Opodo Prime is an online travel agency membership program that provides additional benefits to travelers. However, Prime membership comes with an annual fee. This article will analyze what Opodo Prime includes, the yearly membership cost, and whether the added benefits make it worth paying for over Opodo’s standard services.
What is Included with Opodo Prime?
Opodo Prime membership offers several extra perks for travelers. Some of the key benefits include:
Priority customer service
Opodo Prime members get dedicated customer service via phone, email, and live chat, which is prioritized over standard Opodo customers. This can help resolve any issues or questions more quickly.
Lounge access discounts
Prime members get discounted access to over 1,000 airport lounges worldwide through the Loungeclub program. Discounts vary but can save money on lounge fees that would otherwise be paid.
Bonus rewards points
Members earn bonus Opodo rewards points on purchases that can be redeemed for future travel. The accrual rate is higher than for non-Prime customers.
Free extra baggage allowance
On qualifying flights, Opodo Prime includes a free 10kg checked bag on short-haul itineraries and a free 20kg checked bag on long-haul itineraries, where baggage fees normally apply. This can save money on bag fees.
Priority rates and availability
Opodo Prime claims to provide members earlier access to discounted rates and seats that may sell out for standard customers. However, this benefit can be challenging to quantify.
How Much Does Opodo Prime Cost?
The annual membership fee for Opodo Prime is 89 euros. The added benefits could potentially outweigh the cost for travelers who book more than once or twice a year through Opodo. However, the fee may need to be delivered at a better value for less frequent flyers.
Is Opodo Prime Worth It?
Whether Opodo Prime is worth the additional annual fee depends on individual travel patterns and needs. Here is a more profound analysis:
For frequent travelers
Those who book multiple flights, hotels, or packages through Opodo each year stand to gain the most value from Prime. The priority customer service alone could save frustrating hours on hold for issues. Accumulated points and free baggage allowances will also provide good returns over time.
For infrequent travelers
Less frequent Opodo users may struggle to make up the 89 euro fee in actual savings. The priority benefits have less utility if only booking once or twice annually. Accumulating sufficient rewards points to redeem takes longer as well.
Long haul vs short haul travel
Prime benefits like the free checked bag and lounge access discounts shine most on long-haul international itineraries. For mostly short-haul European trips, the returns may not justify the fee.
Business vs. leisure travel
Frequent business travelers looking to maximize productivity could benefit significantly from priority customer service and lounge access. Leisure travelers on tighter budgets may find the fee harder to justify for their occasional trips.
Alternative loyalty programs
Some travelers find better value in accumulating points or benefits with an airline’s loyalty program or credit card than Opodo Prime. The returns depend on individual travel patterns.
Priority rates and availability
While early access to deals and availability is advertised, whether Prime members get better rates is difficult to quantify. International long-haul tickets are generally non-refundable, so there is little downside to trying for a Prime member. However, standard customers may end up with similar options for short domestic routes. Priority may matter more around busy periods like holidays.
Priority customer support
Getting issues resolved right away can be worthwhile for time-pressed business travelers. Prime members report that phone, email, and chat support are attended to more swiftly than standard queues, which can involve long wait times. For busy travelers, frictionless problem-solving justifies the annual fee.
Cost savings on lounges
Lounge access through Loungeclub with Prime discounts can provide substantial savings versus paying standard entrance fees, especially for families. Fees at top lounges like Delta Sky Clubs or American Admirals Clubs can exceed $50 for each visit. Frequent travelers using 2-3 lounges per year could earn back the membership fee this way.
Maximizing rewards points
The accelerated rewards points earned with Prime allow for redeeming free flights and hotels much sooner. Even modest point redemptions of 10-20,000 points can approximate $100+ in value. Power users who earn 100,000+ points annually see actual cost savings. Points never expire, so thrifty accumulation continues indefinitely.
Bundling with travel insurance
Some Prime members bundle their membership with insurance coverage for trip interruptions or cancellations. This provides peace of mind for independent travel, especially during COVID. Adding around $10-15 monthly makes Prime a one-stop travel protection solution.
Compared to airline elite status
Frequent flyers may do better, focusing efforts on an airline partnership for perks like upgrades, precheck, and lounge access. But Prime offers multi-carrier discounts that better suit mixed travel patterns. Combining both can maximize the returns if business travel levels allow.
Conclusion
For frequent Opodo users, especially those taking multiple long-haul trips each year, Opodo Prime could deliver savings and convenience surpassing the annual fee. However, leisure travelers who book infrequently through Opodo may need help to get the total value from the membership. Ultimately, travelers must evaluate their usage levels to decide if the added costs are worthwhile. Prime works best to maximize the benefits from heavy Opodo utilization.
