Inside Priority Pass' most highly rated lounge
Last month, the 2024 Priority Pass Excellence Awards revealed the best-rated lounges in the world. It crowned the excellent Vienna Lounge in Terminal 1 at Vienna Airport (VIE) as the overall winner.
The awards, which TPG attended, showcase the highest-rated lounges across the Priority Pass network. They dish out accolades based on the reviews and recommendations of its 379,966 members.
Related: Here are the best-rated Priority Pass lounges in 2024
Every lounge is judged across various criteria, including its facilities, customer service, food, drinks and overall satisfaction. This year saw the Vienna Lounge triumph over all other Priority Pass lounges to be crowned both the European winner and the global winner.
Here’s a rundown of everything you need to know about the lounge and what to expect when you visit.
It has an incredibly impressive art collection
The most notable element of the Vienna Lounge is its fantastic art collection, which is provided by Vienna’s esteemed Leopold Museum. You’ll find eye-catching works by famed Austrian artists Gustav Klimt and Egon Schiele on display throughout the lounge.
The Leopold Museum has been incredibly generous with the amount of pieces donated to the lounge, and you’ll find something new and unique around every corner. If you’re an art lover, it’s wonderfully surreal to be able to view these works up close without the usual crowds of an art gallery.
The pieces add a unique flair to the lounge, making it stand out from any other Priority Pass lounge I’ve personally visited.
Related: 5 ways to ensure you have lounge access before your next flight
The stylish and varied space is ideal for relaxing
While the lounge also has designated work areas and seating with power outlets (more on those below), it prioritizes space for travelers to unwind before catching a fight.
It’s a sprawling lounge covering more than 2,500 square meters (26,910 square feet) and can comfortably host about 450 guests.
On the day I visited, the lounge wasn’t quite at capacity but was much busier than usual due to several major airlines delaying flights. Lounge staff informed me that this is quite unusual and the lounge is often much quieter. Even so, the extra bodies didn’t spoil my visit, and I could still find space to work and relax.
There’s a great mix of seating throughout the lounge, ranging from small single tables with mint chairs and open-booth-style cushioned seating to leather sofas and armchairs.
The entire space is bright and airy. If you’re an AvGeek, you’ll love the lounge's floor-to-ceiling windows, which offer panoramic views of the airport’s runways; comfortable armchairs give you prime spots for planespotting.
The space is broadly separated into dining areas around the food stations, quieter window seating, a workspace and media center, and a more peaceful sofa area perfect for a quick snooze or a space to read.
For parents traveling with children, a small kids area also sits near the bustling dining area.
The bathrooms were some of the cleanest airport lounge bathrooms I've ever stepped in. Showers, with hairdryers and luggage storage lockers, are also available should you need them.
Compared to most other Priority Pass lounges I’ve visited, the Vienna Lounge has a much more luxurious feel akin to a premium airline’s dedicated lounge.
There are delicious cakes and Viennese dishes
While the lounge doesn’t have an a la carte dining experience, it offers a commendably large buffet with both hot and cold options. The buffet comprises elevated plates of cold cuts, a salad bar, hearty hot dishes and various baked goods.
During my visit, I could choose from broccoli cheese medallions, a farmers salad couscous and a paella-style seafood rice dish. (I went for the medallions and couscous, which were both delicious.)
Sweet main dishes, including poppy seed dumplings with stewed sour cherries, were also available.
Note: It’s important to fully read the signage here. The sweet dishes were dangerously close to the savory options, and I can exclusively reveal that sweet poppy seed dumplings do not mix well with couscous or broccoli cheese medallions. Weird food combos? I am guilty and regretful, your honor.
However, the absolute jewel in the crown must go to the Viennese cafe area; it offers coffee machines and an array of delicious and decadent cakes and strudels baked fresh daily.
Keep in mind that this area is popular, so even though it gets regularly restocked, the cakes tend to go fast.
On the drinks side of things, there's a centralized island stocked with self-serve spirits, Austrian beers and wines, and a bloody mary station — a bonus. For nonalcoholic options, choose from a variety of soft drinks and flavor-infused water.
Overall, the selection was great, and I'd say the cakes alone make visiting the lounge worthwhile.
Multiple work areas are available
Nestled in the far side of the lounge, you’ll find quieter work areas alongside a media center with three screens showing rolling news. In front of the screens are high chairs and desks with power outlets; there's additional sofa seating directly in front.
For those wishing for a more secluded spot to work, there is also a more segregated work area with porthole-style windows and inspirational artwork hanging on the walls.
While still a relatively stylish space, it felt a little bland and corporate compared to the rest of the lounge, but I guess that’s the point. It's a shame that the space couldn’t have been designed to have a little more natural light like everywhere else in the lounge.
There's an outdoor terrace with runway views
Finally, in what’s generally a rarity across most lounges — let alone a Priority Pass lounge — the Vienna Lounge offers a small sheltered terrace overlooking the runway. It is an ideal spot for AvGeeks, with a few seats and small high tables for guests. While the sky was overcast during my visit, I imagine the views are quite spectacular when the sun is shining.
One thing to note is that the terrace is also a smoking zone. If you’re averse to this, it might not be the most comfortable area of the lounge. This isn’t to say it was a complete smoke cloud, but plenty of patrons were either vaping, chomping down on thick cigars or smoking regular cigarettes.
How to visit the Vienna Lounge
The Vienna Lounge can be found in Terminal 1 just a short stroll past security. Priority Pass members can access the lounge for free along with a guest. Nonmembers can access the Vienna Lounge for up to three hours for a paid fee — 49 euros ($52) for adults and 29 euros ($31) for children.
If you don't benefit from complimentary access, you also have the option of purchasing a Priority Pass membership here, with annual fees starting at $99.
The membership options break down as follows:
- Standard membership: $99 per year; includes visits for $35 each for the member and any guests
- Standard Plus membership: $329 per year; includes 10 free visits, with subsequent visits for $35 each (the same price as all guest visits)
- Prestige membership: $469 per year; includes all visits for the member, though guests are charged $35 per visit
Credit cards that offer Priority Pass Select memberships
There are multiple credit cards through which you can get a Priority Pass Select membership, including premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees), The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required) and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, the latter of which even covers two guests. Select hotel credit cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (enrollment required) also include a Priority Pass Select membership as a card benefit.
Bottom line
The Vienna Lounge in Terminal 1 of Vienna Airport claimed the top spot overall and within Europe in this year's Priority Pass Excellence Awards. This makes it the current jewel in the crown of the Priority Pass network, and we’d say it’s well worth a visit if you enjoy runway views, fine art and extremely tasty cake selections.
Related reading:
- Key travel tips you need to know — whether you're a first-time or frequent traveler
- 6 real-life strategies you can use when your flight is canceled or delayed
- 8 of the best credit cards for general travel purchases
- 13 must-have items the TPG team can't travel without
- The 9 best Priority Pass lounges in the US
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.