The Ultimate Guide to Priority Pass Membership✈

✈ I’m a Priority Pass expert because it’s something I have used for several years when flying as a Professional Traveller.

Are you interested in learning more about Priority Pass Membership?

Then you are in the right place, this guide has everything you need to know and more.

Priority Pass lounge access is one of my travel essentials. It helps me deal with the busy and noisy atmosphere of an airport better and helps reduce my flying anxiety.

I like to think of it as an upgrade to the overall flying experience!

Read on for everything you need to know about Priority Pass lounges including;

What membership includes
What the costs are
What lounges you can access
Plus some tips from me about how to get the most from your membership

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This article assumes that you want to know more about Priority Pass membership specifically. If you are want help finding the best value options for you to access an airport lounge then check out my post about Airport Lounge Membership vs Pay As You Go Access.

Priority Pass Membership

Table of Contents

What Are Airport Lounges?

I like to think of airport lounges as little areas of calm and quiet, in the generally noisy and overwhelming airport environment.

There are several different types of airport lounges as follows;

Airline Airport Lounges

You can only access these when you book a certain type of ticket on one airline. If you book business class or first class travel you can generally access the airline lounge.

For example, if you flying first or business class with British Airways your airline ticket gives you entry to the airport lounge. It’s included in your ticket price. There is no extra fee to pay.

If you are flying British Airways economy you can’t access the British Airways lounge. You also can’t pay an extra fee to access it.

(Don’t worry if your airline ticket doesn’t include airport lounge access – there are plenty of other lounge options available to you!)

Pay to Access Airport Lounges

These airport lounges are accessible to anyone who pays a fee, or has a membership to access them. It doesn’t matter what airline you are flying with, or what type of ticket you have – you can still use these airport lounges.

They are open to anyone, so long as they have a flight ticket, to use.

You simply pay a fee directly to the lounge operator or book through the airport.

You can also access these lounges through an airport lounge membership scheme such as Priority Pass. This means for an annual fee you will get reduced-price access to airport lounges when you fly.

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass & Airport Lounges?

What Is Priority Pass?

Priority Pass is a membership scheme. Members pay a yearly fee and get access to airport lounges at a reduced rate.

Priority Pass doesn’t generally operate lounges itself. Its membership scheme allows lounges to maximise their income by reducing wasted capacity. They do this by accepting walk-in customers from Priority Pass for example.

Members get reduced-price access to airport lounges. They also get flexibility by not having to book airport lounges in advance.

Is It Worth Buying a Priority Pass?

If you are going to be using airport lounges more than 5 to 6 times a year then Priority Pass Membership is likely to be better value than paying as you go (ie getting the cheapest online deal for lounge access).

If you plan to use lounges more than 7 times a year then Priority Pass Standard Plus membership is great value – working out at £22.90 for up to 10 included visits per year, with extra visits payable at £24.

To work out if it is worth buying airport lounge membership think about how long you will be spending at airports before or between flights.

Are you planning to eat and drink at airports? If so Priority Pass membership can work out cheaper than buying food and drink at the airport.

If you still need more help deciding check out my post below.

What Are the Benefits of Priority Pass Membership?

Priority Pass membership gives you the following benefits;

Access to Airport Lounges at a Reduced Rate

Airport lounges offer a much nicer environment when flying. All airport lounges will offer free snacks and drinks (including alcoholic drinks).
Many will offer hot food options.

Better WIFI With No Time Limits

All airport lounges will offer much better WIFI than the main airport. Lounges generally provide a higher capacity WIFI and there are no time restrictions on usage.

Workstations

All airport lounges will have workstations enabling you to power up your devices and get work done while waiting for your flight.

More Comfortable Seating and Environment

All airport lounges will also have more comfortable seating options available to guests. Much nicer than the metal seats favoured by most airports!

Better Facilities

Some airport lounges will have children’s entertainment areas.
Some airport lounges will have showers available for visitors to use.

Flexibility About When To Use Airport Lounges

Most of the lounges in the Priority Pass scheme don’t require pre-booking. This gives you maximum flexibility and helps you get the most from your membership.
Nothing is worse than booking an airport lounge and then experiencing an unexpected delay or a seriously long security queue, leaving you no time to enjoy the lounge before your flight.

Ability To Book Busy Airport Lounges In the UK

Some of the most popular lounges are operated by No.1. You can find these at London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Birmingham, and Luton.
These airport lounges are luxury lounges, and offer hot meals, runway views, and a fully tended bar service. That’s why they are so popular!
You can pre-book access to these lounges with your Priority Pass membership.
Currently, the booking fee is £6.
This fee guarantees you entry.
If you can’t make it to the lounge, because of some unexpected delay, you just lose your booking fee.

Reduced Price Airport Transfers

Airport transfers are available at 1,100 airports throughout the world.
The great thing about booking them through Priority Pass is that the details are all in your app or account.
You can also contact customer services 24 hours a day (if English speaking) in case anything goes wrong. That’s super reassuring.

Customer Service Available 24 Hours a Day

English-speaking customer service is available 24 hours a day no matter what part of the world you are in. There are customer numbers in the UK, Hong Kong, and the US.
There is also customer support available in other languages.

Here’s the schedule of what language support is available when and where.

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Priority Pass Membership

What are Priority Pass Lounges?

Priority Pass lounges are lounges available to Priority Pass members.

Priority Pass doesn’t operate lounges itself. It works with lounge companies. Here in the UK, Priority Pass works with No.1 Lounges and Aspire Lounges for example.

Priority Pass members have access to over 1600 lounges all over the world;

370 airport lounges in Europe
440 airport lounges in the Asia Pacific
70 airport lounges in the Middle East
150 airport lounges in Latin America
150 airport lounges in North America and Canada

Priority Pass Membership

Who Can Access Priority Pass Lounges?

Anyone with a membership can access Priority Pass lounges.

Each Priority Pass member can also take guests with them.

The number of guests varies from lounge to lounge (see further down for more info).

How Do You Get Priority Pass Membership?

It’s very easy to get membership

Just sign up via the Priority Pass website. You will need the following information to register;

Name
Address
Date of Brith
Email Address
What Name You Want on Your Membership Card
Username
Password
Security question and answer
Payment card details. This is the payment card that will be charged each time you access a Priority Pass lounge where a fee is payable.

Once registered you will get a membership card and booklet.

You will also get an online account which you can access through your electronic device or through the Priority Pass app.

The Priority Pass app has a digital membership card which is handy if you like paperless travel.

Priority Pass Membership with Travel Credit Cards

Some travel credit cards offer Priority Pass membership as a reward.

Some of these cards have a yearly fee or a minimum spend.

Credit Card	Cost	Priority Pass Access
American Express® Preferred Rewards Gold Credit Card	£0 for Year 1 , £195 Year 2	4 free airport lounge visits per year for the cardholder
The Platinum Card® by American Express	£650 per year	Free airport lounge access for cardholder and supplementary cardholder
HSBC Premier Credit Card		Free membership for cardholder with each airport lounge visit charged at £24 each
HSBC Premier World Elite Credit Card	£195 per year	Free airport lounge access for cardholder

How to Get Priority Pass with Travel Credit Cards

Priority Pass Costs and Membership Levels

Priority Pass offers 3 different membership levels. Members pay their fees once per year.

Standard Membership

Standard Membership is £69 per year. Each lounge visit for the member is £24. Each guest visit is £24.

Standard Plus Membership

Standard Plus Membership is £229 per year. 10 lounge visits are included for the member. Each extra lounge visit is £24. Each guest visit is £24.Prestige Membership

Prestige Membership

Prestige Membership is £419 per year. This includes unlimited lounge visits for the member. Each guest visit is £24.

Standard	Standard Plus	Prestige
£69 per year	£229 per year	£419 per year
With Discount £48 per year	With Discount £183 per year	With Discount £377 per year
£24 every member visit	10 member visits included	Unlimited member visits
£24 every guest visit	£24 every extra member visit	£24 every guest visit
	£24 every guest visit
Find Out More	Find Out More	Find Out More

Priority Pass Airport Lounge Membership Levels

If you need help to work out the right membership level for you then you can check out my guide which works out the costs per number of visits for each membership level.

Finding the Priority Pass Membership Option For You

To find the Priority Pass membership you need to make sure that paying an annual fee is going to be the best option.

Here are some things to consider before choosing the best option for you;

Are you planning on using the Priority Pass lounge at your home airport before you fly?

If not then discount this from the number of times you plan to use a Priority Pass lounge during the year.

These recommendations are based on the total number of times you plan to use an airport lounge during the year. I’ve assumed it will be mainly you flying i.e. you won’t have someone else with you when accessing an airport lounge.

Lounge Usage	Best Value Access	Find Out More
Less than 5 times a year	Lounge Pass Pay as You Go Access	Lounge Pass
5 or 6 times a year	Priority Pass Standard Membership	Priority Pass
7-17 times a year	Priority Pass Standard Plus Membership	Priority Pass
17 or more times a year	Priority Pass Prestige Membership	Priority Pass

Priority Pass Membership Levels Depending on Usage

You might also be interested in these comparisons;

Dragon Pass vs Priority Pass – side by side comparison

Lounge Pass vs Priority Pass

Priority Pass Membership

Guest Access, Fees, and Policies

Guest fees are £24 per lounge visit regardless of membership level.

The number of guests depends on the lounge. Generally, 2 guests should be fine with no need to prebook.

For more than 2 guests it would be wise to contact the lounge you planned to visit to check in advance.

Using Priority Pass Lounges

Locating Airport Lounges You Can Use

It is easy to find Priority Pass lounges when you are visiting an airport.

You can search on the Priority Pass website by entering the airport code, city, or airport name. The site will give you a list of lounges that you can access with your membership.

For example, if you search for London Gatwick you will get details of 8 lounges that you can access. 4 of these are in the North Terminal and 4 are in the South Terminal.

Members can also download the app. You can also search by airport code, city or airport name in the app.

Priority Pass UK Lounges

Members can use plenty of airport lounges in the UK with their 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

Priority Pass Entry Requirements

When you enter a Priority Pass lounge you will need to have the following with you;

Your Priority Pass membership card – either the actual card or the digital version in the app
Your flight boarding card

If there is a fee to pay it will automatically be charged to the payment card you linked to your account when you registered for Priority Pass.

You will need to follow the dress code for the lounge, supervise any children if you have them with you, and follow the guidelines regarding alcohol consumption

You can drink alcohol but you must remain fit to fly.

Priority Pass Membership

Priority Pass Lounge Time Limits

With Priority Pass membership most lounge access is for 3 hours before your flight time.

This means if you are flying at 10 am you can access a lounge from 7 am but not before then.

There are monitors in the lounge so you can check when your flight is ready for boarding.

Little Tip From Me: If you are comparing Priority Pass with online deals remember, that many online deals are for 2 hours of access

Flight Delays and Airport Lounges

If your flight is delayed you may be able to stay in the lounge while waiting for your flight.

This depends on how busy the lounge and airport is.

If the whole airport is affected by delays all the airport lounges can become busy very quickly. This is because guests are not flowing through the lounges, they are just waiting for their delayed flights.

All airport lounges have maximum capacities for guests. Once they reach maximum capacity they may ask Priority Pass members to leave the lounge, so they can make room for customers who have booked directly.

This is only likely to happen in the event of severe delays affecting the whole airport.

Priority Pass Membership

Lounge Access Restrictions

Some airport lounges restrict access by Priority Pass members at peak times.

This means they will prioritise those guests that have booked and paid directly.

Peak times vary from airport to airport, country to country, and lounge to lounge.

Sometimes Priority Pass members have access to more than one lounge at an airport which can reduce the chances of this happening.

If lounges are busy with their own customers (those that booked with them directly) they will also turn away Priority Pass members.

If lounges are full of their own customers who are there longer because of flight delays then they will turn away Priority Pass members to avoid overcrowding.

Priority Pass offers its members cheaper lounge access and the flexibility of not booking by using spare lounge space. That means sometimes you may get turned away from a lounge.

What to Expect Inside a Priority Pass Lounge

Amenities and Services (Variations by Lounge)

Food

All Priority Pass lounges will include free food.
The food available depends on the lounge that you are accessing with your membership.
Some lounges provide snack-type food such as soup, cakes, cheese, and biscuits.
Some lounges provide buffet-type meals with hot and cold options.

Does Priority Pass Give Free Meals?

Drinks

All Priority Pass lounges will include free drinks. Generally, this will include hot drinks such as tea or coffee. Alcoholic drinks are usually beers, wines, and some spirits.
Lounges may charge extra for premium spirits such as champagne and premium cocktails.
Even though alcohol is ‘free’ be careful not to overindulge. Gate staff still have to be confident that you are fit to fly.

Wi-Fi and Workstations

All Priority Pass airport lounges have free WIFI. This is generally a stronger WIFI than in the main airport, with no fee and no time limit.
There are also workstations in Priority Pass lounges with tables or desks and chairs.
There are also lots more charging points in airport lounges.

Relaxation Areas

All Priority Pass airport lounges have relaxation areas with comfortable seating. This can be individual chairs which may have desks or tables, or sofa type seating.
Many lounges also have great airside or runway views too.
Some lounges have special areas for children with some play items.

Showers and Toilets

Some airport lounges have showers for guests to use. These can be super handy if you are visiting an airport lounge during a layover between flights.
Towels and toiletries are usually available in the shower, along with hairdryers.
Many lounges have their own toilets which are often much nicer than airport toilets. They generally have nicer toiletries too.

Lounge Guest Policies and Limitations

Making the Most of Your Priority Pass Membership

My Priority Pass Tips

Selecting A Priority Pass Lounge

Check Out the Location – find a lounge close to your departure area if you know where that will be.

Find out the Food Options – lounges with hot food/meal options mean you get even better value from your membership. It saves paying for an expensive meal in the airport, or eating on the plane. It’s also much nicer than having to balance your meal on a tray table.

See The Drink Choices – all lounges include alcohol but some offer specially created cocktails when using the lounge. (Don’t forget you still have to be fit to fly when boarding your flight.)

Check What’s for Children – if you are taking children some lounges have special play or entertainment areas available.

Review the Views – some airport lounges have runway or great airport views. These can keep children and adults amused when in the lounge area.

Using Priority Pass Lounges for Layovers

Layovers can really feel like wasted time, can’t they!

However, now you can make use of that time by using an airport lounge.

Priority Pass has no restrictions on how many airport lounges you can use in a day, meaning you can use one before you leave and one during your layover.

That’s a great way to make use of that time and catch up on working or simply enjoy a proper meal.

Some lounges have showers so you can freshen up before you take your next flight.

Priority Pass Membership Conclusion

Priority Pass airport lounge membership is a great option if you plan to use airport lounges more than 6 times a year.
It’s like an upgrade for your airport experience.
It gives you the flexibility to use an airport lounge whenever you want to (bearing in mind that occasionally you might be turned away due to lounges being too busy)
Priority Pass lounge access can often work out cheaper than eating, drinking, and paying for WIFI at the airport!

Why Do I Use and Recommend Priority Pass Membership?

It helps me deal with the noise and busy environments of airports. This just makes me unsettled and anxious ahead of my flight and I’m a nervous flyer.
I like being able to catch up on work in airport lounges so that I make the best use of my time at the airport. I like having a proper work area.
The cost of accessing a Priority Pass lounge is often cheaper than eating and paying for decent WIFI in the airport, and/or eating on the plane.