How Does the Priority Pass Program Work for Airport Lounge Access?

Priority Pass is a membership program offering privileged access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Designed for frequent travellers, it enables them to enjoy comfortable spaces away from the hustle and bustle of airport terminals, regardless of their ticket class or chosen airline.

Depending on the level of membership chosen – Standard, Standard Plus or Prestige – access to lounges can be free or for a reduced price. These lounges offer a range of services: Wi-Fi, drinks, meals, showers, rest areas and work spaces.

In Canada, there are lounges in most major cities. At Montreal-Trudeau airport, for example, there’s the Banque Nationale lounge and the Air France lounge. In Quebec City, there’s the VIP Club Med lounge and, in Ottawa, the Aspire lounge. In Toronto, there’s the Aspire Lounge at Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ) and the multiple Plaza Premium lounges at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), like the one in Terminal 1.

Priority Pass is not as well known in France as it is in Canada. Yet Paris-Charles de Gaulle airport is home to two lounges: Star Alliance Lounge and YotelAir Paris Charles de Gaulle. Elsewhere in France, there are eight other lounges.

In total, Priority Pass provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, on every continent – Africa, Asia, Europe, America, Oceania and the Middle East.

To join Priority Pass, you have two options: pay an annual subscription, or purchase a credit card that gives you access to the program.

The cost of a Priority Pass subscription ranges from USD 79 to USD 469 per cardholder, depending on the package selected. There are three packages to choose from:

• Standard Membership: For USD 79 in the first year (and USD 99 in subsequent years), you’ll be entitled to Standard Membership. This means that, in addition to your annual subscription, you must pay for each of your visits and those of your guests.
• Standard Plus Membership: For USD 279 in the first year (and USD 329 in subsequent years), you’ll be entitled to the Standard Plus Membership, with ten visits per year. To invite guests, you’ll have to pay 35 USD per person.
• Prestige Membership: For USD 469 per year, you can enjoy unlimited access to all the lounges with the Prestige membership. To invite guests, however, you’ll still have to pay USD 35 per person.

You can subscribe directly on the Priority Pass website. To register, simply enter your personal information and credit card details.

In Canada, only American Express Platinum cards offer Priority Pass membership. The American Express Platinum Card and American Express Corporate Platinum Card offer the highest level of membership, with unlimited access to all lounges and the possibility of bringing a guest free of charge with each visit.

This is better than the official “Prestige” membership offered by Priority Pass at USD 469 per year, which doesn’t even allow you to invite a guest free of charge.

Priority Pass is a useful service for frequent travellers who don’t necessarily have a status with their airline, but who want to be able to relax before and/or after their flight. After all, it’s always nice to spend time in a lounge, rather than in the hustle and bustle of the airport.

We regularly take advantage of this in our travels, and you can learn about our experiences in some of our articles: