Priority Pass guest fees are going up
You'll have to pay US$32 per visit from 18 September.
Lounge access provider Priority Pass has announced a price rise for member visits to lounges that will be effective from 18 September 2018.
The change will have the biggest impact on Standard members, who pay for each lounge they visit. Currently, that entrance fee is set at US$27 per visit. After the switch, the charge will go up to US$32, an 18.5% increase.
Standard Plus and Prestige members will have to pay the higher US$32 fee for any guests they bring into the lounge, and Standard Plus members will also face the higher charge if they exceed their 10 included free visits per year.
No changes to annual membership fees have been announced.
In an email to members outlining the changes, Priority Pass said that the change was its first price rise in over 10 years. "We have unfortunately reached the point where we need to make an adjustment to our prices to maintain the quality offering of Priority Pass," the email said. "Raising our fees ensures we can maintain the quality offering of Priority Pass and continue to invest in both the growth of offerings available to Members (we’ve some exciting announcements to make soon!) and the quality experience offered."
Realistically, for most Australian members a US$5 rise in the guest fee won't be the make-or-break factor in whether Priority Pass is a useful service. As our complete guide to the scheme notes, with the only domestic options for Priority Pass being Rex lounges, you'll get the best value from Priority if you frequently travel overseas with a range of different airlines.
In that case, you can use international lounges like Plaza Premium in Melbourne and the larger range of lounges overseas. The price rise doesn't really shift the value equation.
Angus Kidman's Findings column looks at new developments and research that help you save money, make wise decisions and enjoy your life more. It appears regularly on finder.com.au.
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