Priority Pass vs Centurion Lounges: Which Is Better

The choice between Priority Pass and American Express Centurion Lounges depends entirely on your travel patterns, credit card portfolio, and what you value most in an airport lounge experience. Both offer premium amenities, but they serve different traveler needs with distinct advantages and limitations. Understanding their differences will help you determine which membership makes the most sense for your lifestyle.

What Are Priority Pass and Centurion Lounges?

Priority Pass is an independent lounge access program that grants members entry to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide across more than 140 countries. It operates as a standalone membership service, though many premium credit cards include complimentary Priority Pass memberships as a cardholder benefit. The program offers flexibility and global reach, making it appealing to frequent international travelers.

American Express Centurion Lounges are exclusive lounges operated directly by Amex, available only to Platinum Card members and Centurion Card holders. Currently, there are Centurion Lounges in major U.S. hubs including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami, and several other cities, with additional locations opening regularly. These lounges are designed specifically for premium Amex cardholders and offer a curated, high-end experience.

Access and Membership Requirements

Priority Pass membership is available through three tiers: Standard, Plus, and Prestige, with prices ranging from $99 to $599 annually for standalone memberships. However, most travelers access Priority Pass through premium credit cards, making it essentially free if you're already paying an annual fee for the card. The Amex Platinum card includes Priority Pass Select membership, which provides unlimited lounge visits with no per-visit fees.

Centurion Lounge access is exclusively tied to the American Express Platinum Card ($695 annual fee) or the Centurion Card ($10,000 annual fee). You cannot purchase Centurion Lounge access independently—it's only available as a cardholder benefit. This exclusivity is part of the appeal for some travelers, though it means you're committing to the Amex annual fee to gain access.

Global Coverage and Location Availability

Priority Pass's greatest strength is its global footprint. With lounges on every inhabited continent, you'll find access nearly everywhere you travel internationally. Whether you're in Tokyo, London, Dubai, or São Paulo, Priority Pass likely has partnered lounges available. This makes it invaluable for business travelers with diverse international routes.

Centurion Lounges, while expanding, currently have limited domestic U.S. presence. As of 2024, they're concentrated in major metropolitan hubs and aren't available in many secondary markets. If your travels are primarily within the United States or to destinations where Centurion Lounges don't exist, Priority Pass offers significantly better coverage. For international travel, you'll need Priority Pass regardless, since Centurion Lounges don't have overseas locations.

Lounge Quality and Amenities

Centurion Lounges are renowned for their premium design and curated experiences. These lounges feature upscale dining with chef-prepared meals, premium beverage selections, shower facilities, and contemporary design aesthetics. Each location is thoughtfully designed to reflect its city's character while maintaining consistent quality standards. The lounges typically accommodate fewer people, creating a less crowded atmosphere during peak travel times.

Priority Pass lounges vary considerably in quality since they're independently operated by different airport partners. Some Priority Pass lounges rival high-end experiences with excellent food and service, while others offer more basic amenities. You might encounter lounges that feel dated or overcrowded, particularly at busy international hubs. This inconsistency means you're sometimes pleasantly surprised and sometimes disappointed. The experience heavily depends on which specific lounge you visit.

Both offer Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and charging stations as standard features. However, Centurion Lounges' consistency and premium positioning means you'll know exactly what to expect, while Priority Pass requires some research into specific lounge quality beforehand.

Cost-Benefit Analysis for Different Travelers

If you already carry the Amex Platinum Card as part of your luxury travel strategy with premium credit cards, you're getting Priority Pass at no additional cost beyond the card's annual fee. In this scenario, you have both options available—use Centurion Lounges when available and Priority Pass elsewhere. This dual access is actually the optimal situation for premium travelers.

However, if you're considering membership costs alone, Priority Pass becomes more attractive. A standalone Priority Pass Prestige membership costs $599 annually, while Centurion Lounge access requires the $695 Amex Platinum annual fee. If lounge access is your primary motivation, Priority Pass offers better value for the cost. But if you value the Amex Platinum card's other benefits—such as airline credits, hotel status, and travel protections—the combined value proposition shifts in Amex's favor.

Companion and Family Access

Priority Pass allows you to bring companions into lounges, though the number depends on your membership tier. Most Priority Pass memberships include access for one or two companions, though this varies by specific membership level. Some credit cards offering Priority Pass may have different companion policies, so check your card's terms.

Centurion Lounges allow cardholders to bring family members and companions, though specific policies can vary. Generally, immediate family members get access, but it's worth confirming with Amex before assuming all companions qualify. The companion policy is more straightforward than Priority Pass's tiered approach.

Special Circumstances and Unique Benefits

Priority Pass includes additional perks beyond lounge access, such as dining and retail discounts at participating establishments. Some Priority Pass memberships also include day passes you can gift to non-members, adding flexibility to your membership.

Centurion Lounges occasionally offer special experiences and events exclusive to members, including wine tastings, culinary demonstrations, and networking opportunities. These experiential benefits go beyond standard lounge amenities and appeal to travelers seeking more than just a comfortable space during layovers. Additionally, Amex continues expanding Centurion Lounge locations, so coverage will improve over time.

Integration with Hotel and Flight Benefits

Understanding how lounge access fits into your broader travel strategy matters significantly. If you're focused on earning hotel elite status with a credit card, the Amex Platinum card offers valuable hotel benefits that complement Centurion Lounge access. Conversely, if you're chasing best business class flight redemptions for beginners, Priority Pass's global coverage becomes more strategically important.

Many premium travelers actually hold multiple credit cards simultaneously, accessing both Centurion Lounges and Priority Pass through different cards. This approach maximizes lounge access across all destinations and situations, though it requires managing multiple annual fees.

Making Your Decision

Choose Priority Pass if: You travel internationally frequently, need global lounge coverage, want flexibility in where you access lounges, or prefer paying for lounge access independently from a credit card commitment. Priority Pass is also ideal if you're building a diverse credit card portfolio and don't want to commit to the Amex Platinum's $695 annual fee solely for lounge access.

Choose Centurion Lounges if: You value premium, consistent experiences, travel primarily through major U.S. hubs, appreciate the exclusivity factor, and want the Amex Platinum card's other benefits (airline credits, hotel status, concierge service). Centurion Lounges make sense when the card's full benefits align with your travel lifestyle.

Choose both if: You're a premium traveler who values maximum flexibility and can justify multiple credit card annual fees. Holding the Amex Platinum gives you Centurion Lounges plus Priority Pass, while a secondary card might offer additional Priority Pass access or other lounge benefits.

Additional Travel Benefits to Consider

Before deciding based solely on lounge access, review the complete benefit packages. The Amex Platinum card includes up to $200 in annual airline credits, up to $200 in Uber credits, and various travel protections. These benefits often offset a significant portion of the annual fee for active travelers. Conversely, credit cards that cover Global Entry and TSA PreCheck fees might offer better value if you prioritize security line benefits.

Consider your complete travel spending and how different cards complement each other. Some travelers find that combining strategies to minimize foreign transaction fees with lounge access creates the optimal travel rewards ecosystem.

The Bottom Line

Neither Priority Pass nor Centurion Lounges is universally "better"—the best choice depends on your specific travel patterns, destinations, and financial priorities. Priority Pass wins on global coverage and flexibility, while Centurion Lounges excel in consistency and premium experience within the U.S. For most premium travelers, the ideal situation involves accessing both through strategic credit card selection, maximizing lounge benefits across all destinations and situations.

Evaluate your typical travel routes, annual airport lounge visit frequency, and whether the credit card's other benefits justify the annual fee. This comprehensive approach ensures you're not paying for benefits you won't use while maximizing value from the memberships you do maintain.