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Priority Pass experiences are getting even better. This week, two “Be Relax” spas have been added to the benefits members can get with their Priority Pass. Up until now, Priority Pass experiences have been mostly limited to restaurants — and the occasional game of indoor golf.
In 2021, Priority Pass plans to add 150 new airport lounges and 100 new airport “experiences”. Recently, I wrote about Alaska Airlines and Lufthansa adding lounges to Priority Pass. So, Priority Pass was due to add some “experiences”. This week, they did so by adding Be Relax spas.
Be Relax Spas Join Priority Pass
Be Relax Spas is a chain of 52 spas located in 17 airports around the world (7 are at Dubai International). And two Be Relax spas just joined the Priority Pass network:
- San Diego International (SAN)
- Terminal 2, located near Gate 27
- Open 6am to 9pm Monday and Wednesday-Friday — and until 8pm Tuesday and Saturday
- Priority Pass cardholders can only bring 1 guest per visit, regardless of the number of guests allowed in your Priority Pass membership
- San Diego's only other Priority Pass lounge is an Airspace Lounge — also in Terminal 2
- Detroit Wayne County (DTW)
- McNamara Terminal — located near the middle of the waterfall between Johnston & Murphy & Vino Volo, near Gate A46
- Open 7am to 9pm daily
- Priority Pass cardholders can only bring 1 guest per visit, regardless of the number of guests allowed in your Priority Pass membership
- Priority Pass also partners with the Lufthansa Business Lounge in the North Terminal, added in 2018
Priority Pass cardholders can choose between one of the following massages:
- Be Back: 30-minute Lounger Massage (a US$35 value)
- Be Back: 15-minute Lounger Massage plus aromatherapy & 02 (a US$35 value)
- Head Up: 10-minute head massage plus aromatherapy & 02 (a US$38 value)
- Be Feet: 10-minute foot massage plus aromatherapy & 02 (a US$38 value)
Priority Pass cardholders are responsible for any additional charges incurred. I would also recommend tipping for your complimentary massage, as you would at any other spa.
Complimentary drinks are included — but are limited to water and tea. Complimentary luggage storage is available.
Should You Use Your Priority Pass Membership at “Be Relax” Spas?
If you have a limited Priority Pass membership, a visit to a Be Relax Spa with your Priority Pass counts as one of your lounge visits. If you only have the Standard plan, you'll be paying $32 for your Be Relax visit (plus the $99 for your Priority Pass membership). So, you're not saving much by using your pass for the spa.
However, if you have one of the higher Priority Pass memberships (Standard Plus or Prestige), your Be Relax visit will come off one of your free lounge visits, and therefore is well worth it. Here's a list of cards that offer a Priority Pass membership:
| Credit Card | Complimentary Cardholder Access | Number of Free Guests | Digital Priority Pass Card | Card Annual Fee | Authorized User Lounge Access | Authorized User Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Unlimited lounge access | 2 guests | Yes | $550 | Yes | $75 |
| The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card | Unlimited lounge access | 2 guests | Yes | $450 | Yes | $0 |
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | Unlimited lounge access - No F&B credits at non-lounge restaurants, bars, and eateries | 2 guests | Yes | $550 - Rates & Fees | Yes | $175 total for first 3 AU's then $175 each - Rates & Fees |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | Unlimited lounge access - No F&B credits at non-lounge restaurants, bars, and eateries | 2 guests | Yes | $595 - Rates & Fees | Yes | $300 - Rates & Fees |
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card | Unlimited lounge access | 2 guests | Yes | $450 | No | $0 |
| Citi Prestige® Card | Unlimited lounge access | 2 guests or immediate family | Yes | $495 | Yes | $50 |
| Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card | Unlimited lounge access for the primary cardholder and one additional member. | $32 per guest | Yes | $400 | Can gift access to one other person - doesn't have to be AU | |
| Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card | 10x free passes then $27 per person | $27 per guest | Yes | $95 | No | N/A |
| U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card | 4x free passes then $27 per visit | 1 guest free for first 4 visits, then $27 per visit | No | $400 | No | $0 |
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
Keep in mind that Priority Pass memberships through Amex cards exclude “non-lounge experiences” by default. Some “experiences” — like Minute Suites — are still available to Amex cardmembers. At this point, it's unclear if Be Relax spas will be excluded or included.
Our Take
As a professional Thai massage therapist myself, I can vouch for the benefits of getting a massage and O2 treatment before a flight. If you experience physical discomforts on flights, I would highly recommend getting a massage — and that's easier now if you have a Priority Pass.
Whether Be Relax will be adding its 50 other spas to Priority Pass experiences in the future is yet to be seen. Perhaps the spas at San Diego and Detroit were added because they were emptier than other locations. But, I'm hopeful that the Priority Pass is just becoming a more popular card to own, and more companies are getting on board.
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
This is a great benefit! After a long flight just taking a shower we already feel relaxed, imagine with a massage? Amazing!!! Thanks for the information!
this is great, nothing like a good massage to destress before a flight, can’t wait till they open more up more locations
I can’t wait to travel again! I miss the whole experience, from the priority pass lounges to the flight food, I want to listen people talk in another language haha
Like many of us, you understandably have a serious case of cabin fever! For a time, however, I’m afraid you’ll hear less different languages. 🙁 While America has been lucky enough (wealthy and priviledged enough) to get lots of vaccinations done, I’m afraid most other countries are behind us. But, it will only get better from here!
Very helpful information. We have priority passes but never really use them since we typically use the airline specific lounges. Knowing about the spa access and spa treatments is very helpful. I didn’t know the prices were that reasonable. Looking forward to my next massage during my layover! Thank you.
My husband holds a Priority Pass card issued by Santander bank. I wonder whether I could access to these spas and enjoy the
ride, even though extra fees might apply. How can I find it out?
I recommend calling the bank to ask. Or, you should be able to check your card’s term and conditions.
You can also add your account number to the Priority Pass app. If your membership grants access it will show as an available option at those airports.
I don’t think I’m looking for that when travelling. Usually there is no much time between flights, and I would be more stressed of the time than enjoying Spa. Instead, I would prefer more options for food, work space, and even open space to look at the planes.
Wow, this is a great new feature. This would be perfect. And prefered to some of the more spartan lounges out there.
Not something I’m looking about when traveling.
I would prefer more lounges to go and more important don’t be refused the entry such as a second class traveler (well this is not the case now but was happening before the pandemic situation arrived).
What a great benefit!! A relaxing massage after a long trip its a dream!!!
This would be a great new perk if they added more locations.
This is great news, but I’m confused about the priority pass version via Amex platinum. Will the platinum card members priority pass members get access to the spas?
If so this is a great added benefit.
That’s still unclear. As an Amex Platinum cardholder myself, I’m looking out for reports from travelers who test it out.
I think this benefit is the one that finally puts me over the edge to purchase Priority Pass.
I have my Amex PP linked to the app and like airport restaurants this experience does not show as an option for DTW.
This is an amazing opportunity for anyone who wants to relax and have a peaceful time especially after those long flights that make you feel tired. What’s more, having the chance to go to a spa after spending several hours on a not so comfortable sit on the plane, can make your day better and help you relieve any pain you may have, such as: headache, backpain and even stomach ache.
Personally, I have experienced swollen feet after flights and things get worse when I have to make connections. So, having a Spa at any of the airports mentioned above such as: SAN, can save your life!
Need more information on whether Platinum cardholders can use this but it sounds like a great idea during a long travel day!
Ooh, I’d always seen Priority Pass listed as a Chase benefit but had never actually stopped to look up what it was or what its benefits were….
it’s good news for any that has access. I have my access thru Amex so I’ll miss out but I don’t spend enough time in an airport to get a massage, etc. I just don’t see using any exercise, massage, etc really at an airport. Maybe yoga, if I have an irop.
Great news! How do you tip the therapists? Can you still use the credit card (like in those Priority Pass restaurants)?
That’s a great question! It will be interesting to see if they would be able to generate a $0.01 bill for you to be able to tip on. Otherwise, we might actually have to carry cash :-/
It would definitely be great to be able to tip through the app. I touch cash as little as possible.
Anyway, I appreciate the non-lounge benefits PP is offering.
What a healthy alternative. Fantastic!
Wow. This is great news. Will have to try this out.
Seriously?? I was just in San Diego four days ago! Ugh.
This is amazing! I think nowadays people are paying more attention to the fact that after long flights, your body needs to relax and you should have a peaceful moment to start the trip better!
I like the idea very much!! I hope this service will be available in more airports soon.
A 30-minute massage after a long flight would be great.
I did just check the PP app and it does state the guest allowance is based on lounge allowances but only up to 1 guest (if I’m reading that correctly when looking at DFE). So with the Chase Reserve card that allows 2 guests to most lounges, only 1 guest would be allowed at the Be Relax. I could be misinterpreting but that’s what it looks like.
Nice catch there! You’re reading that correctly. I’ve added that detail to the post.
I can definitely see myself using this benefit on a long layover in Dubai or elsewhere. Thanks for the heads up!
This is great news for PP. Do we know if guests will be allowed similar to lounges? Say traveling with a spouse does the spouse also qualify?
I see that you answered your own question 🙂 Indeed, you can bring up to 1 guest for free if your membership allows it.
Which “level” of Priority Pass do you get as a Chase Sapphire card holder?
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get a Priority Pass Select membership – which isn’t a membership tier that general travelers can purchase. This membership allows unlimited visits for the cardholder and up to 2 guests.
I guess this is an added benefit but I do not want to really stay any longer than I have to at the airport.
Wow! I hope this expands. SAN used to be my home airport. I definitely would have used this.
Wow, I am craving for a 30-minute shoulder and back massage. 🙂
Me too!
Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card only allows 1 guest and you must pay for other guests. The UNLIMITED GUEST benefit ended last year. I have the card City national Bank Crystal® Visa Infinite® Credit Card.
Thanks for the heads up on that! I have corrected the chart now.