Status: checked against official sources; automated independent review
Part of American Express Global Lounge Collection hub · Priority Pass hub · Delta Sky Club hub
GUIDE
Priority Pass vs Amex Global Lounge Collection
Priority Pass is a lounge membership with annual plans that gives access to 1,900+ airport lounges and experiences worldwide, as of 18 October 2026 [4], while The Global Lounge Collection is the lounge benefit on the US Platinum Card from American Express, which includes Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits on eligible Delta flights, a Priority Pass membership with enrollment required, and other select partner lounges [2]. On that card, Priority Pass is one component of the collection rather than a separate alternative [2]. This comparison covers the access products, not lounge quality or coverage at every airport.
Facts checked: 18 October 2026
Key takeaways
- On the US Platinum Card, Priority Pass is one component of the Global Lounge Collection [2].
- The collection also lists Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight, and other select partner lounges [2].
- Priority Pass sells annual plans directly: Standard at £69, Standard Plus at £229 and Prestige at £419 [4].
- Priority Pass says many payment cards offer complimentary membership, which the member activates [4].
- Priority Pass markets 1,900+ lounges and experiences, while American Express says the collection has over 1,550 airport lounges as of January 2026 [4] [2].
How do you get access to each lounge network?
Priority Pass sells memberships directly through three annual plans, described for the occasional, regular and frequent traveller respectively [4].
| Plan | Annual fee | Described use |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | £69 | Occasional traveller |
| Standard Plus | £229 | Regular traveller |
| Prestige | £419 | Frequent traveller |
Members can use a digital membership card at all lounges in the network, or present a physical card [4]. Priority Pass also says many payment cards offer complimentary membership, which the member activates through Priority Pass [4].
On the American Express side, the Global Lounge Collection is presented as a Platinum Card benefit [2]. The US Platinum Card page lists Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight, Priority Pass membership with enrollment required, and other select partner lounges as the collection's access points [2]. The same page lists a $895 annual fee for the Basic Card [2].
Those routes lead to different entry products: a paid Priority Pass plan, an activated card-issued Priority Pass membership, or the Platinum Card's collection, which itself includes a Priority Pass membership [4] [2]. The Delta Sky Club element is capped at 10 visits and requires an eligible Delta flight [2].
Can you bring guests into Priority Pass lounges?
Priority Pass says guests are welcome, and members can invite family, friends or colleagues to join them in Priority Pass lounges [4]. It applies lounge availability and conditions of use to the statements on its page [4]. Guest access is therefore tied to those conditions for the lounge being visited [4].
How broad is each lounge network?
Priority Pass says members can use 1,900+ airport lounges and experiences worldwide on outbound and return journeys, as of 18 October 2026 [4]. That figure covers lounges and experiences, not airport lounges alone [4]. American Express says the Global Lounge Collection has over 1,550 airport lounges as of January 2026 and describes it as larger than any other credit card company's network on the market at that date [2].
The counts cover different categories: Priority Pass counts lounges and experiences, while American Express counts airport lounges in a card collection that includes a Priority Pass membership [4] [2]. The figures therefore do not establish a like-for-like airport-lounge comparison [4] [2]. Priority Pass access remains subject to lounge availability and conditions of use [4].
What limits and exceptions should you check?
- Enrollment. The Priority Pass membership in the US Platinum Card benefit requires enrollment [2].
- Flight condition. The 10 Delta Sky Club visits apply when flying on an eligible Delta flight [2].
- Availability. Priority Pass access is subject to lounge availability and conditions of use, including for guests [4].
- Counts and dates. The American Express figure of over 1,550 airport lounges is dated January 2026, and the Priority Pass figure covers lounges and experiences [2] [4].
- Market and card. The American Express facts described here come from the US Platinum Card page; other cards are outside this comparison [2].
- Fees. Priority Pass plan fees are quoted in pounds sterling on its airport-lounges page [4].
Frequently asked questions
Is Priority Pass included with the Amex Platinum Card?
Yes, on the US Platinum Card, the Global Lounge Collection lists Priority Pass membership with enrollment required, along with Centurion Lounges, 10 Delta Sky Club visits and select partner lounges [2].
Can I use Priority Pass on any airline or in any class?
Priority Pass says members can fly with any airline and in any class and use the lounge [4]. Access remains subject to lounge availability and conditions of use [4].
How many lounges are in each network?
Priority Pass says 1,900+ lounges and experiences worldwide [4]. American Express says the Global Lounge Collection has over 1,550 airport lounges as of January 2026 [2]. The figures cover different categories, so they are not a direct like-for-like count [4] [2].
Can I bring guests to a Priority Pass lounge?
Priority Pass says guests are welcome and members can invite family, friends or colleagues [4]. Admission is subject to lounge availability and conditions of use [4].
What does Priority Pass cost?
Priority Pass lists annual fees of £69 for Standard, £229 for Standard Plus and £419 for Prestige [4].
Sources
Sources checked on 18 October 2026. It compares Priority Pass with The Global Lounge Collection as offered on the US Platinum Card; other card issuers' lounge programmes, airline lounge memberships and other American Express cards are not covered here.
- American Express Platinum Card: The Global Lounge Collection, checked 18 October 2026
- Priority Pass airport lounges and membership plans, checked 18 October 2026