Using Priority Pass to Access Airport Lounges Worldwide: Is It Worth It?15 min read

Airports can be stressful places with long lines, crowded gates, overpriced food, and shaky Wi-Fi. But what if your time at the airport could actually feel like part of the journey instead of just the wait before it? That’s where Priority Pass comes in. Since we started using it in 2025 (included as a benefit with our Capital One Venture X credit card), our airport experiences have been completely transformed.

It’s safe to say we’re lounge people now, and I’m not sure we can ever go back!  

From London to Istanbul to Tirana, we’ve relaxed, eaten, and recharged in lounges around the world. And honestly, we look forward to going to the airport now.

This article is written from our personal point of view based on our experiences using Priority Pass.

I’ll explain what Priority Pass is and how it works, walk you through membership costs and the math versus paying for lounges individually, highlight the biggest benefits and downsides (with real stories from our trips), and help you decide whether Priority Pass is worth it for your travel style.

What is Priority Pass, and how does it work?

Priority Pass is an independent airport lounge membership program that gives travelers access to a global network of lounges and “airport experiences” no matter which airline or cabin class they’re flying. 

That makes it especially appealing because you don’t need elite status or a business-class ticket since access is through Priority Pass membership. 

When you arrive at a participating lounge, you show your Priority Pass membership (digital or physical) and your boarding pass, and, if the lounge has capacity, you’re admitted.

We’ve visited eight lounges in five countries so far in 2025, and we’ve never had to wait more than 10 minutes to get into any of them.

We always fly economy and on trips where we flew different legs on multiple airlines, the membership turned otherwise long, noisy waits into restful, productive pauses.

(Except for one lounge, which I’ll get to later). 

The Priority Pass membership network is broad and, according to the Priority Pass website, it covers 1,700+ airport lounges and “experiences” across more than 600 cities and 145+ countries.

How do you get Priority Pass and who can sign up?

Anyone can buy Priority Pass directly from the company. But these days, you can also get it bundled as a benefit through premium travel credit cards. That was our route. 

Our Capital One Venture X credit card includes Priority Pass Select, which allows the main member and one guest to enter the lounges for free. 

It’s worth noting that starting February 1, 2026, there will be an additional $125 charge to add a guest to your Priority Pass Select membership. 

If you don’t already hold a card with Priority Pass, check your credit card perks before buying a standalone membership. It’s very common for premium travel cards to include it, so you might already have this benefit and just need to enroll to activate your membership benefits.

Once you have a membership, you’ll receive a physical card in the mail and you can also use your digital card in the Priority Pass app. The app also helps you find lounges in a terminal, shows opening hours and facilities, and (in many cases) allows you to pre-book a slot (sometimes for a small fee) if the lounge supports that feature.

Cost and Tiers: Membership vs. Paying Per-visit

Priority Pass sells multiple membership tiers so travelers can pick what suits them. The core tiers are Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige. 

Each tier balances an annual fee with either per-visit charges or free visits, depending on how frequently you’ll use lounges. 

If you’re buying directly from Priority Pass, the published tiers and typical pricing are:

Priority Pass Tier	Cost
Standard	$99 USD / year + $35 USD Member visit fee and $35 USD Guest visit fee
Standard Plus	$329 USD / year with 10 free visits, then $35 USD Member visit fee + $35 USD Guest visit fee
Prestige	$469 USD / year for unlimited member visits + $35 USD Guest visit fee

If you don’t want a membership, many airport lounges sell day passes on arrival or online. You can even buy airport lounge day-pass deals on websites like Get Your Guide.

Lounge prices vary a lot. Low‑end lounges can be around US$30 to $40 per person, and premium lounges (or those with showers and hot food) can be US$60 to $100 or more. 

Our Priority Pass Decision

Our first taste of the airport lounge life was in Panama City in 2023. We had two free airport lounge passes that came with our Trusted Housesitters Premium membership . There was a nice buffet spread, unlimited soft drinks. We felt so fancy!

Then in 2024, I had an 8+ hour layover in Doha, before we had Priority Pass, and I paid roughly US$80 for a lounge pass. It was worth every cent after my 15-hour flight from Los Angeles to get a shower, two meals, a nap, and some quiet time to catch up with family before my next long flight. 

That experience convinced me lounges were worth the money. After that, Stevo and I started searching for a more sustainable, repeatable way to get lounge access on future trips. That’s when we learned about the Capital One Venture X card, which includes Priority Pass as a benefit. 

If you travel frequently enough that you expect multiple lounge visits per year, the math often works in favor of Standard Plus or Prestige (or getting Priority Pass via a credit card). But if you take only one or two trips annually, ad-hoc lounge passes may be the cheaper option.

Core benefits of Priority Pass (and real examples)

Once you start spending time in lounges regularly, the small comforts add up to serious travel upgrades. Here are the main categories of benefits we’ve noticed during our trips:

Food and Drinks

Most lounges offer unlimited beverages (coffee, tea, soft drinks, and often alcoholic options) and a rotating buffet. Some lounges work hard to showcase local flavors alongside international staples. 

The lounge in Tirana, Albania, really stood out with the traditional decor and local dishes. It felt like an extra, unexpected, cultural experience. We genuinely felt that the lounge was one of the highlights of our travel day.

Comfort and Quiet

Lounges have cushioned seating, quiet corners, fewer announcements, and a much calmer atmosphere than the gate area. Once we had Priority Pass, we started getting to airports at least three hours early so we could fully enjoy the lounge. 

It has changed our entire relationship with travel days, and now we make the lounge a little ritual of relaxation or a chance to get some work done.

Wi‑Fi and Productivity

Nearly every lounge we have used has had better Wi‑Fi than the main airport network. In Osaka, I was able to finish editing a client’s video and upload it without connection hiccups. In London Heathrow, we both used the lounge as a temporary remote office while waiting for a late flight.

Showers and Restrooms

Lounges often have far superior bathrooms and, in some locations, even showers. In Istanbul, having access to a shower mid-journey was transformational. That’s the kind of comfort that turns an uncomfortably long travel day into a manageable one. 

For longer layovers or overnight travel, a shower can be the single most valuable lounge amenity.

Unexpected Amenities

Although the amenities and quality vary widely by lounge, sometimes you will find high-end food and drinks, nice artwork, and even unique features like golf simulators or swimming pools.

The most unique-sounding lounge we’ve heard of is the VIP Lounge at Punta Cana International Airport in the Dominican Republic. It has a swimming pool with views of the runway!

Flight Information and Staff Support

Most lounges have flight board displays, and staff frequently help with gate directions and timing. We like to ask the lounge staff if they can give us an estimated walking time to our gate and to suggest the optimal leaving time. That way, we can avoid the stress of needing to sprint through terminals. 

In general, staff in airport lounges are very helpful and friendly. The unfortunate exception was the lounge we visited in Hyderabad, India. It was extremely overcrowded and we encountered some bizarre behavior from the staff. 

One of the cleaning staff members kept coming over to poorly wipe our small table, then put out his hand for a tip, right next to the pin on his shirt that said “No Tips”. He did this to several of the people sitting around as well, and he came back several times to try again over the next few hours. In some lounges, there are tip boxes out, but staff members aren’t supposed to solicit tips. 

Honestly, the entire lounge experience in Hyderabad was very strange. If we had paid out of pocket to be there, I would have asked for my money back!

Flexibility of using the lounges

You can use lounges before your departure, during long layovers, or sometimes even on arrival (if the lounge is in the right terminal and open for arrivals). On connections where terminals are close or the airport has multiple participating lounges, the membership gives you options.

For example, in London Luton there were two available lounges in the terminal we were flying out of. We scoped out both before choosing the better looking one. A staff member at one of the lounges even told us to go to the other one because it was nicer. We really appreciated the honesty!

Non‑lounge experiences

Priority Pass also partners with restaurant and spa experiences in some airports, where you can use membership credits or benefits. This is handy where a traditional lounge either doesn’t exist or is full. We haven’t done this yet, but it is available in some airports. 

Why the app matters

The Priority Pass app is more than a digital membership card. It’s a lounge directory, a pre-booking tool (where available), and a way to read recent traveler reviews about lounge experiences and amenities. We rely on the app to check whether a lounge accepts pre-bookings, to see the hours, and to find the nearest participating lounge when we land, or the closest lounge to our gate before we fly out. 

Pre‑booking is particularly useful in busy hubs where lounges reach capacity. If the lounge supports it, you can reserve a timed slot via the app or website (sometimes for a fee). This reduces your risk of being turned away because the space is at capacity. 

We haven’t been turned away at a lounge so far. However, we did have to wait for about 10 minutes to get into the lounge in Hyderabad. 

The app also holds your QR code digital card, so you don’t have to carry the physical plastic card. You also need to show your boarding pass to get into the lounge. 

Who benefits most from Priority Pass?

Priority Pass isn’t a one-size-fits-all product, but here’s how it typically fits different travelers.

Digital nomads

If you use airports as temporary work hubs between flights, lounges often provide the reliable Wi‑Fi and fewer distractions you need. We frequently use lounges like short-term coworking spaces when we have a long connection.

Business travelers

If you travel several times a month, the combination of peace, power outlets, Wi‑Fi, food, and possibly even showers, will likely make Priority Pass well worth it. It keeps layovers productive and helps you arrive at your destination less frazzled.

Vacationers

For long international itineraries or travel days with multiple connections, lounge visits can transform long travel days from a nightmare into an enjoyable part of the trip. Trying local food in lounges feels like a continuation of your trip, rather than eating whatever overpriced chain restaurant food is available inside the terminal. 

Families

The main downside for families is guest fees because bringing a family into lounges can get expensive. But when traveling with young kids, the calmer space, decent food, and nicer bathrooms can be priceless for parents.

Occasional travelers

If you fly only once or twice a year, buying a full annual membership might not be cost-effective. Instead, consider paying for lounges per-visit or choosing a card that includes limited visits as a perk. You’ll need to do the math to see if it’s worth it for you to get Priority Pass. 

Customer service, limitations, and realistic expectations

Priority Pass offers account support through the app and website, and lounges have their own staff who are usually pleasant and helpful. However, you should expect some potential limitations. 

Lounges can impose capacity limits and refuse entry during peak periods, and some lounges even have blackout times. Guest fees apply in most cases, and the quality of lounges varies dramatically. We’ve seen great differences.

The Istanbul lounge felt boutique and spacious with an amazing buffet that included barbequed meats and freshly baked flatbreads, as well as big bathrooms with showers.

The lounge in London Luton was beautifully designed with clean, private bathrooms, and varied hot and cold international food selections.

On the other side of the coin, the lounge in Osaka, Japan was surprisingly small and dated. Instead of hot food options, everyone got a packaged sandwich and a bag of nuts and chips at the entrance. But the seats were comfortable, the Wi-Fi was strong, and they did have a nice serve-yourself coffee machine!

That variability is important to note. Priority Pass gives you access to lounges, but it doesn’t guarantee the same high-level experience everywhere.

If you’re turned away because a lounge is full, you can ask staff about alternative lounges. In many cases, staff are helpful and will point you to the next best option. If you’re worried about this for busier airports, you can also see if you can pre-book slots through the Priority Pass app.

Practical tips to maximize value

• Check your card benefits first. Many premium credit cards include Priority Pass Select. We get Priority Pass through our Capital One Venture X card. Again, it’s worth mentioning that starting in 2026, there will be an additional one-time $125 fee to add a guest onto your Priority Pass membership for the year though the Capital One Venture X card.

• Refresh the app data before you travel so you have the current lounge hours and pre-book options.

• Pre-book when the lounge supports it, which removes uncertainty in busy hubs. We haven’t needed to do this, but maybe we’ve just been lucky!

• Factor guest habits into your decision. If you frequently travel with a partner or family, that may make guest fees expensive.

• Use lounges on both outbound and inbound flights, and layovers where possible to get double the comfort for little extra effort.

• Choose lounges with showers or quiet zones when you have long layovers.

• Keep an eye on lounge quality in reviews. Some airports have multiple Priority Pass lounges, so pick the better one.

How we decided if it was worth it

For us, a key turning point was that Doha layover I paid for in early 2024. I spent about US$80 and felt rejuvenated afterward. It re-framed how I thought about travel days.

Since then, with Priority Pass included in our Capital One Venture X benefits, we’ve used lounges all over the world: London Heathrow; London Luton; Istanbul, Turkey; Hyderabad, Trivandrum, and Chandigarh in India; Bangkok (DMK) in Thailand; Tirana, Albania; and Osaka, Japan. 

The accumulated benefits of better rest, good food and drinks, better Wi‑Fi, nicer bathrooms, and a quieter environment make travel days much more enjoyable. 

Now, we look forward to getting to the airport extra early because the lounge experience has become part of our travel ritual.

 It’s worth noting that if you already have lounge access through airline status or business-class tickets, Priority Pass may be redundant for certain routes. If you regularly fly economy or change carriers like us, then it might make sense for you.

Final verdict: Who should consider Priority Pass?

If you travel often and value comfort, productivity, and a calmer airport experience, Priority Pass is a great option for you. If a membership comes as part of a credit card you’d otherwise want, it’s an easy win.

On other hand, if you rarely travel, run the numbers to compare likely ad-hoc lounge costs to the Priority Pass membership tiers.

Priority Pass isn’t perfect. Due to variable lounge quality, guest fees, and crowding inside the lounges leading to occasional denials, you need to weigh the pros and cons. 

For many frequent and mid‑range travelers, the benefits can transform the way you travel. For us, those unlimited coffees, nicer bathrooms (sometimes hot showers), helpful staff, and unexpectedly delicious buffets, have permanently raised the bar for what a travel day can be.

Check out Priority Pass for yourself. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments or reach out to us on Instagram.