It wasn’t that long ago that one of the best hidden perks of a travel credit card was using your Priority Pass membership for a proper sit-down meal. Priority Pass Select cardholders—especially those with premium cards like the Amex Platinum—could enjoy up to $28 off their bill per person at select airport restaurants.
However, in 2019, American Express removed restaurant access from the Priority Pass Select memberships it issued. Chase and Capital One followed suit, dropping “non-lounge experiences” entirely. Just like that, a perk that once felt like a travel hack quietly faded for most cardholders.
Still, a few restaurants hung on—including one at London Gatwick Airport.
The Grain Store: A Rare Survivor
When those changes kicked in, one of the few Priority Pass restaurants still working for Amex cardholders was The Grain Store Café & Bar in Gatwick Airport’s South Terminal. I had the chance to dine there a few years ago and found it to be a solid place to grab a meal before a flight.
But now, it looks like the Grain Store has officially closed. The restaurant’s website has been reduced to a placeholder Squarespace page—a reliable signal in 2025 that the business is no longer active.
What Took Its Place?
According to the Priority Pass website, the restaurant benefit hasn’t disappeared. In its place, Priority Pass now lists Pizza Express, the popular UK casual dining chain.
Yes, that Pizza Express—the one you’ve probably walked past in countless British towns, malls, and train stations. We’ve eaten at Pizza Express multiple times, especially near London’s West End theaters, after discovering their Leggera pizza—a lighter option with a salad in the center and fewer calories than a traditional pie. (Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.) (Note from Joe’s wife: I’m something of a pizza snob and I REALLY like Pizza Express Leggera pizza)
While this might not be the upscale café bar that The Grain Store aimed to be, it’s still a full-service restaurant—and one with a surprising amount of airport utility.
A Very Early Option
One feature that sets the Gatwick Airport Pizza Express apart from its high street siblings is its hours. This location opens at 3:30 AM, offering breakfast service. That’s a major perk if you’re flying out early and want something more substantial than a stale pastry or breakfast sandwich in a lounge.
How the Priority Pass Benefit Works
At this restaurant, Priority Pass Select members with eligible Amex cards can still get a dining credit:
- £18 off the bill per person (so £36 total for a cardholder and one guest)
- Each £18 credit counts as one lounge visit on your Priority Pass account
- Signing in a guest deducts two visits, just like visiting a traditional lounge
So if your usual lounge is overcrowded—or if you want a proper meal instead—this can be a smart alternative.
But Wait—Why Is This Benefit Still Available?
It might seem strange that Amex and Priority Pass would replace a restaurant at all, especially considering there are already three lounges available in Gatwick’s South Terminal (No1 Lounge, Club Aspire, and My Lounge).
Final Thoughts
The restaurant benefit may have largely disappeared for most Priority Pass Select members, especially those with cards from Amex, Chase, and Capital One—but every now and then, a quirky exception like this pops up.
The Grain Store is gone. But its replacement—Pizza Express, serving pizza and 3:30 AM breakfasts in an airport terminal—still accepts Priority Pass.
If you’re flying out of Gatwick’s South Terminal and the lounges are packed, or you’re just craving something more substantial, this is one of the few places left where your Priority Pass can still get you a real meal.
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