Can You Get Priority Pass For Free?

Travelers seeking comfort and luxury at the airport often turn to lounges for a relaxing pre-flight experience. Priority Pass is a popular program that grants access to numerous airport lounges worldwide. As with most lounge memberships, Priority Pass comes at a fee – but is there any way that you can get it for free? Read on to find out!

What is a Priority Pass?

Priority Pass is a global airport lounge membership program that provides access to more than 1,500 lounges in over 600 cities in 145 countries across the globe. Locations include hubs in Europe, Asia, and North America.

Photo: Galina-Photo | Shutterstock

Unlike some lounges that require you to fly with a specific airline (in a certain class), Priority Pass lounges are open to cardholders flying with any airline in any class. This is a handy advantage, especially for travelers who are not frequent flyers of any particular airline.

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Priority Pass offers access to over 1,500 lounges worldwide

Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, you can find a Priority Pass lounge at most major airports. The lounges vary in offerings, with some providing more extensive amenities than others. According to Priority Pass other benefits of Priority Pass include:

• Complimentary refreshments – like all lounges, Priority Pass lounges offer free meals, snacks, and drinks.
• Convenient amenities, such as charging stations and free Wi-Fi connectivity, as well as spa treatments and private conference rooms for business meetings at select locations.
• The availability of a Digital Membership Card on the Priority Pass app means you can gain access to lounges immediately after you join (without having to wait for your physical membership card to be mailed to you).
• Guest entry (at $35 per guest), so you can bring your travel companions along if you aren’t flying solo.

How to get a Priority Pass

Typically, Priority Pass membership is acquired by paying an annual subscription fee. There are three membership tiers suited to varying degrees of travel frequency per Priority Pass. The tiers are:

How to get a Priority Pass for free

Now, for the big question: can you get a Priority Pass for free? If you aren’t willing to pay the above membership rates, you might be in luck! You can get a Priority Pass for (somewhat) free.

According to Chase, a number of premium credit cards offer complimentary Priority Pass membership as a perk. These credit cards typically have an annual fee, but in addition to the benefits you get to enjoy from the card itself, the added advantage of lounge access can often outweigh the cost for frequent travelers.

Here are some popular credit cards that provide free Priority Pass membership, per NerdWallet:

Other ways to access lounges

If you don’t want to pay for Priority Pass and don’t have the need for a credit card but still want to have lounge access, there are several ways you can do so.

Photo: United Airlines

Many airlines offer their own lounge memberships, such as the American Airlines Admirals Club, United Club, and Delta Sky Club. Frequent flyers with elite status on certain airlines often receive complimentary lounge access. You can also access lounges by flying with airlines that are part of an alliance, such as oneworld and Star Alliance.

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If you’re not a frequent flyer of any airline, traveling in a premium cabin (business or first class) on many airlines often gets you complimentary lounge access. Check with your airline to see if your ticket includes lounge access.

Photo: oneworld

Additionally, some lounges – including both airport and airline lounges – offer day passes for one-time access. This option is ideal for travelers who do not travel often and don’t need a full membership. Although, keep in mind that prices vary depending on the lounge.

Key takeaways

Priority Pass is a valuable membership program for travelers seeking comfort and convenience at airports. While you can purchase a membership, savvy travelers often obtain Priority Pass for free through premium credit cards that offer this perk. Furthermore, there are numerous other ways to access airport lounges, including airline memberships, elite status, premium cabin tickets, and day passes.

Understanding the various options available for lounge access can enhance your travel experience, providing a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of the airport. Whether you travel frequently or occasionally, there’s a lounge access solution to fit your needs and preferences.