Priority Pass Review: The Ultimate Guide To The #1 Airport Lounge Access Program [Membership Cost, Benefits, & More]

Membership Plans

The Priority Pass program has three different membership options to choose from:

1. Standard Membership Plan ($99 USD)
2. Standard Plus Membership Plan ($249 USD)
3. Prestige Membership Plan ($399 USD)

Read below to learn about the benefits that come with each membership plan and which one is best for you based on your specific travel expectations.

BONUS OPTION: We also show you how to get a Priority Pass membership for free by taking advantage of travel rewards credit cards!

1.) Standard Membership Plan ($99 USD)

Price: The Standard Membership plan costs $99 per year

Benefits: Unlimited lounge visits for a fee of $27 per visit

Best For: Travelers who take about 5 trips or less per year

Note: As a “Standard” Priority Pass Member you get access to the entire network of Priority Pass airport lounges around the world. “Standard” Members can also bring guests to any lounge within the program’s network for a fee of $27 per guest.

You may be wondering why you would have to pay $27 for each lounge visit if you are a member. Typically access to VIP lounges cost anywhere from $50 to $100 or more so $27 per visit is a deeply discounted rate.

2.) Standard Plus Membership Plan ($249 USD)

Price: The Standard Membership plan costs $249 per year

Benefits: 10 free lounge visits then $27 per additional visit

Best For: Travelers who take about 6 – 12 trips per year

As a “Standard Plus” Priority Pass Member you get access to the entire network of Priority Pass airport lounges around the world. “Standard Plus” Members can also bring guests to any lounge within the program’s network for a fee of $27 per guest.

3.) Prestige Membership Plan ($399 USD)

Price: The Standard Membership plan costs $399 per year

Benefits: Unlimited free lounge visits

Best For: Travelers who take 12 or more trips per year

As a “Prestige” Priority Pass Member you get access to the entire network of Priority Pass airport lounges around the world. “Prestige” Members can also bring guests to any lounge within the program’s network for a fee of $27 per guest.

Get 10% OFF Your Priority Pass Membership Today!

Priority Pass Select [Free With Travel Credit Cards]

How Much Does Priority Pass Select Cost? $0 USD

Priority Pass Select is a special membership option that is offered as a free benefit with travel rewards credit cards and bank accounts.

Read below to learn about Priority Pass Select and how you can get a free membership with a travel rewards credit card:

How To Get Priority Pass For Free

Many premium travel rewards credit cards include a free Priority Pass Select membership as a cardholder benefit including the following:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
• American Express Platinum Card
• Citi Prestige Card
• Ritz-Carlton Rewards Card

Are you new to travel rewards credit cards? Check out our guide to travel rewards credit cards where you can learn how to start flying around the world in first class for free!

Priority Pass Select Membership Plan

Price: Free with certain premier travel rewards credit cards

Benefits: Unlimited free lounge visits

Best For: Travelers who take one or more trip per year

Priority Pass Select Membership includes the exact same benefits as a Priority Pass Prestige Membership. As a Priority Pass Select Member you get unlimited free lounge visits and can bring guests to any lounge for a $27 fee per guest.

Priority Pass Benefits: What Do I Get As A Member?

The main benefit of a Priority Pass membership is airport lounge access at more than 1,000+ premium airport lounges around the world.

All members can enjoy access to any airport lounge that is part of the network and can take advantage of the free food, drinks, entertainment and other amenities.

Read below to find out more about the global network of airport lounges and the amenities offered at each lounge.

Which Airport Lounges Are Part Of The Network?

The Priority Pass network includes a variety of lounges in airports all over the world. The network consists of independent airport lounges (e.g. Plaza Premium Lounge at Kuala Lumpur International), as well as lounges that are affiliated with a particular airline (e.g. Air France SkyLounge at Bangkok International).

However, the airport lounges that you can access with your membership depends on the particular airport.

For example, Priority Pass membership gives you access to the Air France SkyLounge at Bangkok International Airport and New York International Airport (JFK), but it does not include access to the Air France Lounge at Berlin-Tegel International Airport (TXL).

Similarly, members have access to the Swiss Business Class Lounge at the Geneva International Airport (GVA), but they do not have access to the Swiss Business Class Lounge at the New York International Airport (JFK).

But don’t worry, you will find at least one Priority Pass lounge at just about every major international airport and even at many smaller airports too. For a full directory of Priority Pass lounges click here.

What Amenities Are Included At Each Airport Lounge?

The amenities provided at each airport lounge vary depending on the specific airport and the specific lounge, but most Priority Pass lounges offer the following amenities free of charge:

• Internet Access (WiFi and/or Computers)
• Refreshments
• Alcoholic Beverages
• Food & Snacks
• Flight Information
• Television
• Air Conditioning & Heating
• Newspapers & Magazines
• Telephones

Some of the fancier airport lounges (e.g. Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge at BKK) offer additional amenities to visitors like showers, sleeping areas, iPads and more.

Best Priority Pass Lounges

According to the official Priority Pass website the most popular airports for Priority Pass members are the following:

1. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International (BKK)
2. Kuala Lumpur International (KUL)
3. Tokyo Narita International (NRT)
4. London Gatwick (LGW)
5. London Heathrow (LHR)

Each of the airports listed above are home to multiple lounges that can be accessed by Priority Pass members. The Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, for example, has a total of 10 lounges that are part of the network!

Check out all of the lounges at the top five airports below:

1. Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport (BKK)

• Miracle First Class Lounge (International Concourse A)
• Miracle First Class Lounge (International Concourse C)
• Miracle First Class Lounge (International Concourse D)
• Miracle Business Class Lounge (International Concourse D)
• Oman Air First & Business Class Lounge (International Concourse E)
• Air France – KLM SkyLounge (International Concourse F)
• Miracle First Class Lounge (International Concourse F)
• Miracle First Class Lounge (International Concourse G)
• Miracle First Class Lounge Level 3 (International Concourse G)
• Miracle First Class Lounge Level 4 (International Concourse G)

2. Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KUL)

• Plaza Premium Lounge Satellite (KLIA1)
• Plaza Premium Lounge Level 2 Airside (KLIA2)
• Plaza Premium Lounge Level 3 Airside (KLIA2)
• Plaza Premium Lounge Landside (KLIA2)

3. Tokyo Narita International Airport (NRT)

• IASS Executive Lounge (Terminal 1)
• KAL Business Class Lounge (Terminal 1)
• T.E.I. Lounge (Terminal 1)
• IASS Executive Lounge (Terminal 2)
• T.E.I. Lounge (Terminal 2)

4. London Gatwick International Airport (LGW)

• Aspire Lounge (North Terminal)
• My Lounge (North Terminal)
• No1 Lounge (North Terminal)
• Grain Store Cafe & Bar (South Terminal)
• No1 Lounge (South Terminal)

5. London Heathrow International Airport (LHR)

• Plaza Premium Lounge (Terminal 2)
• Plaza Premium Lounge Arrivals (Terminal 2)
• Club Aspire Lounge (Terminal 3)
• No1 Lounge (Terminal 3)
• Plaza Premium Lounge (Terminal 4)
• Plaza Premium Lounge Arrivals (Terminal 4)
• SkyTeam Lounge (Terminal 4)
• Aspire Lounge & Spa (Terminal 5)

Airport Lounges In The US

One of the things that you should consider before purchasing a membership plan is whether or not the network of lounges has a lounge that you can access at the airport in your city.

Currently the Priority Pass network has lounges in the following US airports:

• Anchorage AK International (ANC)
• Atlanta GA International (ATL)
• Baltimore / Washington MD International (BWI)
• Boston MA Logan International (BOS)
• Chicago IL O Hare International (ORD)
• Cincinnati OH International (CVG)
• Colorado Springs CO (COS)
• Dallas TX International (DFW)
• Denver CO International (DEN)
• Honolulu HI International (HNL)
• Houston TX George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
• Las Vegas NV International (LAS)
• Los Angeles CA International (LAX)
• McAllen TX Miller International (MFE)
• Miami FL International (MIA)
• Minneapolis / St. Paul MN International (MSP)
• Newark NJ International (EWR)
• New York NY JFK International (JFK)
• New York NY La Guardia (LGA)
• Orlando FL International (MCO)
• Orlando FL Sanford (SFB)
• Philadelphia PA International (PHL)
• Phoenix AZ Sky Harbor International (PHX)
• Pittsburgh PA International (PIT)
• Portland OR  International (PDX)
• San Francisco CA International (SFO)
• San Jose CA Mineta International (SJC)
• Seattle WA SeaTac (SEA)
• Washington DC Dulles International (IAD)

Why I Love My Priority Pass Select Membership

I’ve been using my Priority Pass Select membership to get access to luxury lounges all over the world for the last few years and I can’t imagine traveling without it.

This “free” membership came as a benefit of my Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card and has given me well over $1,000 in value throughout my travels. Read on to find out exactly why I love my Priority Pass so much…

Free Food & Drinks

Airport food is expensive. As a Priority Pass members I always take advantage of the free food instead of paying out. I’ve found that the quality of the food can vary significantly from lounge to lounge, but most of the lounges offer great food.

Most lounges also offer free alcoholic beverages to visitors and some lounges even have a full-service bar with bartenders!

Quiet & Comfortable Space To Relax

Unfortunately the image above accurately represent how I used to “rest” between flights at the airport…

Waiting at the gate to board your plane for hours can be one of the most frustrating parts of traveling. This can be especially problematic when you have a connection with a long layover. Having the luxury to relax and even sleep comfortably in a Priority Pass Lounge has been one of the most valuable perks of being a member for the last few years.

Great Wifi & A Place To Get Work Done

I often work while traveling so I can really appreciate a strong wifi connection and a great space to work.

The public wifi at airports can be spotty and finding a quiet area with adequate room to get your laptop out can be a difficult task. With lounge access I can always get a solid wifi connection along with a comfortable place to be productive while waiting for my next flight.

Final Review Thoughts: Is It Worth It?

If you are a frequent traveler then a Priority Pass membership is a no-brainer.

Access to VIP airport lounges can make the process of traveling so much easier and even enjoyable. I know some people who only travel a few times each year but still get great value out a Standard Priority Pass membership by bringing family members for a discounted rate of $27.

For those who are hesitant to apply for a Priority Pass membership it may be a good idea to pay for lounge access next time you travel to get a sense of what it’s like and then decide if you think it’s right for you.

As always please leave a comment below with any questions or recommendations that you may have about Priority Pass. Safe travels!