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$22.99 (as of September 18, 2024 12:33 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)Looking to access airport lounges but don’t have elite status or fly in a premium cabin? Look no further than Priority Pass: the world’s largest collection of airport lounges. With a Priority Pass membership, you can access a wide range of lounges that belong to the program, regardless of your travel status or cabin class. However, it’s important to note that each lounge has its own access policies, including restrictions on access prior to departure, maximum stay duration, waitlists, and guest policies. While Priority Pass mainly includes third-party contract lounges, some airline lounges also participate in the program. While the quality of lounges varies across regions, Priority Pass is a great option for those looking for lounge access at smaller airports or who don’t travel frequently enough to earn elite status. For the best value, consider obtaining a Priority Pass membership through a premium travel credit card that includes it as a perk.
What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is a lounge membership program – it includes the world’s largest collection of airport lounges.
If you have a membership, you can access the lounges that belong to Priority Pass.
There are various lounge access membership programs out there, but PP is the largest.
Priority Pass is a well-known membership program that offers access to airport lounges around the world. It is considered the largest lounge membership program, providing travelers with a wide range of options when it comes to lounge access. With a Priority Pass membership, you can enjoy the amenities and comforts of airport lounges regardless of the airline you are flying with or the class of service you are traveling in.
How Does Priority Pass Work?
If you have a Priority Pass membership, you can simply show up at a participating lounge and access it based on your membership.
You do not need to have airline elite status or fly in a premium cabin to access these lounges.
Some lounges only let you access them a few hours prior to departure.
Some lounges only let you stay for a certain amount of hours.
Lounges can get busy and there could be a waitlist.
Some lounges will not accept guests (even if your Priority Pass membership includes free guests).
Having a membership doesn’t 100% guarantee you lounge access as not only do you need to actually be flying out of the terminal in which the lounge is located, but you must also meet the access requirements of that specific lounge you want to access.
The rules are more strict than other ways to access airport lounges.
With a Priority Pass membership, accessing airport lounges becomes much easier. You simply need to show up at a participating lounge and present your membership card or card on the Priority Pass mobile app. Unlike other methods of accessing airport lounges, such as having airline elite status or flying in a premium cabin, you do not need to fulfill any specific eligibility criteria for Priority Pass lounges.
While most lounges allow immediate access, it’s important to note that some lounges may have restrictions. For example, some lounges only allow access a few hours prior to departure or have a maximum stay limit. Additionally, certain lounges might have capacity constraints, resulting in a waitlist during peak times. It’s also worth mentioning that while Priority Pass memberships often include complimentary guest access, some lounges may not accept guests, even if your membership allows it.
It’s important to understand that having a Priority Pass membership doesn’t guarantee you access to all lounges. You must be flying out of the specific terminal where the lounge is located, and you must also meet any additional access requirements or restrictions set by the lounge. These access rules may vary from lounge to lounge, so it’s advisable to check the specific lounge’s access policies before your visit.
Types of Lounges Included
Priority Pass does not include world-class and amazing international First Class lounges – like the Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Qantas First Class Lounge, etc.
Priority Pass mainly includes third-party contract lounges that aren’t associated with any airline.
Some airline lounges do participate in Priority Pass (with restrictions, of course).
Amazing participating lounges can be found in Asia while the worst are in North America.
Priority Pass primarily includes third-party contract lounges that are not tied to any specific airline. While it doesn’t provide access to the renowned international First Class lounges offered by airlines like Lufthansa or Qantas, there are still plenty of lounge options available. These lounges offer a variety of amenities such as comfortable seating, complimentary food and beverages, Wi-Fi access, and sometimes even showers and spa facilities.
While most of the lounges included in Priority Pass are independent contract lounges, there are some airline lounges that participate in the program, albeit with certain restrictions. It’s important to note that the quality of participating lounges can vary depending on the region you are in. Generally, Asian lounges tend to be highly rated, providing exceptional facilities and services. On the other hand, some lounges in North America may not offer the same level of luxury and amenities.
Priority Pass Membership
You can buy a Priority Pass membership directly from them.
The actual cost varies depending on what currency you want to pay in and where your billing address is.
There are three levels of membership: Standard (you pay an additional fee for every lounge visit), Standard Plus (you get 10 free lounge visits, then pay for every additional lounge visit), Prestige (all of your lounge visits are free).
The current cost, respectively, is EUR89 / EUR289 / EUR459.
All membership levels charge a guest fee of EUR30.
Obtaining a Priority Pass membership is straightforward. You can purchase a membership directly from Priority Pass, either through their website or mobile app. The cost of the membership can vary depending on a few factors, such as the currency you choose to pay in and your billing address.
Priority Pass offers three membership levels: Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige. The Standard membership requires an additional fee for every lounge visit, while the Standard Plus membership includes ten free lounge visits per year, with subsequent visits incurring a fee. The Prestige membership, on the other hand, includes unlimited free lounge access. The current prices for these membership levels are EUR89, EUR289, and EUR459, respectively.
It’s worth noting that regardless of the membership level, there is an additional guest fee of EUR30 for each guest you bring into the lounge. This fee applies to all membership tiers and must be paid for each accompanying guest accessing the lounge with you.
Membership via a Premium Travel Credit Card
Most premium travel credit cards with annual fees of $550+ already come with a free Priority Pass membership as part of their lounge access portfolio.
If the issuer of your premium travel credit card operates their own airport lounges, you’d generally get access to those by having your credit card AND in addition, you would also get a PP membership.
If you receive a PP membership via a credit card, you generally don’t need to pay anything to access a lounge and you can bring in two guests for free.
However, this depends on the credit card you have.
Another way to obtain a Priority Pass membership is through certain premium travel credit cards. Many credit cards that cater to frequent travelers offer complimentary Priority Pass memberships as part of their lounge access benefits. These credit cards usually have annual fees upwards of $550.
If you hold a premium travel credit card that includes a Priority Pass membership, you can enjoy the benefits without the need to purchase a separate membership. In addition to the Priority Pass membership, these credit cards may also provide access to the credit card issuer’s own airport lounges, further enhancing your lounge options.
When you have a Priority Pass membership through a credit card, lounge access is typically free for you, and you may even be allowed to bring in two guests free of charge. It’s important to remember that the specific benefits and guest policies can vary depending on the credit card you have, so it’s advisable to review the terms and conditions of your credit card’s lounge access benefits.
All in All
Priority Pass works great when you need to access a lounge at a smaller airport that may not have airline-specific lounges, or if you don’t frequently travel enough to hold airline elite status.
The quality of participating lounges does vary greatly depending on where in the world you are – some lounges are better than others.
In most cases, it is generally better to get a premium travel credit card that includes a membership rather than to buy a membership from Priority Pass directly due to the cost, and also you’ll have more travel benefits with a premium travel credit card.
Priority Pass provides an excellent solution for travelers who want access to airport lounges without specific airline elite status or flying in premium cabins. It particularly benefits those who frequently travel through smaller airports that may not have dedicated airline lounges. By having a Priority Pass membership, you can enjoy the comforts and amenities of lounges, giving you a more relaxing and enjoyable travel experience.
It’s important to note that the quality of participating lounges can vary depending on the region you are in. While some lounges offer exceptional services and amenities, others may not meet the same standards. Therefore, it is always advisable to do your research and read reviews about the lounges available in the airports you frequent.
In terms of value, it is often more cost-effective to obtain a Priority Pass membership through a premium travel credit card rather than purchasing a membership directly from Priority Pass. Premium travel credit cards already come with various travel benefits, including lounge access, and the annual fees for these cards are typically in line with or lower than the cost of a standalone Priority Pass membership. Additionally, having a premium travel credit card provides you with a range of other travel perks and rewards that can further enhance your travel experiences. Therefore, it’s worth considering a premium travel credit card that includes a Priority Pass membership if you are a frequent traveler looking to access airport lounges.
