Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
You don’t need to fly business or first class or have a top-tier elite status to visit an airport lounge. Airport lounges have become increasingly accessible, thanks to programs such as Priority Pass.
Priority Pass is a paid membership program that grants access to a network of more than 1,300 lounges in almost 150 countries and 600 cities worldwide. Membership prices range from $99 to $469 per year. However, many credit cards offer complimentary Priority Pass membership as a benefit.
Since Priority Pass doesn’t own or operate the lounges, the quality of participating lounges can vary massively. Some are little more than a small room with bottled water and dubious-looking food. However, some have amenities that rival a luxury hotel, so it’s important to research your options.
Priority Pass is now accepted at more than 40 U.S. airports, and some of these have multiple lounges. Here’s a look at the best Priority Pass lounges in the U.S.
Related: The 10 best Priority Pass lounges around the world
Turkish Airlines Lounge at Miami
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Seating at the Miami Turkish Airlines Lounge. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Location: In the South Terminal at Miami International Airport (MIA), on the upper level between Concourses H and J (Note: Turkish Airlines also operates a lounge in the Central Terminal, in Concourse E). Take the elevator to the third floor.
Amenities: Nearly 10,000 square feet of space with lots of seating, a small business center, a television room, a kids’ area and two shower suites. There’s also a wide selection of complimentary hot food and drinks (alcoholic and non-alcoholic).
Important notes: Maximum four-hour stay.
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Check out TPG’s full review of the lounge.
Related: Choose this, not that: MIA Priority Pass lounge edition
Primeclass Lounge at New York-JFK
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Primeclass lounge at JFK. ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Location: Next to Gates 8 and 9 in Terminal 1 at New York-JFK.
Amenities: This Primeclass location has a buffet consisting of various hot and cold dishes, various seating options, plenty of power and USB outlets, free Wi-Fi and a shower.
Important notes: Premium alcoholic drinks and cocktails require separate payment.
Check out TPG’s full review of the lounge.
Related: Choose this, not that: JFK Priority Pass lounge edition
Turkish Airlines Lounge Washington at Dulles
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Turkish Airlines lounge at Dulles. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Location: In the Midfield Terminal at Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD), near gate B43 on the Concourse Level
Amenities: Like the Turkish Airlines lounge at MIA, this lounge offers a good selection of complimentary food and drinks. It also offers many power outlets, speedy Wi-Fi, a shower room and a prayer room.
Check out TPG’s full review of the lounge.
Related: Choose this, not that: IAD Priority Pass lounge edition
Air France Lounge at New York-JFK
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The Air France lounge at JFK. BRENDAN DORSEY/THE POINTS GUY
Location: Near Gate 1 in Terminal 1 at New York-JFK.
Amenities: This spacious lounge covers two floors and offers snacks, Wi-Fi and free drinks, as well as showers. It’s also possible to get a complimentary 15-minute Clarins spa treatment, but appointments can be difficult to secure.
Check out TPG’s experience visiting the lounge.
Related: Choose this, not that: JFK Priority Pass lounge edition
The Club at Orlando
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The Club MCO at Orlando International Airport, near gate 91. PRIORITY PASS
Location: Near Gate 91 in Terminal B at Orlando International Airport. Note that this lounge is not accessible to passengers traveling from Gates 1-29 in Terminal A or from Gates 30-59 in Terminal B. If you’re boarding from Gates 1-59, you can visit The Club in Terminal A.
Amenities: While it’s not the most stylish lounge, it’s spacious and is a hit with families. There are complimentary snacks, showers, Wi-Fi and alcoholic beverages, plus a children’s play area and computer workstations.
Important notes: Entry is limited to three hours before your departure.
Club at San Jose
Location: Terminal A at San José International Airport (SJC), with one lounge near Gate 15 (on the third level) and another on the main floor near Gate 8.
Amenities: This large lounge offers complimentary Wi-Fi, computer workstations, snacks and drinks. The lounge also has showers and conference rooms, and it underwent a renovation during the past year.
Important notes: Entry is limited to three hours before your departure.
Lufthansa Business Lounge at Detroit
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Lufthansa Business Lounge at Detroit. LOUNGEBUDDY.COM
Location: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport’s Warren C. Evans terminal, near Gate D8.
Amenities: You’ll enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi, a hot food bar, self-serve alcohol and espresso machines and privacy dividers at workstations. The art also pays tribute to Detroit as the Motor City.
Important notes: Maximum three-hour stay; Priority Pass members cannot access the lounge between 12-3:30 p.m. daily.
Plumiera Lounge at Honolulu
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Plumiera Lounge at Honolulu. LOUNGEBUDDY.COM
Location: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL)’s Terminal 1, airside on the third floor near the Wiki Wiki shuttle pickup area.
Amenities: Accessible in the inter-island terminal, this lounge offers free Wi-Fi, self-serve food and drinks (including soups and noodles as hot dishes), free restrooms and multiple charging points for devices.
Important notes: The lounge may use a waiting list during busy times. Putting your name on this list doesn’t guarantee access.
Suites, spas and restaurants
We’ll include these as a category too, despite having multiple options. You may be able to access more than traditional lounges with your Priority Pass membership. These locations include airport restaurants and cafes where you can get a free meal, private rooms for rent and spa treatments.
It’s important to note that not all Priority Pass memberships include these non-lounge locations. American Express removed this benefit in 2019, while the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card lost this perk at the start of 2023.
Related: Get free food at the airport: Which cards offer Priority Pass restaurant access?
Minute Suites
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Looking into a Minute Suites. THE POINTS GUY
Locations: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) Concourse B; Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport; Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) Atrium and D/E connector; Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Terminals A and D; Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) McNamara Terminal; Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) Terminal C; Nashville International Airport (BNA) Concourse D; New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) B Concourse; New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) Terminal B; and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) Terminal A-B link.
Amenities: Regardless of which Minute Suites location you visit, you’ll get a private suite complete with a daybed, bedding, yoga mat and TV. Check out TPG’s reviews of the CLT location and ATL location. You can take a nap, focus on work or just get away from airport noise in your private suite.
Important notes: Hours vary by location. Admission provides one hour of free use, then a discounted rate of $28 per hour for additional time.
Related: 6 tips for using Minute Suites via Priority Pass
Be Relax Spas
Locations: Atlanta (ATL), Dallas-Fort Worth (DTW), Detroit (DTW), Los Angeles (LAX), New York-JFK (JFK), New York-LaGuardia (LGA), Philadelphia (PHL), San Diego (SAN) and Toronto (YYZ).
Amenities: Complimentary spa treatments. Each location offers the following options:
- 30-minute Lounger Massage — Be Back ($35 value).
- 15-minute Lounger Massage plus Aromatherapy & O2 — Be Back ($35 value).
- 10-minute Head Massage plus Aromatherapy & O2 — Head Up ($38 value).
- 10-minute Foot Massage plus Aromatherapy & O2 — Be Feet ($38 value).
Related: You can now get a free massage with your Priority Pass membership at more airports
Restaurants
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Yankee Pier in San Francisco. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY
Locations: Baltimore-Washington (BWI); Boston (BOS); Cleveland (CLE); Denver (DEN); Detroit (DTW); Fort Lauderdale (FLL); Houston (IAH); Indianapolis (IND); New York-JFK (JFK); Miami (MIA); Nashville (BNA); Portland (PDX); Providence (PVD); Washington, D.C.-Reagan (DCA); San Diego (SAN); San Francisco (SFO); Seattle-Tacoma (SEA); St. Louis (STL); Syracuse (SYR); Tampa (TPA); Tucson (TUS) and Washington-Dulles (IAD).
Amenities: $28-$30 of food and beverage credit, with some locations allowing a guest (who receives their own credit).
Important notes: Most locations do not allow you to use your credit to cover gratuity.
Related: Skip the lounge and get free food at 31 US restaurants that are part of Priority Pass
Credit cards that offer Priority Pass Select memberships
Most premium credit cards offer Priority Pass membership as a cardholder benefit. Remember that enrollment is required in advance before you can begin visiting these lounges.
You can receive a Priority Pass membership with the following cards:
The information for the Citi Prestige, Hilton Aspire Amex and U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related: 10 credit cards that offer Priority Pass airport lounge access
Bottom line
Although most credit cards that offer Priority Pass membership come with annual fees over $400, you’ll get access to at least one lounge at most major airports in the U.S. and around the world. Not all lounges are equal, though. If you’re looking for a good lounge to relax in or enjoy a meal before your next flight, these are the best Priority Pass lounges in the U.S.
Just remember that enrollment is required if you have a card that includes a Priority Pass Select membership. You can’t simply present your credit card at a participating lounge, restaurant or Minute Suite to receive complimentary access.
Additional reporting by Ryan Smith.
