- Priority Pass is a network of more than 1,500 global airport lounges for travelers with memberships.
- You can pay for Priority Pass lounge access, or get a credit card that offers membership as a perk.
- Get complimentary Priority Pass on premium cards like the Amex Platinum and the Capital One Venture X.
Access to Priority Pass™ makes your airport experience more enjoyable.
Priority Pass lounges offer space to rest and refresh yourself away from the crowded airport terminal. Most locations offer amenities such as free snacks, drinks, WiFi, and comfortable seating.
At some locations, you may even find showers, nap pods, and spa treatments. I've gotten complimentary manicures at Priority Pass lounges in Mexico and enjoyed chair massages in the United Arab Emirates.
This article explains how you can access Priority Pass lounges, and what to expect when you visit one.
What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is a global network of more than 1,500 airport lounges that you can access even when you aren't flying first- or business class.
Some locations allow travelers to purchase day passes for entry. But as a general rule, you'll need a membership to enter a Priority Pass lounge.
Fortunately, Priority Pass is a complimentary perk offered on several premium credit cards, which we'll explain below in more detail.
What to expect in a Priority Pass lounge
You'll find Priority Pass lounges on all six inhabited continents, although the experience can vary significantly from ___location to ___location.
You can typically expect the following benefits when visiting a Priority Pass lounge:
Comfortable seating and relative privacy
You'll typically find cozy chairs and sofas in Priority Pass lounges that are much more comfortable than bench seats by the airport gate.
Most locations offer a mix of dining tables and armchairs to mix and match based on your needs or party size. Some lounges offer semi-private rooms for families with young children, and most have space set up for people who need to work.
Most locations offer outlets for charging devices, and if you need additional power, you may be able to request battery packs or mobile chargers from the front desk.
Complimentary food and beverages
Most lounges offer complimentary snacks and drinks. You'll almost always find water, juice, and soft drinks, as well as simple snacks like apples, bananas, and finger foods.
Fancier locations offer sandwiches, wine, and beer, while high-end lounges may provide a full buffet of hot foods and an extensive bar selection of liquors and mixers in addition to the basics.
Unique amenities at some locations
Many nicer lounges in large cities offer clean, private shower facilities, which can be very refreshing on a layover. There's often a wait for shower stalls, which are cleaned and sanitized after each use, so sign up when you check in to the lounge to ensure you get on the waitlist before boarding your flight.
The fanciest Priority Pass lounges offer complimentary or discounted spa treatments such as massages and manicures. These often have waitlists as well, so inquire about your options as soon as you arrive in the lounge.
Some locations offer dedicated sleeping pods or relaxation rooms for travelers to rest and catch some shut-eye in between international flights. Finally, some lounges offer phone booths or private workspaces for taking video calls while traveling.
Getting into a Priority Pass lounge
You'll almost always need to check in before you enter a Priority Pass lounge, but the process is quite straightforward.
If you don't already know where to go, you can use the Priority Pass app to search for lounges in your current airport. The results will show all available lounges, even across multiple terminals, and will offer directions on how to find the ___location.
Once you locate the lounge at the airport, head to the entrance and present your boarding pass, Priority Pass membership card or digital barcode, and a form of ID such as your driver's license or passport. If your membership is linked to a credit card, you may also need to show that card to a staff member.
If you're bringing guests, you'll need to present their boarding passes as well. The staff members may not tell you how many guests are included for free as part of your membership; instead, you may just see a charge appear on your credit card later on.
If the lounge is full, you may end up on a waitlist after check-in. You'll typically receive a text or similar notification when it's your turn to enter. Then you can head in and enjoy all the amenities.
Don't forget to leave yourself enough time to get from the lounge to your gate before your flight. Many airlines will not allow you to reschedule your flight without a fee if you miss boarding for personal reasons like staying too long in an airport lounge.
How to get Priority Pass
To access Priority Pass lounges, you'll typically need a membership. You can purchase various plans through Priority Pass directly or rely on credit cards with airport lounge access for free membership.
Purchase Priority Pass membership
- The Standard plan costs $99 a year, and members pay an additional $35 per person per visit for themselves and any guests.
- The Standard Plus plan costs $329 a year and includes 10 annual member visits, then $35 per visit. All guests cost $35 per visit.
- The Prestige plan costs $469 a year for unlimited member access, and $35 per guest per visit.
Get Priority Pass through a credit card
Several premium travel credit cards offer complimentary Priority Pass memberships as a perk. Our top recommendations include:
- The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (enrollment required)
Get Priority Pass With Amex Platinum
The Amex Platinum Cardincludes access to several airport lounge networks, including Priority Pass when enrolled. Terms apply.
Once cardholders activate the membership through their Amex account, they get unlimited lounge visits and can bring up to two complimentary guests per visit. Cardholders also get access to Amex Centurion Lounges on all flights, as well as up to 10 Delta Sky Club visits a year when flying Delta.
To share your airport lounge benefits with a trusted friend or family member, you can add authorized users to your Amex Platinum Card account for $195 apiece. The card's annual fee is $695.
Small business owners can get the same lounge access through the Amex Business Platinum card.
Learn more about this card's extensive perks in our American Express Platinum card review.
Get Priority Pass With Chase Sapphire Reserve
The $550-annual-fee Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with Priority Pass membership among many other traveler-friendly benefits. Cardholders can bring up to two complimentary guests per visit after enrolling in Priority Pass.
Authorized users on this card also get their own Priority Pass memberships. You'll pay $75 per additional cardholder.
Learn more in our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review.
Get Priority Pass With Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is one of the best new premium credit cards in recent years.
This card has an annual fee of $395 a year — the lowest rate among travel rewards credit cards that include Priority Pass access for yourself and up to two guests per visit after enrollment. Best of all, you can add up to four authorized users on this card at no additional cost, each with their own Priority Pass membership.
Alternatively, business owners may prefer the Capital One Venture X business card, which offers slightly different rewards and benefits but comes with the same Priority Pass access.
Learn more in our Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card review.
Get Priority Pass With Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® is a premium co-branded credit card that comes with some top-tier perks that help offset its $650 annual fee.
In addition to Marriott-specific benefits such as Platinum elite status, cardholders get Priority Pass membership for themselves and up to two additional guests per visit after enrolling in the benefit.
Authorized users on this card are not eligible for Priority Pass.
Learn more in our Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Amex card review.
Frequently Asked Questions About Priority Pass
What is Priority Pass, and how does it work?
Priority Pass is a global network of more than 1,500 airport lounges. Members can enter private airport spaces with amenities like comfortable seating, free snacks, beverages, and WiFi.
Can I get free Priority Pass from my credit card?
Yes, you can get complimentary Priority Pass membership from several premium credit cards, although you pay for the membership as part of your annual fee. The best cards for Priority Pass access include theAmex Platinum Card (enrollment required),Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® (enrollment required).
Can I bring guests to a Priority Pass lounge?
Yes, you can usually bring guests to a Priority Pass lounge, but you may need to pay for them to enter. Guest policies vary by lounge and membership type. Many credit card programs allow up to two free guests, while additional guests may incur fees.
Does Priority Pass membership begin right away?
No, Priority Pass membership does not begin right away. You need to register for a Priority Pass account, then wait for your membership card to arrive before you can visit an airport lounge. This can take a few days, so it's a good idea to activate your membership a week or two before you plan to travel.
How do I access my digital Priority Pass card?
You can access your digital Priority Pass card within the app. Once you have an account, log in via the app and find your digital pass under the "Membership Card" tab.
