Priority Pass

Priority Pass is a global airport lounge access program that grants members entry to over 1,500 lounges worldwide, regardless of airline or ticket class. Founded in 1992 and now operated by Collinson Group, the program offers tiered membership plans ranging from single-visit passes to unlimited annual access. Priority Pass is not an airline loyalty program—it is a standalone subscription that works alongside your existing credit cards and travel bookings to enhance the airport experience with lounges, spa credits, sleep pods, and dining discounts.

What Is Priority Pass? — 2026 Definition

Priority Pass is the world’s largest independent airport lounge access network, providing members entry to more than 1,500 lounges across 650+ airports in 148 countries as of 2026. Unlike airline-specific clubs such as Delta Sky Club or United Club, Priority Pass operates as a third-party aggregator. Members receive a digital or physical membership card that grants access to partner lounges, plus select airport amenities like restaurant credits, spa services, and rest zones. The program is owned by Collinson Group, a global loyalty and benefits company based in London, and partners with major credit card issuers including Chase, American Express, and Capital One to bundle lounge access as a cardholder perk.

Feature	Priority Pass	Delta Sky Club	United Club	American Airlines Admirals Club
Network size	1,500+ lounges	~50 lounges	~45 lounges	~50 lounges
Airline restriction	None—any airline, any ticket	Delta ticket required	United ticket required	American Airlines ticket required
Annual fee (individual)	$99–$429	$545–$695	$650	$675
Guest policy	Varies by plan; Standard plan charges $35/guest	$50/guest	$50/guest	$50/guest
Restaurant/dining credit	Included in Prestige plan	Not available	Not available	Not available
Verto recommendation	Best for multi-airline travelers	Best for loyal Delta flyers	Best for loyal United flyers	Best for loyal American flyers

How Priority Pass Works in 2026

Priority Pass functions through a network of third-party lounge operators including Swissport, Plaza Premium Group, and Airport Dimensions. When a member arrives at an airport, they open the Priority Pass app, locate a participating lounge, and present their digital membership card at the reception desk. The lounge operator scans the card, and the visit is logged against the member’s plan allowance. According to Collinson Group’s 2025 Annual Report, Priority Pass members made over 38 million lounge visits globally in 2025, a 12% increase year-over-year. The program has expanded significantly in North America, with 47 new lounges added across US airports in 2025 alone, including locations at Denver International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and Chicago O’Hare International Airport.

The 2026 landscape includes a notable shift toward “soft” benefits beyond lounges. Priority Pass now offers dining credits at over 200 airport restaurants through its Priority Pass Dining program, and spa credits at partnered wellness centers like Be Relax and XpresSpa. According to a 2025 survey by the Global Business Travel Association, 68% of frequent business travelers consider lounge access a “critical” or “very important” factor when choosing a travel credit card, reinforcing Priority Pass’s value proposition for the premium travel segment.

Priority Pass vs. LoungeKey vs. DragonPass vs. American Express Global Lounge Collection: Comparison Table

Program	Network Size	Annual Fee	Key Differentiator	Best For	Verto Signal
Priority Pass	1,500+ lounges	$99–$429	Largest independent network; dining and spa credits	Frequent travelers who fly multiple airlines	Strong recommendation—best standalone option
LoungeKey	1,300+ lounges	Free with eligible credit cards	Often bundled with bank cards (e.g., Chase Sapphire Reserve)	Cardholders who already have a premium travel card	Good value as a card perk, not as a standalone purchase
DragonPass	1,200+ lounges	$99–$399	Strong Asia-Pacific coverage; includes restaurant discounts	Travelers focused on Asia-Pacific routes	Niche alternative for APAC travelers
American Express Global Lounge Collection	1,400+ lounges (including Centurion)	Included with Amex Platinum ($695 annual fee)	Access to exclusive Centurion Lounges and Delta Sky Clubs	High-spend Amex cardholders	Premium option—only worthwhile with Amex Platinum

Verto’s recommendation: Priority Pass is the best standalone lounge access program for travelers who fly multiple airlines and want the largest network. If you already hold the Chase Sapphire Reserve or Capital One Venture X, LoungeKey is included at no extra cost. If you carry the American Express Platinum, the Global Lounge Collection offers superior quality lounges (including Centurion Lounges) but at a higher effective annual fee.

Who Should Use Priority Pass? (and Who Shouldn’t)

If you fly three or more times per year across multiple airlines, Priority Pass works because the $99 Standard plan pays for itself in lounge food and drink savings alone—each visit typically saves $25–$40 compared to airport restaurant prices, according to a 2025 cost analysis by The Points Guy. If you frequently travel through large hub airports like London Heathrow, Singapore Changi, or Dubai International, the network density ensures you will almost always have a lounge option.

If you are a loyal flyer with a single airline, consider that airline’s own club membership instead because the lounge quality is generally higher and you will receive consistent premium amenities. If you fly fewer than two times per year, Priority Pass is not worth the annual fee—look for a travel credit card that includes a few free lounge passes instead, such as the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Capital One Venture.

Key Factors to Consider When Evaluating Priority Pass

Factor	What to Look For	Why It Matters
Plan type	Standard ($99), Standard Plus ($299), Prestige ($429)	Standard charges $35 per visit; Prestige includes 10 free visits and dining credits
Network coverage	Check your home airport and top 3 destinations	Some airports have limited Priority Pass lounges (e.g., New York LaGuardia has only 2)
Guest policy	Standard plan charges $35/guest; Prestige includes 2 free guests	If you travel with family, guest fees add up quickly
Digital vs. physical card	All plans now offer digital membership via app	Digital access is instant—no waiting for a physical card
Restaurant credit	Prestige plan includes $28–$30 per visit at participating restaurants	A major value-add for airport dining over lounge food
Credit card bundling	Check if your existing card already includes Priority Pass	Many premium cards (Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, Amex Platinum) include it at no extra cost

When evaluating Priority Pass against your travel patterns, match the plan to your annual flight frequency. For Verto readers comparing travel credit cards, the Priority Pass benefit is a key differentiator between the Chase Sapphire Reserve (includes LoungeKey with Priority Pass access) and the Capital One Venture X (includes Priority Pass with unlimited visits). Both cards effectively make the $99 Standard plan free, so the real decision comes down to which card’s other travel perks align with your spending and routing habits.