Some of the best travel credit cards offer access to more than 1,700 airport lounges worldwide via the Priority Pass network. As these lounges become more popular, you may have to join a waitlist before you are granted entry, whether you join the line virtually or outside the door.
Some Priority Pass lounges in the United States, like The Club SFO, have implemented a little-known and controversial solution.
You can choose to pay a small additional fee (usually under $10 per person) to reserve your entry through the Priority Pass website in advance. The benefit of this is that you will be guaranteed immediate entry, which offers great peace of mind if you’re counting on the lounge as a place to grab a snack and drink, charge your devices, or take an important phone call.
But should you have to pay extra for something you thought you either received for free or had already paid for?
My mindset is that paying this extra fee is a savvy investment in a smooth travel experience, especially for a special occasion like the start of a long-awaited vacation or when I know I need a proper meal. After all, you can barely buy a muffin for under $10 in a major airport these days.
But if I’m not sure I’ll even have time to visit the lounge, I might just choose to skip the lounge completely and maybe treat myself to something on board.
If you want to avoid delays or surprises the next time you enter a Priority Pass lounge, you might consider reserving your space in advance.
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