Priority Pass! What is it? While many travelers might already be aware of what Priority Pass is, allow us a moment to give a brief introduction to the ones who are not aware of its existence and purpose. After that we’ll get back to answering the main question, “Are Priority Pass lounges usually crowded?”
This post will provide an overview of everything that Priority Pass offers to travelers and the various types of membership plans; travelers will get an insight into the services and amenities that will likely be offered to them at the Priority Pass lounges.
What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is a program, launched in 1992 and owned by Collinson Group, that offers travelers access to innumerable airport lounges all over the world; in order to acquire Priority Pass privileges, travelers are required to purchase a membership, and accordingly, that membership will grant them access to multiple lounges at the airport all over the world.
Priority Pass does have some stand-alone lounges at some airports, exclusively for its members; members of Priority Pass are also able to access a massive collective of lounges operated by multiple airlines.
Priority Pass Membership
Travelers have the option of choosing any one of the membership types that are offered by Priority Pass – Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige.
- Standard Membership can be purchased for £69/€89/$99
- Standard Plus membership can be purchased for £229/€289/$329
- Prestige membership can be purchased for £419/€459/$469
Now that everybody has been brought up to speed about what Priority Pass is about, let us now return to the main question at hand: “Are Priority Pass lounges usually crowded?”
Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?
Well! Truth be told, at one point or another, any airport lounge can be crowded and the Priority Pass lounges are no exception to that effect. How crowded a lounge usually depends on the airport, the frequency of flights, etc; There are multiple factors that can result in a lounge being overcrowded.
For instance, Priority Pass lounges are not always crowded but suppose there are 2 or more flights that have a departure time quite close to one another, then this might lead to the lounge being filled to capacity and then they might stop receiving more guests till space is available.
Factors such as peak hours at the airport or whether a large number of flights are operating from a particular airport, etc., play a key role in affecting whether the lounges in that airport are expected to be crowded or not.
Which Lounges Offers Priority Pass?
There are many lounges that offer Priority Pass to their passengers. Along with the Priority Pass, some of them also offer Day Pass as well to their passengers. Some of the examples of lounges in the USA that offers priority pass to their customers are The Club MCO (Terminal A), Air France Lounge (Terminal 1), The Club ATL, Club Aspire Lounge (Heathrow airport, Terminal 3), The Club SEA (Concourse A), The Club LAS (Las Vegas Airport), China Airlines Lounge (San Fransisco) etc.
Priority Pass Lounge Hours
Priority Pass members can access a lounge no earlier than 3 hours before their scheduled flight departure. The hours of operation for the Priority Pass lounges would differ depending on the location and the operating airline.
Some lounge locations might be accessible 24 hours throughout the week, while others may be operating only for a certain number of hours every day or some might be closed on select days. Please visit the Priority Pass website to check the timings for desired Priority Pass lounge location.
Priority Pass Day Pass
An alternative to membership is the Day Pass; the day pass issued by Priority Pass allows non-members to access and use a Priority Pass lounge.
Travelers can visit the Priority Pass website and choose the airport that they will be departing from and check their directory of available lounges for that particular airport. The booking process is quite simple and user-friendly.
Other Ways To Access Priority Pass Lounge
Access to the Priority Pass lounges is also available to travelers who may be users of certain credit cards/bank cards; kindly check with the cards’ issuing authority to check if there are any arrangements/agreements/collaborations/tie-ups with Priority Pass.
For example, the following card users/holders may avail entry and use of Priority Pass lounges;
- AAdvantage® Aviator Red® World Elite Mastercard®
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card
- Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
- Citi Prestige® Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
- Platinum Card® from American Express
- Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Pets at Priority Pass Lounges
Rules pertaining to the admission of pets/animal companions differ with respect to the Policy Policies implemented at a particular Priority Pass lounge.
Some lounge locations will permit travelers to bring their pets/animal companions to accompany them, however, the pet/animal companion must remain in its carrier/kennel for the entire duration of the lounge visit and the pet/animal companion must either be a cat, dog, or bird.
Service animals are permitted at most lounges, especially within the United States of America, therefore, depending on which airport the lounge is in, would affect whether a Priority Pass lounge allows entry to service animals or not as well.
Priority Pass Lounge Amenities
Travelers who avail the use of Priority Pass lounges will be pleased to know that all lounges offer free access to the WiFi which provides high-speed internet service; travelers can connect their devices to wifi and browse at their leisure.
Complimentary F&B is also available at most of the Priority pass lounges; the F&B includes options for vegetarian and non-vegetarian food items and alcoholic & non-alcoholic drinks. Some lounges may even have their own private restrooms and shower facilities that travelers may use.
Conclusion
With Priority Pass, travelers have been provided the convenience of being able to access a vast number of airport lounges irrespective of the airline or seat/fare class that an individual may be traveling by.
The lounges provide travelers with a space that is outfitted with comfortable seatings and also hosts multiple services and amenities that would prove useful for the travelers using the lounge.
Frequently Asked Questions – Are Priority Pass Lounges Usually Crowded?
To contact Priority Pass, travelers should call;
– In U.S.A.: +1 800 352 2834
– In U.K.: +44 20 8680 1338
– In Hong Kong: +852 2866 1964
– In China: +86 400 120 2464
– In any other country – +1 972 735 0536
Shower rooms are not present in all Priority Pass lounges.
To enroll in Priority Pass, individuals must be at least 18 years of age.
Depending on the type of membership, members may be able to invite guests to the Priority Pass lounges.
Alcohol is served at no additional cost at some Priority Pass lounges, but payment may be required at other Priority Pass lounges.
Kindly contact the Priority Pass offices for details regarding guest entry as the rules differ with respect to the membership type.
The price of the day pass varies depending on the location of the Priority Pass lounge; visit the Priority Pass website for day pass prices and purchases.
The cost of the Priority Pass memberships varies as per the membership type;
– Standard membership costs £69/€89/$99
– Standard Plus membership costs £229/€289/$329
– Prestige membership costs £419/€459/$469
