Want to know all about Priority Pass lounges?
Well here’s my guide to everything you need to know about how to access them and all the lounges you can use in the UK with your Priority Pass Membership.
Check it out now.
What Are Priority Pass Lounges?
Well, the first thing to make clear is that the vast majority of lounges aren’t actually Priority Pass lounges.
Priority Pass is a membership scheme that give it’s members access to airport lounges around the world. The airport lounges are operated by all sorts of different companies.
Priority pass lounges are best defined as lounges that you can access using the priority pass membership scheme.
Types of Priority Pass Memberships Available
Priority Pass has 3 different levels of membership available.
Costs £229 per year
10 visits included for member
Additional £24 per visit
£24 per guest visit
Benefits and Features of Priority Pass Lounges
The main benefits of Priority Pass Lounges are the number of lounges you can access. You can also access these lounges at a lower rate than booking direct or pay as you (although that only applies if you are going to be using a lounge 3 times or more a year)
How Do You Access Priority Pass Lounges?
To access the lounges you simply turn up with your boarding pass and your membership card. You can either use your plastic Priority Pass membership card or your online card which is stored in the Priority Pass app.
You do not need to book in advance.
However, given that No.1 lounges are extremely busy you can now book these through Priority Pass by paying an extra fee. That way you are guaranteed entry to the lounge.
What Are the Benefits of Accessing Priority Pass Lounges?
Food & Drinks
Food and drink is free in Priority Pass lounges. The options available depend entirely on the lounge. For some it will include salads and hot meal items such as pasta, in others it may be soup, but there is always something.
Drinks are included although there is generally a charge for premium drinks such as champagne.
Having spent £15 on an egg muffin and a coffee in Edinburgh airport recently you can see how accessing an airport lounge could be cheaper than paying for food and drink in the airport.
Comfortable Seating
Airport lounges generally have much more comfortable seating than the fixed metal type seating you get in the public part of the building. Some have sofas, some have armchairs – it varies from lounge to lounge but generally speaking it’s much more comfortable.
Internet Access & Workstations
Higher speed WIFI is generally available in most airport lounges. There are often workstations or even just tables and chairs which make working in the airport much easier. This can ensure that you make the most of your time at the airport. It’s especially handy if you are travelling for work.
There are also plenty of charging points and electrical sockets in airport lounges which makes working, and charging all your devices easy and convenient.
Entertainment Facilities
Some airport lounges have games facilities, some have cinema screens and some have large TV screens. Of course, most of us are able to stream anything we want to watch or listen to online ourselves so perhaps there is less demand now than there was.
There are some airport lounges that have facilities for children such as small play areas or rooms.
Showers & Restrooms
Generally most airport lounges will have their own restrooms. Some also have showers which can be fantastic if you have a layover between flights and want to freshen up.
Where are the Priority Pass Lounges Located?
In the UK you can access the following lounges with your Priority Pass membership;
- Inverness – Aspire Lounge
- Aberdeen – Northern Lights Lounge
- Edinburgh – Aspire Lounge Gate 16, Aspire Lounge Gate 4
- Glasgow International – Upperdeck Lounge
- Newcastle – Aspire Lounge
- Manchester – Aspire & Escape Lounge
- Liverpool – Executive Lounge
- Leeds – Yorkshire Lounge
- East Midlands – Escape Lounge
- Birmingham – Aspire Lounge
- London Luton – Aspire Lounge
- London Stansted – Escape Lounge
- London Southen – Skylife Lounge
- London Gatwick North Terminal – No 1 Lounge, Gateway, Clubrooms North
- London Gatwick South Terminal – No 1 Lounge, Clubrooms South, Aspire, My Lounge
- London Heathrow Terminal 3 – No 1 Lounge, Aspire Lounge
- London Heathrow Terminal 5 – Aspire Lounge
- Bristol International – Aspire Lounge
- Exeter – Executive Lounge
- Newquay – Executive Lounge
Where Else is Covered by the Priority Pass Network?
Priority Pass has access to the following lounges around the world;
- 370 Lounges in Europe
- 90 Lounges in Africa
- 70 Lounges in the Middle East
- 440 Lounges in the Asia Pacific Region
- 150 Lounges in Latin America
- 150 Lounges in North America and Canada
What Are the Challenges with Priority Pass Lounges?
Crowded/Busy Lounges
No 1. Lounges are probably one of the most popular airport lounges, particularly at Gatwick Airport. They can get very busy. To avoid Priority Pass members being turned away at busy times Priority Pass has introduced an online booking system for these lounges. This guarantees entry. There is a £6 fee to book the No 1 lounge which is in addition to the membership fee already paid.
To guarantee entry into very popular Clubrooms at Gatwick there is a £15 fee.
Restricted Access During Peak Travel Times
Priority Pass membership is not a guarantee of entry into an airport lounge. At peak times airport lounges will prioritise customers that have booked directly. This could mean that you get turned away despite paying for Priority Pass membership.
This can also happen when there have been a lot of flight delays/disruptions. In these circumstances, passengers waiting for delayed flights can stay in the lounge for longer than 3 hours.
Priority Pass Lounges – Conclusion
- Priority Pass is a membership scheme that gives access to airport lounges.
- Priority Pass membership can be cost-effective if you are going to be using an airport lounge more than 4-6 times a year (depending on your travel needs)
- Using an airport lounge can be cost-effective compared to the cost of buying food and drink in the airport.
- An airport lounge can provide a space to work more effectively while waiting for a flight.
- An airport lounge is a more comfortable and generally quieter space to be in before flying. I think of an airport lounge as a way to upgrade your airport experience.
- Priority Pass members have access to other membership perks such as meal deals.
Priority Pass Lounges FAQs
Does Priority Pass Get You Into All Lounges?
Priority Pass gets you into the majority of lounges but not all of them. Priority Pass has over 1300 lounges and experiences (such as meal deals) at airports throughout the world.
How Many Lounges Can You Visit with Priority Pass?
You can visit as many as you like. There is no restriction. The cost to visit a lounge will depend on what type of membership you have. A standard membership costs £69 and then each lounge visit is £24. A prestige membership is £419 with unlimited lounge visits.
You Might Also Like
If you have found my article about Priority Pass Lounges useful you might also like;
Priority Pass Membership – A rundown of the membership scheme and its benefits
Airport Lounge Membership Comparison – a quick way to work out the cheapest way for you to access an airport lounge
Airport Lounge Pass Schemes – a quick way to work out if an airport lounge pass scheme is worth it for you
You can find lots more information on my Airport Lounges page
Further Reading
- Lounge Pass Or Priority Pass – What Is Your Best Option?Considering whether to use Lounge Pass or Priority Pass? Here’s my comparison looking at costs for using 3 different airport lounges. Read on to find out what the best option for you is based on your travel plans. What is Priority Pass? Priority Pass is an airport lounge membership scheme. To access airport lounges you… Read More »Lounge Pass Or Priority Pass – What Is Your Best Option?
- Free Priority Pass – How Do You Get It? ✈Ok so let’s be honest from the get-go – there really isn’t a way to get completely free priority pass lounge access (unless someone buys it for you). That said you can get a free priority pass lounge access as a benefit with some travel reward credit cards. However, for this to be free you… Read More »Free Priority Pass – How Do You Get It? ✈
- Priority Pass Lounges – All You Need to Know ✈Want to know all about Priority Pass lounges? Well here’s my guide to everything you need to know about how to access them and all the lounges you can use in the UK with your Priority Pass Membership. Check it out now. What Are Priority Pass Lounges? Well, the first thing to make clear is… Read More »Priority Pass Lounges – All You Need to Know ✈
- Priority Pass Membership – All You Need to Know About AccessAre you interested in Priority Pass lounge membership? Want to know more about the features and to see if it is right for you? Great then check out this detailed review of membership below, but first, let’s start with an important question! 1. What is Priority Pass Membership? Priority Pass in an airport lounge membership… Read More »Priority Pass Membership – All You Need to Know About Access
- Airport Lounge Membership Comparison: Which is Best Value for You?Are you a regular user of lounges and looking for an airport lounge membership comparison to find you best option? Great! That’s exactly what you will find right here. Airport Lounge Membership Comparison – Membership Schemes Airport lounge membership schemes can be a great value way to access airport lounges. Which airport lounge membership scheme… Read More »Airport Lounge Membership Comparison: Which is Best Value for You?
- Airport Lounge Pass Membership Schemes – Good Value?Are you considering an airport lounge pass? Not sure whether it is good value? Don’t worry! This article will help you decide if airport lounge membership is right for you.
- Cheap Airport Lounges: How to Easily Find Your Best DealWant to find cheap airport lounges? Just answer the 4 questions in the quiz below and find the cheapest way for you to access an airport lounge. 1. Cheap Airport Lounges – Which is the Best Option? Below you will find a guide to how to access cheap airport lounges based on your visit and… Read More »Cheap Airport Lounges: How to Easily Find Your Best Deal