Priority Pass Now Gets You Into Most US Escape Lounges

Got a premium travel rewards credit card like the *venture x* or the *chase sapphire reserve* in your wallet? Good news: Your airport access through its complimentary Priority Pass Select membership just got even better.

One Mile at a Time was first to note that Priority Pass recently added most (but not quite all) U.S. Escape Lounges to its roster of eligible lounge locations. Effective immediately, Priority Pass holders can now get into 11 Escape Lounge locations in the states – all but four of the current U.S. locations. Six lounges in the U.K. have long been part of Priority Pass. 

That's a significant addition for Priority Pass – and a big win, as most Escape Lounges are a cut above the typical Priority Pass lounge experience. While they're often on the smaller side, they almost always feature tasty food, good drinks, and comfortable seating. 

We've been singing the praises of the Escape Lounge at Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) since it opened back in 2016, though it's undoubtedly taken a step back since the pandemic. Other locations, like the one in Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX) Terminal 3, offer more of the same: a clean and comfortable space to relax and grab a bit (or drink) before your flight or on a long layover. 

The Escape Lounge in Syracuse (SYR) has been accessible to Priority Pass members for over a year, but now 10 more are part of the portfolio. Here's the full list of Escape Lounges you can now get into with Priority Pass: 

Just the following four Escape Lounges are still not accessible through Priority Pass – at least not currently:

• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
• Palm Beach International Airport (PBI)
• Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport T4 (PHX)
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)

Additionally, new Escape Lounges at Portland (PDX) and Tulsa (TUL) are currently under construction and expected to open this fall. When the new Tulsa lounge was announced late last year, it was noted at that time that Priority Pass members would have access … but there's no word on exactly who will be able to get into the Portland location just yet.

Abroad, there are six U.K. Escape Lounges which have been accessible through Priority Pass for years. And there's a new one set to open later this year for travelers down under in Brisbane (BNE), though there's no word yet on whether travelers with Priority Pass will be eligible to visit. 

Before joining the Priority Pass ranks, the only other way to access Escape Lounges for free was by carrying a high-priced American Express card like *amex platinum* or the *delta reserve card*. Back in 2021, most Escape Lounges in the U.S. rebranded as “Centurion Studio Partner Lounges,” which makes this new tie-up with Priority Pass a somewhat surprising development. 

While this news is certainly a win for those getting lounge access through Priority Pass and cards issued by Chase, Capital One, or elsewhere, it has to be a bit of a letdown for Amex cardholders who have taken advantage of Escape Lounge access for years. 

In addition to getting in with a premium American Express card, some airlines contract with Escape Lounges to grant access for their business class passengers and you can even buy one-time access for as little as $32 per person. Adding the masses with a Priority Pass membership into the mix will undoubtedly lead to more of the overcrowding that has plagued other lounge operators.

With so many ways to get in, opening the floodgates to anyone with a Priority Pass membership will inevitably lead to the overcrowding that's plagued so many other lounges.  

Getting in With Priority Pass

For anyone looking to take advantage of this new partnership, here's what you need to know about accessing Escape Lounges with your Priority Pass membership: 

• Maximum stay of three hours 
• Children under two years old are free and must be accompanied by an adult 
• Dress code is “smart casual”

Noticeably missing from the Priority Pass Escape Lounge entry conditions is any mention of guest access. Most Priority Pass lounges allow members to bring in two guests with them, free of charge. Additionally, anyone accessing an Escape Lounge with an Amex Platinum or Centurion Card gets to bring in two guests for free on every visit. 

Priority Pass did not immediately respond to a request for comment on what (if any) guest access would be provided at Escape Lounge locations. If Priority Pass members aren't able to bring in guests with them for free, it could at least limit the risk of overcrowding.

On the flip side, this issue will likely worsen next year as Delta implements new restrictions on how many times per year cardholders can access its Delta Sky Clubs. Once these new limits go into effect, airports like Cincinnati, Minneapolis, and Phoenix will likely see an influx of Delta flyers looking for an alternative to their usual Sky Club. 

Bottom Line

Priority Pass recently added most (but not all) U.S. Escape Lounges to its growing portfolio of lounges. This is surely welcome news for many Priority Pass members as it opens the door to more (and typically better) lounges across the country. 

Ultra-premium American Express cardholders are the biggest losers in all of this as they've long received complimentary Escape Lounge access. This new partnership will surely lead to over-crowding and longer waits to get in.