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As the stress of air travel increases, lounges become more important than ever. It’s easy to see why. They’re a place to relax and unwind from crowded airports, long lines, and tight schedules. For many travelers, the real question is: How do you get in? This Priority Pass lounge guide can hopefully show you how it has provided an answer for weary travelers for more than two decades.
Priority Pass Guide: What is Priority Pass?
Founded in 1992 and owned by the Collinson Group, Priority Pass is a network of more than 1,200 lounges at over 600 airports in 148 countries. Most of the lounges have dedicated workspaces with free WiFi, power sockets to recharge your devices, quiet zones, and complimentary snacks and beverages. Some include showers, spas, and conference rooms.
Although it claims to be the largest collection of lounges in the world, less than 100 of those locations are in the United States. As an additional perk, Priority Pass expanded its reach several years ago into venues such as airport restaurants and Minute Suites.
Priority Pass sells different levels of membership. Some of the best travel rewards cards also offer membership as a benefit.
Priority Pass Guide: The Levels of Priority Pass
You can purchase a membership directly on their website. Here are the tiers available:
Standard
The entry-level membership costs $99 annually. There’s a $32 visit fee for both guests and members each time you come to a lounge.
Standard Plus
For $299, you get 10 free visits each year, but guests are charged $32 each time.
Prestige
The member receives unlimited free visits for $429, and guests still incur the $32 visit fee.
In addition, there is a level called Priority Pass Select that is offered as a benefit of certain travel rewards cards. As we’ll see, the exact terms vary from one issuer to another.
Priority Pass Guide: Credit Cards Offering Priority Pass Select
It’d be silly for this Priority Pass guide to not mention how you can get a discount or even free lounge access. Many of the cards listed below are also featured as some of the best miles credit card options. Remember that you’ll need to enroll with Priority Pass prior to using your membership with one of these cards:
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Admission is free for the cardholder and up to two guests with the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. Additional guests are charged $27 each (until recently, the Reserve allowed unlimited guests for free).
Platinum Card from American Express
Both The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express allow free admission for the cardholder and two guests, with additional guests charged $32 each. Enrollment required.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Membership covers the cardholder and two guests with the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express card. Additional guests will be charged $32.
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card
The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass Card allows a total of 10 free visits, with no guests included. So, if you enter a lounge with two guests, that counts for three of your 10 yearly visits.
U.S. Bank Reserve Visa Infinite
The cardholder of the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card receives four free visits and four guest visits. After those are used, both cardholder and guests are charged $27.
Citi Prestige Card
Free visits are allowed for the Citi Prestige® Credit Card cardholder and two guests, but with a twist. You can bring your immediate family into the lounge for free (immediate family is defined as spouse, domestic partner and/or children under 18). Any other guests are charged $27 each.
Priority Pass Guide: The Priority Pass Restaurant Benefit
Several years ago, Priority Pass expanded its reach by including restaurants in the program. At participating restaurants, members and one guest are now allowed credit toward their sit-down meal (carryout is generally excluded). The amount of the credit varies slightly but averages $28 per person.
Also American Express no longer allows cardholders to use the restaurant credit, but Chase, Citibank, and U.S. Bank still participate.
United States Locations
In this Priority Pass guide, we have to mention domestic restaurants to look out for when traveling and dining. Here’s a list of the U.S. locations:
- Boston (BOS): Jerry Remy’s Sports Bar and Grill
- Boston (BOS): Stephanie’s
- Cleveland (CLE): Bar Symon
- Fort Lauderdale (FLL): Kafe Kalik
- Greenville–Spartanburg (GSP): RJ Rockers Flight Room
- Houston Intercontinental (IAH): Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar
- Houston Intercontinental (IAH): Landry’s Seafood
- Indianapolis (IND): The Fan Zone
- Lexington (LEX): Kentucky Ale Taproom
- Los Angeles (LAX): Point The Way Cafe
- Los Angeles (LAX): Rock & Brews
- Miami (MIA): Air Margaritaville
- Miami (MIA): Corona Beach ($30 per guest)
- Miami (MIA): Viena
- Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP): PGA MSP Lounge ($15 per guest)
- New York Kennedy (JFK): Bobby Van’s Steakhouse
- Portland (PDX): Capers Cafe Le Bar
- St. Louis (STL): The Pasta House (Terminal 1)
- St. Louis (STL): The Pasta House & Schlafly Beer (Terminal 2)
- San Francisco (SFO): San Francisco Giants Clubhouse
- San Francisco (SFO): Yankee Pier
- Seattle (SEA): Bambuza
- Syracuse (SYR): Johnny Rockets
- Tampa (TPA): The Café by Mise en Place
- Tucson (TUS): Noble Hops
- Washington-Dulles (IAD): Chef Geoff’s
- Washington-National (DCA): American Tap Room
- Washington-National (DCA): Bracket Room
The House Spirits Distillery at the Portland airport (PDX) also participates, allowing guests $28 per person in fine spirits.
International Locations
It wouldn’t be a complete Priority Pass guide if we didn’t talk about travel abroad. When you travel internationally, you can use the restaurant credit here:
- Brisbane (BNE): Bar Roma
- Brisbane (BNE): Corretto Cafe & Bar
- Brisbane (BNE): Graze Grill & Bar
- Helsinki (HEL): Fly Inn Restaurant
- Lima (LIM): Bleriot Bar & Lounge
- Lima (LIM): La Bonbonniere
- London-Gatwick (LGW): Grain Store Cafe & Bar
- Melbourne (MEL): Cafe Vue
- Melbourne (MEL): Bar Pulpo by MoVida
- Melbourne (MEL): Urban Provodore
- São Paulo (GRU): Bleriot Bar & Lounge
- Singapore (SIN): The Green Market
- Sydney (SYD): Bar Roma
- Sydney (SYD): Better Burger
- Sydney (SYD): Bistro 2020 & Bar
- Sydney (SYD): Chicken Confidential
- Sydney (SYD): MoVida
- Sydney (SYD): Peroni Bar
- Sydney (SYD): Wok on Air
- Tel Aviv (TLV): Schmoozy Bar
Remember, if you’re traveling abroad and you want to save money, use of one the best credit cards for international travel.
Priority Pass Guide: Where Are the Domestic Priority Pass Lounges?
Despite the low number of Priority Pass lounges in the U.S., the coverage is strategic and concentrated at major airports. They’ve also partnered with Minute Suites, a growing chain dedicated to providing travelers with a place to relax, nap and refresh.
Continuing in this Priority Pass guide, here are some of the lounges you’ll find in the United States.
Atlanta (ATL)
The Club at ATL: Concourse F, International Terminal, on the Mezzanine next to the Chapel. Open 6 a.m.-10:30 p.m. daily. Access permitted three hours prior to flight departure; children under two admitted free. Showers available.
Minute Suites: Two locations: Concourse B, near Gate B16; Concourse T, near Gate T8. Open 24 hours. First hour free to cardholders, with a discounted rate of $28 for each additional hour; up to three guests admitted at no charge. Suites include a daybed sofa with pillows and blankets, a workstation, and a sound masking system with Nap 26 audio program.
Baltimore/Washington International (BWI)
The Club at BWI: Concourse D, upper level, near Dunkin Donuts at Gate D10. Open 4:15 a.m.-10:30 p.m. daily. Access permitted three hours to flight departure, with a maximum three-hour stay; children under two admitted free.
Boston Logan International (BOS)
The Lounge: Terminal C, Concourse level, across from Gate C19. Open 6 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, subject to space restrictions (particularly from 4-8 p.m.). Access permitted three hours prior to flight departure; children under 12 admitted free.
The Club: Terminal E, after security (take the elevator down one level). Open 5:30 a.m.-1 a.m. daily. Access permitted three hours prior to flight departure; children under two admitted free.
Air France Lounge: Terminal E (turn right after security toward Gate 4, take elevator or stairs to lounge). Open 11:30 a.m.-11:30 p.m. daily, with a maximum three-hour stay. Children under two admitted free.
Charleston, SC International (CHS)
The Club CHS: Concourse B (take the elevator located near the AME Memorial and the Eddie Bauer store). Monday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday, 5:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Thursday and Sunday, 5:00 a.m.-10:30 p.m. Access permitted three hours prior to flight departure; children under two admitted free.
Charlotte Douglas International (CLT)
Minute Suites: Main Atrium, next to the Food Court. Open 24 hours, but subject to space constraints. Cardholders receive the first hour free, with a discounted rate of $28 for each additional hour; up to three guests may use the suite. Shower facilities available with a discounted rate of $20 for 30 minutes.
Chicago O’Hare International (ORD)
Air France/KLM Lounge: International Terminal 5, between Gates M8 and M7 on the left. Monday and Saturday, 6:00 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday, 8:15 a.m. – 11:50 p.m.; Wednesday, 6:00 a.m. – 11:50 p.m. (subject to space constraints, particularly between 1-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m.). T5 passengers only, and smart-casual dress required (no shorts, vests, baseball caps or football shirts); children under two admitted free.
Swissport Lounge: International Terminal 5, between Gates M8 and M7 on the right. Open daily, noon-9:30 p.m. T5 passengers only; children under four admitted free.
Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International (CVG)
The Club at CVG: Concourse A, between Gates A8 and A10. Open daily, 6:00 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Access permitted three hours prior to departure; children under two admitted free.
Colorado Springs (COS)
Mortgage Solutions Financial Premier Lounge: Located airside, adjacent to Gate 6. Open daily from 4:30 a.m. to the last scheduled departure. Children under two admitted free. Conference facilities available and may be subject to a fee.
Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW)
The Club at DFW: Terminal D, adjacent to Gate 22 (go through Airline Clubs doors and take the elevator to the fifth floor). Open daily, 4 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; subject to space constraints, particularly after 1 p.m. Access permitted three hours prior to departure; children under two admitted free. Conference facilities available.
Minute Suites: Two locations: Terminal A, near Gate A38, and Terminal D, near Gate D23. Facilities, access, and rates identical to ATL above.
Gameway: Two locations: Terminal E, near Gate E16 (5 a.m.-9:30 p.m. daily), and Terminal B, near Gate B42 (open daily, 6:00 a.m.-9 p.m.). Both locations subject to space constraints. Cardholders receive access to one game station for two hours, with 10% discounted rates afterward, and also receive one soft drink or bottle of water and two snacks.
Detroit Metropolitan (DTW)
Lufthansa Business Lounge: North Terminal, next to Gate D8. Monday-Saturday, 5:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m., but cardholders not admitted between 1-4 p.m. daily. Maximum three-hour stay; children under two admitted free.
Honolulu International (HNL)
The Plumeria Lounge: Inter-Island Terminal, Third Floor, near Wiki Wiki pickup. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.; Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday, 9:00 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Subject to space constraints, and not available to arrivals; children under two admitted free.
IASS Hawaii Lounge: Overseas Terminal: proceed to Garden Court toward Gates 14-23, take the elevator to ground level and follow signs. Open daily, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. and 2-6 p.m. for cardholders. Children under three admitted free.
Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH)
Air France Lounge: Terminal D, opposite Gate D12. Open daily from noon-5:00 p.m. Three-hour maximum stay, subject to space constraints; children under two admitted free.
KLM Crown Lounge: Terminal D, near Gate D8. Open daily from 6:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Maximum three-hour stay, subject to space constraints; children under two admitted free.
Jacksonville International (JAX)
The Club JAX: Terminal A, near Gate A1. Open daily, 4:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Access permitted three hours prior to departure; children under two admitted free. Showers and children’s play area available.
Las Vegas McCarran International (LAS)
The Club at LAS: Two locations: Terminal 1, Concourse D, second-level, toward Gate D33 between Brooks Brothers and Tumi (open 5:00-12:30 a.m. daily), and Terminal 3, across from Gate E2 (open 5:00-12:00 a.m. daily). Access permitted three hours prior to departure; children under two admitted free. Shower facilities available at both locations.
Los Angeles International (LAX)
Alaska Lounge: Terminal 6, Mezzanine Level, near Gate 64. Open daily, 4:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Two guests allowed per cardholder; children under two admitted free.
KAL Lounge: Tom Bradley International Terminal (follow signs to All Gates, turn left before Duty-Free and take the elevator to the fifth floor). Open daily, 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. for cardholders; hours may vary according to KAL flight schedules, and admittance subject to space constraints. Two guests per cardholder allowed, and children under two are free. Shower facilities available.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse: Terminal 2, level 4, above departure gates. Open daily, 5:00 a.m.-10:45 p.m. Three-hour maximum stay; children under five admitted free.
Miami International (MIA)
Avianca VIP Lounge: South Terminal, Concourse J, Gate J4, take the escalator to the third floor. Open 24 hours, subject to space constraints; departing passengers permitted four hours prior to departure; transit passengers have a maximum three-hour stay. Children under two are free.
Club America F: Central Terminal, Concourse F, third floor. Open 7:30 a.m.-9:00 p.m. daily; hours may vary according to flight schedules, and only international passengers are admitted. Children under two are free. Shower facilities available at an additional charge.
Turkish Airlines Lounge: Central Terminal, Concourse E, Level 2. Open Monday-Tuesday, noon-3:00 p.m. and Wednesday-Sunday, 4:00 a.m.-3 p.m. Three-hour maximum stay, subject to space constraints; no shorts or sandals allowed. Children under two admitted free. Shower facilities available.
VIP Lounge Miami: Currently closed for renovations.
Minneapolis St. Paul International (MSP)
PGA MSP Lounge: Terminal 1, North end of Airport Mall (check-in at the Golf Shop counter). Open Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Children under three admitted free. Conference facilities available at an additional charge.
New York Newark Liberty International (EWR)
Art & Lounge: Terminal B, before security, between Gates B2 and B3 or between Gates 50 and 60. Open daily, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Two-hour maximum stay; may be subject to space constraints between 3-7 p.m. Children under two admitted free.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse: Terminal B, Gates B51-57. Cardholders admitted for a maximum three-hour stay between noon-5:00 p.m. Children under five are free, and showers are available.
New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK)
Air France Lounge: Terminal 1, near the Air France boarding area by Gate 1. Open daily, 8:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Three-hour maximum stay; children under two admitted free. Shower facilities available.
Alaska Lounge: Terminal 7, after security, Mezzanine Level. Open Sunday-Friday, 5:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. and Saturday 5:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Cardholders admitted three hours prior to departure, subject to space constraints; two guests allowed per cardholder. Children under two are free.
KAL Business Class Lounge: Terminal 1, on the right across from Gate A3. Open daily, 2-8:30 p.m. subject to space constraints. Two guests allowed per cardholder, and only passengers with a Terminal 1 boarding pass are admitted; children under two are free.
Wingtips Lounge: Terminal 4, turn right after security. Open 24 hours but may be restricted between 5:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. due to space constraints; four-hour maximum stay allowed. Shoes and shirts required, no baseball caps; six guests per cardholder. Children under three admitted free.
New York Laguardia (LGA)
Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge: Currently unavailable.
Orlando International (MCO)
The Club MCO: Two locations: Terminal A, Concourse 1, adjacent to Xpress Spa, and Terminal B, Concourse 4, next to InMotion store near Gate 91. Both are open daily 6:00 a.m.-10 p.m. and may be restricted from 2-8 p.m. due to space constraints. Access is permitted three hours prior to departure, and children under two are free. Shower facilities are available at both, and the Terminal B location also has a children’s play area.
Orlando Sanford International (SFB)
The Royal Palm Lounge: Terminal A, International Departure Lounge, adjacent to Budweiser Tap Room. Opens three hours prior to the first departure and closes after the last scheduled departure or at 11 p.m., whichever comes first. Children under four are free. A la carte menu subject to payment; separate smoking room available.
Philadelphia International (PHL)
Minute Suites: Terminal B, between Concourses A and B (in AB Connector). Open 24 hours, subject to space constraints. Access, fees, and amenities identical to ATL above.
Pittsburgh International (PIT)
The Club at PIT: Concourse C, between Bar Symon and Gate C51. Open daily, 4:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Access permitted three hours prior to departure; children under two are free. Conference facilities available.
San Francisco International (SFO)
Air France/KLM Lounge: International Terminal, Concourse A, first left after TSA. Open daily, 8:00-11:30 a.m., 3:30-5:30 p.m., 8:30-11:45 p.m. for cardholders. Open only to passengers departing Concourse A; children under two admitted free.
San Jose Norman Y. Mineta International (SJC)
The Club at SJC: Two locations: Terminal A, Third Level, across from Gate 15, and Main Level Concourse, across from Gate 8. Both are open daily from 5:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. Access permitted three hours prior to departure; children under two admitted free. Shower facilities at both, and conference facilities at the Main Level Concourse.
San Juan International (SJU)
Avianca operated by Global Lounge: Terminal C, Security Checkpoint B, Third Floor. Open daily, 4:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m.; access may be restricted during peak hours. One child under 12 admitted free.
The Lounge San Juan by Global Lounge Network: Terminal A, through Duty-Free on the right side. Open daily, 4:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. One child under 12 admitted free.
Seattle Tacoma International (SEA)
The Club at SEA: Two locations: Concourse A, across from Gate A11, open daily 7:00 a.m.-12:00 a.m.; South Satellite, next to Gate S9, open daily 5:30-12:30 a.m. (access may be restricted between 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., subject to space constraints). Cardholders permitted three hours prior to departure; children under two are free. The South Satellite Lounge has a separate Prayer Room available on request.
Washington, D.C. Dulles International
Air France/KLM Lounge: Concourse A, opposite Gate A22. Open daily, 11:30 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and 6-9:30 p.m. for cardholders; there’s a three-hour maximum stay, subject to space constraints. Shower facilities are available. All passengers must show a same-day boarding pass for admission.
British Airways Galleries Lounge: Concourse B, Concourse Level. Open 6:00 a.m.-11 p.m. daily, with a four-hour maximum stay. Children under four are admitted free, and shower facilities are available.
Turkish Airlines Lounge: Concourse B, near Gate 43. Open daily, 6:00 a.m.-11 p.m., with a maximum four-hour stay. Children under four are admitted free, and shower facilities are available.
Sleepbox: Concourse A, below Gate A15. Open 24 hours; cardholders are entitled to one free hour, with additional time charged at a discounted rate of $24 per hour. Each Sleepbox has an extra-long bed with a memory foam mattress, pillow and fresh linens, power sockets, desk space, luggage storage, and reading lamps.
Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse: Between Concourses A and B, in front of Gate A32. Open daily 6:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for cardholders, with a maximum three-hour stay. Children under five are free, and luggage storage is complimentary.
Priority Pass Guide: Is Priority Pass Worth It?
If your membership is included with one of the credit cards mentioned above, why not? Odds are that you didn’t open the card with the intention of getting Priority Pass but received it as an additional benefit. If you hold The Platinum Card from American Express or The Business Platinum Card from American Express, you have access to a global network that includes Delta lounges (when flying Delta that day), the proprietary Amex Centurion lounges, and a few others.
If you have to join and pay the annual membership fee, the answer is probably not. You’ll notice that many of the lounges have restricted hours for cardholders. If you’re an occasional traveler and want to visit a lounge, you can usually purchase a day pass for $50 per person.
