The global lounge network is again expanding its offerings to travellers in Australia, with two outlets in the international terminal of Melbourne Airport becoming eligible for discounted food and drinks.

You’ll get unlimited visits to Priority Pass lounges with the American Express Platinum Charge, with Priority Pass memberships of different flavours coming with a range of other cards too.

Many folks have heard of the Priority Pass lounge program as it comes with several credit cards, but I would wager that few have used it to its maximum potential.

This guide is an intro to the Priority Pass airport lounge membership program, getting into what it offers for someone who might have heard of it but hasn’t ever really looked into it.

I explore some of the more appealing Priority Pass Lounges around the world (it’s updated with the newest lounges added to the Priority Pass network), along with the credit cards that include access in some form or another.

Eateries added at Australian airports

By swiping your Priority Pass card or using the app, you and eligible guests can now receive $36 per person off the total bill for food and/or drinks at the following outlets at Melbourne Airport:

as well as the eateries added in mid-2017 at Sydney Airport:

and Brisbane Airport:

So, if you have the Amex Platinum Charge card and take your complimentary guest to one of these eateries, you’ll get $72 off the total bill before your flight.

Mach2 is landside at Sydney Airport’s International Terminal, which means you don’t even need to clear security to enjoy the benefits.

Locations in Australia and New Zealand

It seems that the most limited lounge options exist in Australia and New Zealand, with only three lounges in Australia and three in New Zealand. Granted, at the start of 2015, there were only two lounges, at Cairns and Auckland, so things are looking up with the addition of the eateries.

In Australia:

• Brisbane: Plaza Premium Lounge and three eateries
• Cairns: Reef Lounge
• Darwin: Catalina Lounge
• Melbourne: two eateries
• Sydney: seven eateries (note that Amex Platinum Charge cardholders also have access to the American Express Lounge)

In New Zealand:

• Auckland: Emperor Lounge
• Christchurch: Manaia Lounge
• Queenstown: Manaia Lounge

Note that access to the lounges is only permitted for travellers on international flights, as all six lounges are located in their airports’ international terminals.

About Priority Pass

Since its launch in 1992, Collision Group’s Priority Pass has grown to be the biggest independent airport lounge access plan.

By attempting to offer members a premium experience, with a chance to relax and refresh before a flight, the idea behind Priority Pass is that it doesn’t matter what class your ticket is or what airline you fly, you can still enjoy premium facilities before you fly.

So, if you are flying Scoot, Jetstar or Qantas, whether in Economy, Premium Economy or higher cabins, you can enjoy the same comforts of having lounge access when you travel.

It’s handy for those travellers who fly on a range of airlines, primarily in Economy or Premium Economy, and are not (or can’t be) especially loyal to a particular alliance.

Since the start of 2015, over 150 new lounges have been introduced into the network, with many in Asia, as a response to the growing number of travellers who would rather enhance their travel by lounge access rather than in-flight upgrades.

Whether you purchase one of the three membership options or your membership comes as part of your credit card plan, there are over 1,000 lounges, in more than 130 countries worldwide, offering a range of amenities to deal with the stress that often accompanies travel.

Some of the benefits of lounge access might include:

• Free wifi
• Snacks, soft drinks, and complimentary alcoholic beverages
• Access to power or charging stations
• TV and comfortable seating (ideally!)
• Showers and spa facilities (often with an additional fee)

Priority Pass does not operate the lounges themselves, they negotiate access for their members to use lounges around the world, so amenities do vary across airports.

You can get a feel for what each lounge has to offer at the Priority Pass Lounges index.

Credit cards that offer Priority Pass membership as a benefit

One neat thing about the unlimited access with the Amex Platinum Charge and Citi Prestige Visa is that in an airport with multiple lounges, you can just walk out of a lounge if you don’t like it and go find another.

The American Express Platinum Charge comes with full membership with unlimited visits for the Platinum Charge cardholder and a supplementary cardmember per account.

One guest is also permitted per enrolled Platinum Card member, with additional guests charged at $27 USD per visit.

The Citi Prestige Visa has a complimentary Priority Pass membership for the primary cardholder. You’re entitled to unlimited visits to Priority Pass lounges and may bring one guest per visit, which is a unique feature of the Prestige Visa. Additional guests will be charged for.

The Citi Signature Visa comes with a Priority Pass standard membership, including two lounge visits for the primary cardholder each cardholder year.

The Westpac Altitude Black account also comes with a Priority Pass membership entitling you to two visits per cardholder year.

Finally, the Amplify Visa from St George gives you two entries, with guests charged extra.

Notable Priority Pass lounges globally

With so many lounges worldwide and such a wide range of operating companies, it is hard to say which may be the best, but here are lounges that could be well worth the visit.

Lounges in Hong Kong

Being one of the world’s busiest airports, there are three lounges in the Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International Airport. Rated as one of the top Priority Pass lounges, features include 24-hour service, showers, internet, TV, buffets, and conference areas.

These Plaza Premium Lounges offer a deluxe atmosphere to unwind between flights.

Lounges in Singapore Changi Airport

This airport boasts multiple lounges in each terminal, totalling 11 in the entire airport.

With so many to choose from, which you visit will depend on terminal and departure time, as certain lounges are only open at specific times.

The Airport Wellness Oasis offers a complimentary shower facility and 20-minute fish spa treatments.

The Skyview Lounge with impressive views appears to be one of the best rated of the 11.

Aspire The Lounge and Spa at London Heathrow T5

With this brand new lounge, you can enjoy many of the usual lounge benefits including complimentary food, beverages, Wi-Fi, etc. with the added bonus of travel spa treatments to rejuvenate yourself before or between flights.

They also offer state of the art ‘rest pods’, to relax and reset for the journey ahead. If you need to catch upon some work, there are also designated quiet spaces, with high speed Wi-Fi and a multitude of charging posts to stay connected.

Whether you are resting up or catching up on work, this lounge has everything you could need to make the most of your trip.

Five US West Coast Alaska Lounge locations

For those doing a West Coast trip, perhaps including an Alaskan cruise, having access to these clubs in Seattle (two lounges), Portland, Anchorage and Los Angeles is a big plus.

Minute Suites and Sleep Pods in the US and Dubai

A nifty addition to the network, you can now get some space, privacy and shut-eye between flights in a private room or pod, currently at Atlanta, Dallas/Fort Worth, Philadelphia and Dubai’s airports.

Dubai International Business Class Lounge (Terminal 1)

This 24-hour lounge is useful for those travellers who have flown into Dubai on an Emirates or Qantas flight (which all operate from Terminal 3), have spent a few days there, and then are leaving on a different airline, e.g. most oneworld and Star Alliance carriers operate from Terminal 1, where this lounge is located.

Compared to the five Marhaba lounges at Dubai International, this lounge is reported to be more spacious, and have a bigger buffet offering and better views of the tarmac, if you can put up with the uglier design.

Sala VIP Pau Casals, Barcelona El Prat (Terminal 1)

Apparently known for luxurious facilities and unique spacious design, this lounge offers with floor to ceiling glass views, with specified zoned areas, for rest, entertainment or work.

Quiet zones are equipped with low lighting and chaise lounge chairs.

New Digital Membership via the Priority Pass app

With the recent revamping of the Priority Pass brand, website and app, Priority Pass also introduced a Digital Membership Card for American Express Platinum Charge and Citi Prestige cardholders.

The app (iOS, Android) includes the Membership Card, allows you to search lounges, see important information about lounge access and speeds up the check-in process.

Paid Membership Plans

There are some paid membership plans if you don’t have access to Priority Pass through your credit card. (There’s a 10% discount on paid Priority Pass memberships here for Point Hacks readers)

Standard membership – $99 USD annual fee

• Per visit member fee – $27 USD
• Per visit guest fee – $27 USD

This is best for those who may travel up to 5 times per year.

Standard Plus – $249 USD annual fee

• Per visit member fee -10 free visits within 12 months
• $27 USD for each additional visit
• Per visit guest visit fee – $27 USD

This is best for those who will use the membership between 5-16 times per year.

Prestige – $399 USD annual fee

• Per visit member fee – All Inclusive
• Per visit guest fee – $27 USD

This is best for those who will use the membership more than 16 times per year.

Summing up: I’d love to hear your experiences with Priority Pass lounges

I’ve tried to highlight some of the better lounges in the Priority Pass program in this guide, but there are definitely a few which you’d probably pass on too.

That’s probably the biggest downside to the program – knowing whether it’s worth using up some of the limited access you might have on what might be a crappy lounge.

One way to get around this is to research lounges before you visit using the LoungeBuddy app, TripAdvisor or Google, and pick carefully on where you use your access if it’s limited.

I’d also love for anyone who has got heaps of value out of Priority Pass to leave a comment and let us know your favourite Priority Pass lounges. Thanks!

Supplementary images courtesy respective lounges.