Minute Suites Charges $5.30 'Cleaning Fee' for Priority Pass Lounge Access

Undisclosed add-on fees raise concerns about 'drip pricing' for airport lounge services.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 6:34pm

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A highly stylized, geometric airport terminal interior rendered in bold, sweeping lines and gradients of steel blue, chrome, and amber, capturing the monumental scale and sleek design of modern travel infrastructure.The grand, modernist architecture of airport lounges belies the hidden fees that can undermine the travel experience.Atlanta Today

A Priority Pass member reported that Minute Suites at Baltimore-Washington International Airport charged a mandatory $5.30 'cleaning fee' just to enter the lounge, despite his Priority Pass membership covering the standard access. Priority Pass responded that lounges can add on whatever extra charges they wish, sparking concerns about the proliferation of undisclosed fees for airport services.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the growing trend of 'drip pricing' in the airport lounge industry, where customers are hit with unexpected add-on fees that aren't clearly disclosed upfront. While some fees may be justified for demand management or enhanced services, a flat mandatory cleaning charge at the door undermines the value proposition of Priority Pass memberships.

The details

According to the report, the Priority Pass member was 'required to pay a $5.30 'cleaning fee' for entry' to the Minute Suites lounge at BWI, despite his membership already covering the standard lounge access. In response, Priority Pass stated that individual lounges and service providers can add on whatever extra charges they wish, outside of Priority Pass's own policies.

  • On April 5, 2026, the Priority Pass member was charged the $5.30 cleaning fee at Minute Suites in BWI.

The players

Minute Suites

A private airport lounge provider that offers private rooms and workspaces, accessible through the Priority Pass program.

Priority Pass

A program that provides access to airport lounges and other amenities for members, often through credit card benefits.

George

The Priority Pass member who reported being charged the $5.30 cleaning fee at Minute Suites.

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What’s next

The Priority Pass member plans to further escalate the issue with Priority Pass to address the undisclosed cleaning fee and the broader implications of lounges adding on unexpected charges.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the need for greater transparency and consistency in airport lounge access policies, as the proliferation of undisclosed 'drip pricing' fees undermines the value proposition of programs like Priority Pass and could deter customers from utilizing these services.