Hanging out in an airport lounge instead of a busy gate area can make traveling less stressful, but depending on where you’re traveling and the airline you’re ticketed with, accessing a lounge isn’t always possible. Priority Pass membership is one way to get into a lounge and relax before your flight.

But are Priority Pass lounges usually crowded, and will you get value from this membership? Find out what you need to know about Priority Pass to determine if this airport lounge membership is right for you.

How crowded are Priority Pass lounges?

While Priority Pass lounges aren't always crowded, they can be. If you visit a popular airport on a busy travel day and during a time when many other travelers are making their way through the airport, you may encounter a busy lounge.

In these cases, you may be denied entry. Some airport lounges, including those in the Priority Pass network, state that access can be denied and is based on capacity limits. One NerdWallet Nerd was even put on a waitlist for 2+ hours in two separate instances when recently attempting to get into Priority Pass lounges.

If you’re flying during a busy travel time, don’t expect that you’ll be guaranteed lounge access simply because of your membership.

What is a Priority Pass airport lounge?

Priority Pass is a membership program that provides members with access to a network of airport lounges around the world. Visitors can hold any level of airfare — from economy class to first.

Individual lounges partner with Priority Pass, then members can access lounges depending on their level of membership. There are over 1,300 participating lounges worldwide.

There are three levels of membership:

Standard.

Standard Plus.

Prestige.

These membership tiers vary in price and what's included (which we'll discuss more later).

If you’re a member, you can enter any participating lounge and enjoy a more comfortable seating area, along with complimentary snacks and drinks. Most lounges even offer free alcoholic beverages and Wi-Fi access.