Priority Pass is a global airport lounge membership program that gives travellers access to over 1,500 airport lounges in 145+ countries, with no first-class ticket requirement. Members can enjoy perks like free Wi-Fi, meals, and drinks in lounges, plus discounts on dining, spa services, and airport transfers.
Many premium credit cards in Canada include a complimentary Priority Pass membership, though the number of free lounge visits (and included benefits) can vary. Some memberships include unlimited free visits, while others offer only a few passes or charge per entry.
Key Takeaways
- Depending on their membership plan, Priority Pass members can access the global network of Priority Pass airport lounges for free or for a fee.
- To enter a Priority Pass airport lounge, you must present a membership or eligible payment card, plus a boarding pass from any flight class or airline.
- There are 20+ Priority Pass lounges in Canada and at least 1 at every major international Canadian airport.
- Priority Pass memberships cost $99 – $469 USD per traveller per year, with one-time guest passes available for $35 USD each.
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What is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is an independent airport lounge membership program founded in 1992. The founder, Colin Evans, wanted to provide travellers with the "exclusivity and tranquillity" of an airport lounge without requiring a premium-class airline ticket.
Over 30 years later, Priority Pass is now operated by the Collinson Group, which serves 400 million customers annually.
What’s included in a Priority Pass lounge?
Most airport lounges in the Priority Pass network include complimentary beverages, food, seating, and Wi-Fi. This includes the line of Plaza Premium Lounges, some of which boast live cooking stations, showers, and fully-equipped workstations.
The list of worldwide Priority Pass airport lounge locations includes 20+ lounges located in 9 major international airports in Canada:
- Aspire Lounge at the Billy Bishop City International Airport (YTZ)
- Aspire and Elevation Lounges at the Calgary International Airport
- Plaza Premium Lounges at the Edmonton International Airport
- Air France/KLM and National Bank Lounges at the Montreal-Trudeau International Airport
- Aspire Salon Lounge at the Ottawa MacDonald Cartier International Airport
- V.I.P. Lounge Par Club Med at the Quebec Jean Lesage Internatinal Airport
- Be Relax Spas, KLM Crown Lounge, and Plaza Premium Lounges at the Toronto Lester B. Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Plaza Premium Lounge at the Winnipeg J.A. Richardson International Airport
- Plaza Premium and SkyTeam Lounges at the Vancouver International Airport
Pros and cons of Priority Pass
The biggest advantage of the Priority Pass program is its independence. The only things you need to get into a Priority Pass airport lounge are a boarding pass from any class and any airline and a membership.
Before you spring for a membership, weigh the benefits and drawbacks of Priority Pass.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| * 1,500+ airport lounges in 600+ cities and 145 countries | * Crowded lounges in busy airports |
| * Complimentary WithU premium fitness app subscription | * Expensive annual membership or premium credit card fees |
| * Member services team with multilingual advisors | * Visits are limited to 2 – 3 hours before flight |
| * Bookable private transfers at 1,100+ airports | * No free member lounge access on the lowest membership tier |
| * Bookable workspaces with desks, meeting rooms, or private offices in 80+ countries | * No free guest lounge access |
| * Digital Membership Card (paid membership only) | * Non-transferable memberships |
| * Discounted car rentals at 50,000+ locations | |
| * Discounted dining and the ability to pre-order takeout from 485 locations in 44 airports across the UK and US | |
| * Discounted Meet & Assist services | |
| * Discounted treatments at Be Relax Spas |
How to buy a Priority Pass membership
You can buy a Priority Pass membership online for $10 USD plus a yearly fee:
| Standard | Standard Plus | Prestige | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fee | $99 USD | $329 USD | $469 USD |
| Free member passes included | 0 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Member pass fee | $35 USD | $35 USD | N/A |
| Guest pass fee | $35 USD | $35 USD | $35 USD |
The best deal for infrequent fliers is the Standard membership plan. It may not include any free passes but you’ll come out ahead if you buy 6 or fewer passes per year compared to purchasing the next membership tier.
The Standard Plus plan takes $120 USD off the usual admission fees for 10 passes – but if you take 14 or more fights per year, it’s more economical to upgrade. At that point, buying the Prestige plan saves you $35 USD per visit, to say nothing of the peace of mind that comes from knowing you can always grab a hot meal and a shower before your flight.
How do I know if my credit card includes Priority Pass?
American Express is the only bank in Canada that includes Priority Pass Select in its list of premium credit card perks. Not only do you get access to every Priority Pass airport lounge in the world, you also get to enjoy the fabulous Amex Global Lounge Collection.
| Credit card | Lounge access program(s) | Free passes | Annual fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum Card | * Amex Global Lounge Collection * Priority Pass |
* Unlimited | $799 |
| The Business Platinum Card from American Express | * Amex Global Lounge Collection * Priority Pass |
* Unlimited | $799 |
| Scotiabank American Express Platinum Card | * Plaza Premium Lounges * Priority Pass |
* 6 * Unlimited |
$399 |
| American Express Gold Rewards Card | * Plaza Premium Lounges * Priority Pass |
* 4 * 0 |
$250 |
Some cards don't come with lounge passes but offer discounted rates on a Priority Pass purchase, with one of those options being the Scotiabank Gold American Express Card.
While you have to pay for lounge access with this card, it offers plenty of rewards (up to 6 points per $1 spent), includes top-notch insurance, and charges no foreign exchange fees.
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1x Award winner How to use Priority Pass
Almost every Priority Pass lounge is located after airport security, meaning you must be departing on a flight, not arriving.
To enter a Priority Pass lounge, you’ll need a same-day boarding pass of any flight class from any airline, plus a membership card or a credit card with lounge access.
Approach the reception desk and do one of the following:
- Present a physical Priority Pass membership card or
- Present a Digital Membership Card on the Priority Pass app or
- Present a payment card with Priority Pass benefits
To make things easier (and to guarantee yourself and any guests a seat), you can pre-book your lounge passes online for a small fee.
Priority Pass alternatives
The best alternative to Priority Pass in Canada is DragonPass, another paid, independent airport lounge membership program.
The DragonPass network of includes 1,300+ lounges (including every Plaza Premium Lounge in Canada), plus a generous 25% discount at select dining partners.
Fortunately, there are plenty of travel business and travel credit cards offering DragonPass for free. Mastercard and Visa switched their travel programs – Mastercard Travel Pass and Visa Airport Companion Program – from Priority Pass to DragonPass in 2021.
Look for World Elite Mastercards, which typically include lounge access for a reduced fee. The BMO Ascend World Elite Mastercard, for example, offers 4 free airport lounge passes per year.
GC: $125
Visa Infinite Privilege credit cards also include lounge access, sometimes for a fee.
- The TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Credit Card is one of the best Aeroplan credit cards in Canada and grants free access to Air Canada’s award-winning Maple Leaf Lounges.
- The RBC Avion Visa Infinite Privilege offers 6 free lounge passes through the Visa Airport Companion Program, plus loads of other travel perks.
FAQ
Are lounges free with a Priority Pass?
Priority Pass lounges are free for Standard Plus members (who get 10 free passes per year) and Prestige members, who enjoy unlimited free access year-round.
Can I bring a guest to a Priority Pass lounge?
Priority Pass members can bring guests into a lounge for $35 USD each.
What’s included in a Priority Pass?
A Priority Pass includes free and/or paid access to over 1,500 airport lounges worldwide, plus dining, car rental, and duty-free shopping discounts and perks.
How do I get a Priority Pass for free in Canada?
The only way to get a Priority Pass for free in Canada is to sign up for an eligible Amex credit card.
Which Canadian airports have Priority Pass lounges?
Currently, Calgary International (YYC), Montreal Pierre Trudeau International (YUL), Ottawa MacDonald Cartier International Airport (YOW), Quebec Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB), Toronto Billy Bishop (YTZ), Toronto Lester Pearson International (YYZ), Vancouver International (YVR), and Winnipeg International have Priority Pass lounges.
How much do Priority Pass lounges cost?
Annual Priority Pass memberships range from $99 to $469 USD per traveller, depending on the tier. One-time guest passes are available for $35 USD each.
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