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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX Now Part of Priority Pass

Nov. 18, 2017
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3 min read
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Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at LAX Now Part of Priority Pass
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Over the last few years, the Priority Pass lounge network has been growing by leaps and bounds. With over 1,000 locations worldwide to date, it's been easy to find a lounge at airports outside of the US, though domestic locations have proved more challenging. Recently, Priority Pass has tried to rectify that disparity by adding non-lounge perks for airport restaurants and bars, with Priority Pass members getting a voucher at these establishments to offset the cost of food and beverages.

Now, the company has made a significant addition to its roster of actual lounges, and in the second-largest city in the US. Starting Monday, the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in LAX's Terminal 2 will become a part of Priority Pass.

It's important to note that Priority Pass cardholders will not have the same access that Upper Class Virgin Atlantic passengers and elites get at the Clubhouse. Previously, the lounge only opened four hours before Virgin's first London (LHR) departure, which is normally in the late afternoon after 5pm. Now, Virgin will open the lounge early for Priority Pass members, whose access is restricted to 5am through 12:30pm. This is undoubtedly because Virgin Atlantic is taking advantage of previously unused Clubhouse capacity.

Second, while the Clubhouse normally offers a complimentary full-service menu and open bar, neither of those features will be available during Priority Pass hours. Instead, lounge occupants will get complimentary beer and wine only, along with a cold buffet.

While it's definitely not the full Clubhouse experience, this is still excellent news for folks with a Priority Pass membership. Since the Virgin America Loft in Terminal 3 closed in May, there have only been two Priority Pass lounges at LAX — the Alaska Airlines Board Room at Terminal 6 and the KAL Lounge in the Tom Bradley Terminal. It's great to have a new third option, and especially in Terminal 2 which is now occupied by Delta after a major airline reshuffling earlier this year. Other airlines who depart from Terminal 2 are Aer Lingus, Aeromexico, WestJet and of course Virgin Atlantic.

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If you're interested in a Priority Pass membership, you can buy one directly at prioritypass.com. But often a better option is to get one for free as a complimentary benefit of many premium credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the Platinum Card from American Express (See Rates & Fees), the Citi Prestige, The Ritz-Carlton Rewards Credit Card and others. Even though the annual fees on these cards can run between $450 and $550, that's only slightly more than buying a full Priority Pass membership, and you'll get numerous additional benefits with a premium credit card.

For rates and fees of the Platinum Card, please click here.

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.