Priority Pass Lounges are (Almost) Always Crowded — Here's Why

Airport lounges often provide frequent travelers an oasis away from the crowded and busy terminal gates. But what if the lounge is just as crowded as the gate?

Priority Pass offers its members access to one of the largest airport lounge networks in the world, but access is relatively easy to gain and has led to some overcrowding issues. See why certain Priority Pass lounges are crowded and what some alternative options could be.

What are Priority Pass lounges?

Priority Pass is an airport lounge network consisting of over 1,300 lounges worldwide. The network advertises that its lounges offer “more places to relax, work and connect in.” This often rings true for many airport lounges because they typically provide a private area away from the public terminal gates and food courts.

Different brands

You’re likely to see a wide range of different airport lounge brands within the Priority Pass network. These are all brands that partner with Priority Pass to allow members access to their lounges. Depending on each specific lounge, you might find different amenities. You may even find different amenities for lounges from the same brand but in different airports.

Some of the different lounges and experiences you might encounter with Priority Pass include:

• Air France Lounge
• Be Relax Spa
• British Airways Lounge
• Gameway
• Lufthansa Business Lounge
• Minute Suites
• The Club

Amenities

Here are the typical amenities you’ll find in Priority Pass lounges:

• Wi-Fi
• TV
• Refreshments (snacks or meals)
• Drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic)
• Seating
• Flight information
• Business centers

Food and drinks are often welcome amenities because airport food prices could be expensive. And if you typically have a lot of air travel involving long layovers, having access to airport lounge amenities could help you save money.

In some cases, you might find additional amenities such as showers, massage chairs, prayer rooms, luggage storage, and more. The size of each lounge varies and could range from a few rooms to multiple floors of space.

Access to Priority Pass lounges

You need a Priority Pass membership to access Priority Pass lounges. If a lounge is full, you might be asked to wait until there’s space available, even if you have a membership. You typically need to show your membership card or digital membership card, which is available on the Priority Pass app.

Priority Pass offers three types of paid memberships, including:

• Standard: $99 annual membership that allows you and your guests access to Priority Pass lounges for $32 per person.
• Standard Plus: $299 annual membership that offers you 10 free visits per year. After your 10 free visits, it’s $32 per visit. It’s also $32 for each guest you bring in.
• Prestige: $429 annual membership that offers you unlimited free visits to Priority Pass lounges. You can bring in guests for $32 per guest per visit.

If you want to avoid these paid memberships, it’s typically more cost-effective to get a credit card with Priority Pass included as a benefit. Most credit cards that offer Priority Pass benefits provide you with a Priority Pass Select membership. This type of membership gives you free unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges worldwide and often includes free access for one or two guests as well; it varies by the credit card issuer and each lounge’s guest policy.

To research different Priority Pass lounges, use the Priority Pass app or Priority Pass website. This will give you information about specific lounges and their amenities, including for major airports such as Seattle (SEA), New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), and San Francisco (SFO).

Why are Priority Pass lounges so crowded?

Priority Pass lounges are likely crowded because so many people have access to them. What was once an exclusive benefit on specific premium travel credit cards has now become an increasingly common perk on loads of credit cards.

Priority Pass was founded in 1992 by a traveler who observed premium ticket holders enjoy the benefits of different airport lounges while he was stuck suffering the experience of waiting at the terminal gate. The founder wanted to offer an affordable way for frequent travelers to gain access to similar airport lounge benefits and improve their travel experiences.

And, for some time, Priority Pass has led the way in providing millions of members access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Priority Pass was initially introduced as a benefit on a few premium travel credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, Citi Prestige^® Card (not currently available), and The Platinum Card^® from American Express (select benefits require enrollment).

High annual fees kept many travelers away from these cards, but over the years, more and more cards have added Priority Pass benefits. Also, cardmembers found that the benefits and rewards found on these travel cards often more than outweighed any annual fees.

If you compare credit cards, you’re able to find loads of options for airport lounge access, especially among travel credit cards.

Credit cards that offer Priority Pass benefits

What started as a few credit cards with Priority Pass benefits has grown to a sizable list. Here are some of the cards that provide Priority Pass lounge access (depending on the card, select benefits require enrollment):

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
• Chase Sapphire Reserve^®
• The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant^® American Express^® Card
• The Platinum Card^® from American Express
• The Business Platinum Card^® from American Express
• U.S. Bank Altitude^® Reserve Visa Infinite^® Card

Many of these cards offer a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, but a few cards might only provide a select number of free lounge visits per year. Additionally, certain cards also allow you to eat for free at Priority Pass restaurants if available. American Express credit cards don’t typically offer the restaurant benefit.

Alternatives to Priority Pass lounges

If you’re ready to leave Priority Pass behind or simply want more options for lounges, consider a few alternatives, such as using another lounge network or program. Some of the best travel credit cards offer airport lounge access that isn’t necessarily through Priority Pass.

Here are Priority Pass alternatives to consider.

Centurion Lounge

The Amex Centurion Lounge network has long been thought of as an upgrade over Priority Pass, but without as large of a footprint. Many of these lounges are spacious, and they typically offer elevated food and beverage options. The Centurion network, which includes Escape Lounges, has over 40 locations worldwide and limits access to these cardholders:

• Amex Platinum (including business and corporate versions)
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve American Express Card
• Delta SkyMiles^® Reserve Business American Express Card
• The Centurion^® Card from American Express

Check out our full Amex Platinum Card review.

Chase Sapphire Lounge

Chase is set to open multiple airport lounges in partnership with The Club in these locations:

• Austin (AUS) - open now (this is a Chase Sapphire Terrace, not a complete Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club)
• New York (LGA) — open now
• New York (JFK) — open now
• San Diego (SAN)
• Phoenix (PHX)
• Philadelphia (PHL)
• Las Vegas (LAS)
• Boston (BOS) — open now
  
• Hong Kong (HKG) — open now
  
• Washington, D.C. (IAD) — open now (this is called "The Etihad Lounge")

News reports indicate the following details about Chase Sapphire lounge access: 

• Chase Sapphire Reserve, J.P. Morgan Reserve, The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card primary cardmembers, and authorized users who have activated their complimentary Priority Pass membership will have lounge access.
  
• Sapphire Reserve and J.P. Morgan Reserve cardmembers may bring up to two guests per Priority Pass Membership card, per visit, for free, and additional guests for $27.
• Ritz-Carlton cardmembers may bring unlimited guests at no charge.
• There's no additional charge for children under two.
• Priority Pass members receive one complimentary visit per calendar year.
• No complimentary access for Chase Sapphire Preferred^® Card users.

Check out our full Chase Sapphire Reserve review.

Capital One Lounge

Capital One has airport lounges in Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Washington, D.C. (IAD), and Denver (DEN). These lounges are open to any traveler for a $65 fee per visit. These credit cards also offer specific lounge benefits:

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: Free unlimited access for you and up to two guests. Additional guest visits are $45 per person per visit.
• Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card: Two free visits per year and then $45 per visit. Guest visits are $45 per person per visit.
• Capital One Spark Miles for Business: Two free visits per year and then $45 per visit. Guest visits are $45 per person per visit.

Airline lounge memberships

Many major airlines have their own lounge networks that you can join. Here are the costs for some of the more popular lounge memberships, including Delta Sky Clubs and United Clubs:

Keep in mind that certain premium fares, such as first-class or business-class tickets, could get you into different airline lounges as well. Additionally, having elite status with a certain airline might provide airline lounge benefits.

Lounge programs

Certain travel programs also offer access to specific lounges and networks. Here are a few other options for gaining access to different lounges:

• LoungeBuddy: Pay a fee (starting from $25) to access specific airport lounges worldwide. LoungeBuddy is owned by American Express, and its booking services are reserved for Amex cardmembers.
• Plaza Premium: Plaza Premium is a brand of airport lounges that offers different membership plans to access its lounges. Certain Plaza Premium lounges are also available to access through other programs.
• DragonPass: DragonPass offers membership plans to access airport lounges in over 770 airports worldwide.

FAQs

Bottom line

Priority Pass lounges are often busy, but they could still be a better option than waiting for your flight at the gate. Terminal gates typically have little to no amenities and are often more crowded than airport lounges. It also doesn’t hurt to check a Priority Pass lounge to see exactly how busy it is, especially if you have a credit card with Priority Pass as a benefit.

But if you want to open up more lounge options, consider other airport lounge networks that might not be as busy as Priority Pass. Depending on your typical travel routes, different lounges could offer you more flexibility and benefits. Check out these credit cards with lounge access.

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