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Priority Pass is the world’s largest independent airport lounge program that gives members access to a worldwide network of lounges – for a fee.
The majority of airport lounges are run by or on behalf of airlines. Airlines maintain the lounges as a benefit for passengers flying in premium cabins, as a perk for the elite members of their loyalty programs or, as is the case with US airport lounges, for members of the airlines’ lounge network.
But that leaves a lot of passengers out in the cold. Most passengers don’t have airline status and most passengers don’t travel in premium cabins. Even those that have membership to an airline’s lounge network can find themselves out of luck when they fly a different airline or when they fly out of an airport where the network doesn’t have a presence.
Luckily there is an alternative, and that’s where Priority Pass comes in to play.
Priority Pass gives members access to over 1,200 lounges in over 140 countries and 500 cities – so they probably have a lounge in an airport near you. It’s a very good way for travelers to get access to some comfort at the airport without paying for a premium cabin and without having to fly tens of thousands of miles a year.
Membership
Membership pricing will vary depending on your country of residence (access the Priority Pass Homepage to see your options – UK readers click here) but the basic premise is the same worldwide:
There are three levels of membership you can purchase – Standard, Standard Plus and Prestige – and the price increases through the levels.
Standard members pay a low annual fee and then pay a separate fee each time they access one of the lounges in the network.
Standard Plus members pay a higher annual fee but get their fist ten visits free. Any further lounge visits come at the same cost as those for a Standard member.
Prestige members pay the highest annual fee but can then access all the lounges without the need for any further payments.
It’s quite a good system because it allows travelers to pick the membership option that best matches their travel patterns – it’s unlikely an infrequent traveler would want to purchase Prestige membership and it’s unlikely that a very frequent traveler would find the Standard membership economical.
Membership Plans
These are the standard membership prices you’ll see year round – there are times of the year where discounts are available.
Click here for more information on the US membership options
These are the standard membership prices you’ll see year round – there are times of the year where discounts are available.
Click here for more information on UK membership options.
Other Ways To get Membership
Purchasing membership directly from Priority Pass isn’t the only way to access their lounge network – American Express and Citi give you another way in.
Holders of some premium credit cards (like the Platinum Card from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Citi prestige etc…) are issued Priority Pass “Select” memberships as part of the benefits package that comes with the card.
The benefits of “Select” membership may vary depending on the credit card you have and the country in which your credit card was issued.
For example:
In the US, where the Platinum Card carries an annual fee of $550, Priority Pass Select gets the card holder free entry for every visit but any guests will be charged a guest fee ($32 at the time of writing)
In the UK, where the Platinum Card carries an annual fee of £450, Priority Pass Select get the card holder and one guest free entry for all visits to lounges in the Priority Pass network.
Chase and Citi have the best credit card options with the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige Cards. Not only do these cards grant entry to American Airlines Admirals Club Lounges but, the $450 – $495 annual fees also get you a Priority Pass Select membership that allows the cardholder and 2 guests free entry into the network of Priority Pass lounges.
Locations
Most of the major US airports are covered by Priority pass……
…..but, you’re unlikely to find all terminals covered at any given airport.
Taking some of the major airports as examples:
New York JFK
Los Angeles
Miami
Chicago
As far as UK & Ireland airports go it’s hard to fault Priority Pass’ coverage…..
…..and the number of lounges at the major airports is pretty impressive too:
London Heathrow
London Gatwick
Manchester
To see the lounge options in your part of the world (or the part of the world you’ll be visiting) take a look at the Priority Pass homepage.
Facilities & Amenities
The quality of the lounges varies from location to location but, overall, the standard is pretty good – at least it has been in the lounges I’ve visited.
All the lounges provide complimentary Wi-Fi, refreshments and snacks (premium drinks cost extra) and there are usually a few workstations with an associated printer/fax for guests to use.
Some of the bigger lounges have spas and showers (extra fees may apply) but check the information on your location before you leave home to avoid disappointment.
Is It Worth It?
I hold multiple Priority Pass memberships through my premium credit cards and I’ve been surprised how useful membership has been. As a OneWorld Emerald tier flyer I didn’t think I’d get much use out of Priority Pass…..but I do.
It’s been especially useful when I’ve been traveling in Europe on Low Cost Carriers where premium cabin travel doesn’t exist and where my OneWorld status is of no help at all.
The No. 1 Lounge at Gatwick Airport (North) has been a particularly nice place to relax before heading out on an easyJet flight.
No.1 Lounge gatwick North
It has also been useful in Aruba where OneWorld and American Airlines don’t have a lounge (so my airline status was useless) but Priority Pass does. The lounge is hardly palatial but it beats sitting at the gate while American come up with excuses as to why their flight to Miami is delayed….again.
Ultimately the value you get from Priority Pass will depend entirely on you and your travel patterns.
If you only travel once or twice a year you probably won’t find Priority Pass that useful. If, however, you travel more frequently, then it may well be something you should consider.
• Take a look to see if the airports you use have Priority pass coverage.
• Check that the lounges are in a terminal you’d be departing from.
• Decide which membership would work best for you
• Check if you’d be better served by a premium credit card or if going direct to Priority Pass is more economical.
Find out more at PriorityPass.com
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