Big privileges with a small Priority Pass card
Participation in the program of access to first class lounges is interesting, first of all, to those people whose life or work involves frequent air travel. They are familiar firsthand with situations of delays, cancellations, and flight discrepancies, due to which they have to spend long hours in the terminal building. This time can be spent in different ways: among noise, crowds, turmoil, or in a calm atmosphere, in a cozy atmosphere and with comfort.
Most airports have private first class lounges for those customers who are willing to pay for peace and quiet. Access to these lounge areas is provided by a Priority Pass card. It cannot be used to pay for visiting the lounge (it is not a payment card, but rather a membership card), but it serves as evidence of your participation in the Priority Pass program and, if you have an air ticket for the flight of the day, turns into a pass to the first class lounge. The flight category (economy, business, charter) does not matter.
Only holders of high-class bank cards - Gold, Platinum, Infinite, Selective - can become participants in the international program of access to VIP zones . But just having prestigious credit cards does not provide this type of privilege. The Priority Pass card is issued by the issuing bank at the client’s request and under special conditions.
Each bank has its own conditions. Thus, Sberbank issues a Priority Pass card as a free bonus only to holders of the Platinum American Express card and participants of the Sberbank Premier program. Sberbank sets the amount of annual servicing for platinum cards and provides for this the right to an unlimited number of visits to VIP lounges at airports without prior reservation or advance notice.
At which airports can you use a priority pass card?
The Priority Pass group of companies includes many international airports, a complete list of which (directory) must be provided by a bank employee when issuing a card. If you don’t have a directory at hand, you can search for the desired airport in two ways:
- Go to the official website prioritypass.com, where on the Lounges page find the “Find you lounger” sign and indicate in it the country, city, airport.
- Install on your phone (with operating systems Android, Black Berry, IOS) applications for finding airports from the Priority Pass company.
The VIP zone access program operates at six hundred airports and their network is expanding every year. Each room has its own rules and tariffs for paid services. Among the free options available, the most commonly offered are:
- watching the press and TV;
- the ability to connect to the Internet, charge a portable device and phone;
- places to work, beds to relax, showers;
- a small selection of drinks and light snacks.
All other services are paid and payment for their use is charged by debiting money from a bank payment card (which is linked to the Priority Pass card upon registration).
In Russia, only some airports have a Priority Pass program - Domodedovo, Sheremetyevo, Vnukovo in Moscow, Pulkovo in St. Petersburg, Khrabrovo in Kaliningrad. For holders of Priority Pass cards, Sheremetyevo opens the doors to several business lounges - terminals D, E, F. In Domodedovo and Vnukovo, the access program includes an international business lounge; in Pulkovo, all lounges are available.
Will airports open the doors of VIP lounges to any Priority Pass holder?
Despite the abundance of advantages and benefits of the program, not all Priority Pass card holders can take advantage of it; reviews from program participants indicate the presence of some nuances that limit access to areas for VIPs. Each of the VIP lounges sets its own rules and regulations for staying in it and cardholders are required to adhere to them. These rules apply to:
- Facilities and services offered.
- Hall opening hours.
- The duration of stay in it (sometimes it is one day, and sometimes only 4 hours).
- Maximum capacity of the hall.
- Cost of additional stay time.
- Compliance with dress code and standards of behavior.
For example, the administration of the hall may impose restrictions on the number of people (friends, relatives, children holding airline tickets, flights departing on the same day) that the cardholder can bring with him. There is also an age limit (children are not allowed into some halls).
- Getting a card will be very useful for people who use airline services more than 3 times a year, travel with children and are not too limited on a budget. The standard rate for one visit is 27 US dollars, and after the time of stay set by the administration has expired, you will have to pay for visiting the hall again.
- Despite the privilege of Priority Pass card holders, if they (or their accompanying persons) fail to comply with the rules established by the administration, the operator of the VIP lounge may ask them to leave the hall. The reason for denial of access may be inappropriate behavior or untidiness.
- Remember that the Priority Pass group of companies does not bear responsibility for personal belongings, losses, or delays to flights of program participants.
Reviews and comments
That's the point, there are not many VIP lounges at Russian airports and they are all listed in the article. For those who travel abroad a lot, it is relevant, however, now even successful organizations have switched to economy mode; not all top managers can afford Priority Pass
It sounds good, but in reality - you have to try it. The main thing is that you don’t automatically end up with huge bills on your card for one or another service. For those who fly frequently, it probably pays off. In general, I thought it was only Sberbank that had such a promotion. It turns out, all over the world. I used to fly a lot for work, and I wouldn’t give up such privileges.
Tatyana, although a lot of time has passed since the publication of your post, I would like to find out about RR. Is there a cost to visit this area? I will be flying from Vnukovo on a local flight. What's the price tag inside? Or is there something free? How long can you stay there?
Thank you.
At Khrabrovo Airport (Kaliningrad) there is a business lounge in the waiting room for domestic flights, but people with an PP card are not allowed in, citing the fact that the intermediary has not concluded an agreement with the new airport manager. Anyone interested is offered to contact a representative of the intermediary by telephone or go to the departure hall for international flights(?), which can only be entered through passport control, etc. So this hall stands empty, only the employees are suffering from idleness.
What airport employees say is not entirely correct - the airport itself does not want to enter into a contract for a domestic flight lounge, arguing its position due to the small number of seats in the domestic flight hall and the lack of empty seats in it. We are waiting for the reconstruction and opening of the new VVL hall!
Today I wanted to use the VIP lounge service in Vnukovo... I checked in as usual and in the pre-boarding area I went into the business lounge, where I was told that they don’t serve me with such a card!!! It became very uncomfortable in front of their guest... The girls suggested going back from the pre-boarding area and visiting the business lounge on the third floor, where the check-in counters are located... This is absurd and very inconvenient... At Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo and all other airports Europe, you can access the business lounge after all registrations! Why Vnukovo is an exception is unclear... An unpleasant story happened today...
A banking product such as the Sberbank Priority Pass plastic card was developed to provide clients using the Sberbank Premier package with access to VIP service channels at airports. It became an additional bonus for VIP clients, along with the other priorities of the package: the opportunity to use the internal rate when converting currencies, have 5 free Platinum bank cards, and receive increased interest rates on deposits. Now users of Premier services have the opportunity to experience increased comfort during flights, be it a business trip, a business visit or a leisure trip.
This product allows you to visit comfortable airport lounges 130 countries of the world. Special service involves the following priorities:
- Comfortable furniture.
- Access to high speed WI-FI.
- Possibility of recharging electronic devices.
- Buffet.
- Telephone and fax.
- Availability of Russian-speaking staff.
- 24/7 customer service.
These services are provided to Priority Pass card users for free, In addition, it is possible to invite companions to comfortable waiting rooms. An additional fee will be charged for this, the amount of which is determined by the airport.
A traveler can use the service if he has a card and a ticket for a flight that will take place no later than in 4 hours. There are time restrictions: the client can stay in the VIP zone for no more than 4 hours.
Finding a VIP zone does not create difficulties, since you can use the special Priority application for smartphones.
Tariffs and types
The bank's regulations do not provide for clear tariffs for this card; tariffs are set by the airport. The opportunity to use the services of the VIP zone remains even after the expiration of the Priority Pass, but the cost of service will differ.
There are three types of Priority Pass cards:
- Standard. Each visit to the VIP area costs $24, while annual card maintenance costs $99.
- Standard plus. The terms of use of this card require an annual fee of $249, which entitles you to free access to a comfortable lounge 10 times. Each subsequent visit will have a standard cost for users of $24.
- Prestigious. Annual use of this card costs $399. For those accompanying the cardholder, entry to the special service area will cost $24.
In order to choose the optimal tariff plan, you need to calculate the expected number of flights per year. If their number does not exceed 10, then the optimal solution would be to choose a “Standard” or “Standard Plus” card. If your flights are more frequent, it is better to use the Prestige fare. A bank specialist servicing VIP clients will help you compare the priorities of each tariff in more detail.
Terms of receipt and use
In order to receive a card for free, a Sberbank client must have in his account not less than 1,500,000 rubles. This balance allows you to use all Premier services. In moments of account instability, a commission of 2,500 rubles is charged. Since one of the advantages of the Premier package is the ability to have up to 5 Platinum class cards, at the end of each calendar month the bank calculates the total amount of funds on all the owner’s “plastics”.
Each owner is assigned a personal account, where you can top up your Premium Pass balance or check your account status.
There are no restrictions on the choice of country where air tickets or airlines are purchased.
Decor
You can apply for a card at a Sberbank branch that works with VIP clients. It is possible to order the service online. To do this, you need to fill out an electronic form on the company’s website, entering the following data:
- Last name, first name, patronymic, written in Latin, in accordance with the data in the passport.
- Contact information: registration address, residential address, telephone number, email.
- Card delivery location.
After which you need to complete the procedure for registering the service by paying for delivery using a plastic card. When registering online, the Priority Pass is available for use by the client within 5 working days.
The registration procedure is free. There is no subscription fee for 3 months. During this period, you can terminate the contract, but in this case, a commission in the amount of 2,500 rubles will be debited from your account. The service is available to every client who has reached the age of majority.
Signing up for the Privilege package at VTB 24 Bank provides various bonuses that will be especially useful for travelers. In addition to foreign insurance and concierge service, package holders can apply for a VTB Priority Pass card, which is not only a convenient payment instrument, but also allows you to get free access to the business zone at international airports.
VTB 24 Priority Pass card - what is it?
In short, this is a VTB Priority Pass card, then it is an ordinary debit or credit plastic card that can be used to pay anywhere in the world in any currency (you can even open multi-currency cards). But presenting it at the airport gives the owner access to the business lounge and other privileges. We can say that this card is a sign of a VIP passenger.
How to get a Priority Pass - Privilege package
To receive a VTB 24 priority pass card, the client must sign up for the “Privilege” package. He will receive plastic along with other privileges, which include:
- personal manager;
- individual broker;
- Privilege debit card;
- favorable lending conditions;
- increased rates when opening a deposit with VTB 24;
- travel insurance program;
- concierge service abroad.
The VTB 24 Priority Pass card is personalized, protected by a special chip and is issued only at bank branches when ordering the “Privileges” package. The service fee is withdrawn from the owner's card account on a monthly basis, regardless of whether he has used the benefits intended for him or not.
The VTB card with Priority Pass privileges can be debit or credit. In the latter case, the service fee is debited not from the credit account, but from the current or other card accounts, provided that there is a sufficient amount on the balance.
Conditions and cost of service
The cost of issuing a VTB 24 Priority Pass is discussed in each case individually. Standard rates are:
- the first issue is free;
- issue upon expiration or at the initiative of the bank - free of charge;
- reissue in case of loss, damage, theft, etc. – 500 rubles.
Service tariffs are equal to the service fee for standard VTB 24 bank products. The only advantage of VTB 24 plastic is the Priority Pass conditions, according to which the card holder has the right to 2 free visits to the business zone at the airport, regardless of the airline and class he is flying. Each subsequent visit over the limit will cost no more than $30 - the specific cost will depend on the airport.
Feedback from program users
Judging by the reviews of the VTB 24 Priority Pass card, using the services is easy. The owner of the card is given unhindered access to the business area, regardless of the visit on the account.
The causes of conflicts that arise are usually as follows:
- the name of the card owner and the name in the international passport do not match;
- the card has expired;
- three or more people are trying to gain access to the zone using one card.
All other reasons are not flying in business class, lack of money on the card, having a non-relative companion, etc. – are not significant, and if the administrator does not allow you into the business zone, you can safely contact the airport manager.
Privileges on the card
Rules for admission to airport business lounges
The main privilege available to Priority Pass card holders is access to the business zone. The Priority Pass program, operating worldwide, allows its product owners to receive quality service regardless of the airline or time of visit. The VTB 24 priority pass rules are as follows:
- one relative, friend, client and any other accompanying person is allowed to visit with the card holder;
- two free visits per month are allowed if the holder exercised his right alone, and one free if he went with a companion;
- from the 1st day of each month, the limit on free visits to the business zone is restored;
- in the business zone, the client is provided with all the conditions for comfortable work: free Internet, other means of communication, encrypted channels, the ability to organize negotiations, etc.;
- free access to the bar and restaurant, free snacks and drinks is provided, access is open to all accompanying persons.
Thus, the answer to the question of how many people can be accommodated under the VTB Priority Pass program sounds like this: to the business zone or conference room itself - only one satellite, to the adjacent recreation areas, restaurant and other infrastructure elements - as many as you like, but only from number of accompanying persons, i.e. flying on the same flight.
List of airports, including Domodedovo
Since the Priority Pass program is international, it covers 900 airports located in 120 countries and more than 400 cities around the world. The largest airports in Russia also support the Priority Pass program VTB 24, Domodedovo, among others. So you can safely invite foreign colleagues for a visit, or the whole family can take advantage of the privileges provided.
The business lounges included in the program meet all modern requirements for communication and comfortable relaxation. You can count on quality service regardless of the airport or airline.
If you need to use business lounges during a flight, you can easily choose airports where this option is available.
conclusions
In general, the VTB Priority Pass program is very convenient, primarily for businessmen and other busy people who prefer to work even while flying. Admission to the VIP zone allows you not only to successfully negotiate with a business partner, access the Internet, but simply relax peacefully. Families can take advantage of the card to gain access to the recreation area and get a little refreshment along the way. The privilege is available regardless of which aircraft or class the bearer is flying on. And service rates are comparable to the cost of regular cards.
Priority Pass is an international program that provides its members with the opportunity to wait comfortably in VIP lounges at more than 600 airports around the world. It is enough to present an air ticket and a Priority Pass card, which is actually a pass to privileged lounges. It doesn’t matter at all what class or airline you fly with.
The largest airports in more than 100 countries (and, accordingly, more than 300 cities) are participants in this program. In Russia there are currently only three partner airports: in Moscow - Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo, in St. Petersburg - Pulkovo.
What does Priority Pass give?
The owner of a Priority Pass card does not have to languish while waiting for a flight in the general lounge - he will be taken to a cozy VIP lounge, where he can calmly make calls, receive faxes, chat on the Internet or just relax and read a magazine. Many airports will offer their guests free snacks and drinks, and some will even offer a shower and bed. You can also invite friends or partners who are flying with you to the elite lounges. Some airports provide the opportunity to conduct business negotiations.
Certain services in different VIP rooms can be either paid or free. The number of guests and age restrictions (including conditions for accepting children) are also regulated by the rules of a particular hall.
Holders of these cards are provided with discounts in companies with which Priority Pass has partnership agreements (for example, in hotels).
Where can I get Priority Pass?
The card can be ordered directly through Priority Pass on the official website. In this case, you will need to pay a membership fee and pay for delivery (you will have to wait about a month for the card).
Priority Pass offers 3 tariff plans:
- $99 per year + $27 per visit;
- $249 per year: 10 visits included, then $27 each;
- $399 per year, unlimited number of visits.
For each guest at any rate you will have to pay $27.
You can get a Priority Pass card from banks . Many of them offer it “in addition” to other banking products - usually premium cards (credit or debit): Platinum, Gold, etc. You must leave an application with the bank, and after 5-30 days (depending on the credit institution) you will be issued the ordered Priority Pass card. The client is also given a directory that contains information about the location of VIP rooms and what services are provided in them. Most banks do not charge a fee for issuing such a card.
Priority Pass cards are offered by the following banks: UniCredit Bank, CB Garant-Invest, Metcombank, Raiffeisenbank, MosKomPrivatbank, SNGB, Avangard, Rosbank, Absolut Bank, RosEvroBank, Izhkombank, CB BRT, InterProgressBank, Uralsib, etc.
Priority Pass: how to use
The Priority Pass card can only be used by the owner (must be signed upon receipt) and is valid until the date printed on the front of the card. Without presenting this card, access to the VIP rooms will not be possible (even if you have a payment card with you). They may also deny entry to those who are dressed inappropriately (i.e. they definitely won’t be allowed in if they’re wearing torn jeans) or who behave inappropriately.
Having received your Priority Pass card, airport staff will make a print of it and offer you to sign a slip that contains the date of your visit, the number of accompanying persons, the name of the lounge, etc. All expenses incurred by the Priority Pass cardholder (including guest fees) will be debited from the linked payment card account at the end of the month.
If you are at an unfamiliar airport, you can send an SMS with its code to +44 7624 809977 and receive information about the availability of VIP lounges.
Conclusion: if you fly often and are willing to pay for comfort, the cardPriority Pass is for you.
Some credit institutions offer holders of premium bank cards a Priority Pass card as a gift, but not everyone knows what the advantages of this card are. Therefore, in this article we will try to correct this.
About the capabilities of the Priority Pass card
Priority Pass is a well-known program operating at approximately 600 airports around the world. As for the Russian Federation, there are only three such airports (Pulkovo, Sheremetyevo and Vnukovo).
Priority Pass card holders are given access to VIP lounges at international airports. There they can use various business services (Internet, telephone, meeting room, fax, etc.). A number of airports, in addition to the above services, offer free drinks and snacks and a shower. They can also provide a separate room for sleeping. Services can be provided free of charge or for a fee, it all depends on the specific airport.
If you want to take advantage of these additional privileges, you only need to present your ticket and Priority Pass card at one of the airports that participate in the program. It is worth noting that the owner can always use the card, regardless of the flight category he is flying on (business or economy). If the cardholder is not traveling alone, then you can also take fellow travelers with you to the VIP lounge, but the age of the guests, as well as their number, may be limited.
Application of the card
It is worth noting that this card is not a payment card; in general, it can be regarded as a regular membership card of the system. It can only be used by the owner, and you must present an air ticket. The expiration date is indicated on the front side of the card. It should also be noted that the owner must sign on the card.
When visiting a VIP lounge at the airport, the card holder presents it to one of the lounge employees, who must take a stamp from the card. Next, the owner needs to sign a document about the visit to the airport. This document contains information about the number of persons, date of visit, name of the hall and the airport itself, etc.
At the end of the month, the cost of all services not included in the tariff plan will be debited from the payment bank card that is linked to Priority Pass.
It is also necessary to separately emphasize that having a Priority Pass card does not guarantee one hundred percent access to the VIP lounge: persons who behave inappropriately with access and those who do not comply with the dress code will not be able to enter the lounge.
Where to buy a card
There are two ways you can use to purchase a Priority Pass card.
The first method is getting a card through a bank. Many credit institutions provide a Priority Pass card as a free bonus when you sign up for a premium debit or credit card. Sometimes banks provide Priority Pass for classic cards as well. Using this method, the client will be able to issue a card within five days. Ultimately, the bank employee issues a card with a brochure that contains all the information about the capabilities of this card, as well as the airports where it is valid.
The conditions for issuing cards under the Priority Pass program vary from bank to bank.
For example, at Sberbank such a card can be obtained by Sberbank-Premier clients (that is, clients who have issued a Sberbank Platinum American Express platinum card). The annual service for a platinum card of this bank is 15 thousand rubles per year. There is also a pre-approved offer, according to which you will have to pay 10 thousand.
The Priority Pass card at Uralsib Bank is provided only upon opening a special card. Registration of MasterCard World “Aeroflot Bonus” is free, but for annual service you will need to fork out 6,000 rubles.
If we consider Avangard Bank, then you can get Priority Pass by issuing a classic credit card (service for the year is 600 rubles), but there is one condition - the average monthly turnover on the account should not be less than 20 thousand rubles over the past year.
When applying for a platinum or gold card at Avangard Bank, the Priority Pass card is provided to the client free of charge, without any restrictions on the turnover of funds. Let us add that the cost of servicing a platinum card is 5,000 rubles per year, and a gold card is 3,000 rubles.
To receive a Priority Pass card from Raiffeisenbank, you need to select a MasterCard® World Black Edition debit card or activate the Premium service package. To use such a package of services, you will have to pay 3,000 rubles every month.
Of course, all the banks listed above provide Priority Pass cards only in the entry-level category, which cost $99.
The second method is to order a card online, on the official Priority Pass website. First you need to register, then pay a membership fee and pay for card delivery. In addition, you will need to link the new card to a regular bank card so that the visit fee is debited from the latter. Thus, after about a month you will be able to receive a card.
