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What’s The Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access?

Last updated on February 24th, 2026 at 07:54 pm

Priority Pass is a membership scheme that gives users access to airport lounges at discounted rates.

Read on to find out more about the difference between Priority Pass and lounge access so you can decide what the best option is for you or just grab a great deal on Priority Pass membership right here 👇

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  • 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

Table of Contents

What Is The Difference Between Priority Pass And Lounge Access?

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Airline Lounges

  • Airline lounges are open to passengers flying on certain types of tickets – generally business and first class.
  • They are also open to members who may hold a certain level of membership with the airline loyalty scheme.
  • Airline lounges are not open to the general public and you cannot buy access to these lounges.
  • You can only access these lounges through your airline entitlement.

Paid Entry Airport Lounges

  • Paid entry airport lounges are open for anyone to use, no matter what airline or type of ticket you have.
  • There are a variety of ways to buy access to these paid entry airport lounges – either on a pay as you go basis or through an airport lounge membership scheme.

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Airport Lounge Access

There are several ways that you can access an airport lounge.

Buy Airport Lounge Access on the Door (Walk In)

  • Some airport lounges allow visitors to buy access at the door by paying an entry fee.
  • This is usually the most expensive way to access an airport lounge.
  • If lounges are full with pre-booked guests then lounges will not sell access to walk in guests.

Buy Airport Lounge Access Directly From the Lounge Operator

You can go onto the airport lounge operator website and buy access directly with the lounge operator.

Lounge operators in the UK include;

Buy Airport Lounge Access Through the Airport

  • Sometimes you can book airport lounge access through the website of the airport you are travelling to or from.
  • Edinburgh airport and London Gatwick offer airport lounge access through their main airport website for example.

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access?

Buy Airport Lounge Access Through a Travel Services Provider

  • You can also book access through a travel services website.
  • One of the main companies that books airport lounge access on a pay as you go basis is Holidayextras

Buy Airport Lounge Access Through Your Travel Agent

  • If you are booking your trip through a travel agent they can generally book airport lounge access on to your trip for you.

Buy Airport Lounge Access Through a Specialist Airport Lounge Access Provider

  • If you want to buy airport lounge access infrequently then you can buy access through companies that allow access on a pay as you go basis.
  • One of the main companies is LoungePass.
  • Another company that provided pay as you go access is LoungePair.

Buy Access Through an Airport Lounge Membership Scheme

  • By taking out an airport lounge membership scheme you can access airport lounges at discounted rates. One of the main airport lounge membership schemes is Priority Pass — find out more in my Priority Pass membership guide, where I explain how the different membership levels work
  • One of the main airport lounge membership schemes is Priority Pass.

priority pass airport lounge access

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass & Lounge Access?

Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access

Priority Pass is an airport lounge access membership scheme.

You choose your membership level (based on their travel plans) and then get access to airport lounges at reduced rates.

Membership is for one year.

Priority Pass has one of the largest networks of airport lounges available for it’s members to use – there are over 1700 lounges available.

Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access Membership Costs

Here are the membership costs. I’ve used my special reader rate because why would you pay more than need to.

Membership LevelMembership Costs
Standard – all visits £24 each£48
Standard Plus – 10 visits included then £24 per visit£206
Prestige – all visits included£419
Priority Pass Membership Costs

Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access

Points to Consider When Buying Lounge Access or Priority Pass Membership

Any Extra Benefits?

  • If you buy airport lounge access directly – either through the airport’s own website or through the lounge operator direct you may get some extra benefits.
  • The most common benefit is delay cover which enables you to stay in the airport lounge for as long as your flight is delayed.

Duration Differences

  • The amount of time you can access an airport lounge before your flight can vary depending on where you buy your lounge access from.
  • For example, buying lounge access directly may give you 3 hours of airport lounge access
  • Buying lounge access online, using a holiday deals site, may give you 2 hours of airport lounge access.
  • It’s important to check you are comparing like with like.

Guaranteed Entry at Peak Times

  • Buying lounge access directly through the airport or with the lounge operator directly also gives you the benefit of a guaranteed booking.
  • This means that you will be guaranteed entry to the lounge with your booking.
  • This is important because if airport lounges are busy they may turn away people from airport lounge membership schemes.
  • Priority Pass offers members the ability to guarantee entry at the busiest lounges by paying a small booking fee – this gives members the advantage of discounted entry with the certainty that they can get in at peak times.

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access?

Priority Pass Vs Lounge Access Paying as You Go

FAQs

What Is The Difference Between Priority Pass And Lounge Access?

Priority Pass is a membership scheme that gives members access to airport lounges at reduced rates. Members can access over 1700 lounges throughout the world. Lounge access is generally something you buy occassionally – pay as you go access to airport lounges.

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access? – Final Verdict

  • There are many different ways to access airport lounges including buying access on the door, directly through the lounge or airport website, through a third party site and through an airport lounge membership scheme.
  • Buying access through an airport lounge membership scheme is going to be better value if you are using airport lounges more than 4-5 times a year.
  • When buying airport lounge access online make sure you are comparing like with like when it comes to the amount of time you can use the airport lounge for.

If you’ve decided that a lounge membership makes sense for how you travel, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get Priority Pass and choose the right membership level.

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Priority Pass and Airport Lounge Access Related Resources

If you have decided that airport lounge membership is the right way to go then you might find my Airport Lounge Membership Scheme comparison helpful.

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