Got yourself a Priority Pass? Not sure which lounge to use it at? Let’s explore options!
Getting a Priority Pass
Hang on a second… why would anyone without a Priority Pass even be reading this article? Well, even if you do have one, it’s actually important to ascertain how you got it, because not all memberships give the same access!
The most common ways of acquiring a Priority Pass membership are:
- Directly purchasing it from Priority Pass, in which case you can choose from a Standard membership with no included visits, Standard Plus membership with 10 included visits, and Prestige membership with unlimited member visits (guests of members are always chargeable)
- Through an American Express Platinum card (offering unlimited visits for the member, guests are chargeable)
- Through a BOQ Specialist Signature card (offering four complimentary visits, and the allowance can be used to cover guests)
- Through a Citi Prestige card (offering unlimited visits, guests are chargeable) or Citi Premier card (offering two complimentary visits, and the allowance can be used to cover a guest)
- Through a St George, Bank of Melbourne or Bank SA Amplify card (offering two complimentary visits, and the allowance can be used to cover a guest)
- Through a Westpac Altitude Black card (offering two complimentary visits, and the allowance can be used to cover a guest)
The Priority Pass membership that comes with the American Express Platinum card has a further restriction, in that you can’t use it at Priority Pass restaurant partners.
Best Options at Melbourne T2 (International Terminal)
#1 Choice: Marhaba Lounge
Our top choice is the Marhaba lounge, located one level above the main concourse, between gates 9 and 11. This lounge offers a decent range of self-serve food options, a basic selection of alcohol, good quality wifi, shower rooms, and good views across the tarmac.
#2 Choice: The House
This lounge still retains most of the design elements from when it was run for Etihad and Virgin Australia, and continues to be a modern and elegant retreat for passengers. There’s plenty of light and the views are outstanding, but there is only a small selection of food unfortunately, so we’re ranking this below the Marhaba Lounge.
#3 Choice: Bar Pulpo by Movida
The very popular Movida group of restaurants has a nice little teaser restaurant/cafe in terminal 2, offering simple but tasty Spanish food. If you’re not planning to hang around at the airport for a long time, why not drop by for some patatas bravas or churros before your flight?
Each priority pass visit gives you $36 off the bill (so if you take a guest and use two visits, you’ll get $72 off). Unfortunately, this option is not available to American Express Platinum cardholders.
#4 Choice: Urban Provodore
Squeeze in one more opportunity to enjoy the Melbourne cafe culture at Urban Provodore before your flight! This place has a menu that’s typical of cafes across the city – featuring popular options such as avocado on toast for breakfast and burgers for lunch.
Each priority pass visit gives you $36 off the bill (so if you take a guest and use two visits, you’ll get $72 off). Unfortunately, this option is not available to American Express Platinum cardholders.
#5 Choice: Cafe Sol
Similar to Urban Provodore, Cafe Sol offers your classic cafe options such as croissants and burgers. We haven’t personally tried this place, but online reviews seem to be rather mixed, with some complaining of long waits and inconsistent coffee and food quality, whilst others having a great experience.
Each priority pass visit gives you $36 off the bill (so if you take a guest and use two visits, you’ll get $72 off). Unfortunately, this option is not available to American Express Platinum cardholders.
FAQs
For restaurant visits, can I use one Priority Pass visit to cover two people?
Generally yes – the restaurant will simply provide you with $36 of credit in that case. However, you should confirm this at the time of your visit.
Can I visit multiple lounges and/or restaurants ahead of my flight?
Yes if you wish! However, each lounge/restaurant visit will count as a unique visit against your membership, so this is best done with memberships that offer unlimited visits. Don’t abuse this though, as these memberships will ultimately cost us all more if we unnecessarily add cost to the system.
Can I bring a guest on my membership?
Generally speaking, if you have a membership with a limited number of complimentary visits, each guest counts as a visit in your allowance. If you have a membership with an unlimited number of visits, each guest will be separately chargeable.
Some restaurants also have limits on how many people can be brought in as guests, so it’s best to check with the restaurant before you sit down.
Can I use multiple visits for myself, to increase my restaurant credit allowance?
Nope, sorry – you’re limited to one credit per person.
Can you use your Priority Pass on arrival at a destination?
It depends – firstly, for international flights, this is difficult anyway because of the logistics involved (baggage, immigration, etc). Even without these hurdles, the rules vary by location – some will allow you to use a same day boarding pass regardless of where that boarding pass is from/to, whereas others will only allow an outbound boarding pass to be used.
Got a question to ask? Ask us anything!