$53 of Free Food and Booze at Sydney Airport Courtesy of Priority Pass

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Earlier this month Priority Pass added five restaurants to the network at Sydney Kingsford Smith International Airport (SYD). For each restaurant, you receive a $36 AUD ($26.50 USD) credit and simply swipe your Priority Pass card at the register for payment instead of using a credit card or cash. I saw the announcement last week shortly before my flight down to Sydney and was very excited to try out the new benefit during my domestic hop from SYD to Melbourne. Two of the five restaurants were in my departure terminal, so I figured I'd visit both to try and maximize my Priority Pass membership, which comes as a benefit of premium credit cards, such as The Platinum Card from American Express.

The five restaurants are located across the three terminals of SYD and include:

Terminal 1:

• Benny Burger
• Mach2
• Peroni Bar

Terminal 2

• Bistro 2020 & Bar
• MoVida

Terminal 3

• Bar Roma
• Wok on Air

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I flew Qantas out of Terminal 3 and visited both Bar Roma and Wok on Air, attempting to get as close to the $36 AUD threshold at each location. First up was Bar Roma, located just to your right as your exit the security screening.

The bistro had a traditional American breakfast menu and tons of different breakfast sandwich options. I quickly scoured the menu for a combination of items that would add up to $36 AUD and ended up with a ham and French toast sandwich, side of hash browns, medium coffee, chocolate croissant and a Gatorade for later in the day, bringing my total to $35.25. I handed over my Priority Pass and the cashier got out the same Priority Pass handheld device that all the airport lounges use. A quick signature and I was on my way to a 3,000-calorie, carb-laden breakfast to get me through a day of Melbourne walking tours.

With another restaurant to visit in addition to the Qantas Business Lounge and a full breakfast being served on Qantas' new A330 business-class product for the flight, I admittedly didn't finish the whole meal before heading off.

At the other end of Terminal 3 is a shopping/food court area where I found the Asian restaurant Wok on Air which had its own American style breakfast menu in addition to a variety of dumplings on offer. I saw the Priority Pass display squarely in the center of the register.

I reviewed the menu and wasn't in the mood for any more food, but saw the large cooler full of beer, wine and liquor behind the cashier. I asked how much three bourbon and coke cans would cost. She replied "$12 each" which, conveniently is a nice even factor of 36. The cashier laughed as she pulled out the Priority Pass machine and gave me compliments on maximizing the $36 limit. I put the cans in my bag to enjoy later in the evening and headed off to the Qantas Business Lounge.

Bottom Line

You'd obviously have to visit all three terminals in order to take advantage of $36 AUD in credits at each restaurant. That'd be a bit overboard and cumbersome, but could provide for a good time if you're traveling with a group of friends. I asked the cashier at Wok on Air if paying with Priority Pass was popular. She said only 5-10 people a day were currently doing it. I'm not sure if such a generous allowance is sustainable for Priority Pass. $36 ($26.50 in USD) was ample credit to be able to buy two people breakfast at each restaurant. In the meantime, it made the normally monotonous airport experience rather fun.

Would you visit more than one restaurant to maximize the credit?