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Priority Pass Review: Maximize Your Membership
Posted on Aug 11, 2022
Updated on Sep 19, 2025
Airport lounges can be an absolute necessity when you have an 18-hour layover or a 6-hour delay. Gone are those days when lounges were a luxury treat for rich people. Today anyone who is willing to pay can get lounge access - you don't even have to be a member. However, being a member of a lounge network like Priority PassTM can bring greater value and even some extras. Priority Pass membership can cost you a dime or come completely free of charge! Find out more in our Priority Pass review.
What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is an independent network of lounges that provides airport lounge access worldwide. With over 1,700 lounges around the world Priority Pass is the world's largest airport lounge network and continues to grow.
Even though many of the Priority Pass lounges are located outside of the U.S., there still are Priority Pass lounges in more than 40 U.S. airports. Some of the U.S. airports even have more than one lounge that accepts Priority Pass members - quite enough to unwind, wait out the layovers, or even work.
While the Priority Pass network is large, not all airline lounges participate in the program. For example, none of the Delta Sky Club®, American Airlines Admirals Club® or United Club℠ airport lounges participates in the Priority Pass program. If you want to get access to these airline lounges as well, you will need to look for other ways to do so.
Priority Pass membership levels
Priority Pass has three membership plans to choose from. Which Priority Pass membership makes more sense for you depends on how you travel and how often you plan to visit Priority Pass lounges. Here is how much a Priority Pass membership costs:
- Standard: $99 annual fee. What's included: member visits for $35 each, guest visits for $35 each. Good for: Occasional travellers.
- Standard Plus: $329 annual fee. What's included: 10 free member visits, then member and guest visits for $35 each. Good for: Regular travellers.
- Prestige: $469 annual fee. What's included: all free visits for members, guest visits for $35 each. Good for: Frequent travellers.
Don't confuse these three Priority Pass membership levels with Priority Pass Select, though. Priority Pass membership can be purchased directly from the company site. Meanwhile, Priority Pass Select is something you get with a premium credit card as a benefit.
Priority Pass Select offers slightly different benefits. Those usually vary from bank to bank and from card to card. For instance, complimentary Priority Pass Select membership can include free guest access to lounges or Priority Pass restaurant benefits. An important thing to keep in mind when you are approved for a credit card that offers free Priority Pass membership: you will need to activate your membership. Once you activate, wait for your membership card to arrive in the mail before you can enjoy the benefit, or use the Priority Pass mobile app to access your digital membership card.
Credit cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership
Travel credit cards offer a lot of benefits, and a Priority Pass Select membership can be included as a premium perk. You can usually find this benefit offered with premium credit cards issued by American Express, Chase, Citi, U.S. Bank, Barclays, Capital One, and some other issuing banks. Credit cards below include Priority Pass Select membership as a complimentary cardmember benefit. The memberships may also include free guest visits.
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Lounge Access
Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
Annual Fee
$395
- Click "APPLY ONLINE" to apply now
- Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
- Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
- Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
- Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge and Landing locations and participating Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Top rated mobile app
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Lounge Access
Enjoy automatic complimentary access to over 1,800 airport lounges. Access includes participating airport restaurants, mini-suites and unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
Receive up to $120 reimbursement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee. Global Entry includes access to TSA PreCheck® with no additional application or fee required.
Annual Fee
$699 ($249 for each Authorized User added to the account)
- Earn 2X points on Airfare and Hotel reservations booked through LuxuryCardTravel.com. One point for every one dollar you spend for all other categories, earning points every time you spend.
- Redeem at 2% value for airfare and 1.5% for cash back. For example, when you redeem 50,000 points you will get $1,000 value for airfare or $750 value in cash back, issued as a direct deposit statement credit.
- $200 Annual Airline Credit: Receive up to $200 in annual statement credits toward flight-related purchases, including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. No enrollment or airline designation required.
- $100 Annual Dining Credit: Receive up to $100 in annual statement credits when you use your Luxury Card for restaurant transactions. No enrollment, designated restaurant networks or third-party apps required.
- Receive up to $120 reimbursement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application fee. Global Entry includes access to TSA PreCheck® with no additional application or fee required.
- Your time is valuable and Luxury Card Concierge makes life easier. Agents are available to provide you with personal assistance, tailored to your specific request. Concierge can assist with travel planning, dining reservations, everyday tasks such as sending flowers or researching products and services. Available 24/7: Call, email, text, or chat with agents.
- Enjoy automatic complimentary access to over 1,800 airport lounges. Access includes participating airport restaurants, mini-suites and unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
- Made of Stainless Steel®: A contactless, patented metal card design that raises the standard.
- Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $750 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Annual Fee: $699 ($249 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
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Lounge Access
Enjoy automatic complimentary access to over 1,800 airport lounges. Access includes participating airport restaurants, mini-suites and unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
Global Entry & TSA PreCheck
Receive up to $120 reimbursement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application for each Mastercard Gold Card Primary Cardmember and Authorized Users.
Annual Fee
$1,199 ($349 for each Authorized User added to the account)
- Earn 2X points on Airfare and Hotel reservations booked through LuxuryCardTravel.com. One point for every one dollar you spend for all other categories, earning points every time you spend.
- Redeem at 2% value for airfare or cash back. For example, when you redeem 50,000 points you will get $1,000 value for airfare or cash back, issued as a direct deposit statement credit.
- $300 Annual Airline Credit: Receive up to $300 in annual statement credits toward flight-related purchases, including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more. No enrollment or airline designation required.
- $200 Annual Dining Credit: Get up to $200 in annual statement credits when you use your Luxury Card for restaurant transactions. No enrollment, designated restaurant networks or third-party apps required.
- $200 Ship&Play Credit: Send your belongings ahead of time with Ship&Play and receive up to $200 in credits annually.
- Receive up to $120 reimbursement credit for a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® application for each Mastercard Gold Card Primary Cardmember and Authorized Users.
- Your time is valuable and Luxury Card Concierge makes life easier. Agents are available to provide you with personal assistance, tailored to your specific request. Concierge can assist with travel planning, dining reservations, everyday tasks such as sending flowers or researching products and services. Available 24/7: Call, email, text, or chat with agents.
- Enjoy automatic complimentary access to over 1,800 airport lounges. Access includes participating airport restaurants, mini-suites and unlimited visits for yourself as well as your guests.
- Made with 24K Gold®: A contactless, patented metal card design that raises the standard.
- Exclusive Luxury Card Travel® benefits—average value of $750 per stay (e.g., resort credits, room upgrades, free wifi, breakfast for two and more) at over 3,000 properties. Receive protection benefits like trip cancellation and interruption, auto rental car collision waiver, travel accident and baggage delay. Cell phone protection for eligible claims of up to $1,000 each year. Plus additional World Elite Mastercard® benefits.
- Annual Fee: $1,199 ($349 for each Authorized User). Terms and conditions apply.
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Priority Pass member benefits
Priority Pass membership is not only about lounge access. Members also get access to other Priority Pass benefits. However, their availability can vary from lounge to lounge and airport to airport. Therefore, we advise you to check what's available while you are planning your trip and not after.
- Lounge amenities & perks. Most Priority Pass lounges offer a pre-flight bite and drink from the selection available, including free alcohol. You will also be able to use free Wi-Fi and charge your devices in lounges. Some lounges also offer private working spaces and conference room access. If you need some peace and quiet, lounges can offer you comfortable recliners and a quiet environment to relax. Shower facilities, gyms, spa treatments, nap rooms, and some other extra perks may not be available in all lounges.
- Restaurants and Minute Suites credits. Priority Pass partners with select airport restaurants, mini-suites, and more to give its members an opportunity to enjoy perks at other locations at a discounted rate.
- Faster check-in and security lines. Some airports allow Priority Pass members to skip the long lines.
- Discounted car rentals and accommodation choices. Priority Pass partners with IHG and Avis to offer benefits and discounts with those two brands. You will need to log in to your Priority Pass membership portal to take advantage of those perks.
- Family & guest passes. This benefit is not available to every member. Usually, you can get it if you have a credit card that offers Priority Pass Select. However, it's not always added into the membership as a complimentary benefit, and some lounges may limit access to guests and children.
Again, these benefits may not be available to everyone, as the facilities in the Priority Pass network vary by owner and location. Plus, your membership may not include some benefits. We recommend you always check the rules of your desired lounge location and your Priority Pass membership to know what is available to you.
Is Priority Pass membership worth it?
Yes, but not for everyone. It usually depends on how often you travel, your usual travel destinations, and how often you use participating lounges.
If you do not go on frequent international trips, Priority Pass might not be a good option. Also, check out available lounges at airports you frequently travel to and from and make sure you will be able to access them via Priority Pass. Another thing to note is if you typically travel in business class, you don't really need a Priority Pass membership because lounge access is usually included.
Some travelers also find it worthwhile to get an airline lounge membership from the airline they regularly fly with. For example, you may have Admirals Club membership through a Citi credit card and be absolutely happy with it. But if you have several connections in different cities or countries, there may not be that specific airport lounge at some locations.
Travel can never be as smooth as we want it to be, and many variables may come our way. Often, a Priority Pass membership is a good way to be covered and make sure you won't get stuck in a crowded airport without being able to escape to the quiet of a lounge. Plus, it's always nice to have alternative lounges you have access to.
Bottom line
Priority Pass membership is a benefit that can help improve your travel experience, but at the same time, not everyone will find it worthwhile. Luckily, there are several levels of membership to give Priority Pass a try. Plus, if you were looking to apply for a premium travel credit card, you may get it with the card as a complimentary benefit. When you do not know if the thing is worth it or not, sometimes the best way to find out is to just give it a try.
Best credit cards for frequent flyers from our partners
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Intro APR on Purchases
0% Intro APR (15 months)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% Intro APR (15 months)
Regular APR
17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Balance Transfer Fee
Introductory fee of 3% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account during the first 15 months that your account is open. After that, 5% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that we may offer you at any other time.
Annual Fee
$0
- UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited mile-for-mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a mile-for-mile match. You could turn 35,000 miles into 70,000 miles.
- Automatically earn unlimited 1.5x miles on every dollar of every purchase
- No annual fee.
- Turn miles into cash. Or redeem as a statement credit for your travel purchases like airfare, hotels, rideshares, gas stations, restaurants, and more. Redemption rates for these options may vary and are subject to change.
- 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 17.49% - 26.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
19.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee
Balance transfer fee applies with this offer 5% of each balance transfer; $5 minimum.
Annual Fee
$95
- Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
- Earn 10 Points per $1 spent on Hotels, Car Rentals, and Attractions booked on CitiTravel.com.
- Earn 3 Points per $1 on Air Travel and Other Hotel Purchases, at Restaurants, Supermarkets, Gas and EV Charging Stations.
- Earn 1 Point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- $100 Annual Hotel Benefit: Once per calendar year, enjoy $100 off a single hotel stay of $500 or more (excluding taxes and fees) when booked through CitiTravel.com. Benefit applied instantly at time of booking.
- No expiration and no limit to the amount of points you can earn with this card
- No Foreign Transaction Fees on purchases
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Intro APR on Purchases
N/A
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
N/A
Regular APR
19.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee
Balance Transfer Fee applies to balances transferred at a promotional rate
Annual Fee
$95
- Click "APPLY ONLINE" to apply now
- Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
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Intro APR on Purchases
0% Intro APR (6 months)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% Intro APR (18 months)
Regular APR
17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Balance Transfer Fee
3% intro balance transfer fee, up to 5% fee on future balance transfers (see terms)*
Annual Fee
$0
- INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards.
- Earn 2% cash back at Gas Stations and Restaurants on up to $1,000 in combined purchases each quarter, automatically. You'll still earn unlimited 1% cash back on all other purchases.
- Get a 0% intro APR for 18 months on balance transfers. Then 17.49% to 26.49% Standard Variable APR applies, based on credit worthiness.
- Redeem cash back for any amount
- No annual fee.
- Terms and conditions apply.
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Intro APR on Purchases
0% intro on purchases (for 15 months)
Intro APR on Balance Transfer
0% intro on balance transfers (for 15 months)
Regular APR
18.49% - 28.49% (Variable)
Balance Transfer Fee
Balance transfer fee applies
Annual Fee
$0
- Click "APPLY ONLINE" to apply now
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
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