Skip to content

Airport Lounge Pass Vs. PAYG – Which is Better?

Last updated on February 24th, 2026 at 08:21 pm

Are you considering an airport lounge pass?

Not sure whether it is good value?

Don’t worry! This article will help you decide if an airport lounge pass membership is right for you.

Airport Lounge Pass Vs Pay As You Go – Quick Answer

  • If you are going to be using an airport lounge 2 or 3 times pay as you go access is usually the best option (always best to check both options for 3 visits a year)
  • For 4 or more visits a year membership through a scheme such as Priority Pass is likely to be your best option.

Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of New Post Picture Format 1

airport lounge pass serving drinks

Airport Lounge Pass

Airport Lounge Pass vs Pay as You Go – Cost Comparison

To compare a membership scheme such as Priority Pass with pay-as-you-go access it is easier to use the same airport lounge for ease of comparison.

One of the most popular lounges in the UK is the No 1. Lounge in Gatwick’s South Terminal, so I will use that as the comparison.

Airport Lounge Pass

Costs to Access the Number 1 Lounge, Gatwick Airport

Here are the prices for the different ways you can pay to access the Number 1 Lounge at Gatwick (South Terminal).

  • If space is available you can pay at the door, without the need to book in advance. The cost is £40 per visit. (3 hours)
  • You can book online through Gatwick Airport/No1 Lounges. The cost is £32 per visit. (3 hours)
  • You can use Priority Pass. The cost is £24 pounds per visit after you have paid a one-off joining fee of £69 for a Standard membership. Standard Plus membership is £229 pounds per year and includes 10 visits.

Airport Lounge Pass

How Does Membership Compare With The Best Value Pay As You Go Access?

Now, this comparison is a little unfair on Priority Pass because generally, people that have an airport lounge pass are visiting more than one airport and more than one airport lounge.

However, the overall approach kind of works the same.

As a general rule, you can say that if you are using lounges 4 times or more per year then a Priority Pass should provide a saving compared to pay-as-you-go access.

However, that depends on where you are travelling to and from and who you are travelling with.

airport lounge pass snacks

Lounge Pass Airport

Airport Lounge Pass Compared to Different Membership Levels

If you are travelling more regularly then you need to consider whether pay-as-you-go access is the better option by comparing this to a different Priority Pass membership level.

We’ve already compared the price of pay-as-you-go access and standard membership.

For more frequent travel let’s look at pay-as-you-go airport lounge access and Standard Plus membership.

👇 Get my 8 top tips to help you buy the right membership 👇

airport lounge sign up box

👍 Join the hundreds of people already on my mailing list 👍

Priority Pass Standard Plus Membership

I have based these costings on my reader rate which gives a membership saving of 10% because why would you want to more than you need to?

  • Priority Pass Standard Plus membership is £206 pounds and this gives 10 free visits with members and guests paying £24 pounds thereafter.
  • This makes the cost per visit for 10 visits £20.60 per visit.
  • Paying at the door for 10 visits at No 1 Lounge would come to £400 pounds in total (3 hour visit)
  • Booking online at Gatwick No 1 Lounge for 10 visits would come to £320 pounds in total (3 hour visit)
  • Booking at Holidayextras for 10 visits would come to £240 pounds in total (2 hour visit)

Cost for 10 Visits
Priority Pass Standard Plus Membership£206
No 1 Lounges Booking Direct£400
Gatwick No 1 Lounge Visits£320
Holidayextras (2 hour visits)£240
Cost Comparison for 10 Airport Lounge Visits

Priority Pass Standard Plus Membership

The cost per visit for 15 visits with Priority Pass Standard Plus Membership is £326

Paying at the door for 15 visits would cost £600 pounds in total

Booking online at Gatwick No. 1 Lounge for 15 visits would cost £480 pounds

Booking online at Holidayextras for 15 visits would cost £360 pounds

Cost for 15 Visits
Priority Pass Prestige Membership£419
No 1 Lounges Booking Direct£480
Booking Online£600
Holidayextras (2 hour visits)£360
Cost Comparison for 15 Airport Lounge Visits

Airport Lounge Pass – Final Verdict

  • Airport lounge membership is worth considering if using lounges more than 6 times a year
  • Priority Pass Standard Membership is a good option for up to 6 visits a year.
  • Priority Pass Standard Plus Membership is a good option for 7 or more visits a year.
  • Priority Pass Prestige Membership is a good option for over 19 visits a year.

Copy of Copy of Copy of Copy of New Post Picture Format 1

Related Airport Lounge Resources

You can find lots more information on my Airport Lounges page

Selected posts title

airport lounge pass schemes the professional traveller featured image
error: Content is protected !!