Whether you are a frequent or occasional traveller, you can make your travel experience more pleasant through certain services that are not completely known to many. What if you had free access to an airline lounge at the airport, so you can pass time relaxing while waiting for your scheduled flight. Or, much on some light snacks and beverage at in-airport restaurants from the credit that you are given. It sounds really great and this can be possible with the help of Priority Pass.
In this blog, we are going to take an in-depth look at priority pass membership, what it is, what it offers, their benefits and also, how you can get one for your travel.
Table of Contents
What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is a premium membership program which gives you access to over 1300 network (or partnered) airport lounges in more than 600 cities and across 148 countries across the globe.
Priority Pass program’s service provider Collinson Group has partnered with several airline lounges and restaurants of independent companies as well, but it does not actually operate these lounges and restaurants. Nevertheless, with this membership program, its members can have free and premium access to the partner airlines’ airport lounges and also, restaurants, cafes and bars of their partner independent companies, both in the U.S. and in cities overseas, too.
The service has been around for several decades, i.e., since 1992 and new features get included as they become available over time.
Types of Priority Pass Memberships
There are different types or classes of the Priority Pass premium membership program that are offered to travellers, where each one has its own set of benefits and drawbacks.
These include:
- Standard
- Standard Plus
- Prestige
- Select (included with certain credit cards)
Among these, the Select Priority Pass membership is basically offered as a credit card benefit.
These Priority Pass memberships vary in terms of fees and access to airport lounges, and food and drink credit at various network airport restaurants, cafes and bars. For instance, typical dining credit given to its members can be $28. In addition, depending on the program’s class, members may or may not be allowed to bring along guests in order to avail the benefits of this premium membership program.
Benefits of Priority Pass Membership
In general, members of Priority Pass program are entitled to the following benefits:
- Lounge access
- Airport hotels
- Restaurants
- Bars
- In-airport dining, retail and spa discounts
- Bespoke airport guides
- Indoor maps
Those with Priority Pass memberships can benefit from free access to airport lounges in various cities throughout the world. Also, you get credits at several restaurants, cafes and bars which are participating in the program.
U.S. Airports that have Priority Pass Lounges
If you are a Priority Pass member and are flying to or within the United States, there are several network airport lounges where you can relax and get refreshments.
Here is a list in alphabetical order of a few airports in the United States that provide access to lounges and other beneficial features to Priority Pass members.
- Baltimore-Washington International, Maryland (BWI)
- Boston Logan International, Massachusetts (BOS)
- Buffalo Niagara International Airport, New York (BUF)
- Charleston International Airport, South Carolina (CHS)
- Charlotte Douglas International, North Carolina (CLT)
- Chicago O’Hare International, Illinois (ORD)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International, Ohio (CVG)
- Cleveland Hopkins International, Ohio (CLE)
- Colorado Springs Airport, Colorado (COS)
- Dallas-Fort Worth International, Texas (DFW)
- Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International, Florida (FLL)
- George Bush Houston Intercontinental, Texas (IAH)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International, Georgia (ATL)
- Honolulu International, Hawaii (HNL)
- Indianapolis International, Indiana (IND)
- Jacksonville International, Florida (JAX)
- John F. Kennedy International, New York (JFK)
- Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Nevada (LAS)
- Lexington Blue Grass Airport, Kentucky (LEX)
- Los Angeles International, California (LAX)
- Miami International, Florida (MIA)
- Minneapolis−Saint Paul International, Minnesota (MSP)
- Newark Liberty International, New Jersey (EWR)
- New Orleans International Airport, Louisiana (MSY)
- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International, California (SJC)
- Orlando International, Florida (MCO)
- Orlando-Sanford International, Florida (SFB)
- Philadelphia International, Pennsylvania (PHL)
- Pittsburgh International, Pennsylvania (PIT)
- Portland International, Oregon (PDX)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National, Washington DC (DCA)
- San Francisco International, California (SFO)
- San Juan International, Puerto Rico (SJU)
- Seattle-Tacoma International, Washington (SEA)
- St. Louis Lambert International, Missouri (STL)
- Syracuse Hancock International, New York (SYR)
- Tampa International, Florida (TPA)
- Tucson International, Arizona (TUS)
- Washington Dulles International, Washington DC (IAD)
International Airports that Offer Priority Pass Lounge Access
In addition to the various U.S. airports listed above that offer airport lounge access to Priority Pass members, there are also several participating international hubs that provide access to airport lounges.
These international airports are listed in alphabetical order as follows:
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, the Netherlands (AMS)
- Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International, Thailand (BKK)
- Beijing Capital International, China (PEK)
- Dubai International Airport, UAE (DXB)
- Frankfurt Airport, Germany (FRA)
- Guangzhou Baiyun International, China (CAN)
- Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok International, Hong Kong (HKG)
- Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International, Turkey (SAW)
- London Heathrow, UK (LHR)
- Madrid-Barajas Adolfo Suarez Airport, Spain (MAD)
- Mexico City Benito Juarez International, Mexico (MEX)
- New Delhi Indira Gandhi International, India (DEL)
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, France (CDG)
- Seoul Incheon International, South Korea (ICN)
- Shanghai Pudong International, China (PVG)
- Singapore Changi International, Singapore (SIN)
- Tokyo Narita International, Japan (NRT)
- Toronto Pearson International, Canada (YYZ)
These U.S. Credit Cards Include Priority Pass Membership
There are a couple of credit card providers in the United States that also offer pre-included Priority Pass memberships and several benefits to individuals.
Here is a list in no particular order of various U.S. credit cards, which comes with Priority Pass membership ready for you.
- Chase Sapphire Reserve
- Citi Prestige Card
- The Platinum Card from American Express
- The Business Platinum Card from American Express
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
- Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
- Mastercard Black Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card
Bear in mind to make a comparison the the different credit cards and their benefits before you purchase them. This is because the fees and benefits may vary from one provider to another.
How to Obtain Priority Pass Membership
You can obtain Priority Pass membership through the following ways:
(a) Apply online directly on the Priority Pass website or via their mobile app available on Apple Store and Google Play Store.
(b) Open a credit card account that includes free Priority Pass membership (we have already mentioned a few of them above).
(c) Obtain free Priority Pass membership called Priority Pass Select through rewards credit cards.
The Priority Pass membership is offered to individuals in any travel class. So, even if you booked a ticket for an economy class, but having a Priority Pass membership can give you the benefits that will make your travel experience worth it.
However, keep in mind that the subscription fees for the application of Priority Pass and other access fees will vary from one class to another and may also differ with the in-airport lounges.
Conclusion
Whether your travel is with regard to business or a holiday, having a Priority Pass can be handy, especially given the various benefits it offers.
