Airport lounges aren’t just for the rich and famous. Budget and regular travellers can enjoy free Priority Pass Lounge access with the right know-how.

Looking to tick off your travel bucket list? Kudos for taking the initiative to arm yourself with knowledge on Priority Pass membership and benefits. 

Like it or not, air travel can be stressful. Having access to fancy airport lounges around the world can help make things more enjoyable and comfortable at the same time, particularly so if your trip comprises a long layover or unforeseen delay.  

That being said, anyone and everyone, including budget travellers, can enjoy all that Priority Pass lounges have to offer in Singapore and beyond. Read on to find out how!

Priority Pass is a global, independent membership programme that travellers can count on to access a network of airport lounges, restaurants, and mini-suites wherever in the world they may be, regardless of the airline they’re flying with or cabin class they’re flying in. Put simply, Priority Pass is exclusive and inclusive in different ways.

With the Priority Pass membership, gain access to a whole slew of exclusive travel and lifestyle perks – from dining to shopping to airport lounge relaxation, who knew your pre-flight departure could be this interesting? 

Overall, there are three different Priority Pass tiers for members to enjoy:

As with most membership programmes, the base tier provides the most basic benefits, and the perks become increasingly exclusive the higher the tiers go.

For an occasional traveller, the Standard tier may be adequate as it offers a discounted airport lounge entry at US$35 per visit. In contrast, the Standard Plus tier suits more frequent travellers, offering 10 free visits per year, with each additional visit costing US$35 thereafter. Finally, for the globetrotter, the Prestige tier takes the cake with unlimited free airport lounge visits all year round, giving us a taste of what it means to be a global citizen.

For the uninitiated, Priority Pass is available in more countries and cities than any other similar programme. As of the time of writing, there are over 1,500 Priority Pass airport lounges, dining and facilities around the world, across the Asia Pacific, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, Canada and North America. 

Although Priority Pass is the most common lounge network worldwide, it's worth noting that it has lost its partnership with Plaza Premium Lounges to Dragon Pass. As a result, there are now network gaps in airports where Plaza Premium is the sole lounge operator (if you only have a Priority Pass membership).

Examples of affected airports include Brisbane, Cebu, Hong Kong Terminal 2, Langkawi, Kuching, London Heathrow Terminal 2, and more.

#1: Airport lounge access  

Priority Pass members can look forward to enjoying complimentary refreshments, small bites, meals and drinks in the lounge. Most lounges also offer alcoholic beverages. 

Apart from filling up your tummy pre-flight, most travellers will appreciate the free Wi-Fi, comfortable recliners and seats, charging ports, magazines and newspapers, and private working spaces available within the lounge.

Some Priority Pass lounges even offer guests the opportunity to indulge in extra perks like showers, massages, sleeping areas, and spa treatments.

Learn More: What benefits do airport lounges offer?

#2: Convenience 

Priority Pass lounges and facilities are available worldwide, and guests can easily enter the lounge of their choice, subject to capacity limits, with their Digital Membership Card via the enhanced Priority Pass mobile app. There’s no need to fuss around with traditional plastic membership cards! 

That’s not all. The Priority Pass mobile app also allows guests to navigate through the terminal using their bespoke indoor maps and airport guides with ease. Plus, all Priority Pass members enjoy 24/7 premium service and support year-round.

#3: Complimentary airport dining 

Priority Pass lounges aren’t available at all airport terminals. For example, London Heathrow’s Terminal 2 has an English pub/restaurant available for Priority Pass members to enjoy, while there are two lounges available at London Heathrow’s Terminal 3 and one lounge available at Terminal 5. 

To check whether or not there are lounges or restaurants available at the airport terminal that you would be passing through, simply launch the Priority Pass mobile app. It’s super convenient, and you may even pre-book your lounge access spot for select airport lounges.

#4: Airport dining, retail and spa discounts 

Priority Pass offers more than 800 airport dining, retail and spa options globally that members can redeem easily through the Priority Pass mobile app, if they have access to these extra perks. 

It’s worth noting that I don’t see any such offers available to me after scouring the Priority Pass mobile app — my Priority Pass membership is the complimentary version tagged to my credit card.

Priority Pass has three distinct membership plans to suit different types of travellers — (i) Standard; (ii) Standard Plus; and (iii) Prestige. 

For the discerning ones amongst us keen on enjoying Priority Pass benefits, consider applying for the few credit cards that offer complimentary Priority Pass membership.

Best credit cards to get Priority Pass membership

If you or your travel companion holds one of the following credit cards, you'll enjoy a certain number of complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year:

Lounge access is also available at no extra charge if you’re subscribed to:

• Priority Pass Standard Plus Plan: 10 free lounge passes per year 

• Priority Pass Prestige Plan: Unlimited lounge passes per year

See also: Cheap and free ways to access Changi Airport lounges

1. Obtain a membership either by applying via website or through your credit card.

2. Wait for either your physical membership card or digital card via the Priority Pass app.

3. Use the Priority Pass website or mobile app to locate participating Priority Pass airport lounges at your departure or transit airports.

4. Present either your Priority Pass Membership Card (digital or physical) or credit card together with your valid same-day travel boarding pass to access the lounge.

5. Ta-da! Enjoy your lounge amenities and facilities before your flight departure.

You should sign up for Priority Pass membership if you’re a frequent traveller.

Apart from getting a place to have a free meal or drink, airport lounges let guests freshen up, rest, work, socialise or even take a shower if the lounge has shower facilities. But of course, I would recommend you sign up for the right credit card to get complimentary Priority Pass access, if possible, instead of shelling out your hard-earned money on lounge visits. 

If you make at least S$120,000 per year, I highly recommend you get your hands on the Citi Prestige Card. Unlimited Priority Pass and a whole slew of exclusive travel perks await!

»Read our full review of the Citi Prestige Card.