Key takeaways
- A Priority Pass membership gets you access to over 1,700 airport lounges and experiences around the world, including complimentary food and drink and (in some cases) nap pods.
- There are three levels of membership, ranging from $99 per year to $469 per year, and guests can join you for an additional fee.
- Premium travel credit cards often include Priority Pass Select membership as a benefit, although these cards’ annual fees are typically on the high side.
If you’re an avid traveler, you’ve probably wondered whether airport lounges are worth it. For many people, they are. With complimentary food, beverages and other amenities, access to airport lounges can enhance almost any travel experience.
Many airport lounges are part of the Priority Pass network, and you can gain entry into these lounges by purchasing a one-time pass or investing in a Priority Pass membership. Some travel credit cards come with Priority Pass lounge access, making it even easier to spend more time relaxing before your next flight.
There are many good reasons to sign up for Priority Pass, whether you choose the less expensive Priority Pass Standard Membership or apply for a credit card that offers a Priority Pass Select membership.
What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass membership grants you access to a global network of over 1,700 airport experiences that include lounges, restaurants and other exclusive amenities. Certain airport locations in the Priority Pass network offer sleep pods, spa services and gaming stations — not to mention picturesque views.
You’ll even find some next-level luxuries available, like an infinity pool in one of the Punta Cana International Airport lounges and a putting green at the PGA-themed Minneapolis-St. Paul International airport.
There are two ways to become a Priority Pass member:
- Purchase a membership directly through the company’s website.
- Apply for a credit card that offers a complimentary Priority Pass membership.
Many of the best credit cards for airport lounge access offer Priority Pass Select membership for the cardholder and any authorized users, as well as the ability to bring up to two guests.
Priority Pass benefits and cost
Whether you’re a moderate or frequent traveler, a Priority Pass membership can provide value in terms of amenities and food. Many airport lounges often have one or more of the following features:
- Free food and drinks
- Fast Wi-Fi
- Plentiful outlets to charge your devices
- TVs and cozy chairs
- Conference rooms
- Business centers, including computers and printers
- Sleeping suites or showers
Additional member benefits may include:
- Complimentary membership to WithU, a premium fitness app
- Discounts at airport restaurants
- Be Relax Spa treatments, including oxygen aromatherapy, massages, manicures, facials and more
- Game Space arcades
- On-demand workspaces
- Meet & assist services
- Airport Takeout with pay-as-you-go dining options that can be brought on your flight
Plus, members can use the Priority Pass app to book private airport transfers or car rentals at preferred rates.
Partner restaurants
Priority Pass has a partnership with Grab to offer preordering at around 500 restaurants in over 40 airports in the U.S. and U.K. through the Priority Pass app. The benefit is that you can place your order and pick up food and drinks on your way to the gate.
This feature is available in most large airports and a few smaller ones. Options are automatically filtered by terminal, and then you can drill down from there or see everything that’s available near your arrival or departure gate.
Priority Pass Minute Suites
Minute Suites are “a secure, dark and quiet environment” for napping, working or relaxing with 16 locations in nine airports across the U.S. Priority Pass members get a complimentary hour at any Minute Suites location and discounts on additional time — up to eight hours maximum.
You can book a suite through the Minute Suites website or Priority Pass app.
Keep in mind: Certain credit cards with a Priority Pass Select membership, including those from American Express and Capital One don’t offer access to “non-lounge experiences” including Minute Suites. You can verify your access through the Priority Pass app or directly from the issuer.
How much does Priority Pass cost?
Priority Pass offers three levels of membership: Standard, Standard Plus and Prestige.
Through participating credit cards, you can access a fourth level — Priority Pass Select.
Here are the costs and fees of each membership level:
| Annual cost | Member visit fee | Guest visit fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $99 | $35 | $35 |
| Standard Plus | $329 | 10 free visits, then $35 | $35 |
| Prestige | $469 | Unlimited free visits | $35 |
| Select | N/A | Unlimited free visits | Depends on card |
Priority Pass Select vs. other Priority Pass memberships
Priority Pass Select is a completely different level of service than what you’ll find with memberships sold directly through Priority Pass. In most cases, you can expanded guest access, unlimited visits and automatic renewal for as long as your credit card account is in good standing.
Priority Pass Select vs. Standard
With Priority Pass Standard, you’ll pay $99 a year and still pay $35 every time you visit a Priority Pass location. Guests are an additional $35 each.
In essence, you’ll pay $134 to step foot in your first Priority Pass lounge, and $35 every time thereafter. This level is only worth it if you have an excellent lounge in mind that you know you’ll use.
However, by the time you pay all the entrance fees, you’re probably better off with a credit card that includes Priority Pass as a benefit.
Priority Pass Select vs. Standard Plus
Standard Plus costs $329 annually and includes 10 free visits. After that, you’ll pay $35 for each visit. Guests are $35 each.
Divided out, you end up paying around $33 for the first 10 visits, then $35 after that.
Priority Pass Select vs. Prestige
Though the Prestige level comes with unlimited visits for the main member at a $469 annual fee, guests still cost $35 each.
If you’re willing to pay this much for a lounge membership, getting a credit card that includes this, plus potential free guests and many other benefits, will usually be a much better deal.
Which credit cards include Priority Pass Select membership?
Priority Pass Select is only available through a participating credit card, and unlike the other Priority Pass memberships, Select does not require you to pay an annual fee or member visit fee. The trade-off is that Priority Pass Select is typically only available on cards with high annual fees.
Here are some of the best credit cards that include Priority Pass Select membership as one of their cardholder benefits:
Where to find Priority Pass lounges
Most of the 1,700 airport experiences available to Priority Pass members are outside of the United States — but that doesn’t mean you need to be an international traveler to enjoy it. If you would like to enjoy lounge access stateside, there are currently more than 40 airport lounges in the United States.
For an easier time navigating these lounges, consider downloading the Priority Pass app. It has a directory of all airport lounges and maps for all locations, as well as their offerings and operating schedules.
Are Priority Pass lounges usually crowded?
Priority Pass lounges can be crowded, but there are a lot of variables at play. Demand for lounge access varies by country, airport, type of lounge, time of day and whether you’re traveling at a peak time.
Busy airports during high travel season can easily have longer wait times to get into lounges. Popular airport lounges that offer unique experiences, like spa services and sleeping rooms, could have even higher demand and wait times. If a Priority Pass lounge is overcrowded, you might be able to use your Priority Pass membership to access an eligible restaurant or even another lounge in another terminal.
To get around this, some lounges also offer pre-booking (sometimes for a fee). So if you think you’ll land on time, consider grabbing yourself a spot ahead of time to avoid a long queue. Policies vary by lounge, but your spot can usually be held for a certain amount of time before it’s given away to the next person in line.
How to make the most of a Priority Pass membership
To maximize your lounge experience:
- Activate your Priority Pass Select membership as soon as your new credit card arrives.
- Download the Priority Pass app to take advantage of up-to-date information regarding lounges, experiences and special offers.
- Pre-book your Priority Pass lounge access to save your spot in advance (pre-booking may include a small fee).
- Use the maps included in the Priority Pass app to quickly navigate unfamiliar airports.
- Choose flights that depart or arrive at airports with Priority Pass lounges and services.
- Save money on flights by booking longer layovers — and then spend the extra time in a Priority Pass lounge.
- Add family members as authorized users on your credit card to give them Priority Pass membership privileges that they can use when they travel.
The bottom line
Airport lounge access is an excellent way to make your travels more pleasant, especially when you have extended layovers or an international trip with multiple legs.
Whether you sign up for Priority Pass on your own or apply for a rewards credit card that offers Priority Pass Select, the value you’ll get from the amenities and convenience could be more than worth the price tag — especially for frequent travelers who spend money on food and other services at the airport anyway.
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