Is Priority Pass better than Centurion Lounge?

Some Centurion Lounges even offer spa services, wine tasting and family rooms. This is significantly better than you will find in your average Priority Pass lounge. Best of all, these services are complimentary to eligible cardmembers.



Whether Priority Pass is "better" than the Amex Centurion Lounge depends on whether you value quantity or quality. Priority Pass is vastly superior in terms of coverage, providing access to over 1,400 lounges globally, including many in smaller regional airports where Amex has no presence. However, in terms of the actual experience, the Centurion Lounge is almost always better. Centurion Lounges offer high-end, chef-curated hot meals, premium cocktails, and often luxury amenities like spa treatments or shower suites that standard Priority Pass lounges rarely match. In 2026, many Priority Pass lounges in the US have become notoriously overcrowded, frequently turning away members during peak times. Centurion Lounges also face crowding issues, but their entry requirements (exclusive to high-end Amex cardholders) maintain a slightly more "exclusive" feel. If you travel frequently to major hubs like JFK, SFO, or LHR, the Centurion Lounge is the premium choice; if you fly out of varied regional airports, Priority Pass is the more practical tool to have in your travel kit.

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American Express Platinum and Business Platinum Card Members, and their Additional Platinum Card Members, spend a total of $75,000 or more on eligible purchases on their Platinum Account during a calendar year, they will receive complimentary Centurion lounge access for up to two guests per visit.

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In 2021, Plaza Premium Lounges withdrew from the Priority Pass Network. Now in June 2023, they have returned for Priority Pass members to use. This means that Priority Pass members have access to another 63 lounges, further improving the value of the Priority Pass membership.

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It really depends on how often you travel and which airport is your main hub. If you only travel once or twice a year, I wouldn't recommend Priority Pass, but it could be worth it if you travel regularly.

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Technically, you can access lounges for only three hours, though some lounges will waive this rule. Many lounges may restrict access to passengers departing from that airport, meaning you may not always be able to use the Priority Pass membership as an arrivals lounge.

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Are You A Member? As a Platinum Cardholder, you are entitled to a complimentary membership in Priority Pass. This allows you to wait for your flight in a relaxed atmosphere in one of the more than 1,200 Priority Pass lounges around the world.

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Can my membership card be used by someone else? The Priority Pass membership card is non-transferable. When you access a lounge, the staff will need to check that the name printed on your membership card matches your boarding pass.

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There's just one thing: You'll only be able to enter if you have certain American Express cards — in particular, The Platinum Card® from American Express, The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, the Centurion® Card from American Express, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card and the Delta ...

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These lounges run the gamut from singular, airport-managed lounges to some owned and operated by major airlines. However, Priority Pass lounges all seem to have one thing in common: They're usually crowded. Here's why Priority Pass lounges often reach capacity—plus, tips on how to avoid the crowds.

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Many of the best Priority Pass lounges in the world are open 24/7, which makes catching a cat nap (or more) very easy. Keep in mind that some lounges frown upon people sleeping there, and many also have time limits on how long you can stay, so factor this into consideration when planning out your night.

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Your Card includes a Priority Pass™ membership (valued at US$99*) and two complimentary visits annually (valued at US$35 each*). So sit back, relax, and enjoy in one of the more than 1,300 Priority Pass™ lounges worldwide. **Values as of January 2023.

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Each cardmember Priority Pass Select membership includes two guests per lounge visit. For each additional guest beyond that, your card will be charged a fee per guest, per visit.

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Keep in mind that not all Priority Pass access via travel card is the same. Some cards offer unlimited lounge visits, while others come with a set amount of complimentary entries.

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Different American Express cards offer lounge access, and the entry policy depends on the card you have. AmEx offers Platinum Card members a dedicated website that makes it easy to find which airport lounges they can access. Other AmEx cardmembers will need to read the benefits of their card closely.

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Annual fee: A $10,000 one-time “initiation” fee and a $5,000 annual fee. Authorized user annual fee: Each additional Centurion card costs $5,000. There's a limit of two Centurion authorized user cards per account.

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