If you dread being at the airport two or three hours before your flight because of the uncomfortable seating, nasty bathrooms, over-priced food, or constant commotion that makes it impossible to relax, Priority Pass may be the perfect match for you!
For all travelers from domestic and international to economy and first-class ticket holders, Priority Pass gives you lounge access as long as your airport has one available.
As someone who has used Priority Pass faithfully for the last four years, I 100% vouch for every person that takes around five flights years to get a membership.
What is Priority Pass
Priority Pass is a global membership program for travelers where they can access a network of 1,300+ airport lounges, restaurants, and mini-suites worldwide. As part of the Priority Pass package, lounges offer complimentary refreshments, wine, beer, cocktails, warm and cold meals, desserts, and coffee! Priority Pass gives you the lounge access reserved for the top elite status holders or business class passengers.
Cost
STANDARD $99
$32 entry fee
Guest fee
The Standard membership is not worth it. You pay $99 for the ability to enter at $32 per entrance.
STANDARD PLUS $299
10 free visits
$32 for each entry after 10th
Again, in my opinion, this price for ten free entry’s is not worth it. You’re paying $29.90 per entry with Standard Plus. While that could be cheaper than buying snacks and drinks at the airport, the upfront cost of $299 for ten entries is a steep cost to try and make it worth it.
PRESTIGE $429
Unlimited $0 entry
The Prestige membership is the one out of the three membership packages that make sense. If you’re a frequent flyer, 13 visits to a PP lounge will be at a $33 average. Anything more than the 13 visits makes this membership more valuable than paying for entry. Of course, you have to do your calculations to make sure lounge access is worth it.
Benefits
The Priority Pass membership comes with countless valuable benefits for those seeking a more comfortable and enjoyable travel experience. Here’s a list of benefits offered to you by holding a Priority Pass membership:
Any airline ticket can access
Refreshments
Meals and buffets
Complimentary drinks
Wifi access
Shower facilities
Lounge seating
Sleep loungers
Sleep pods
Dining, retail, and spa discounts***
Best Ways to Obtain
The price for Priority Pass memberships ranges from $99 to $429. While $429 for the Prestige membership makes the most sense among the three available, not paying the listed price would be the best way to go. Yes, you read that correctly. The best way to get the Priority Pass membership would be to get a travel credit card with Priority Pass as a benefit. Below are the most known travel credit cards granting you a Priority Pass membership.
Here’s the list:
Amex Platinum $695
Priority Pass Select
No restaurants included
Two guests allowed $32 for each additional guest
Authorized User free membership (AU $175)
Chase Sapphire Reserve $550
Priority Pass Select
Restaurants and mini-suites included
$28 food credit per guest for restaurants
Two guests are allowed; $27 for each additional guest
Authorized User free membership (AU $75)
Hilton Aspire $450
Priority Pass Select
Mini suites included
Two guests allowed
Authorized User free membership (AU $0)
Bonvoy Brilliant Card $450
Priority Pass Select
Mini suites included
Two guests allowed
Authorized User free membership (AU $0)
Ritz Rewards $450 (best family option)
Priority Pass Select
Unlimited guests
Authorized User free membership (AU $0)
AU granted full Priority Pass Select membership with the same ability to bring an unlimited number of guests.
***Ritz-Rewards Card is not available to new applicants, must product change from a Chase Marriott Bonvoy Card***
Hilton Surpass $95 (lowest price)
10 Priority Pass Select passes (yearly) can use them any way you would like, with ten visits or two visits and eight guests visits
Additional guests $32
No restaurants included
Best Fit
Travel within Europe and Internationally
For those who travel within Europe, it’s the best option for lounge access. Many European airlines don’t give lounge access because there are many “budget” airlines that have better prices and flight availability. With Priority Pass, members can access a big range of lounges regardless of airline or cabin class.
Economy and/or Budget Traveler
As mentioned above, Priority Pass lounges are available for all who have a membership as long as you have a departing flight that day within three hours. The ability to have airport lounge access no matter the type or price of your ticket, including the amount of lounges available, sets Priority Pass apart from other lounges.
United States vs. Overseas PP Lounges
United States
The Priority Pass membership for US domestic travelers is not worth the price, in my opinion. There are 40 airports (90+ lounges) with PP lounges in the US. You’re more than likely not going to find an airport that has an available PP lounge, and if you do, it will for sure be overcrowded.
If you have a PP lounge in your most used airports, paying upfront may not be a bad idea, though I would make sure I know as much information about the PP lounges before paying.
PP membership through a travel credit card or any other source that doesn’t cost extra money out of pocket is a great benefit, even if you’re not planning on using airport lounges often. A quick stop into a lounge can save you $10 per trip. When comparing airport prices, coffee costs at least $3, water costs at least $3, and any food will be minimum of $5. This before adding snacks and drinks to the equation.
Another area the US PP lounges consistently fall short in is the quality of the available lounges. Out of the 90 lounges available, 15-20 are high-quality lounges. That sounds good until you think of how many airports are in the US.
Overseas
The Priority Pass membership for international travelers is not only worth having, but if you want flexibility with lounge access, I’d recommend it.
There are over 1,300 lounges a part of the PP network, 1,250 of them are outside of the US! PP membership is more worth it for international travelers versus US domestic travelers for this exact reason. You’ll most likely have a chance to enter a PP lounge while overseas.
From my experience, when traveling throughout Europe, most of the smaller airports like BLQ (Bologna, Italy) and CGN (Cologne, Germany) have very few available lounges. Yet, in both airports, you can use your PP membership to access one of their lounges. Most non-major airports don’t have a lounge for each major airline. That’s where Priority Pass shines bright because you’ll have access to a lounge regardless of the airline ticket you chose that day.
Also, international Priority Pass lounges have more premium options. Your PP membership allows you into some of the top business class lounges at no extra cost with the same business class passengers that paid top dollar for their entrance. Turkish Airlines Business Lounge, Star Alliance Lounge, Air France Business Lounge, and SkyTeam Lounge are just some of the top-of-the-line lounges you have access to with a Priority Pass membership!
If you’re looking for airport lounge access and don’t have elite status with an airline or alliance, Priority Pass is the best way. Paying for a membership that suits you or gaining access through a travel credit card, Priority Pass is a great benefit to enhance your traveling experience!
Priority Pass has been our most used lounge network since learning about airport lounges in 2018. Before Priority Pass, we hated being at airports early. Waiting at the boarding gate, restaurants, or seating areas always added stress and discomfort. Priority Pass helps ease your mind before entering the airport. Knowing that you'll have a clean bathroom, free drinks, free snacks, comfortable seating, free WiFi, and decent privacy helps make your airport experience easier and more relaxing.
Until next time, before you pack your bags, don’t forget to PACK YOUR POINTS!
I am not a financial advisor and highly recommend doing your own homework about the credit card you want to apply for! All of the content on my website, page, and channel are for entertainment purposes only.
If you’d like my opinion or help in forming an idea of what works, I’m here to help.
Here are REFERRAL LINKS to the credit cards mentioned in today’s post. By using them to apply, you’ll be supporting the website and channel because when approved, I’ll receive bonus points and miles as well!
*Be sure to check the public offer on the credit cards website to compare which is best for you!*
Schwab Platinum Card by Amex
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you're approved! http://refer.amex.us/KENNEHImXb?xl=cp105f
Platinum Card by Amex
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you're approved! http://refer.amex.us/NATASHkCtJ?XLINK=MYCP
Hilton Surpass Card by Amex
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you're approved! http://refer.amex.us/KENNEH60vq?xl=cp105f
Hilton Aspire Card by Amex
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you're approved! http://refer.amex.us/KENNEHMKdm?xl=cp105f
Bonvoy Bold & Boundless Card by Chase (after 1 year, PC to Ritz Rewards
Earn 3 Free Night Awards with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless™ Credit Card or 1 Free Night Award with the Marriott Bonvoy Bold™ Credit Card. I can be rewarded too if you apply here and are approved for a card. Learn More.
Bonvoy Brilliant Card by American Express
Apply for an American Express Card with this link. We can both get rewarded if you're approved!