Access to airport lounges with priority pass

By Iryna BolshakovaOct 6, 2023 12:31 PMFlight
Share:
Comfortable waiting for your flight
Comfortable waiting for your flight. Source: Image by Falkenpost from Pixabay

Do you prefer travelling by air but don't like wasting time in airports? Do you want to enjoy comfort, privacy and additional services while waiting for your flight? Then you should learn about lounges, special areas where you can relax, eat, work or have fun without depending on the public areas of the airport.

An airport priority lounge pass is not just a privilege for business class or airline members. There are different ways to access them. That's what we'll talk about in this article.

How to access airport lounges

If you're a frequent air traveller, you probably know how important it is to have a comfortable and quiet place to wait for your flight. Airport lounges offer comfortable chairs, free drinks and snacks, Wi-Fi, and showers. There are several ways to get an airport priority pass. They differ in cost, terms, conditions, and coverage. Choose the one that best suits your needs and preferences.

Priority lounge pass
Priority lounge pass. Source: Image by Ulrich Dregler from Pixabay

Priority Pass

It is one of the largest independent airport lounge access programs. With it, you can visit more than 1,300 rest areas in over 600 cities and 148 countries around the world. You can purchase it on the website https://www.prioritypass.com/ or through the mobile application. To do this, you need to fill out an application form, choose the type of membership and pay for an annual pass. Once you have received your membership card, you can use the services of the lounges.

There are three types of membership: Standard, Standard Plus and Prestige. They differ in the cost of the annual pass and the number of free visits to the lounges.

Membership type

Annual pass price

Number of free lounge visits

Cost of additional visits and guests

Standard

£69

0

£20 per visit or guest

Standard Plus

£189

10

£20 per additional visit or guest

Prestige

£339

unlimited

£20 per guest

The Priority Pass allows you to enjoy comfort, privacy and extra services in airport lounges. Here you can:

  • relax;
  • grab a bite to eat;
  • work;
  • have fun.

All this is done without depending on the public areas of the airport. Plus, you can invite guests for an additional fee. Some lounges also offer spa services, showers, meeting rooms, and other amenities.

There are some restrictions. A priority pass does not give you access to all airport lounges. You can only visit lounges that partner with the program. You can check the list of available lounges at https://www.prioritypass.com/ or in the mobile app. Note that some areas may have restrictions on dwell time and seating capacity or require reservations in advance.

Amex Priority Pass

If you are an American Express Platinum or Gold cardholder, you can also take advantage of the Amex priority pass. Depending on the type of card you have, you can visit the rest areas for free or for a small fee. In addition, you also get access to other recreation areas such as Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs. This can be very handy if you fly with different airlines or want more choices.

Amex allows access to over 1,200 lounges at 500 airports worldwide regardless of airline or ticket class.

You can activate your priority pass at https://www.americanexpress.com/ or via the mobile app. You will then be able to use the lounges.

The Amex Pass is included with your American Express credit card service fee. You do not pay extra to visit the lounges. However, you can invite guests for an additional fee. The guest fee depends on your credit card and lounge type. It usually ranges from $27 to $32 per guest.

This pass helps you enjoy comfort, privacy, and extra services in airport lounges. You can relax, eat, work or have fun without depending on the public areas of the airport. You can also invite guests for an additional fee. Some lounges also offer spa services, showers, meeting rooms and other amenities.

Day pass to airport rest areas
Day pass to airport rest areas. Source: Image by Edward Lich from Pixabay

Other ways to gain lounge access

If you are not entitled to free airport lounge access by your ticket or status, you may want to consider other options that can make your wait for a flight more comfortable and enjoyable.

Day Pass

You can buy a pass to private lounge areas such as the No1 Lounges, which are also under different names: My Lounge, Club Aspire and Clubrooms. They have several lounge areas in the UK:

  • Heathrow terminals 3 and 5;
  • Gatwick;
  • Edinburgh;
  • Manchester.

As well as several rest areas in Las Vegas, Orlando and Atlanta.

Heathrow airport lounge area prices start from £35 per person. You can buy a ticket on the day you visit, but then you run the risk of not getting there due to occupancy and it may be more cost-effective to book in advance.

Take advantage of discounts at airport lounges

Virgin Atlantic's Flying Club frequent flyer program gives members benefits in lounge areas. It states that there are discounts on day tickets to No1 Lounges at Heathrow Terminal 3, Gatwick and Birmingham. And No1 Lounges also gives a free glass of champagne for Virgin Atlantic passengers who book in advance.

The HSBC Premier credit card (no annual fee) gives customers access to the LoungeKey network for £20 per person per visit.

Barclays Avios Plus cardholders can get a discounted rate of £18.50 per person for a LoungeKey ticket via DragonPass. There is a monthly fee of £20 for the credit card.

Access through bundled privileges

Some packaged bank accounts offer airport lounge access in their feature set, but there may be minimum income restrictions and you have to pay a monthly fee.

For example, the NatWest Premier Reward Black account, which costs £31 per month, includes DragonPass membership in its list of privileges.

Free snack with priority pass
Free snack with priority pass. Source: Image by atulknareda from Pixabay

Other countries

If you're travelling outside of the UK, you can also find ways to get a priority pass in other countries. Here are some of them:

  1. You can use the LoungeBuddy service, which allows you to buy access to lounge areas at airports around the world regardless of your class of service, lounge membership or elite status. They now have over 280 partners around the world.
  2. You can take advantage of Mastercard Airport Experiences, which gives you exclusive access to over 1,400 lounge areas in 120 countries when you present your Mastercard. You can also enjoy benefits like Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, free drinks and more at these clubs.
  3. You can choose a credit card that gives you access to the Priority Pass network. The program has more than 1,300 lounge areas in over 600 cities and 148 countries. Some of these cards also give you access to other lounge areas such as Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs.

There are several ways to access lounge areas at airports around the world, depending on your class of service, loyalty program membership or credit card type. Make your travels more comfortable and enjoyable.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
Yellow airport sign showing passport control for EU citizens

EU Border Control Goes Digital With New Entry/Exit System

Mar 8, 2026 15:28 PM
SAS Airbus aircraft approaching runway during landing

SAS Returns to Riga With Daily Copenhagen Flights

Mar 8, 2026 13:01 PM

Brunei–London Flights Go Direct as Dubai Stop Paused

Mar 8, 2026 12:55 PM

airBaltic Schedules Third Dubai Repatriation Flight to Riga

Mar 7, 2026 03:39 AM
LOT Polish Airlines aircraft taking off from runway

LOT Begins Rolling Out Wi-Fi on Dreamliner Fleet

Mar 7, 2026 03:23 AM
Finnair aircraft parked at airport gate

Finnair Plans Special Muscat Flights to Bring Stranded Dubai Passengers Home

Mar 7, 2026 03:06 AM
Wizz Air aircraft parked on airport apron

Wizz Air Cleared for First UK–US World Cup Charter Flights

Mar 7, 2026 02:57 AM
Hotel guest room with sculpted wooden headboard design

New Downtown Hotel Opens Steps From San Antonio’s River Walk

Mar 7, 2026 02:42 AM
British Airways Airbus A380 aircraft in flight

British Airways Expands Business Class on Refitted A380

Mar 7, 2026 02:34 AM

Entire Tube Line Closed This Weekend as Track Works Disrupt London Travel

Mar 7, 2026 02:28 AM

California’s High-Speed Rail Plans Promise Faster LA–San Francisco Travel

Mar 7, 2026 02:11 AM
Dubai skyline with Burj Khalifa and downtown waterfront

Middle East Flights Slowly Return as Airlines Rebuild Schedules

Mar 7, 2026 02:05 AM
Camel riders near the pyramids at sunset

Egypt Holidays Continue Despite Regional Tensions

Mar 6, 2026 21:39 PM
Night train departing a platform at a railway station

Brussels–Milan Night Train Pushed Back to September

Mar 6, 2026 21:23 PM
View of the Colosseum amphitheatre in Rome

easyJet Starts Birmingham–Rome Flights Ahead of Summer Travel

Mar 6, 2026 07:56 AM

New Avani+ Hotel Planned for Vientiane

Mar 6, 2026 07:47 AM

Qatar Airways Plans Relief Flights via Muscat and Riyadh

Mar 6, 2026 07:32 AM
Great Sphinx and pyramid at the Giza plateau in Egypt

Sofia Gains New Direct Flights to Egypt and Tirana

Mar 6, 2026 07:24 AM
Modern minimalist hotel bedroom with large bed and mirrored wardrobe

Scandic Go Opens First Oslo Hotel for Budget City Stays

Mar 6, 2026 07:18 AM
Surfers in ocean waves with green mountains behind on a Hawaii beach

Hawaii Sees Rising Demand as Overseas Travel Wobbles

Mar 6, 2026 07:01 AM
Philippine Airlines aircraft parked at an airport gate

Philippine Airlines Suspends Several Middle East Flights

Mar 6, 2026 06:55 AM
Street sign pointing toward Mexico direction

Mexico Spring Break Advisory Reminds Visitors to Stay Alert

Mar 6, 2026 06:49 AM

Finnair Cancels Doha and Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Airspace Concerns

Mar 6, 2026 06:33 AM

Frankfurt–Kuala Lumpur Gets Year-Round Lufthansa Flights

Mar 6, 2026 06:26 AM
Polignano a Mare cliffs and beach in Apulia

Ryanair Expands Apulia Network With 82 Summer Routes

Mar 5, 2026 00:37 AM
Ryanair aircraft on runway with airline logo visible

Irish Court Orders eDreams to Stop Accessing Ryanair Booking System

Mar 5, 2026 00:12 AM