Last updated on August 2nd, 2026 at 04:37 pm
You may be wondering which is better for accessing an airport lounge – Lounge Pass or Priority Pass?
Lounge Pass and Priority Pass are both programs that offer access to airport lounges, but there are some important differences. Lounge Pass provides pay as you go access, whilst Priority Pass offers membership with various levels and benefits.
Read on for all the information you need including my cost comparisons between the two types of airport lounge access or just grab my exclusive reader rate for Priority Pass membership right here 👇
- I’ve used Priority Pass membership to access airport lounges for years now. They help me to have a calmer, comfortable and more productive airport visit. (There are affiliate links on my website – I only recommend things I use). About Me Page & Editorial Policy
- Real reviews from a Priority Pass member and lounge lover
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Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass – Which is Best?
For this cost comparison I have used my reader rates for Priority Pass Membership which works out at better value.
| Number of Visits Per Year | Cost | Best Option |
|---|---|---|
| Less than 3 | Pay as You Go – from £17 | Lounge Pass |
| 4-6 Visits a Year | Standard Membership £32 per visit based on 6 visits a year | Priority Pass |
| 7 – 19 Visits a Year | Standard Plus Membership £20.60 per visit based on 10 visits a year | Priority Pass |
| +19 Visits a Year | Prestige Membership £16.76 per visit based on 25 visits a year | Priority Pass |
Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass?
The core difference is simple.
Lounge Pass is pay-as-you-go, meaning you buy lounge access for a specific airport and date with no membership commitment.
Priority Pass membership, on the other hand, gives you access to hundreds of lounges worldwide under a single annual plan.
Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass
Priority Pass: Your Gateway to Airport Lounges
Priority Pass is an airport lounge membership scheme. To access airport lounges, you pay a membership fee. The costs depend on the membership type you choose.
Membership Levels
Priority Pass offers three different membership levels:
1. Standard Membership
- Cost: £69 per year (or £48 with my special reader rate)
- Member and guest visit fee: £24 per person
2. Standard Plus Membership
- Cost: £229 per year (or £206 with my special reader rate)
- First 10 visits for the member: Included
- After the first 10 visits: £24 per person
- Guest visit fee: £24 per person
3. Prestige Membership
- Cost: £419 per year
- All visits for members: Included
- Guest visit fee: £24 per person
With Priority Pass, you can enjoy comfortable airport lounges and relax before your flight!
Lounge Pass Vs Priority Pass
What is Lounge Pass?
Lounge Pass allows you to buy access to airport lounges online or through the app.
There is no membership or joining fee, you simply select the lounge, pay and download your access.
It’s a pay-as-you-go way to access airport lounges.
Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass – Cost Comparison
The best way to look at the difference between the two schemes is to do a cost comparison for airport lounge access.
For this example I have compared using 3 lounges;
- My local airport lounge in Inverness
- One of the most popular airport lounges in the UK – No.1 Lounge at Gatwick Airport
- Terminal 2 at Schipol Airport
Lounge Pass
Airport Lounge Cost Comparisons
Cost for 1 Lounge Visit at Inverness
| Lounge Pass | Priority Pass Standard (with discount) | Priority Pass Standard Plus (with discount) |
|---|---|---|
| £25.99 per person | £48 membership fee | £206 membership fee |
| £24 per visit | 10 visits free then £24 per visit | |
| Total £25.99 | Total £72 | Total £206 |
Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass
Cost for 5 Lounge Visits at Inverness
| Lounge Pass | Priority Pass Standard | Priority Pass Standard Plus |
|---|---|---|
| £25.99 per person | £48 membership fee | £206 membership fee |
| £24 per visit | 10 visits free then £24 per visit | |
| Total £129.95 | Total Cost £168 | Total Cost £206 |
Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass
Cost For 10 Visits at Inverness
| Lounge Pass | Priority Pass Standard | Priority Pass Standard Plus |
|---|---|---|
| £25.99 per person | £48 membership fee | £206 membership fee |
| £24 per visit | 10 visits free then £24 per visit | |
| Total £259.99 | Total £288 | Total £206 |
Lounge Pass
Cost for 1 Visit at London Gatwick
| Lounge Pass | Priority Pass Standard | Priority Pass Standard Plus |
|---|---|---|
| £40 | £48 membership fee | £206 membership fee |
| £24 per visit & £6 booking fee | 10 visits included £6 booking fee | |
| Total £40 | Total Cost £78 | Total Cost £212 |
Cost for 5 Visits at London Gatwick
| Lounge Pass | Priority Pass Standard | Priority Pass Standard Plus |
|---|---|---|
| £40 | £48 membership fee | £206 membership fee |
| £24 per visit & £6 booking fee | 10 visits. £6 booking fee | |
| Total £200 | Total £198 | Total £236 |
Cost for 10 Visits at London Gatwick
| Lounge Pass | Priority Pass Standard | Priority Pass Standard Plus |
|---|---|---|
| £40 | £48 membership fee | £206 membership fee |
| £24 per visit & £6 booking fee | 10 visits. £6 booking fee | |
| Total cost £400 | Total Cost £348 | Total Cost £266 |
Cost for 1 Visit at Schiphol
| Lounge Pass | Priority Pass Standard | Priority Pass Standard Plus |
|---|---|---|
| £22 | £48 membership fee | £206 membership fee |
| £24 per visit | 10 visits included | |
| Total cost £22 | Total Cost £72 | Total Cost £206 |
Cost for 5 Visits at Schiphol
| Lounge Pass | Priority Pass Standard | Priority Pass Standard Plus |
|---|---|---|
| £22 | £48 membership fee | £206 membership fee |
| £24 per visit | 10 visits included | |
| Total cost £110 | Total Cost £168 | Total Cost £206 |
Cost for 10 Visits at Schiphol
| Lounge Pass | Priority Pass Standard | Priority Pass Standard Plus |
|---|---|---|
| £22 | £48 membership fee | £206 membership fee |
| £24 per visit | 10 visits included | |
| Total cost £220 | Total Cost £288 | Total Cost £206 |
Through detailed cost comparisons at Inverness, London Gatwick, and Schiphol, the post shows that Lounge Pass is usually cheaper for very occasional lounge use — but to understand how the pricing adds up across different membership levels and lounge visit volumes, check the Priority Pass membership cost
Priority Pass vs Lounge Pass
Other Things to Consider
Other Membership Benefits
Lounge Pass provides one-time access to a specific lounge, which includes the facilities mentioned in the lounge details. However, there are no ongoing membership benefits; it’s simply a purchase for access.
In contrast, Priority Pass offers several membership benefits, such as:
- Meal deals at the airport
- Discounted airport transfers
- Discounted car transfers
Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass FAQs
Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass – Which Is Better?
Lounge Pass is great for occassional airport access, around 4-5 times a year maximum. Priority Pass is a membership scheme. It is better value if you are going to be using airport lounges 5-6 times a year or more.
Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass – Final Verdict
The best option for you depends on two main factors:
- The number of times you plan to access a lounge
- The cost of entry
- For less than 5 visits, Lounge Pass is likely to be the cheapest option. However, it is always worth checking other alternatives.
- Over 5 an airport lounge membership is going to be better value.
- Priority Pass offers better value for more than 4 or 5 lounge visits a year — to see more details check the Priority Pass membership cost guide.
