AMEX axes Priority Pass meal credit at Australian airports
By David Flynn, June 7 2019
American Express is withdrawing the offer of $36 of credit at selected cafes and restaurants at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast airports via AMEX Platinum card membership to the global Priority Pass lounge scheme.
While access to Priority Pass-partnered lounges will remain available, AMEX Australia is removing "non-lounge airport experiences from Priority Pass for its card members."
A spokesperson for American Express confirmed to Executive Traveller that this will take effect from August 1, 2019, in line with similar changes in the US market.
"As our lounge access benefits are intended to provide card members with premium lounge spaces to relax and unwind in while traveling the globe, the Priority Pass Membership benefit offered on American Express Platinum and Centurion Cards in Australia and New Zealand will no longer include complimentary access to non-lounge airport experiences from 1 August 2019."
"Non-lounge airport experiences and outlets include but are not limited to restaurants, cafés and bars where a food and beverage credit is offered as an alternative to entrance into a traditional airport lounge."
Many business travellers have made solid use of their AMEX-issued Priority Pass membership to enjoy a pre-flight or post-flight meal at a dozen restaurants, bars and bistros at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Gold Coast airport terminals.
Sydney's Movida at Terminal 2 has proven especially popular – not only with passengers booked on domestic Jetstar flights under 'lowest fare of the day' travel policies, but also Virgin Australia passengers who prefer Movida's meals, drinks and cafe ambience to that of Virgin's own lounge nearby.
Free Priority Pass membership is offered with the following American Express cards:
- American Express Centurion Card (Australia)
- American Express Platinum Card (Australia, New Zealand)
- American Express Platinum Business Card (Australia)
- American Express Corporate Platinum Card (Australia)
- American Express Platinum Reserve Credit Card (Australia)
- American Express Platinum Rewards Credit Card (Australia)
- American Express Airpoints Platinum Card (New Zealand)
- American Express Airpoints Platinum Reserve Card (New Zealand)
American Express Centurion and Platinum Charge cards allowed unlimited use of the Priority Pass food and drink credit, while other cards were limited to two lounge visits – or airport restaurant visits – per year.
Executive Traveller understands that the meal credits will remain in place for travellers holding direct membership with Priority Pass (rather than an 'affiliate membership' offered through American Express) but has approached Priority Pass parent company The Collison Group for confirmation.
The following Australian airport lounges are available to AMEX Platinum Charge and Centurion Card members at airports where complimentary Priority Pass cards are accepted:
- Sydney T2 (domestic): the Rex lounge, plus the Virgin Australia lounge for AMEX Centurion and Platinum Charge cardholders when flying with Virgin
- Sydney T1 (international): while there's no Priority Pass lounge per se, eligible AMEX cardholders are welcomed at the American Express lounge
- Melbourne T4 (domestic): Rex Lounge
- Melbourne T2 (international): after passport control, choose between the Plaza Premium Lounge and the American Express lounge
- Brisbane domestic: only AMEX Centurion and Platinum Charge cardholders can access the Virgin Australia lounge, and only when flying on Virgin Australia
- Brisbane international: after passport control, visit the Plaza Premium Lounge
- Gold Coast: only AMEX Centurion and Platinum Charge cardholders can access the Virgin Australia lounge, and only when flying on Virgin Australia
- Adelaide domestic: Rex Lounge
- Cairns international: Reef Lounge
- Darwin international: Catalina Lounge
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
23 Apr 2015
Total posts 24
Hi David - to confirm is it just AMEX issued Priority Pass benefits that are changed as per the headline or is it all Priority Pass Holders who will lose this benefit? (I hold Priority Pass membership not connected to an AMEX product). Thanks
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 358
AFAIK it affects only Amex issued PP. the decision came from Amex US head office. There is no similar changes with Citi or other bank issued PP yet.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
22 Jan 2015
Total posts 71
Boo. Yet another “enhancement” to justify the $1450 annual fee?
28 Dec 2016
Total posts 74
Just wait until they “enhance” the annual fee again next year XD
28 Aug 2018
Total posts 10
Given the severe lack of lounges in Oz - this is a massive reduction in the benefit - in fact I see no benefit of the PP inclusion now
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 274
If you travel overseas regularly, and if you don't have lounge access, this is still useful where PP lounges exist - however it's a massive loss in Australia either way.
28 Aug 2018
Total posts 10
Agreed - though I never travel economy internationally :(
09 Feb 2018
Total posts 2
Seeking advice. Does this affect restaurant lounges on oz issued cards in other countries?? as LGW Grain Store is commonly used by me.
10 Jul 2018
Total posts 104
In line with similar changes to US and HK-issued AMEXs, I believe the benefit is being removed for all countries, not just your 'home country'.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
07 Jun 2019
Total posts 3
Really unhappy with this, I signed up to AMEX Platinum only a few months ago specifically for this benefit and it’s really devalued the product for me. At the very least they should negotiate with Rex to extend lounge hours or expand Virgin longe Access to all flights if they’re not going to offer restaurants.
13 Feb 2015
Total posts 70
You spent $1,450 so you could get a $36 credit for food at an airport?
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
I'm the same actually, and it's not the case of $1450 vs $36.
The credit for Amex Platinum can actually be $72 per restaurant visit when you're travelling with somebody as you get a free guest on the Priority Pass membership ($36 + $36), so for a single return trip, that can be $72 before the outbound flight and abother $72 for the return flight, or $144 all up.
Fly once a month, over 12 months, and that's $1728 in dining credits vs the $1450 annual fee: and that's before taking into account things like the Amex travel credits, points, hotel status etc, as well as the real lounge access options, so I found the card very valuable.
This is a very significant cut for people who travel regularly, who seem to be the target market for this card, and I'll certainly be running the numbers before I pay my next annual fee to see whether paying another $1450 still makes sense.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Jun 2016
Total posts 16
I'm with you on those numbers deanr. I use it whenever I go through either of Sydney's domestic terminals. Breakfast at Movida is great, breakfast at Bar Roma OK. With my wife being a platinum card holder too the $$ provided by the credit is substantial. I have alrerday email my contacts at Amex with my dispaointment.
13 Feb 2015
Total posts 70
I'd be interested in what your contacts at Amex say in response.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Jun 2016
Total posts 16
No response so followed up with a polite email this morning after I got the email advising the reduction in value. 5 days after it popped on ABT.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
17 Jun 2016
Total posts 16
Got a bland response that said they will come back to me. Will keep you posted
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Aug 2011
Total posts 780
That's why AMEX cancelled the benefit... it was getting smashed by frequent travellers and people working at the airport.
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
Heaven forbid people paying good money for the most expensive travel-themed card in Australia might actually be people who travel, and are in a position to use the benefits they're paying through the nose for... $1450 per year certainly doesn't make sense for the once-a-year flyer types who are mainly in it for the points, given the earn rate is now barely better than what can be had on Visa/Mastercard, or one of the cheaper Amex credit cards.
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
And for those working at the airport, given you have to present a boarding pass that matches the name on the Priority Pass membership, this shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure there were issues when Priority Pass first started this, but every time I've used the card for at least the last year, they've wanted to see a boarding pass every time.
29 Oct 2018
Total posts 3
I am likely one of the people many would consider to be abusing this benefit (although completely within the rules as set until now).
13 Feb 2015
Total posts 70
That's a fair enough point!
Etihad - Etihad Guest
07 Jun 2019
Total posts 3
Well, no, not just for the $36 (which was $144 between myself and an additional card holder). The overall lounge offering of Priority Pass lounges, dining + Virgin lounges was a significant factor in luring me away from Qantas … the Amex offering just got less attractive...
14 Dec 2017
Total posts 5
Well, it is certain for me to cancel the Platinum card before the annual fee due.
American Airlines - AAdvantage
13 Jul 2015
Total posts 274
I'll be honest, Amex Plat charge is really becoming a lesser option everytime they do something like this. I finally got around to justifying keeping this card despite the devaluation and then they drop another perk. Might just cancel after they double my points.
04 May 2015
Total posts 261
Agreed: I'd even be happy if they limited the number of restaurant visits to maybe 5 or 10 per year if there are people rorting the system. Given you can just buy an unlimted Priority Pass membership for around $500 (which includes unlimited dining credits), paying $1450 and getting a Priority Pass membership much less valuable really makes paying the Amex annual fee much less attractive.
03 Nov 2014
Total posts 90
Disappointing change after the increased annual fee last year. I'll likely use my travel credits & close after a number of years of enjoying the card.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
15 Dec 2016
Total posts 10
I don't mind Amex withdrew non-lounge Priority Pass uses. Been to MoVida SYD T2 and it was terrible. Sloppy service and mediocre food. Left me pretty disappointed.
Etihad - Etihad Guest
07 Jun 2019
Total posts 1
This is a massive devaluation of the card for frequent domestic travellers. Movida and other offerings are miles ahead of the Qantas and Virgin Lounges. I calculate this as a $500+ devaluation and see no benefit to keeping the AMEX Platinum. I wanted to be loyal and not change cards ever 12 months but AMEX makes it impossible. The fee increase for Accor Plus last year alongside this enormous devaluation is sickening.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
12 Feb 2016
Total posts 20
I can get priority pass membership through my Amex or my Mastercard. I thought i had signed up through Amex, but i got my renewal card (same membership number) with my new Mastercard. I didn't know about the out-of-lounge benefits anyway. I rarely use the Priority Pass as I usually have alternate lounge access but it is handy occasionally. Amex also stopped the tie-up with Accor which i did use quite frequently and they wont cover my medical so am thinking of cancelling it. Just nostalgia really, the card says Member since 1977.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer - Chairmans Lounge
01 Sep 2011
Total posts 416
What's that slogan for AMEX … don't leave home without it?? It was the "prestige" card to have, now it's getting like a LCC. Not that I have used the non-lounge component but this is so pathetic by AMEX, first they slash the points transfer rate and now this.
Jetstar Airways - Qantas Frequent Flyer
03 Jul 2018
Total posts 50
This is an accountants decision. But I think things turned south for Amex when they gave the same priority pass membership to associated card holders( Amex platinum charge card). My main beef is the lack of equal access to lounges in airports such as Melbourne where each terminal has their own lounges or lack there of....this is where using a possibly less generous system for accessing a restaurant might be a more acceptable option.
29 Jan 2015
Total posts 41
Australia seems to have very poor lounges. Often in the wrong terminal for the particular flight I'm on and with restricted hours. (worse than some airports in the USA whose lounges also open restricted hours). Letting supp card have the soft benefits too is what's got them in this mess. However I wouildn';t pay $1450 for the card again with this benefit removed. It makes Australian airports tolerable otherwise they're not. And no, no international lounge available to Priority Pass in Sydney? Really? What are you thinking, Amex?
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 358
No PP lounge in SYD isn't Amex's fault. PP act independently of Amex, they are separate company. In fact Amex has its own lounge in SYD.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
13 May 2017
Total posts 1
After a bit of discussion and capturing my feedback, Amex apologised and authorised a $20 credit to my card as goodwill, with no news on any other changes. I mean, it's not nothing... Completely agree that caps for reasonable use make far more sense than an outright ban.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
23 Jun 2014
Total posts 34
The whole thing defies common sense, of course it was going to be abused. Now they throw out the baby with the bath water. A set of limitations could have saved the pp access for the majority of us the didn't abuse it.
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