USA issued Amex Priority Pass memberships won’t include Restaurants starting August 1st.

VFTW reported earlier this week that Amex will be removing the Priority Pass Restaurant benefits from its cards issued in the USA. Here’s the quote from Gary: “American Express Platinum and Centurion Cards and Hilton Ascend, Hilton Aspire, and Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ Cards will no longer include complimentary access to non-lounge airport experiences.”

I love Amex and carry 5 of their cards, two of which are Platinum variants and offer this benefit, and this is a deval for sure. Is it enough to re-evaluate keeping the cards? Nah, but losing the ability to visit Priority Pass restaurants means that the versions offered by other issuers like Chase and Citi have become more attractive. Coincidentally, the Priority Pass I have my app linked to, as well as the physical card I carry on International trips is linked to my Citi Prestige, and fingers crossed they don’t strip the card of that benefit. Their PR departments put out statements that didn’t give us any direction as to what they may do saying they have no plans to change their programs at this time. Nothing. Burger.

I love visiting the Priority Pass restaurants and have done so quite regularly. In fact, on a single trip I opted to stay Priority Pass restaurants vs business class lounges offered by the airline ( Corona Beach House and Bleriot on my recent South America trip ). Currently, the cards that do offer the benefit are giving $28 per account holder, and $28 for each guest the membership allows. What a terrific benefit and one I’ve used a lot.