The Best Airline Lounges You Can Access With Priority Pass
1,500 lounges in 148 countries — but which ones are actually worth visiting? Here's the practical guide to finding the good ones, skipping the disappointing ones, and making Priority Pass work for the way you travel.
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Meta Title: The Best Airline Lounges You Can Access With Priority Pass (2026 Guide) | WanderWise
Meta Description: Priority Pass gives you access to 1,500+ airport lounges worldwide — but the experience varies wildly. Here are the lounges worth visiting, the ones to skip, and how to make the most of your membership.
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If you've read our overview of airport lounge access through credit cards, you know the basics: certain premium credit cards include membership in Priority Pass, which opens the door — literally — to over 1,500 airport lounges around the world.
What that overview didn't cover is the reality on the ground. Because not all Priority Pass lounges are created equal. Some are genuinely wonderful — a calm, comfortable refuge with hot food, proper drinks, and enough space to actually relax before your flight. Others are cramped, overcrowded, or barely better than the gate area you just left.
The difference between a great Priority Pass experience and a frustrating one comes down to knowing which lounges to seek out, which to skip, and how to use the network strategically. That's what this guide is about.
How Priority Pass actually works (a quick refresher)
Priority Pass is an independent lounge network — it isn't owned by any airline. Instead, it partners with lounges operated by airlines, airports, and independent companies to offer a single membership that works across all of them.
You don't pay for Priority Pass directly. If you carry certain premium credit cards, the membership is included as a benefit. The most common cards that include Priority Pass membership are:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve — Includes Priority Pass Select membership for the cardholder plus unlimited guests
- American Express Platinum — Includes Priority Pass membership, though Amex cardholders often have access to additional lounge networks (Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs on certain flights)
- Capital One Venture X — Includes Priority Pass membership plus access to Capital One's own airport lounges
Each of these cards has different guest policies, which matter if you travel with a spouse or companion. We'll cover those differences below.
To use your membership:
- Activate your Priority Pass membership through your credit card issuer (usually through the card's online portal or app)
- Download the Priority Pass app to your phone
- When you arrive at the airport, open the app and search for participating lounges at your terminal
- Show your digital membership card (or physical card) at the lounge reception desk
- Walk in, sit down, and breathe
That's the entire process. No reservations required for most lounges, though a handful of high-demand locations now accept or require pre-booking through the app.
The best Priority Pass lounges in the United States
Let's start domestically. These are the lounges that consistently deliver a good experience — comfortable seating, decent food, reasonable crowd levels, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a layover feel like a feature, not a punishment.
The Centurion Lounge (various cities — but read the fine print)
This requires clarification: Centurion Lounges are not Priority Pass lounges. They're American Express-operated lounges, accessible only to Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders. I mention them here because people frequently confuse the two networks.
If you carry an Amex Platinum, you have access to both Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass lounges — two separate networks. The Centurion Lounges (in cities like Dallas, Miami, New York JFK, San Francisco, and others) are generally considered the best credit card-accessible lounges in the country. Priority Pass is your backup when a Centurion Lounge isn't available.
The Club (various US airports)
"The Club" is a chain of Priority Pass lounges found in airports across the country, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Baltimore, Jacksonville, and Cincinnati, among others. They're reliably decent: comfortable seating, complimentary drinks, light snacks or small buffet options, and Wi-Fi. Not luxurious, but consistently above average.
Best locations: Las Vegas (Terminal 1 and Terminal 3) and Dallas-Fort Worth (Terminal D) tend to be the nicest.
Minute Suites (various airports)
Not a traditional lounge — Minute Suites offers private rooms with a daybed, workstation, and noise-canceling environment. Available through Priority Pass at airports like Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Philadelphia. Perfect for long layovers when you genuinely want to rest. Some locations include a brief shower option.
These won't replace a lounge experience, but they're worth knowing about, especially during extended connections.
Alaska Lounges (Seattle, various West Coast)
Alaska Airlines lounges at Seattle-Tacoma, Portland, and several other airports participate in Priority Pass. They're clean, well-run, and offer solid food and drink options. The Seattle lounge at the N Gates is particularly good — comfortable seating with views of the tarmac and Mount Rainier on clear days.
Note: Alaska has been adjusting its Priority Pass access policies. Check the Priority Pass app before your trip to confirm current availability and any restrictions.
The best Priority Pass lounges in Europe
This is where Priority Pass really proves its worth. International airports tend to have more lounge options, and many of them are excellent.
Plaza Premium Lounges (London Heathrow, Rome, others)
Plaza Premium operates lounges in dozens of airports worldwide, and many participate in Priority Pass. Their London Heathrow locations (Terminals 2, 4, and 5) are popular with travelers heading to or from Europe. Expect hot food, a full bar, shower facilities, and comfortable seating.
The quality is consistent across their network, which is the kind of reliability you want when you're arriving in an unfamiliar airport.
No1 Lounges (London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Edinburgh)
These British lounges are a step above many Priority Pass options. The Heathrow Terminal 3 location is spacious and well-appointed, with a bistro menu, cocktail bar, and a noticeably calmer atmosphere than the surrounding terminal. Edinburgh's lounge is smaller but charming.
Be aware: No1 Lounges have been limiting Priority Pass access during peak hours at some locations. Arriving early in the morning or during off-peak times improves your chances of getting in without a wait.
Primeclass Lounges (Istanbul, Riga, others)
Istanbul Airport's Primeclass Lounge is frequently cited as one of the best Priority Pass lounges in the world. It's enormous — thousands of square feet — with a full Turkish breakfast buffet, hot meals, showers, sleeping areas, and a quiet zone. If you have a layover in Istanbul, this lounge alone makes the experience comfortable.
Sala VIP Lounges (Madrid, Barcelona, Lisbon)
Spain and Portugal's airports offer several Priority Pass lounges that are clean, pleasant, and well-stocked. The Sala VIP at Madrid-Barajas is a reliable option, especially in Terminal 4S. Lisbon's lounge is smaller but cozy, with Portuguese pastries and wine — a civilized way to begin or end your time in Portugal.
The best Priority Pass lounges in Asia and the Pacific
Plaza Premium and SATS Premier (Singapore Changi)
Singapore Changi is regularly rated the world's best airport, and its Priority Pass lounges don't disappoint. The SATS Premier Lounge in Terminal 1 offers excellent Asian cuisine, generous seating, and a calm atmosphere. Plaza Premium operates additional lounges across the terminals.
SilverKris Lounge (Bangkok, others)
Singapore Airlines' SilverKris Lounge at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport accepts Priority Pass members and delivers business-class-level food and service. It's an oasis — especially welcome after a long international flight.
Qantas and Virgin lounges (select Australian airports)
Some Australian domestic and international lounges participate in Priority Pass, though access policies change periodically. Check the app for current availability, as this region tends to have stricter guest policies and capacity limits.
Lounges to temper your expectations about
Not every Priority Pass lounge is a winner. Here are the situations where the experience tends to be less impressive:
Small regional US airports. Lounges at smaller domestic airports are sometimes just a quiet room with packaged snacks, coffee, and Wi-Fi. Better than the gate, but don't expect a hot meal.
Overcrowded peak-hour lounges. Some of the most popular Priority Pass lounges — particularly in major US hubs — have capacity issues during morning and evening rush periods. If you arrive at 7:00 a.m. during Monday-morning business travel, you may find a full lounge or a waitlist.
Restaurants-as-lounges. Priority Pass has expanded its network to include certain airport restaurants, where your membership provides a dining credit (typically $28 to $36 per person) rather than traditional lounge access. These can be useful for a sit-down meal, but they're a fundamentally different experience than a lounge with comfortable seating and a quiet atmosphere.
Guest policies: bringing your travel companion
This matters more than most people realize. If you travel with a spouse or companion, the guest policy determines whether they can join you in the lounge — and at what cost.
| Credit Card | Cardholder Access | Guest Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Unlimited visits | Unlimited guests at no cost |
| Amex Platinum | Unlimited visits | Up to 2 guests at $32 each (some restrictions apply) |
| Capital One Venture X | Unlimited visits | 2 free guests per visit |
| Hilton Aspire (Amex) | Unlimited visits | No free guests (each guest $32) |
If you routinely travel with a companion, the Chase Sapphire Reserve's unlimited-guest policy is the most generous. The Capital One Venture X offers two free guests, which covers most couples and is also excellent.
For a deeper comparison of these cards and their full benefits, our guide to the best travel credit cards walks through the complete picture.
How to get the most from Priority Pass
Check the app before every trip
Lounge participation changes. A lounge that was available six months ago may have left the network, or a new one may have opened. Before each trip, open the Priority Pass app, search your departure and connection airports, and note which lounges are available and where they're located in the terminal.
Know your terminal before you clear security
Many airports have multiple terminals with separate security checkpoints. If the Priority Pass lounge is in Terminal A and your flight departs from Terminal C, you may not be able to access it without reclearance. Check the lounge's terminal location against your boarding pass before you commit to a direction.
Arrive with time to enjoy it
A lounge visit is only worthwhile if you have at least 45 minutes to an hour before boarding. Rushing through a lounge to grab a muffin and immediately leave defeats the purpose. Build lounge time into your airport arrival plan — it's one of the genuine pleasures of travel, and it's worth protecting.
Use lounges during layovers and delays
This is where Priority Pass delivers its best value. A three-hour layover in an uncomfortable gate area is exhausting. The same three hours in a lounge with food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and a comfortable chair is practically a rest day. Flight delays become significantly less stressful when you have a place to retreat to.
Consider lounge access when booking connections
When choosing between connecting itineraries, check whether one of the connection airports has a better Priority Pass lounge. A two-hour layover in Istanbul with access to the Primeclass Lounge is genuinely enjoyable. The same layover in an airport with no lounge access is just waiting.
Is Priority Pass worth it?
You're not paying for Priority Pass directly — it comes bundled with premium credit cards that you may already carry or be considering. So the real question is whether Priority Pass access is a meaningful factor in choosing which card to carry.
For people who fly four or more times per year, especially with international trips or longer domestic itineraries involving connections, Priority Pass is one of the most-used and most-appreciated card benefits. It transforms the airport experience from something you endure into something you can actually enjoy.
For people who fly once or twice a year on short, direct domestic flights, lounge access is a nice perk but probably won't be the deciding factor in your card choice. Focus on the card benefits that match your actual travel patterns.
The honest answer: if you've ever sat in a crowded gate area for two hours wishing there was somewhere better to be, Priority Pass is worth it. If you've never wished for that, it probably isn't.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use Priority Pass if I'm flying economy?
Absolutely. Priority Pass access is based on your membership, not your ticket class. You can fly the most basic economy fare and still walk into any Priority Pass lounge.
Do I need to be on an international flight to use a lounge?
No. Priority Pass lounges are available for any flight — domestic or international. If you're flying from Chicago to Phoenix and there's a Priority Pass lounge at O'Hare, you can use it.
Can I use Priority Pass when I arrive, or only when departing?
Most Priority Pass lounges are located in the secure area past security checkpoints, so they're typically used before departure or during connections. A few international airports have arrivals lounges, but they're less common. Check the Priority Pass app for arrivals-specific options.
How many times can I visit Priority Pass lounges per year?
With most premium credit cards, there's no limit on the number of visits. You can use Priority Pass lounges on every trip, every connection, and every delay — as many times as you fly.
What if a lounge is full when I arrive?
Some popular lounges have capacity limits and may turn away Priority Pass members when full. This is more common at peak times in major US airports. If this happens, check the app for alternative lounges in the same airport — there's often more than one option.
Priority Pass turns airports from obstacles into opportunities. The lounges are already included in the credit cards many experienced travelers carry. The trick is knowing which ones to visit — and building the time to enjoy them into every trip. Your travels deserve a better waiting room.