Plaza Premium Lounge, stop access with Priority Pass: bad news for us Italians
Plaza Premium Lounges is discontinuing its partnership with the Priority Pass program and LoungeKey network as of July 1, 2021. [...]
Plaza Premium Lounges interrupts his collaboration with the program Priority Pass and with the LoungeKey network as of July 1, 2021. Brief introduction for newcomers: Priority Pass is an exclusive club that, for an annual fee (€89, €259 or €399), provides access to more than 1,300 VIP lounges at airports in 148 countries.
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There are 180 Plaza Premium lounges located in 49 airports and 25 countries, and they are used by 20 million passengers each year. Now, travelers enrolled in the Priority Pass program will no longer be able to enter them. This was announced by a spokesperson for the Hong Kong-based company, who explained, "The world of travel is changing. Staying true to our philosophy of Making Travel Better, we have reevaluated our offering. We want to create a comprehensive airport hospitality experience that reaches more travelers globally."
Plaza Premium Lounge closes to Priority Pass
Starting July 1, you will not be able to enter Plaza Premium lounges with your Priority Pass. This will probably be allowed to continue in a limited number of these rooms, but there is no certainty yet. The change, to tell the truth, will be felt mostly by Americans (Chase and Citi credit card holders). American Express Platinum Holders o Centurion will be able to continue to enter the lounges presenting their card at the entrance, while all other users will no longer be able to enter. And so will those who have subscribed to the Priority Pass: no more relaxing in Plaza lounges.
Platinum Amex holders to date enter Plaza Premium lounges for free, and will be able to continue to do so. What do they find? Comfortable seating, wide selection of food and beverages, showers, private rest rooms, VIP lounges, Wi-Fi, computer and charging stations, international newspapers and magazines, international TV channels, and bar service. Here then, especially for frequent travelers, there is one more reason to have a American Express Platinum. Also because there are airports in the world that have only Plaza Premium lounges (in addition to even more exclusive lounges such as those at SkyTeam).
Where to find lounges in Italy
In Italy there is only one lounge Plaza Premium, at Rome Fiumicino Airport Terminal 3.. The structure of over 1,000 square meters, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, is available on the second floor of boarding area E (in the so-called "Italian Food Street").
This lounge is currently the only one open (with reduced hours) at Fiumicino: all Alitalia's lounges are closed and there is no news about possible reopenings. In addition, Terminal 3 is the most modern in the Roman airport and the one from which all intercontinental and some international flights take off: this means that you miss an excellent opportunity if you do not hold American Express Platinum.
Le Lounges that can be accessed with Priority Pass are instead many in our country.
Around the world, Plaza Premium Lounges are especially useful for those traveling to the Asian continent. Many are in China, but you can also find them in busier hubs such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi. A Dubai the main one is the Premium Plaza Lounge in Terminal 3 (International Departures). In its 1,260 square meters, it offers Arabic, Asian and Chinese cuisine. It houses dedicated smoking areas and four Family Suites that can accommodate up to six people (but there is even a designer play area with wooden toys for younger travelers). At Abu Dhabi, the Al Dhabi Lounge is the largest at the airport. In its more than 1,100 square meters it can accommodate up to 300 people, all with a dedicated space. The kitchen serves fresh continental, Arabic and Asian dishes daily. Open 24 hours a day, it is among the most prestigious lounges on the continent.
