Orlando (MCO), photo courtesy of Plaza Premium
For those cardholders, it's business as usual … though you could look at this as a loss for those who have retained access to these lounges through the years. With Priority Pass rejoining the list of ways to get in, they're bound to get much busier – especially with a card as popular as Chase's Sapphire Reserve. Just as Delta Sky Clubs have become practically notorious for overcrowding, adding more credit cards to the list of ways to get in the door is a recipe for busier lounges.
Bottom Line
Plaza Premium and Priority Pass are back together again.
After a two-year absence, travelers with Priority Pass lounge access will be able to get into 60-plus Plaza Premium lounges across the globe by June 20 – and many are already available today. But for travelers with travel credit cards like The Platinum Card® from American Express or Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card , nothing is changing … aside from how many fellow travelers you're likely to see in these lounges.
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