It sounds glorious, doesn’t it? Access to an airport lounge with free food, comfy chairs and plenty of power outlets. We’re in.

Signing up is half the battle; knowing how to use the benefits of Priority Pass will elevate your airport experience. Here is the extensive guide to making the most of your Priority Pass membership.

What exactly is Priority Pass and How Do I Get It?

Priority Pass is essentially a membership that gives you access to various amenities and discounts at airports all over the world.

There are several ways to access the benefits of Priority Pass:

• Purchase membership directly through the Priority Pass website
• Sign up for a credit card that includes complimentary membership
  • As of May 2024, here are the most notable credit cards that include Priority Pass membership:
    • Chase Sapphire Reserve (This is what we use. You can sign up with our referral link for a signup bonus if you’d like!)
    • American Express Platinum Card
    • Citi Prestige Card
    • Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card
    • Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
    • Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
    • Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card (Canada)
    • Westpac Altitude Black Card (Australia)
• Premium bank account
• Travel club membership
• Company travel program
• Frequent flyer program

*Before you sign up

• Different programs offer different benefits with different price points. For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve offers unlimited lounge visits for the cardholder and up to two guests, but the annual card fee is $550 (there are other benefits besides Priority Pass). The Westpac Altitude Black Card has an annual fee of AUD 250, but you only get two free lounge visits per year. Choose a program that offers the right benefits and price point for you.
• Think about the ages of your travel companions. Many lounges will admit children under the age of 2 or 3 for free, so they do not count as guests. Our whole family of four was usually granted access with only one Priority Pass membership when our children were both under 3, but soon we will need two memberships for all of us.

The great thing about Priority Pass, especially for families purchasing several tickets, is that it gives you benefits to make your travels more comfortable without having to pay for a more expensive fare class.

Accessing Airport Lounges with Priority Pass

The standout benefit of Priority Pass for us is having access to airport lounges. They make the hours at the airport so much more enjoyable. If finding the right lounge seems daunting, trust us—it’s quick, easy, and totally worth it. Here’s how:

1. Open the Priority Pass App.
   • It’s easier and more convenient than using your web browser, but you can find all of the info on the Priority Pass website, as well.
   • The app is also helpful because it has your membership information easily accessible in case you can’t find your card.
2. Type the name of the city or airport where you will be in the search bar at the top of the home screen.
3. Select your terminal.
   • If you are arriving in one terminal and departing from another, we recommend going to the lounge in your departure terminal. You never know what delays you might encounter, so the closer you can be to your departure gate the better.
4. Select the lounge, restaurant or other service listed to see more details like operating hours, location, the benefit you will receive and any terms and conditions.

That’s pretty much it! Choose where you want to go and tell the attendant when you check in that you are a Priority Pass member. You can also use the app to find other travel services, airport maps, account information and FAQs.

It is important to note that airport lounges are only accessible if you have a departure flight from that airport. Lounges will only let you in a certain number of hours before your flight and you must show your boarding pass.

Benefits of Airport Lounges

When you are traveling with young children, access to an airport lounge can be absolutely amazing for so many reasons:

1. More space and more comfortable seating
2. Free, safe space to store your belongings
3. Complimentary food and drinks
4. Free wi-fi and charging stations
5. Cleaner restrooms
6. Play areas and/or TVs

It can do wonders for your mood if you are able to relax in a less chaotic space before your flight. Not every lounge will have all the amenities, but any combination of the above should help make your time at the airport less painful.

Making the Most of the Airport Lounge

Now that you know how much happier you can be in an airport lounge, you’ll want to make the most of your time there.

First, pay attention to where the lounge is located. The closer the lounge is to your departure gate, the more lounge time you will have. It is also helpful to find a lounge near your gate in case you need to talk to a gate agent before your flight. We have had to leave the lounge to go to our gate to ask about a bassinet on the plane, and that’s way less inconvenient when it’s nearby.

Second, try to arrive early (but not too early). The sooner you arrive, the better chance you have of getting your pick of the good seats, good food, etc. Just remember that some lounges won’t let you enter until a few hours before your departure time.

Third, be smart about using the amenities. Use lounge time to charge your devices. Make a meal out of the free food, especially if you have a long travel day ahead. Maybe even snag a sofa for a nap. Take advantage of the clean restrooms to change and freshen up. Use what you can to be as comfortable as possible on your upcoming flight.

Tips for Bringing Kids Into Airport Lounges

Allowing kids in airport lounges is a controversial issue. The most common argument against is that children disturb the peace. The main argument for is that families with children have the same right to the lounges as anyone else.

Even though everyone has their opinions, they all basically want the same thing: somewhere to wait for their flight that is less chaotic than the more public areas of the airport.

With that in mind, here are a few tips for lounging with young children:

• Talk to your kids about going to the lounge and how to behave inside. Explain that people are resting and that we need to keep our voices down.
• If you know me and Sean or if you have read other blog posts, you know that we try to only offer screen time as a last resort. That said, the lounge is the place to have those screens ready! Pull out the things you know will keep your kids quietly entertained.
• Try your best to keep your kids from invading other guests’ space. Even a quiet toddler could still get a little too close or grab something that isn’t theirs.
• If the lounge has a family area, use it. Conversely, if the lounge has a quiet zone, try to settle in as far away from that area as possible.

Not all lounges are super strict. We have been in several lounges that had plenty of ambient noise. Many guests and staff members have enjoyed our kids’ presence and played with them during our stay. Just be aware of the vibe when you enter the lounge and do your best to fit the mood. If one or both kids need to release some energy, you can always take them out of the lounge for a bit to run around until they are ready to relax again.

Other Benefits of Priority Pass

Though our main use of the Priority Pass is lounge access during our travels, there are other benefits, as well! Priority Pass members can get deals on airport restaurants, stores, and transportation services. If you can’t get to an airport lounge, you can still get discounts or even free food at select restaurants. We will go to a restaurant instead of a lounge if it is significantly closer to our gate or if we know the kids are unlikely to chill.

There are also discounts and access to other facilities like private suites, napping rooms, or spa services. On our last layover at LAX, Sean and I took turns getting free 30-minute massages not far from our gate. On a very long day, that small perk was fantastic.

Other promotions and exclusive offers will pop up now and again. It varies by day and by location, so make sure to check what is available when you’re at the airport.

Common Issues

We have been Priority Pass members since 2017 and have had much more pleasant times at the airport as a result. That said, it doesn’t always help. Here are a few common issues you may face:

• There are no lounges that grant access to Priority Pass members
• Lounges are in a separate terminal or simply too far from your gate to have time to go
• The lounge is closed during the hours you are at the airport
• The lounge is too crowded and there is nowhere to sit or they won’t let you in
• The amenities are limited
• There may be additional costs even after you are granted access to the lounge

Sometimes you simply must roll with the punches. If you encounter issues with accessing an airport lounge, try looking for a restaurant with a deal for Priority Pass members. If there are no restaurants either, you might have to suck it up and go back to airporting like a commoner.

We have been to some airports, usually smaller or less busy ones, that have no Priority Pass benefits. This is why it is helpful to check the app ahead of time so you can be prepared. Remember to check your layover airports, not just departure airports. If there is no Priority Pass presence at one or more of the airports on your trip, it becomes extra important to have your snacks ready!

Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Priority Pass

The benefits of Priority Pass, especially as a parent, can make your time at the airport significantly more comfortable. You often get more space, cleaner space, a less chaotic environment, free food and drinks and a little more relaxation. For us, we appreciate it most during long layovers. Having a place to regroup and recharge during our travels makes a big difference.

If you’re looking for a way to make airports with your young children a little less stressful, we highly recommend taking advantage of Priority Pass!

_{*Note: We get no benefits from telling you to sign up – we recommend it to all our friends, with or without kids.}

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Want more strategies for flying with your baby? Check out 10 Helpful Tips for Air Travel with a Baby