Priority Pass

Priority Pass is a global airport lounge membership program that grants access to over 1,300 lounges in more than 148 countries, regardless of airline or ticket class. Founded in 1992 and owned by Collinson Group, it was the first program to separate lounge access from airline status or premium cabin tickets.

Members scan a physical card or the Priority Pass mobile app at participating lounge entrances to gain access. Beyond traditional lounges, the network's Priority Pass Select category also covers airport restaurants, spas, and sleep pods, where a meal or service credit replaces standard lounge entry.

American Express Platinum includes complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, and certain premium Chase, Citi, and Mastercard products bundle it as well. Coverage varies by card issuer, so cardholders should confirm whether guest visits are included or charged separately.

Priority Pass is worth it for travelers who frequently pass through major hubs and want lounge access without needing business-class tickets or airline elite status, since it works across 1,300+ lounges worldwide regardless of carrier. Budget-airline flyers and economy passengers get the most value, as they typically have no other lounge access option.

Priority Pass grants access to independent, contract lounges shared by many airlines and card programs, while Centurion Lounge is a proprietary network exclusive to American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders with fewer, more curated locations. Airline-operated lounges like those in Star Alliance or SkyTeam typically require flying that specific alliance and holding premium tickets or elite status, whereas Priority Pass is airline-agnostic.

Priority Pass offers three tiers: Standard (pay-per-visit, no annual fee), Standard Plus (around 199 USD annually with a set number of free visits), and Prime (around 469 USD annually for unlimited visits). Guest access typically costs an added per-visit fee, usually 32-35 USD, on top of membership.

Yes, some contract lounges cap Priority Pass entries even for valid members, particularly during holidays and peak travel hours when capacity limits are enforced. Checking real-time lounge status through the Priority Pass app before arriving at the airport helps avoid being turned away. CEOFLIGHTS specialists can help find discounted business class fares — call (888) 851-6897.