One of the best ways to access airport lounges is using airport memberships. Two of the best-known ones are Priority Pass and LoungeKey, both run by the Collinson Group which is also behind Lounge Pass.
At their core, the two programs are nearly the same. That said, while the former is a standalone program, the latter comes as a perk with select credit cards. Continue reading to learn more about how Priority Pass and LoungeKey differ and which, if either, you should get.
Priority Pass and LoungeKey: The Basics
Both Priority Pass and LoungeKey are membership programs that allow their members to access airport lounges (and other facilities) at airports around the world regardless of the class they are traveling in.
Memberships like this are valuable if you generally do not have access to lounges in another way. That’s especially the case if you tend to travel in (premium) economy class and do not have a frequent flyer status. They are also valuable if you have a frequent flyer status but also fly on airlines outside the alliance with which you have status.
As an example, if you are a Star Alliance Gold member but also often travel on low-cost airlines, you will be able to access lounges using Priority Pass or LoungeKey but not using your Star Alliance Gold status.
Priority Pass and LoungeKey Provide Access to Over 1,400 Lounges
Being both run by the Collinson Group and, at their core, very similar programs, Priority Pass and LoungeKey provide access to the same airport lounges. Both airline and third-party contract lounges participate in the programs. Some examples include the Oman Air Lounge in Bangkok, the WestJet Elevation Lounge in Calgary, and the IGA Lounge in Istanbul.
In addition to lounges, there are also other airport facilities like restaurants, hotels, gyms, and even a public bath at Nagoya Centrair participating in the programs. In the case of restaurants, members typically either get a set menu for free or get a certain amount deducted from their bill.
All in all, over 1,400 facilities participate in both Priority Pass and LoungeKey. These facilities are spread across over 700 airports on all inhabited continents.
Priority Pass Is Standalone, LoungeKey Is Part of a Credit Card
The key, and in a way only, the difference between Priority Pass and LoungeKey is that while the former is a standalone program, the latter comes as a part of select credit cards.
This, however, does not mean that Priority Pass doesn’t come as a perk with some credit cards. In fact, applying for such credit cards is one of the best ways to get a Priority Pass membership.
What it means is that even if you get a Priority Pass membership as a credit card perk, you still need to get a Priority Pass card (digital or physical) that is separate from the credit card that offered you the perk. In the case of LoungeKey, you simply need to register your credit card number with LoungeKey and that credit card will become the “LoungeKey membership card.”
The fact that Priority Pass is a standalone program also means you can buy a membership directly. In this regard, Priority Pass is very similar to DragonPass.
Both Priority Pass and LoungeKey Come in Limited and Unlimited Forms
The number of times you will be able to visit a lounge using your LoungeKey membership will depend on the credit card that you get it through. While some premium credit cards will offer an unlimited number of visits, other less premium cards will only offer a limited number of lounge visits per year.
The situation is similar with Priority Pass membership acquired as a credit card perk. When bought directly, there are three tiers of membership:
- Standard: 99 USD per year for membership only
- Standard Plus: 329 USD per year including 10 lounge visits
- Prestige: 469 USD per year including unlimited lounge visits
With both programs, you can pay an additional fee to enter lounges beyond your included allowance. With both programs, you can also bring in guests. While some credit cards offer free guesting as a perk, in other cases you will have to pay separately for guests’ lounge visits.
Priority Pass vs. LoungeKey: Which One Should You Get, If Either?
Once you get the membership, Priority Pass and LoungeKey are, for all practical purposes, the same. As such, the decision as to which of the two you should get will need to come down to which you can get more easily and cheaply.
To figure that out, do some searches for credit cards in your country that offer one or the other. Then compare the annual fees and other perks that the credit cards come with to figure out which is the best option for you. When doing the comparison, make sure you are taking into account how many lounge visits are included per year.
Separately, if you do not travel too frequently or have lounge access on most occasions thanks to a frequent flyer status or flying in business class, then you might be just fine not getting either membership or considering some of the other alternatives to Priority Pass and LoungeKey.
Summary
At their core, both Priority Pass and LoungeKey are the same – they are programs that provide their members access to airport lounges irrespective of the airline operating the flight and the class the member is traveling in. They both offer a great footprint spanning over 1,400 facilities at more than 700 airports around the world.
The only real difference between the two is that while Priority Pass is a standalone program (although it is also offered as a credit card perk), LoungeKey membership is tied directly to a credit card. In other words, with Priority Pass you will need a separate membership card while with LoungeKey, your credit card will serve as the membership card.
Before making your final choice, you might also want to learn about how LoungeKey and DragonPass compare.
