Priority Pass is an independent lounge network that's grown to include over 1,000 lounges in airports across the world, and even recently added a restaurant in London Gatwick (LGW) to its roster. The program normally costs between $99 and $399 to join, but a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership is offered as a benefit on a number of premium credit cards, such as the Platinum Card from American Express, the Chase Sapphire Reserve and the Citi Prestige, among others.
But lately we've been hearing stories from some of our readers about Priority Pass cardholders being turned away from lounges due to space issues. Today TPG reader Arman R. attempted to visit one of the Alaska Airlines lounges in Seattle (SEA) and found this sign waiting for him...
If you're wondering whether Alaska Airlines has the right to implement restrictions like these, the answer is yes. In fact, a space restriction is specifically listed for this lounge — and more than a few others — on the Priority Pass website.
The company also makes it clear in its Conditions of Use that it "does not warrant or guarantee" admission to Priority Pass lounges.
Clearly the Priority Pass program has gotten more popular as additional financial institutions have added it to their credit card offerings, and the company is legally covered when too many people want to use a lounge at the same time. But it's extremely frustrating to have a membership and not be able to use it. If this is becoming a growing problem, it could eventually reduce the value of a Priority Pass membership.
We've reached out to Priority Pass to ask for comment and whether they have any data on how many lounges have turned members away in recent months. But we also want to hear directly from our readers about their experiences. Have you recently been denied access to a Priority Pass lounge? If so, when and where did it happen, and have you had issues at that location before? Tell us your story in the comments below.
