Priority Pass: What Businesses Need To Know

Travel rewards credit cards can come with high annual fees, but frequent travelers may be able to offset the cost with perks like statement credits, travel protections, hotel benefits, and airport lounge access.

One of the most popular lounge benefits is Priority Pass membership. With Priority Pass, eligible travelers can access airport lounges and other travel perks that can make long layovers, delays, and busy travel days a little more comfortable.

What Is Priority Pass?

Priority Pass is a global airport lounge and travel experience network. Members can access more than 1,800 airport lounges and experiences in over 600 cities and 146 countries.

Priority Pass access is not tied to a specific airline or ticket class, so you may be able to use participating lounges even if you’re flying economy or traveling with a different airline. However, access rules, guest policies, and included perks can vary by lounge, airport, and membership type.

Priority Pass locations are not all traditional airport lounges. Some are airline-affiliated lounges, while others are independent lounges, airport restaurants, private suites, or other travel experiences.

Priority Pass VS Priority Pass Select

Priority Pass and Priority Pass Select are closely related, but they aren’t the same thing.

Priority Pass is the airport lounge and travel experience network itself. Travelers can buy a Priority Pass membership directly, with membership tiers that vary based on how often you travel. Current membership options include Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige, with different annual fees and visit fees.

Priority Pass Select is the version of Priority Pass membership offered through certain premium travel credit cards. In many cases, this is the more valuable option because the card may include complimentary lounge visits as a cardholder benefit.

The exact terms of Priority Pass Select depend on the credit card. Some cards include unlimited lounge visits for the cardholder, while others may limit visits or charge for guests. Some cards also exclude certain Priority Pass experiences, such as airport restaurants or non-lounge credits.

Before choosing a credit card for Priority Pass access, check the card’s current benefits, guest policy, enrollment requirements, and any exclusions.

Priority Pass Pros & Cons

Priority Pass can make airport travel more comfortable, especially if you fly often or spend a lot of time on layovers. However, the value depends heavily on which airports you use, how often you travel, and what your specific membership includes.

Pros

Cons

How To Get Priority Pass

There are two main ways to get Priority Pass access: buy a membership directly from Priority Pass or get Priority Pass Select through an eligible travel credit card.

Buy A Priority Pass Membership

You can buy a Priority Pass membership directly from Priority Pass. Current membership tiers include Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige. The more you pay annually, the more lounge visits are included in your membership.

Direct memberships may still charge per-visit fees or guest fees, depending on your plan. Priority Pass currently lists guest visit fees at $35.

Get Priority Pass Through A Credit Card

Many travelers get Priority Pass through a premium travel credit card instead of buying a standalone membership. This version is usually called Priority Pass Select.

Priority Pass Select benefits vary by card. Some cards include unlimited lounge visits for the cardholder, while others limit the number of free visits. Guest access also varies, and some cards charge for guests after a certain limit.

It’s also important to check whether your card includes non-lounge Priority Pass experiences. Some credit card-issued Priority Pass memberships exclude restaurant credits or other non-lounge benefits.

Before choosing a credit card mainly for Priority Pass access, check the card’s annual fee, guest policy, visit limits, enrollment requirements, and exclusions.

Final Thoughts On Priority Pass

Priority Pass can be a valuable perk if you travel often, especially if you regularly deal with layovers, delays, or international airports. Lounge access can make travel days more comfortable, but the value depends on the airports you use, how often you fly, and what your membership includes.

You can buy Priority Pass directly, but many travelers get better overall value from a travel credit card that includes Priority Pass Select. Just make sure to compare the card’s annual fee, guest policy, visit limits, and any exclusions before choosing a card mainly for lounge access.