Priority Pass vs Plaza Premium Smart Traveller and others

[p--and--t]

As a recent airport refugee caused by the ruthless destruction of my Diners Club benefits of the last 40 years by NAB, for the first time I might have to buy lounge access when not travelling in J. As my faithful companion for all those years, I have used DC in maybe hundreds of lounges in 6 continents and never paid for a lounge ever.

Looking to the brains trust to provide advice on the best options for a regular but not overly frequent not statused traveller (in retirement) for future trips. Some trips are in J which means lounge access is usually not an issue (but can be sometimes), but I don't have enough points for all and the price of J on some routes is not commensurate with what I am prepared to pay.

I have lifefime QC which is often of benefit domestically and the handful of lounges elsewhere but not beneficial for my various o/s wanderings.

I know of Priority Pass and of "Smart Traveller" by Plaza Premium but not used either.

What programs are available outside of an AMEX card? Is it worthwhile to buy a membership in bulk or just pay as you go? Is one program better tha another?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[FYI my non-J wanderings in coming months include TPE, YVR, NAN, SIN, BKK, DEL some of these multiple times] [I am also in J at HAV but no airline lounge available]

 

[Daver6]

I think Priority Pass has more lounges but as a rule of thumb, Plaza Premium lounges are usually nicer.

Is it worth considering something like the Amex Platinum Charge card which will get you access to both Plaza Premium, Priority Pass and VA domestic lounges?

 

[clifford]

as a rule of thumb, Plaza Premium lounges are usually nicer.

I'm not sure I'd agree with that, and in any case, many Plaza Premium lounges are available via priority pass anyway.

In the last couple of weeks, I've been in the Plaza Premium lounge in T1 at FCO, courtesy of flying SN as *G, and the Omanair lounge at BKK, courtesy of PP.

As an example, IMO, the Omanair lounge at BKK beats the Plaza Premium at FCO (which is actually quite nice). I haven't come upon a Plaza Premium lounge yet which provides self-pour decent real champagne, as does the Omanair lounge.

And another thing, as a new member, there is an online offer available for a 20% discount for the 10 visit PP, which makes each visit fairly affordable.
Safely Relax Before Your Flight l Priority Pass | Priority Pass

 

[p--and--t]

@Daver6 @clifford

Thanks for that.

So Priority Pass has more lounges ((which include the Plaza Premium anyway).

From memory I think the Plaza Premium discount for members was about 20% so maybe there is nothing extra in the "Smart Traveller" program I would be missing out on (except Priotiy paid wants purchase of 10 visits up front).

Do all 19 visits have to be used within 12 months?

Now I'm retired, wouldn't meet the minimum salary requirement of 100k for AMEX Platimun

 

[Daver6]

There was a period of time (I think during Covid) where Priority Pass members lost access to Plaza Premium lounges. Thankfully that's been resolved now and hopefully stays that way.

 

[adenda]

Have a look at DragonPass:

Guide to the DragonPass lounge membership program

Interested in accessing airport lounges on the cheap? We show you how DragonPass offers memberships and single-entry passes.

www.pointhacks.com.au

But don’t pay for the basic membership- you can get it for free via Regus. Read the comments attached to the above article for info on how to do this.

 

[Albert Hoffman]

Have a look at DragonPass:

All three lounge programs are pretty much the same with Dragonpass being the cheapest. It's missing one or three of the fancy lounges compared to the other two. (CDG for example). Equal lounge coverage in Oz.

Per your article, I buy single use passes through Gourmet Society with code Gourmet17 for £20. (under the psychological AUD 40 mark )

 

[p--and--t]

Appreciate all the suggestions. Thankyou

Might put my toe in the water and buy some discounted individual passes without joining any scheme and decide later if my travel warrants a membership.

 

[p--and--t]

Update

The My Regus thing is a bit convuluted and wasn't prepared to register company details etc.

However the goumet society worked like a charm with vouchers at £20 ea without any apps or registrations etc.

Thanks again

 

[yachty]

But don’t pay for the basic membership- you can get it for free via Regus. Read the comments attached to the above article for info on how to do this.

I tried to do this the other week... After I signed up I couldn't login using the code provided and I wasn't able to do a password reset or get into my account at all... I'm sure it can be resolved with a customer care contact but FYI that it may be a bit finicky at the moment

 

[p--and--t]

I tried to do this the other week... After I signed up I couldn't login using the code provided and I wasn't able to do a password reset or get into my account at all... I'm sure it can be resolved with a customer care contact but FYI that it may be a bit finicky at the moment

No need to go through all that rigmarole. Just google "goumet society dragon" and follow the link to purchase. No sign ups, no logins, no fuss.

 

[adenda]

No need to go through all that rigmarole. Just google "goumet society dragon" and follow the link to purchase. No sign ups, no logins, no fuss.

Agree with p--and--t, just purchasing coupons as and when needed via the Gourmet Society path is very straightforward.
Only reason I've also gone the Regus membership path is because the Gourmet Society offer may disappear at any time - in fact I thought it had.