Your guide to Priority Pass Select membership

Priority Pass Select membership is a perk that comes with several high-end travel credit cards and gives members access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world.

The lounges offer a variety of amenities, including complimentary food and drinks, free Wi-Fi and more. As a member, you can access Priority Pass lounges regardless of what airline you’re flying or what ticket class (e.g., economy, first class) you have.

Let’s explore some of the benefits that Priority Pass Select membership provides and how you can become a member.

• Priority Pass Select membership benefits
• Credit cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership
• How to get Priority Pass without a credit card

Priority Pass Select membership benefits

With a Priority Pass Select membership, you’ll gain access to more than 1,300 airport lounges in more than 600 cities and 148 countries worldwide. In fact, there are lounges in more than 40 airports in the United States alone.

Every lounge in the Priority Pass network is unique, offering different services and facilities. When available, various Priority Pass lounges include such offerings as …

• A quiet place away from the main terminal
• Complimentary food and drinks
• Free Wi-Fi and charging stations
• Conference rooms and showers
• Additional retail, dining, spa and sleeping options in select lounges when you use the Priority Pass app

But not all lounges are the same.

Because amenities differ by lounge, it’s a good idea to check out what lounges and amenities will be available before you arrive at the airport so you’re not disappointed. You can get details about specific lounges on the Priority Pass website or app.

To access a lounge, simply present your physical or digital membership card (if accepted) to the lounge operator when you enter. Most lounges will allow guests to join you, though guest limits may apply (check the Priority Pass app or website for details). If you purchased your membership directly from Priority Pass, guest visits will be charged to your account at a fixed rate. If you joined the program through a card issuer or partner, guest fees can vary.

Credit cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership

One way to enjoy the benefits of the Priority Pass lounges is to open a credit card that comes with a Priority Pass Select membership.

Several high-end travel rewards cards offer membership as a perk (with the cost of the annual fee, of course). After you get your card, simply check your card’s requirements to register for the program and start enjoying your Priority Pass Select benefits.

Here are some credit cards that offer membership.

How to get Priority Pass without a credit card

If you don’t have a credit card that offers Priority Pass Select membership as a benefit, you can sign up for the program on the Priority Pass website. There are three membership plans to choose from: Standard, Standard Plus and Prestige.

Plan pricing can vary by residence. But in the United States …

• The annual fee for the Standard membership is $99. With this plan, you must pay $32 for each lounge visit in addition to the annual fee. The guest fee is $32 per visit.
• The Standard Plus membership is $299 a year and includes 10 free lounge visits for members. Additional visits are $32 per visit. Guest fee is $32 per visit.
• The Prestige plan is $429 per year and includes free unlimited lounge access for members. The guest fee is $32 per visit.

These membership fees can be pricey if you’re picking up the tab on your own. So if you travel frequently, you may want to consider getting a travel rewards card that offers Priority Pass Select membership as a perk. The rewards you’ll receive combined with the Priority Pass Select membership may help offset whatever annual fee you have to pay.

But if opening another credit card isn’t an option, you may also want to check with your employer. Priority Pass offers corporate memberships to businesses that their employees and customers can use.

If you do decide to sign up for a Priority Pass membership on your own, do the math to make sure you choose the plan that’s right for you. For example, to make the Standard Plus membership worth the annual $299 price tag, you’d need to visit a Priority Pass lounge at least seven times a year. Otherwise it probably makes more sense to get the Standard membership for the few times you travel.

Bottom line

The Priority Pass Select membership is a great perk if you can get it for free through your credit card or if your employer is paying for it.

But if you have to pay for a membership to get lounge access, the benefits may not outweigh the cost. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if the lounges’ amenities are worth the cost of gaining access to them.