If you're not flying in first or business class-two cabins in which passengers usually receive complimentary access to an airline's lounge-don't fret. One caveat: When lounges get very crowded, Priority Pass members can be turned away.
This becomes a better deal than Standard Plus when you hit 14 or more lounge visits in one year. The top tier is Priority Pass Prestige, with a $429 annual fee that gets you unlimited lounge visits per year.
Beyond 10 visits, you pay $32 for each visit and $32 per guest, too.
If you visit 10 or more lounges per year, then your sweet spot is Priority Pass Standard Plus, which has a $299 annual membership fee that includes 10 free lounge visits-translating to $30 a pop. There are three tiers of membership, and at the entry level (Priority Pass Standard) you’ll pay a $99 annual membership and then $32 per lounge visit (members can also bring a guest for $32). A handful of airline lounges participate, such as Alaska Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, Air France, and Lufthansa clubs. In the U.S., most participating lounges are independently operated. If a premium travel card is out of the question, you could buy a lounge membership directly with Priority Pass, which opens the door to more than 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, which you can access through Priority Pass's mobile app. Several other premium credit cards, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve and Citi Prestige cards (both have an annual fee: $550 and $495, respectively), come with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. The Delta SkyMiles Reserve Card from American Express, for instance, has similar benefits to the Platinum card, plus complimentary access to Centurion Lounges and Delta Sk圜lubs (though it doesn't offer Priority Pass membership). Additionally, the Platinum card comes with a raft of generous travel credits, including a $200 Uber credit (enrollment required, terms apply) and TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership credit.Īirline credit cards are another solid option. Platinum cardholders also have access to Delta Sk圜lubs and thousands of other airport lounges through Priority Pass Select (enrollment required, terms apply). AmEx has been expanding the number of Centurion lounge locations: There are currently 14 locations-mostly in the U.S.-with a fifteenth location coming soon to London Heathrow. Card members get complimentary access to AmEx's ultra-swanky, exclusive Centurion Lounges. The lounges will offer wellness features like a cycling and yoga room, relaxation rooms, nursing rooms, and shower suites, as well as a restaurant-quality dining and bar experience.Īnother top option is the Platinum Card from American Express (which carries a $550 annual fee, see rates and fee details). Travelers with certain Capital One cards, like the Venture Card, will be eligible for special entry rates, but specific entry fees haven't yet been released. A second lounge is planned to debut in 2022 at Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport. The latest card issuer to throw its hat in the ring? Capital One, which recently announced it would be opening its first airport lounge in summer 2021 at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.