How Can Priority Pass Sustain a Steakhouse?

There’s a difference between free inexpensive snacks and drinks found in many airport lounges and a nice steak dinner for the entire family. Priorty Pass has added Timberline Steaks & Grill in Denver to its broadening definition of airport lounges. I welcome the addition while questioning its sustainability.

The menu looks good — you can view it here (sans prices). Yelp claims the prices are between $11-30 each. Breakfast is available as well as lunch and dinner.

Here’s how Priority Pass characterizes the restaurant–

An American steakhouse, featuring hot-off-the-grill items including organically raised natural beef, buffalo burgers, all-natural chicken, USDA prime steaks, sandwiches, salads and a full bar with more than 30 wines and 50 beers, with a smoking lounge located adjacent to the restaurant. Members and guests will receive complimentary access to the smoking lounge only after visit has been processed. Enter restaurant through main entrance.

Priority Pass will give you $28/person in credit at the restaurant. Traveling with others? A family of four receives $112 toward food and drink (just not gratuity) if you have a Chase Sapphire Reserve card. That won’t be enough for drinks, appetizers, main courses, and dessert for everyone, but it should be more than enough for a decent meal.

Is this Sustainable?

We don’t know how much Priority Pass pays for $28 in credit. We also also do not know how much American Express or Chase pay Priority Pass for their cardholders. I just question how this benefit makes financial sense when a few dinners can potentially outset the full year’s membership fee.

Then again, Timberline Steaks & Grill is located in Terminal C at DEN, not the most convenient. Most travelers will have to make a deliberate effort to eat here, though it will be ideal if you fly Southwest. Service is allegedly slow.

Perhaps I overestimate how many will take advantage of it, but Priority Pass doesn’t, providing the following disclaimer–

Please note that the restaurant may exceed their seating limit at certain times of the day & access to the restaurant is at their sole discretion.

We will see how that turns out…I’d say take advantage of it sooner rather than later if flying from DEN.

CONCLUSION

Priority Pass seemingly becomes more valuable each day. For my next trip, I’ll try to schedule a Denver connection to check this out.

(H/T: Travis from One Mile at a Time)