Reader Andrew W sent an e-mail in stating that the last three times they visited Capers Cafe at PDX (priority pass eligible restaurant) they were told that new restrictions apply and that you now have to purchase an entree and you’re only allowed one drink and one snack/dessert/other item. It seems that this new ‘policy’ was put into effect in the last two weeks but is only being loosely applied (@pdxdealsguy was told something similar, where as @tchaud24 was told only one type of drink per person. For example you can’t order two bottles of water. @matthewverygood wasn’t told of any such policy). The Priority Pass website hasn’t been updated with any of these restrictions and the whole thing seems extremely unusual.
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In addition to the restriction on take out food, they also say they have to enforce a one-priority-pass-a-day rule. So if you have already used your PP card that calendar day then they will not accept it. I’m not sure how they would know though…
I’ve traveled through twice in January and been asked each time if I’ve already used my card. I hadn’t so I had no issue. The guy in front of me one time HAD used his card prior in that calendar day and Capers said he would be charged $28 if he used it again. He decided not to try it but was understandably upset.
And to clarify, this isn’t a question about using it twice a day at Capers. Capers says they will not accept your PP if you’ve already used it ANYWHERE that calendar day
Yikes. I have a feeling they’re making things up as they go to try and reduce their traffic because that would be a pretty dramatic policy change by Priority Pass and it seems like more reports from other airports with multiple PP options would be be rolling in by now if it were true…
Happened to us on Friday as well. Honestly, it seems perfectly reasonable to me. Everyone, including me, would just load up on nonperishable items to round out the difference.
As a frequent traveler I’m through PDX at least twice a month. I broke down and bought the Alaska lounge membership when PP finally got booted. It is a lot less crowded now but the food options are terrible. Capers still offers some nice dishes and even with this change is an excellent part of PP. I’ve always found the salmon special to be quite good.
Why aren’t they happy to sell you $28 of water? It has to be one of their highest margin items.
With Chase Sapphire Preferred.. like how much are you allowed to spend at this restaurant for free? I haven’t yet used my Priority Pass benefit for any restaurant yet.. only lounges.
Preferred doesn’t come with Priority Pass.
The Reserve does. It gives $28 per person.
oh yeah, I have Reserve not Preferred.. thanks for the info
Could it be that priority pass only pays them cost or cost + some small amount with the idea that the credit would drive business there? I figure an entree + other stuff might be more likely to go over the $28 and the customer would pick up the rest. Not sure how pricey stuff is there, but if wine or beer is $10+ and an entree is $18+ they might really think that’s a better deal for them rather then someone just getting two drinks and a treat of some sort. Or just to go bottled water and jazz.
I can’t help but wonder if this is a precursor to them leaving the program, though I’m probably just overly nervous about Capers because this is my home airport and it’s become a PP wasteland otherwise…
Capers Cafe wants more money in their kitty. Otherwise, it shouldn’t matter if you buy water bottles or beer cans for $28. This way, they limit customers to buy only a water bottle while they charge PP the full $28
That’s not how the credit works
Typical Portland, keep it weird!
This actually just happened to my wife and I on Friday. We’d grabbed 3 snack bars and were informed any item we picked we could only have 2 maximum of that item. We were still able to get 2 snack bars, 2 side salads etc. along with our normal meal order but we thought we just had a new server.
Strange indeed, but doesn’t affect my usual order: the coho salmon special and a glass of pinot grigio. Always a good way to kick off a travel day!
The coho salmon special isnt on the menu but its there….im glad you know about it. That’s an entree worth getting anyways so if theres a new restriction, no problem.
That and the gyro have been “specials” every day for the last 3+ years. The salmon is good but I find the whiteboard specials amusing. I’m not sure they could erase that thing if they wanted to at this point.
Ha, yeah, I’ve been eating that coho “special” for a few years now. Maybe there was a whiteboard at one point, but it’s a printed sign now…as for why they don’t add it to the menu, your guess is as good as mine.