What Is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access (2024)

✈ I’m a Priority Pass expert because it’s something I have used for several years when flying as a Professional Traveller.

If you are wondering what the different is between Priority Pass and airport lounge access is then read on to find out what you need to know.

What Is The Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access?

When thinking of airport lounges it is important to remember that there are two different types of airport lounges.

The first are airline lounges.

These are open to passengers flying on certain types of tickets i.e business and first class.

Airline lounges are not open to the general public and you cannot buy access to these lounges (other than with the appropriate ticket).

The other type are airport lounges.

These are open for anyone to use, no matter what airline or type of ticket you have.

Access can be bought directly, and many lounges also allow walk ins, which means you can just buy access at the door.

You can access airport lounges by paying at the door, paying online or through a membership scheme such as Priority Pass.

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access?

Airport Lounge Access

There are several ways that you can access an airport lounge.

Buy Access on the Door (Walk In)

Some airport lounges allow visitors to buy access at the door by paying an entry fee.

This is usually the most expensive way to access an airport lounge.

If lounges are full with pre-booked guests then lounges will not sell access to walk in guests.

That means this type of lounge access isn’t guaranteed to be available as it depends how busy the airport lounge is.

Buy Airport Lounge Access Directly

You can go onto the airport lounge operator website and buy access directly with the lounge operator.

Lounge operators in the UK include;

• No1 Lounges
• Aspire and Swissport Lounges

Sometimes you can book airport lounge access through the website of the airport you are travelling to or from.

• Edinburgh Airport
• London Gatwick Airport

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access?

Book Airport Lounge Access Through a Travel Website

There are several travel websites where you can book extras such as car hire, travel insurance and airport lounge access including;

Holidayextras

Voucher and Coupon Sites

You can often find deals for airport lounge access on deals and voucher sites.

• Wowcher
• Coupon Follow
• My Voucher Codes

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access?

Priority Pass Airport Lounge Access

Priority Pass is an airport lounge access membership scheme.

You choose your membership level (based on their travel plans) and then get access to airport lounges at reduced rates.

Membership is for one year.

Priority Pass has one of the largest networks of airport lounges available for it’s members to use – there are over 1600 lounges available.

Here are the membership costs;

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access?

Points to Consider When Buying Lounge Access or Priority Pass Membership

Extra Benefits

If you buy airport lounge access directly – either through the airport’s own website or through the lounge operator direct you may get some extra benefits.

The most common benefit is delay cover which enables you to stay in the airport lounge for as long as your flight is delayed.

Duration Differences

The amount of time you can access an airport lounge before your flight can vary depending on where you buy your lounge access from.

For example, buying lounge access directly may give you 3 hours of airport lounge access

Buying lounge access online, using a holiday deals site, may give you 2 hours of airport lounge access.

Guaranteed Booking

Buying lounge access directly through the airport or with the lounge operator directly also gives you the benefit of a guaranteed booking.

This means that you will be guaranteed entry to the lounge with your booking.

This is important because if airport lounges are busy they may turn away people from airport lounge membership schemes. However, Priority Pass offers members the ability to guarantee entry at the busiest lounges by paying a small booking fee.

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access?

Priority Pass Vs Lounge Access

If you are going to be using an airport lounge less than 4-5 times a year then getting the best deal online is going to be the best value option. Check out my guide to airport lounge pay as you go access versus airport lounge membership to see what’s best for you.

If you plan to use an airport lounge more than 4-5 times a year then an airport lounge membership scheme is going to be the best value. Check out my airport lounge membership scheme comparison guide to find the best option for you.

What is the Difference Between Priority Pass and Lounge Access? – Conclusion

• There are many different ways to access airport lounges including buying access on the door, through voucher and coupon sites, directly through the lounge or airport website and through an airport lounge membership scheme.
• Buying access through an airport lounge membership scheme is going to be better value if you are using airport lounges more than 4-5 times a year.
• When buying airport lounge access online make sure you are comparing like with like when it comes to the amount of time you can use the airport lounge for.

You Might Also Like;

If you have found my article about ‘what is the difference between Priority Pass and lounge access?’ useful you might also like;

Airport Lounge Membership vs Pay as You Go Access

Airport Lounge Membership Scheme Comparison

You can find lots more information in my Priority Pass Ultimate Membership Guide

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