Is a Priority Pass lounge membership actually worth it?

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information and offers.

If you’ve ever found yourself languishing, bored and uncomfortable in a crowded airport terminal or desperately hunting for a power outlet near your gate, then you’ve probably also imagined how much better you’d feel relaxing in an airport lounge instead.

Priority Pass memberships give you access to more than 1,700 airport lounges and experiences worldwide. These lounges offer complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi and a quiet space to recharge — both yourself and your devices.

But is it actually worth paying for a membership or applying for a credit card just to get access?

Let’s break it down.

What is Priority Pass?

Priority Pass is an independent lounge access program that gives its members entry to airport lounges around the globe — whether they’re flying economy or business class and regardless of airline or elite status. Some of these lounges are airline-operated, while others are run by third-party operators.

The Turkish Airlines Lounge at Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., for instance, welcomes both Turkish Airlines’ premium passengers and Priority Pass members. These airline-run lounges often offer a premium experience, with hot food, showers and ample seating.

However, many Priority Pass lounges are operated by third-party companies that don’t have to compete for airline loyalty, such as No. 1 Lounges and Plaza Premium lounges. Unfortunately, the quality of your experience in a third-party lounge can vary substantially — for every gem like the Vienna Lounge at Vienna Airport (VIE), you’ll also find others like the Bellini VIP Lounge at Vincenzo Bellini Catania Airport (CTA) in Italy, which may feel more like a quiet waiting room with free snacks.

Related: The do’s and don’ts of visiting an airport lounge

How to access Priority Pass lounges

There are two main ways to access Priority Pass lounges.

Using premium travel credit card perks

Several credit cards offer complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, including:

• Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees)
• The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required)
• Capital One Venture X Business (only for eligible cardholders who applied before May of 2024, not for new applicants)
• Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (enrollment required)

Some of these cards even allow guest access at no extra cost, typically for up to two guests.

Related: 10 credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access

Purchasing a membership directly

You can also buy a Priority Pass membership directly from the Priority Pass website, with the following pricing tiers (accurate as of April 2025):

Is a Priority Pass membership worth it?

The value that you’ll be able to get out of any Priority Pass membership really depends on how often you travel and how you acquire membership.

Many Priority Pass lounges will sell entry to anyone without access, and the costs are usually around the $30 to $50 mark. The lounges vary considerably in quality, but I’d put the value of each visit I’ve had on average — in terms of the food, drinks and facilities on offer — at around $15 to $25 per visit. 

To understand your return, it’s worth breaking down the fee based on the number of lounge visits you can make per year.

5 lounge visits per year

With a Standard membership, you’ll pay $99 plus $35 per visit if you visit five times a year; for five visits, this works out to $274.

This breaks down to nearly $55 per visit and, therefore, doesn’t offer great value. You’d likely do just as well (or better) spending that money at airport restaurants.

10 lounge visits per year

If you visit 10 times a year, your best bet is to pay for the Standard Plus membership for $329, which provides you with 10 free visits per year. 

That’s $32.90 per visit, which could be reasonable, but it still depends on the quality of the lounges you visit. If your home airport, for example, doesn’t offer a high-quality Priority Pass lounge, it may not be worth it. 

20 lounge visits per year

For this level of access, you’d want to consider the Prestige membership for $469 per year. This would cover all your visits without extra charges and bring your cost per visit down to $23.45. In our opinion, this is much better aligned with the value of free food and drinks and the comfort you’d be able to take advantage of. 

30-plus lounge visits per year

Again, the Prestige membership would offer the best value here. If you visit at least 30 lounges throughout the year, the cost per visit drops to under $16 — a solid deal if you consistently use and genuinely enjoy the lounges.

If you travel with a companion regularly, it might also make sense for them to have their own membership. Guest passes cost $35 each time, so it can quickly add up and may detract from the value you can get from the membership fee as a solo traveler.

Related: The 9 best Priority Pass lounges in the US

What if you get a Priority Pass membership through a credit card?

If a premium card offers complimentary Priority Pass access, consider how many times you’d use it annually. 

For example, 10 visits per year times an estimated value of $20 per visit equals $200 of perceived value.

If your card’s annual fee is $395 or more and you receive Priority Pass membership as a perk alongside other benefits (like travel credits, insurance or points-earning potential), you’re more likely to justify the fee, as you’re getting more bang for your buck beyond Priority Pass lounge access.

What else could affect the value of my Priority Pass membership?

While the above breakdowns offer a good guide for your return on investment regarding a Priority Pass membership, it’s also worth considering a few other key points. 

For example, not only are you wrestling with varying lounge quality, but access may also not always be available. Priority Pass lounges will often restrict access during busy periods. This can be a particular burden if you’re traveling through a busy hub like London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR) or New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). 

Depending on the lounges you wish to visit, particularly ones run by airlines, you may also find that access is only available during specific hours.

Because of the nature of Priority Pass, essentially offering access to all travelers with an easily attainable membership, you may find that certain lounges reach capacity quickly during peak travel periods. This may not seem like an issue if you’re still able to gain entry, but visiting a busy lounge isn’t always a rewarding experience. Food options can run out, seating and work spaces fill up and you may only be marginally more comfortable than you would be waiting it out at the gate.

With all the above in mind, we always recommend checking the Priority Pass app or website before arriving to confirm availability and hours and, if possible, even prebook your slot. This service isn’t available at all lounges, but some do offer prebooking for a small fee (usually under $10 per person). 

The long and short of it is that timing is imperative when trying to visit a Priority Pass lounge. Early morning or late-evening flights might not give you much lounge time or access to full services. If you’re just stopping in for a quick coffee or charging your phone, the value of the visit may be low. The best lounge value comes when you have at least an hour to relax, can enjoy a full meal, have time for a drink or two and can take advantage of a quiet workspace if you’re traveling on business.

Bottom line

A Priority Pass membership can absolutely be worth it — if you travel frequently enough and are strategic about using it. For most travelers, the best value comes from a credit card that includes membership rather than paying out of pocket.

Before signing up, ask yourself:

• How many lounge visits will I make this year?
• Will I use the membership often enough to justify the cost?
• Do I travel at times or through airports where lounges are available and not overcrowded?

Set your expectations accordingly. Want to learn more or sign up? You can join Priority Pass here.