These days, arriving early to the airport is a must, so having access to a lounge where you can relax with a drink, snacks and a quiet place to work is key. If you have club memberships to airline lounges like the Admirals Club or Delta Sky Club, you’ll want to make sure that you have a same-day ticket on an eligible airline to access it at the airport.

Other lounges, like the Centurion Lounge, do not require a particular airline, but you must have a same-day boarding pass. Both Sky Club and Centurion lounges also have restrictions on when you can enter (only within three hours of the flight’s departure time).

If your preferred airport doesn’t have a credit card-affiliated or airline-branded lounge, not all hope is lost. Priority Pass, a network of more than 1,300 lounges around the world, may have a lounge or dining option available for you. Here’s how to get into a Priority Pass lounge before a flight.

Purchase a Priority Pass membership

If you’re looking to become a member of Priority Pass, you have several options. For starters, you can purchase Priority Pass membership at three different membership levels.

Standard membership, the cheapest option, has an annual fee of $99. You’ll then pay $35 per person each time you enter a lounge. This is the best option for those who travel less frequently.

The Standard Plus membership has a higher annual cost at $299, but it comes with 10 free lounge visits per year. After 10 visits, the per-person cost is $35. This is a good option for more frequent travelers who are likely to visit an airport lounge several times per year.

The best deal for the most frequent flyer is Prestige membership, which costs $429 per year but includes unlimited lounge visits. Each accompanying guest would pay $35.

Carry the right credit card

There are many travel cards that include access to Priority Pass Select membership as one of their benefits. This is a solid way to gain entry into these lounges, especially if you’re already paying the card’s annual fee.

Cards with Priority Pass benefits include:

Chase Sapphire Reserve®.

Citi Prestige® Card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card. Enrollment required. Existing cardholders who enrolled in Priority Pass on or before Jan. 31, 2023 will no longer have a membership as of Feb. 1, 2024. Cardholders who enroll between Feb. 1, 2023 and Jan. 31, 2024, will continue to have membership through Oct. 31, 2024. Terms apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. Enrollment required.

The Platinum Card® from American Express. Enrollment required.

Terms apply.