Plaza Premium lounges are once again open to Priority Pass members

Two years after Plaza Premium cut its ties with the Priority Pass program, denying card-holders access to over a hundred independent airport lounges around then world, Priority Pass members are once again welcome at selected Plaza Premium lounges.

Hong Kong-based Plaza Premium is the world's largest operator of airline-independent airport lounges, which are popular with travellers who lack lounge-worthy status with the airline on which they're flying, or who are booked on an airline which either doesn't have it own lounge or has a decidedly sub-par one.

Travellers can book directly with Plaza Premium at rates which vary from lounge to lounge but commonly fall between US$50 and US$65 for a two-hour lounge visit, with higher charges for a longer stay or if you want to use the shower.

Plaza Premium lounges are a haven for many business travellers and frequent flyers.

Priority Pass is a membership-based card which unlocks access to airport lounges for between US$99 and US$429 per year, with per-visit rates of US$32 for the cheapest Standard package or free unlimited visits under the top-shelf Prestige subscription.

Prior to July 2021, Priority Pass was recognised at over 1,200 airport lounges around the world, including most Plaza Premium lounges.

But a schism between the two companies – one which Plaza Premium Group CEO Song Hoi See has suggested was partly driven by the access fees Priority Pass paid to Plaza Premium – saw Plaza Premium end its contract with Priority Pass.

Priority Pass provides access to over a thousand airport lounges, including many Plaza Premium properties.

That relationship has now been mended, at least to the point where some 60 Plaza Premium lounges are rejoining the Priority Pass network this month.

39 of these lounges are already back on the board, including Plaza Premium Group lounges at Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Vancouver, London and Edinburgh.

June 20 will see more added to the list, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Kuala Lumpur, Helsinki and Rome.

The Priority Pass website lists the full roster of Plaza Premium Group properties returning to the fold – and while still only half of the entire Plaza Premium lounge portfolio, it certainly adds more options to travellers cooling their heels before or between flights.