American Express is extending the much-disliked Priority Pass lounge access change, previously rolled out in Canada and other European markets, to the UK on January 1, 2028.
American Express Platinum cardholders will no longer have access to unlimited Priority Pass lounge visits from January 1, 2028, unless they spend £30K in a calendar year.
You can access Amex here.
Priority Pass Lounge Access Limit (Effective January 1, 2028):
Priority Pass Benefit Update
The Global Lounge Collection (Plaza Premium & Delta Sky Club) will continue offering unlimited access to its partner lounges. However, starting January 1, 2028, Priority Pass access will be capped at:
20 visits per calendar year for the primary Platinum cardholder. 10 visits per calendar year for Supplementary Platinum cardholders.
This new limit on Priority Pass access is a significant downgrade for frequent travelers, especially those who travel weekly and rely on Priority Pass lounges multiple times per trip.
Under these new rules, someone could max out their yearly allowance in just a handful of trips, especially on non-direct flights.
The Amex email in the UK is unclear on whether guest access is also included in this 20-visit limit, as it is in other markets, so I assume it applies to cards issued in the UK as well.
Amex’s Email to Platinum Cardholders in the UK:
Conclusion
Priority Pass is a worthwhile product in Europe, and LCCs are much more prevalent here than in other markets, so Europe will likely see more product use than North America and Asia.
Amex has now rolled out these Priority Pass limits to much of, if not all of, Europe and Canada.
I wonder if Amex has the guts to do the same for Amex Platinum cards issued in the US, where Capital One and Chase continue to offer unlimited access.
You also have to take into account, when it comes to Amex spending requirements, that there are high forex fees (usually 3%) for using Europe-issued cards in currencies other than their native, rendering them uncompetitive compared to products such as Revolut.
Frequently asked questions by Amex:
Q: Does anything change to my Priority Pass lounge access before 2028?
A: No. You’ll continue to have your existing Priority Pass access throughout 2026 and 2027. The new Priority Pass lounge access arrangements start on 1 January 2028. Please visit the Global Lounge Collection for full details.
Q: Will this affect all the lounges in the Global Lounge Collection?
A: No, this change will only apply to Priority Pass lounges. Access to the other lounge programmes in the Global Lounge Collection (such as The Centurion® Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounges and Eurostar Business Premier Lounges) will remain unchanged.
Q: What do I need to do to retain unlimited access?
A: If you make £30,000 or more in eligible purchases in a calendar year, you’ll unlock unlimited Priority Pass lounge access for the following calendar year (the “Spend Requirement”).
Q: Will this affect Priority Pass pre-book entitlements?
A: This does not affect your Priority Pass pre-book entitlements. You have access to 8 complimentary Priority Pass lounge pre-book entitlements to use per calendar year between 1 January 2026 and 31 December 2027.
Find out more.
Q: What purchases count towards the Spend Requirement for unlimited access, and whose spend is included?
A: Eligible spend includes purchases made at American Express merchants and charged to an eligible Card. Eligible purchases made by both the Primary Cardmember and any Supplementary Cardmembers on the Platinum Card will contribute towards the Spend Requirement.
Interest charges, annual fees, other fees and cash equivalent transactions are not purchases and do not count as eligible spend. Credits, returns and adjustments will be deducted from your eligible spend.