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In 2021, Plaza Premium Lounges withdrew from the Priority Pass Network. Now in June 2023, they have returned for Priority Pass members to use. This means that Priority Pass members have access to another 63 lounges, further improving the value of the Priority Pass membership. Here are the specifics.
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The Plaza Premium Lounge Portfolio
If you've traveled outside of the United States to airports in Canada, the U.K., or China, you likely came across one of Plaza Premium's 130+ lounges. Although Plaza Premium operates just two lounges in the United States — in Dallas/Fort Worth and Orlando — the lounge operator operates an extensive network of airport lounges in Canada, Europe, and Asia.
For example, there are six Plaza Premium Lounges and a spa at Toronto-Pearson International Airport and six Plaza Premium Lounges at London Heathrow Airport (two of which are currently closed).
The quality of Plaza Premium lounges varies significantly depending on the location. For example, the Plaza Premium Lounge in the domestic departures wing at Winnipeg International Airport pales in comparison to the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal 2 at London Heathrow.
Some lounges offer various basic amenities like free wine, beer, and light snacks. Others offer sit-down restaurant-style dining, shower suites, and craft drinks. Like many Priority Pass lounges, Plaza Premium's network of lounges is very hit-or-miss.
I've found Plaza Premium lounges to be some of the best Priority Pass lounges. This is especially the case throughout Europe. Based on early reviews and descriptions of the new(-ish) Dallas-Fort Worth lounge, Plaza Premium's U.S. lounge is quite impressive.
Before they were removed from the program, I came to enjoy the Plaza Premium network of lounges that I could access these lounges free of charge when I presented my Priority Pass membership.
Plaza Premium Renewing Ties with Priority Pass
On July 1, 2021, 57 Plaza Premium Lounges left the Priority Pass network, leaving a dent in the 1,300 lounges otherwise available to Priority Pass cardholders.
On June 6, 2023, 39 Plaza Premium Lounges rejoined the Priority Pass network, with another 24 rejoining on June 20, 2023. That's 63 more lounges for Priority Pass cardholders — more than the number of lounges that withdrew in 2021. Note that only about half of Plaza Premium Lounges are rejoining, as there are over 130 total lounges across the world.
Notable Plaza Premium Lounges that are rejoining Priority Pass include:
- Dallas-Fort Worth Terminal E
- Orlando
- Toronto
- Vancouver
- London-Heathrow Terminal 2
- Rome-Fiumicino
- Hong Kong
- Sydney
- Winnipeg
- Edmonton
If you're curious to see if the rejoining Plaza Premium lounges will improve your travels, you can see the full list of lounges rejoining Priority Pass here.
Get Plaza Premium Lounge Access Through American Express Global Lounge Collection® or Capital One
Travelers have other ways to get complimentary access to Plaza Premium lounges. Plaza Premium has an agreement with both American Express and Capital One to give complimentary lounge access to select cardholders.
Of these, the Capital One partnership is the newer development. In June 2022, Capital One partnered with Plaza Premium to give select cardholders access to over 100 lounge locations. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders (and authorized users) get unlimited complimentary access while Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business holders get two free visits per year.
One benefit offered to eligible Card Members by the The Platinum Card® from American Express (and other select premium Amex cards) is the Amex Global Lounge Collection. In addition to Priority Pass membership, Amex Platinum cardholders also get access to:
- Centurion Lounges
- Escape Lounges
- American Express International Lounges
- Plaza Premium lounges
- Air Space Lounges
- Delta Sky Club® access when flying on Delta flights. Card members get 10 visits to be used from February 1 until January 31 of the next calendar year.
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
If you have Priority Pass access through another credit card, you might consider switching to the Amex Platinum to get access to Priority Pass plus this much longer list of lounge locations. Check out this post to learn everything you need to know about the popular American Express credit card.
The Bottom Line
Plaza Premium Lounges rejoining Priority Pass is certainly good news for Priority Pass cardholders. On the other hand, The Platinum Card® from American Express cardholders might not be as happy. While Priority Pass cardholders have access to more lounges, travelers that had more exclusive access to the Plaza Premium Lounges for the past couple of years might find those lounges more crowded. Only time will tell how this change affects both networks.
Have you ever visited a Plaza Premium Lounge?
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