Lounge access used to feel like a luxury. Now, with so many credit cards offering it as a perk, airport lounges are packed, policies are shifting, and travelers are asking the obvious question.

Is Priority Pass still worth it in 2025?

If you’ve ever found yourself standing in front of a full lounge or wondering whether that $28 restaurant credit was really worth it, this breakdown is for you.

Priority Pass grants you global access to a network with over 1,300 locations, including traditional lounges, airport restaurants, minute suites, and even spa access in some airports.
But what you get depends on how you sign up. For example:
Chase Sapphire Reserve and Capital One Venture X include restaurant access.


Amex Platinum no longer includes restaurant credits.


Guest policies vary, some cards allow two guests, others charge per person.


What used to be a straightforward benefit now requires a quick check of the fine print before each trip.

The Good

Priority Pass still shines in smaller international airports and select domestic terminals without airline-branded lounges.

Places like Turkish Airlines Lounge in Miami or Club Mobay in Jamaica can genuinely upgrade your travel day.
The restaurant credit program is also very underrated, grabbing a full meal at locations like Bar Symon in Cleveland or Bobby Van’s Grill at JFK can save you real money.

The Bad

Overcrowding remains a consistent issue. Some lounges are now turning away Priority Pass members during peak times, or limiting stays to 3 hours, which sounds good in theory until you’re the one getting turned down.

That’s a big shift from the “always welcome” vibe the program once promised.

The Overrated

Many Priority Pass lounges in major U.S. airports feel dated, with basic snacks, limited seating, and no real separation from terminal noise.

Priority Pass is still worth it if:
You fly internationally through second-tier airports.


You want restaurant credits over lounge access.


You travel frequently but not in business class.


It may not be worth it if:

You already have access to Amex Centurion, Delta Sky Club, or United Polaris Lounges.


You mostly fly domestic and stick to major hubs.


You never use the restaurant benefits or travel during peak hours.

In 2025, Priority Pass still holds value, but it’s no longer the automatic win it once was. If you know how to maximize restaurant credits and travel often enough to land in less crowded airports, it can pay for itself quickly.

But for travelers who already enjoy more premium lounge access or rarely find themselves using the benefit, it might be time to move on.

Like everything in travel, it comes down to how and where you fly.