Update 8/1/19: This restriction is now in place. Remember not to use your American Express Priority Pass membership for these non lounge options otherwise you will be charged.
Update 7/11/19: Priority Pass now has a F.A.Q for these changes. Originally some people took this to mean it was being extended to Chase, Citi & U.S. Bank but we can confirm this is not the case and this will only be affecting American Express cardholders. It also looks like the early enforcement being mentioned below is not correct and shouldn’t have happened.
Update 7/7/19: Reader @matt_crumb was denied use of American Express Priority Pass at Timberline DEN, returned at access denied message for two different cards. I suspect this is just a temp issue and will be fixed given that we were previously told the August 1st end date. Would be nice to hear from other readers, has anybody use Timberline DEN recently?
Update 6/18/19: Keen eyed reader – – has noticed that the American Express app is already no longer showing the restaurant options, even though they are still accessible until August 1st, 2019. Just a word of warning for anybody that relies on the American Express app to double check, as a restaurant option might be available. Again, these restaurant options are still available until August 1st.
Original Post: Earlier today we reported that American Express cardholders in Hong Kong with Priority Pass access would lose access to non-lounge options. American Express has now confirmed that U.S. cardholders will also lose access starting from August 1st, 2019. Non-lounge airport experiences are defined as restaurants, cafes and bars where a food/beverage credit is offered instead of entrance into a traditional airport lounge.
This is huge news and a very big devaluation. Fingers crossed that other card issuers that offer Priority Pass do not follow suit. If Chase and other card issuers do keep access to these non-lounge options then American Express could lose it’s status as the best card for lounge access (as American Express also provides access to Centurion lounges) depending on your home airport. We will need to update our priority pass comparison tables to take into account this new change. I wonder if American Express is planning something else with the acquisition of LoungeBuddy as well?
View Comments (102)
Has anyone seen what the MSP lounge situation is after Aug 1? Will PGA lounge still take PP from Amex for food? Or just entry? Or neither?
Amex Canada as well, rip
Is Amex actively competing with Citi in killing the value/benefits of premium card offerings and justification of a high AF?
It's actually good news for the vast majority who never could use the benefit anyway.
how so?
By ensuring equality of outcome, comrade.
I only have PPS through CSR, and today received an email saying my PPS's non-lounge experiences will be removed. Here's the email:
CHANGE TO YOUR MEMBERSHIP PLAN
Hi XXXX,
From August 1, 2019 access to non-lounge airport experiences will be removed from your membership program. You will continue to have access to over 1200 lounges in more than 500 cities across 143 countries.
For more details on this program update, review the FAQ below or contact your card issuer.
Anyone else? I haven't seen anything yet from US Bank altitude.
DP: used PP from Amex Plat at Timberline around 12pm on 7/7 and had no issues
dp 7/7/19 used Amex PPS card in SFO Yankee Pier, still good for 2 ppl
We went to The Club at BWI yesterday and were told our Priority Pass had expired. The card shows Expiry Date of 06/02/22. It was through Hilton Honors American Express Business. The Club said to call Priority Pass which I did and they said the credit card company had cancelled it. I haven't called them yet.
Hope Chase does not follow suit. Big factor in keeping my CSR, home airport only has restaurant and no lounge. Regardless, lounges are generally crappy and restaurant food much better anyway. I wonder if restaurants are being much more highly utilized and PP is using that to try to up fees with card companies.
Wonder if there’s a way to tell whichPP with which card. I won’t lie I have so many PP I can’t keep track ...????
@guest_779764
I found the easiest way is to look at Exp date on the card or in the app. It syncs with AF.
My Amex PT card renewal is in August, with both PPS and recent DP on $200 Airline and GC credits. May not renew it.....
Used PP at Timberline in DEN on 7/6. No issues. $56 credit applied. Also - there is a massive line there likely due to it being the only PP option in the airport. If it worked for me it probably worked for dozens of others.