Priority Pass unlocks $36 of food and drink at Melbourne Airport

Priority Pass’ growing network of affiliated restaurants now includes two locations at Melbourne Airport, where members of the global airport lounge scheme receive a $36 credit towards the cost of their pre-flight meal in place of lounge access.

On the list is Bar Pulpo by MoVida, specialising in Spanish tapas, and Urban Provodore, which showcases healthy meals centred on typically-Australian flavours – both of which are located past security and passport control in the T2 international terminal.

As in Sydney and Brisbane, Priority Pass members simply present their Priority Pass card at the cash register, where the restaurant will process one ‘lounge visit’ on the account in return for $36 of dining credit.

Travelling with a plus one? Restaurants can also put through this visit with one additional guest for double the dining credit: that’s $72 instead of $36 – but do check whether your specific membership plan provides for a complimentary guest, as many do not.

Any visits over and above those included in your plan attract a fee which Priority Pass directly bills to the credit card on file for your membership, and is typically US$27 (A$35.30) per lounge visit or additional guest for Australian members.

This makes the restaurant tie-up most appealing for Priority Pass Prestige members, who enjoy unlimited lounge entries – and by extension, restaurant visits – as part of their yearly plan.

However, as both participating restaurants in Melbourne are located airside at the international terminal, passengers jetting from the Victorian capital on domestic flights can’t take advantage of this.

Get your own, potentially free Priority Pass membership

Many high-end Australian credit cards offer Priority Pass membership as a perk for top-tier cardholders, either with two lounge visits (or restaurant credits) included every year, or unlimited access to all lounges and restaurants in the program, subject to holding a same-day boarding pass.

The $700/year Citi Prestige Visa Infinite credit card and the $1,200/year American Express Platinum Charge Card offer the latter, with AMEX also throwing in a second unlimited Priority Pass membership for one nominated additional cardholder (such as your partner or spouse) to use when they travel.

Or, look to the Westpac Altitude Black, St. George Amplify Signature, BankSA Amplify Signature and Bank of Melbourne Amplify Signature cards for two yearly lounge or restaurant visits at no charge, with additional visits billed at US$27.

Otherwise, Priority Pass membership can also be purchased outright for US$409 (A$534) for an unlimited Prestige membership or US$259 (A$338) for a Standard Plus membership covering 10 yearly lounge visits, both including the company’s US$10 ‘delivery fee’ billed in addition to the membership price.

A Standard, pay-per-visit plan costing US$109 (A$142) each year is also available, but as you’re also billed US$27 per lounge or restaurant visit, this doesn’t represent value for Australian travellers looking to dine using their membership.

Chris C.

Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.