Priority pass alternative

[cbmgolfer2]

Maintaining status w an airline is the easiest way to get preferred checkin and lounge access.  I managed to keep Gold status w Thai Airways for 10+ yrs, but that went away during Covid.

Now doing that w Qatar.

If you fly the same routes a fair amount then having some loyalty to one airline can be useful.

[don henley]

On 17/08/2024 at 16:30, ricktoronto said:

Which airlines actually deny entry by fare basis?

Emirates and Etihad. I think others like Qatar as well but not too sure on that one. It’s becoming popular now creating different levels of business class. It’s all about the money for these people. Not too interested in the service they provide.

[don henley]

On 17/08/2024 at 16:30, ricktoronto said:

Which airlines actually deny entry by fare basis?

Emirates and Etihad. I think others like Qatar as well but not too sure on that one. It’s becoming popular now creating different levels of business class. It’s all about the money for these people. Not too interested in the service they provide.

[ricktoronto]

I won't connect in the Emirates or Qatar on principle and I only buy fully refundable BC tickets in CJD or I usually in J. 

You gotta have changes and no shows not costing the moon or worse, impossible if you fly in proper business class.

[Gonetothedogs]

5 minutes ago, ricktoronto said:

I won't connect in the Emirates or Qatar on principle and I only buy fully refundable BC tickets in CJD or I usually in J. 

You gotta have changes and no shows not costing the moon or worse, impossible if you fly in proper business class.

Rick, he’s asking for an alternative to Priority Pass. Not why you buy the most expensive refundable business class flights and your objections to Middle East carriers. 
 

 

[ricktoronto]

Business class and Amex Platinum are alternatives to Priority Pass.

Obviously nobody wants to pay business class fares or they can't, but an Amex Platinum card and routes with Amex lounges are better than pay in lounges with huge bloody lineups.

[momo5]

46 minutes ago, ricktoronto said:

Business class and Amex Platinum are alternatives to Priority Pass.

Obviously nobody wants to pay business class fares or they can't, but an Amex Platinum card and routes with Amex lounges are better than pay in lounges with huge bloody lineups.

Have you been in a Centurian lounge lately?   They’ve been overcrowded and, in turn, a bit run down lately … definitely not impressed with the ones in Atlanta or Heathrow.  

Airport lounges have become run-of-the mill and their value substantially diluted with the increase in means of access.  Much prefer true business class lounges that only allow access via a business class boarding pass or top tier airline status … new Delta One Lounge at JFK is quite nice but still crowded at prime travel times.  

Another recent example … the Prestige lounges at ICN are a zoo most of the time; the Miler Club lounge is much nicer, quieter and hardly ever a wait for a shower room.  

[Sean303]

On 17/08/2024 at 22:26, masterslayer169 said:

I'd recommend sticking with PP if you want a large selection of lounges worldwide. No other program comes close. But if you fly only specific routes every year you can dig deeper into the lounges into those routes only. 

Hmm, Dragonpass has more lounges included in its membership compared with Priority Pass. They also tend to add new ones faster than PP.

With that said, 80% of the lounges are the same across both programs and if the OP considers Gold or Platinum Creditcards, they are often included in these offerings and paying for one such, might be cheaper than paying for Dragonpass or PP.

Edited August 21, 2024 by Sean303

[masterslayer169]

On 21/08/2024 at 12:17, Sean303 said:

Hmm, Dragonpass has more lounges included in its membership compared with Priority Pass. They also tend to add new ones faster than PP.

With that said, 80% of the lounges are the same across both programs and if the OP considers Gold or Platinum Creditcards, they are often included in these offerings and paying for one such, might be cheaper than paying for Dragonpass or PP.

Priority pass is way better in Europe and NA. Dragon is slightly better is Asia. 

With that said, not worth paying for both. I have 3 unlimited priority passes and 1 unlimited dragon I got with various cards.