Priority Pass Lounges: The Essential Guide (2024)

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Priority Pass lounges make up a global network of members-only airport lounges with more than 1,500 locations across the world.

Priority Pass lounges first launched in 1992 and, over the course of 30 years, expanded to more than 150 locations in North America and Canada, as well as over 150 locations in Latin America, 370 locations in Europe, 90 locations in Africa, 70 locations in the Middle East and 440 locations in the Asia Pacific region.

Not only are Priority Pass lounges the most well-mapped, they also continue to receive rave reviews from millions of members across more than 145 countries for their range of amenities. While their offerings vary depending on location, all lounges boast quality food and beverage options, free Wi-Fi, premium travel support and more. Some Priority Pass lounges even offer conference rooms for business meetings and preflight spa treatments.

Unlike other lounge programs, Priority Pass access is not dependent on a specific airline or ticket class.

Priority Pass lounges are located in airport terminals, near the gates, so that members and eligible cardholders can access them after clearing security.

You can find Priority Pass lounges—as well as restaurant, retail, spa and other locations where you can use Priority Pass benefits—at the following airports in the U.S.

City: Location

• Atlanta GA International (ATL): The Club ATL (airside at the mezzanine level, next to the chapel, in the International Terminal Concourse F)
• Baltimore/Washington MD International (BWI): The Club BWI (airside in the upper level, after security, near Gate D10 in Concourse D)
• Boston MA Logan International (BOS): The Lounge (Terminal C, airside on the first floor at the concourse level, across from Gate C19), the Air France Lounge (Terminal E airside after security toward Gate 4) and the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club (airside located in the Terminal B to Terminal C connector, close to Gate B40)
• Buffalo NY Niagara International (BUF): The Club (airside, after security checks, between Gates 6 and 7)
• Charleston SC International (CHS): The Club CHS (airside, after security, straight ahead toward Concourse B, take lift to first floor for access)
• Charlotte NC Douglas International (CLT): The Club CLT (airside after security, toward Gates A21 to A29, on the left before reaching A22 and A21)
• Chicago IL O’Hare International (ORD): Swissport Lounge (International Terminal 5 airside after security, turn right and the lounge is next to Gate M13)
• Cleveland OH Hopkins International (CLE): The Club CLE (airside after security, toward Concourse B)
• Colorado Springs CO (COS): Colorado Springs Premier Lounge (airside, after security checks, adjacent to Gate 6), although this lounge is temporarily closed due to construction.
• Dallas TX – DFW International: The Club DFW (airside on the mezzanine floor near Gate 27) and the Plaza Premium Lounge (airside near Gate E31)
• Detroit MI Metropolitan Wayne County (DTW): Lufthansa Business Lounge (airside after security next to Gate D8)
• Cincinnati OH/Northern Kentucky International (CVG): The Club CVG (airside between Gates A8 and A10)
• Honolulu HI International (HNL): The Plumeria Lounge (Terminal 1, airside on the third floor near the Wiki Wiki shuttle pick-up area) and the IASS Hawaii Lounge (Terminal 2, airside after security toward Gates 14 to 23 of the central concourse on the ground level)
• Houston TX George Bush Intercontinental (IAH): Air France Lounge (Terminal D, airside after security, opposite Gate D18B) and KLM Crown Lounge (Terminal D, airside near Gate D16)
• Jacksonville FL International (JAX): The Club JAX (Concourse A, airside after security, directly ahead past the food court to the right)
• Kahului HI (OGG): Premier Club (airside, second floor, opposite Gate 17)
• Las Vegas NV Harry Reid International: The Club LAS (airside on level 2 of Terminal 1, after security checkpoint D, near Gate D33) and The Club LAS (Terminal 3, airside across from Gate E2)
• Miami FL International (MIA): Turkish Airlines Lounge (airside after security in Concourse E, on level 2, past the escalator on the left or accessible from Terminal D through the connector to the Central Terminal for Concourse E) and Turkish Airlines Lounge (airside, take the lounge lift midway between Concourses H and J to the third floor, keep to the left)
• Minn/St. Paul MN International (MSP): PGA MSP Lounge (Terminal 1, airside at the north end of the Airport Mall, toward Concourses D/E, at the upper level)
• New Orleans LA International (MSY): The Club MSY (airside, after security in Concourse A on the third floor)
• New York NY JFK International (JFK): Primeclass Lounge (Terminal 1, airside after security, next to Gates 8 and 9), Lufthansa Business Lounge (Terminal 1, airside after security on the left side), KAL Business Class Lounge (Terminal 1, airside after security, across from Gate 3), Turkish Airlines Lounge (Terminal 1, airside after security, between Gates 2 and 3), Air France Lounge (Terminal 1, airside near the Air France boarding area by Gate 1), VIP ONE Lounge (Terminal 1, landside on the departure level, located behind counters E and F), Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Terminal 4, airside above Gates A4 and A5), Air India Maharaja Lounge (Terminal 4, airside after security, next to Gate 5), Primeclass Lounge (Terminal 4, airside next to Gate A2) and Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad Airways (Terminal 4, airside after security, turn left and continue on the same level)
• New York NY LaGuardia (LGA): Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club (Terminal B, airside next to Brooklyn Diner on level 4)
• Orlando FL International (MCO): The Club MCO (Terminal A Concourse 1, airside near Gates 1 through 29, adjacent to XpresSpa), The Club MCO (Terminal B, Concourse 4, airside near Gate 91) and Plaza Premium Lounge (Terminal C, airside after security, through Palm Court, lounge access is on second level next to Gate 241)
• Pittsburgh PA International (PIT): The Club (Concourse C, airside near Gate C51)
• San Diego CA International (SAN): Aspire Lounge (Terminal 2, airside after the east security checkpoint, between Gates 33 and 23)
• San Francisco CA International (SFO): Golden Gate Lounge (Terminal A, airside first left after security checkpoint on Level 4), China Airlines Lounge (Terminal A, airside left after security, near Gate A1, Level 4) and Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Terminal A, airside after security, turn left and take the lift to Level 5)
• San Jose CA Mineta International (SJC): The Club SJC A8 (Terminal A, airside on the main level concourse, across from Gate 8) and The Club SJC A15 (Terminal A, airside on the third floor, across from Gate 15)
• Seattle WA – SeaTac: The Club SEA (Concourse A, airside across from Gate A11) and The Club SEA (S Concourse airside above Gate S9)
• St Louis MO Lambert-St Louis International (STL): Wingtips Lounge St. Louis (Terminal 2, airside after security, opposite Gate E29)
• Syracuse NY Hanco*ck International (SYR): Escape Lounge (S Terminal A, airside after security, located before Gates 1 through 15)
• Washington DC Dulles International (IAD): Air France–KLM Lounge (Concourse A, airside opposite Gate A22), Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (Consource A, airside opposite Gate A32), Lufthansa Business Lounge (Concourse B, airside near Gate B50) and Turkish Airlines Lounge Washington (Concourse B, airside near Gate B43)

Here’s a list of other locations where you won’t find a Priority Pass lounge, but you will find restaurants, retail stores, spas and more to reap the rewards of being a Priority Pass member. Note that not all types of Priority Pass memberships allow nonlounge redemptions:

• Ft. Lauderdale FL International (FLL): Kafe Kalik (Terminal 4, airside after security, toward Concourse G near Gate G6)
• Indianapolis IN International (IND): The Fan Zone (Concourse B, airside after security near Gate B17)
• Los Angeles CA – LAX International (LAX): Be Relax Spa with two locations (Terminal 1, airside after security next to Rock n Brew Restaurant and also Tom Bradley International Terminal, airside near Gate 154) and Gameway with two locations (Terminal 3, airside near Gate 30B and also Terminal 6, airside opposite Gate 65A)
• Philadelphia PA International (PHL): Be Relax Spa (Terminal C, airside after security, near Gate C18) and Minute Suites (Terminal B, airside between the A/B Connector)
• Portland OR International (PDX): Westward Whiskey (Concourse C, airside near Gate C6), Capers Cafe Le Bar (Concourse C, airside right after security) and Capers Market (Concourse D, airside right after security)
• Providence RI – Theodore Francis Green State (PVD): Providence Provisions Kitchen & Bar (North Concourse)
• Tampa FL International (TPA): The Café By Mise En Place (airside by Gate F85)
• Tucson AZ International (TUS): Barrio Brewery Co. (second floor, domestic flights only)
• Washington DC National (DCA):American Tap Room (Terminal 2, Concourse D)

This list is far from comprehensive. There are also thousands of Priority Pass Lounge locations worldwide. You can search for other Priority Pass lounges locations by using the find a lounge tool.

Access to Priority Pass lounges is granted to eligible cardholders and paying members. With a credit card that offers Priority Pass lounge access, you’re considered a Priority Pass Select member. However, you do need to enroll and have a Priority Pass account to enter, so be sure to enroll before your next trip.

Here are some of our favorite cards that offer Priority Pass Select as a benefit:

1. Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (rates & fees)
2. The Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
3. The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Terms apply, see rates & fees)
4. U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card*
5. Chase Sapphire Reserve®
6. Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Terms apply, see rates & fees)

You can also pay an annual fee to become a Priority Pass member, even without a credit card. You have three options, but which one is best depends on how much you travel:

• Standard (for occasional travelers). $99 annual fee, plus a $35 per-person visit fee for members and guests
• Standard Plus (for regular travelers). $329 annual fee with 10 free visits and a $35 per-person visit fee after that for members and guests
• Prestige (for frequent travelers). $469 annual fee with free member visits, plus a $35 per-person guest fee

To enter a Priority Pass lounge, you need to show your physical or digital membership card or an eligible credit card. You also need to show proof of same-day travel.

Some lounges are for domestic flights only, while others are for international flights only—this is common in Europe where you may see “Schengen flights only” or “Non-Schengen flights only” referring to countries within the Schengen agreement. Most have rules regarding timing, too, such as a flight within three hours or a maximum number of hours you can stay. Use the find a lounge tool to locate the lounge you’re planning to visit and check its individual conditions.

You don’t need to visit Priority Pass lounges, but doing so can make airport experiences more tolerable—and, arguably, enjoyable. But you do need a membership—or a friend or family member with a membership—to access them. Access is only permitted to those with Priority Pass Select, via credit cards that offer Priority Pass access, and paying members plus their guests.

Of course, you should evaluate the amount you’ll travel before determining whether Priority Pass lounge access is worth it for you. Many credit cards with Priority Pass access charge annual fees. While they boast other benefits that can compensate for those fees, if you don’t travel often enough to reap the rewards, this card may not make sense for you.

Fortunately, Priority Pass offers three tiers of membership for travelers. So, if you are only an occasional traveler, you can access Priority Pass lounges at a lower rate than someone who might pay more frequent visits.

Because Priority Pass lounges are located all over the world, chances are good you’ll find one along your route. But evaluate your regular travel to determine if you’ll make use of your membership.

Read More: Best credit card lounge access

Fill up on a meal before your limited airplane food offerings. Get some work done in a quieter space with outlets and Wi-Fi (or maybe your own meeting room). Or freshen up with a nap and a shower before flying out to your next destination.

Priority Pass lounges make airport transit more pleasant. Access is granted to eligible cardholders and paying members, giving you a wealth of enrollment avenues from which to choose.

To view rates and fees for The Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for The Business Platinum Card® from American Express please visit this page.
To view rates and fees for Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card please visit this page.