What Is Priority Pass and How Can I Obtain It?
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Priority Pass lounges are located in airports around the globe—specifically in 600 cities across 148 countries. While not every airport features a Priority Pass lounge, many host several.
The lounges in the Priority Pass network range from unique, airport-managed lounges to Plaza Premium lounges and Chase Sapphire lounges, as well as those operated by major airlines. You can buy Priority Pass membership directly, but it is also offered as a complimentary benefit with certain credit cards (more details on how to apply for those below). Here’s everything you need to know about Priority Pass, including what it is, how to gain membership, and how to bring your friends and family into a lounge—often at no extra cost.
What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is the largest independent airport lounge program in the world. Rather than owning and operating lounges, Priority Pass brings them together under a single membership program. With a Priority Pass membership card, you can access over 1,400 lounges in more than 600 cities across 148 countries. The network’s app allows travelers to easily search for lounges by global airport code and terminals. With Priority Pass, you can enter the lounges on your travel date, regardless of the airline or class you’re flying.
What can you expect from Priority Pass lounges?
Given the variety of independent lounges in the network, experiences can differ significantly. Generally, a Priority Pass lounge provides complimentary access to snacks, meals, alcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi, power outlets, and comfortable seating before flights. However, some lounges go above and beyond, offering full meals and artisan cocktails. For instance, Sala VIP Internacional at Quito International Airport in Ecuador features a stunning design, an outdoor rooftop seating area, and a lunchtime buffet with sushi, ceviche, and a made-to-order sandwich station. (Check out our carefully curated list of the 10 Best Priority Pass lounges in the world to discover the finest options.)
Conversely, some lounges are merely average, while others can be quite basic. The less impressive lounges are often found in airports with overall mediocre facilities, where simply getting a cold beer feels like a luxury, especially if enjoyed on a worn-out leather couch in low lighting.
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Image courtesy of Turkish Airlines
How to Obtain a Priority Pass
There are several ways to acquire a Priority Pass. You can purchase a membership directly from the company, receive it as a complimentary benefit if you are the primary cardholder of a premium credit card, or obtain it as an additional cardholder on select credit cards.
How to Purchase a Priority Pass Membership
You can obtain membership directly from the Priority Pass website. There are three membership tiers—Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige—all of which require an annual fee. Regardless of the tier, the cost for bringing a guest is $35 per visit.
How to Secure a Free Priority Pass Membership
While Priority Pass lists membership prices, most travelers find ways to obtain it for free and avoid guest fees. How is this possible? Several credit cards offer complimentary membership at a special level known as Priority Pass Select. With certain credit cards, the benefits and lounge access of Select are generally equivalent to those of Prestige, plus an added bonus of two complimentary guests per visit (except for the Chase Sapphire lounge in Boston). The eligible credit cards include:
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card ($395 annual fee)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve® ($550 annual fee)
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card ($650 annual fee—see rates and fees)
- The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee—see rates and fees)
Although Select membership is often complimentary for the cards mentioned above, enrollment is not automatic. You will need to activate your membership online through your credit card account or by calling the 800 number found on the back of your card. After enrolling, you can set up your membership in the Priority Pass app and download your digital card to your wallet. A physical Priority Pass Select card will also be mailed to you. It’s wise to keep the actual card in your wallet or passport holder, especially when traveling to places where Wi-Fi may be unreliable.
Expanding Membership to Authorized Users
Priority Pass Select membership is issued in the name of the primary cardholder, allowing them access to all lounges in the network. However, many credit cards also extend membership to authorized users/additional cardholders.
Authorized users of the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card, and The Platinum Card from American Express each receive their own Priority Pass Select Membership, complete with the same access and two-guest policy (excluding the Chase lounge in Boston).
What about lounge overcrowding?
Due to the high number of credit cardholders utilizing their Priority Pass benefits, lounges often experience crowding—sometimes to the point of being overcrowded—since travelers can access lounges on their travel date, irrespective of the airline or class of service.
Lounges can deny entry if they reach capacity and may sometimes give priority to travelers with business-class tickets on partner airlines. Our tip: Arrive early to increase your chances of getting in and enjoying the amenities, and check out other tips for avoiding crowds at Priority Pass airport lounges.
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Image courtesy of Chase
What’s the situation with Chase lounges?
Chase is actively expanding its own branded lounges and has introduced two, both included in the Priority Pass network. At the Chase lounge in Boston, Priority Pass holders with a Chase Sapphire Reserve can access the lounge fully (and bring guests), while other Priority Pass members can enter once per calendar year at no charge (subsequent visits cost $75 each, including for guests). The Chase lounge in Hong Kong follows the standard Priority Pass rules for Select membership: unlimited access plus two free guests. Both Chase lounges rank among our top 10 Priority Pass lounges in the world.
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Image courtesy of Plaza Premium Group
Can I access Plaza Premium lounges with Priority Pass?
It’s understandable to mix up Priority Pass with Plaza Premium, so let’s clarify. Priority Pass is the largest independent airport lounge program globally, while Plaza Premium Group (PPG) is the leading operator of airport lounges. PPG manages its own lounges and many others under different names, such as the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses in the U.S., the Capital One Lounge in Dallas, and several Avianca Lounges in Colombia. PPG’s branded lounges are part of the Priority Pass network, though not all the lounges they manage for airlines are included.
Alternatives to airport lounges
Alongside its lounges, Priority Pass boasts a variety of airport restaurants, cafés, and bars within its network. There are nearly 30 of these lounge alternatives, where Priority Pass members enjoy a food and beverage credit ranging from $28 to $32 per guest. However, only those with a Select Membership can access this credit, except in one instance: Chase Sapphire Reserve. As of the latest update, the Reserve still provides this Priority Pass credit for the cardholder and one guest when using their Priority Pass card. Cardholders using Priority Pass linked to other credit cards will not receive the credit at non-lounge airport venues.
Key Points
The Priority Pass lounge network enables numerous travelers to unwind and enjoy themselves before flights at airports worldwide. With the right credit card, you can access over 1,300 airport lounges at no cost. Your friends and family can also join without any fees.
This article was initially published in March 2023 and updated on September 13, 2023, with the latest information. While the offers mentioned are accurate at publication, they may change at any time and could no longer be available.
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