Get Access to More Than 1,400 Airport Lounges Worldwide With This Membership Program

(SPOT.ph) Airports are typically thought of as stressful places. From the pre-planning, packing, thinking about how to get there, the moment you walk in, up until the plane takes off, lands again, and throughout the whole exit process. So if an option to make the whole pre-boarding experience comfortable exists, why would you deny yourself? Yes, we're talking airport lounge.

An airport lounge is a haven that shields passengers from the chaos, where you can be absolutely spoiled, provided your wallet's okay with coughing up quite a bit. In most cases, you'll need to buy a first- or business-class ticket, or own a premium credit card to get access, or pay for the entrance fees, or, better yet, why not get a membership? Allow us to introduce you to the Priority Pass.

Also read:
The SPOT.ph Guide to Airport Lounges at NAIA
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Here's everything you need to know about Priority Pass:

What is Priority Pass?

Priority Pass is a membership program from the UK-based Collinson Group. Members get access to more than 1,400 airport lounges across 600 cities worldwide, which means travel benefits such as complimentary food and drinks, discounts on airport dining, and spa treatments, among other things. This membership program is designed to enhance the travel experience of its members who value airport comfort and amenities.

The different Priority Pass membership plans

Priority Pass has three membership plans, which you, as a traveler, can choose from depending on how frequently you travel. There's the Standard, Standard Plus, and Prestige.

For the Standard plan, it costs U.S. $99/year (roughly P5,600) or U.S. $8.25/month (roughly P500). This is perfect for the occasional traveler as they would only need to pay a fixed amount of U.S. $35 (P2,000) to enter any of the Priority Pass airport lounges—which, arguably, is still cheaper than owning a silver, gold, or black credit card.

The Standard Plus plan costs U.S. $329/year (roughly P18,650) or U.S. $27.40/monthly (roughly P1,600). This plan fits the lifestyle of a frequent traveler who flies from one destination to another, at most 10 times a year. The benefits of this plan include 10 free visits to Priority Pass-accredited airport lounges, and an additional fee of U.S. $35 for each airport lounge visit upon exceeding the 10 limit.

The most expensive plan of them all is Priority Pass' Prestige membership plan which costs U.S. $469/year (P26,600) or U.S. $39.08/month (P2,300). This is perfect for frequent flyers as it gives access to as many Priority Pass-accredited airport lounges as the member wants.

For all three Priority Pass membership plans, members can bring one companion to an accredited Priority Pass airport lounge for a fixed rate of U.S. $35.

Priority Pass also has plans for businesses that want to purchase membership plans for their customers or employees. For this, interested applicants can send an email to Priority Pass.

Important note: A separate payment of U.S. $10 is needed to deliver the physical Priority Pass membership card to the applicant.

Also read:
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Credit cards that offer complimentary Priority Pass membership

For certain premium credit cardholders, you do not need to pay for a membership if your bank can get you a complimentary or discounted Priority Pass membership. Here are some banks that offer it:

BDO: BDO Elite Mastercard (BDO Platinum and Titanium Mastercard) cardholders get a complimentary Priority Pass membership that's good for one year. Similar to the Standard plan, the cardholder still needs to pay an additional U.S. $32 (roughly P1,800) per visit at an airport lounge.

BPI: BPI Platinum Rewards cardholders get a complimentary annual Priority Pass membership, consisting of up to four lounge passes per calendar year.

Citibank: Citibank Prestige cardholders are granted access to airport lounges, and can bring along four other companions.  Other benefits include two complimentary airport transfers, and two airport Meet and Assist service passes each year.

Eastwest Bank: EastWest Priority Visa Infinite credit cardholders get a complimentary Priority Pass membership with up to four lounge visits. Succeeding visits are priced at U.S. $29 (P1,650) per person, per visit.

Metrobank: Metrobank Travel Platinum Visa cardholders get a free Priority pass membership.

RCBC: RCBC World Mastercard, RCBC Visa Infinite, RCBC Visa Platinum, and Hexagon World Mastercard cardholders get a free Priority Pass membership.

Benefits of Priority Pass

The benefits Priority Pass members get solely depend on the airport lounge they're visiting. The common benefits are a comfortable waiting area with several charging ports, a food buffet with free-flowing drinks that include juices, coffee, and alcohol, a fast Wi-Fi connection, a shower room, television, reading materials, and flight updates. More rare benefits are conference rooms, prayer rooms, and spa treatments.

Also read:
This NAIA Airport Lounge Has a Buffet, Free-Flowing Coffee + More
Not Flying Business Class? This Airport Lounge Allows Walk-Ins

Airport lounges with Priority Pass

According to Priority Pass' website, they have over 1,400 lounges worldwide. More than 150 in North America and Canada, more than 150 lounges in Latin America, more than 370 lounges in Europe, more than 90 lounges in Africa, more than 70 lounges in the Middle East, and more than 440 lounges in the Asia Pacific.

For Filipinos traveling domestically, a Priority Pass membership grants access to Marhaba Lounge, PAGSS Premium Lounge, and A Lounge at Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport. In other international airports around the Philippines, it also grants access to Mactan-Cebu International Airport's Plaza Premium Lounge, Davao Francisco Bangoy International Airport's PAGSS Premium Lounge, and Puerto Princesa International Airport's PAGSS Lounge.

If you're traveling to another country, it would be best to check the Priority Pass website whether they have access to lounges there.

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