Free Lounge Access 2026: Priority Pass vs. AMEX Platinum (Honest Comparison)
Which lounge access is really worth it? Priority Pass (1,900+ lounges & experiences) vs. AMEX Platinum (1,550+ lounges) head to head. All lounges in Germany + hidden perks.
By David Lesnik Status:
Quick answer: Priority Pass gives you access to over 1,900 airport lounges and experiences in 143 countries, independent of airline or ticket class. 3 tiers: Standard (€89 + €30/visit), Standard Plus (€289 + 10 free), Prestige (€459, unlimited). The AMEX Platinum includes Prestige membership (50 visits/year) – according to AMEX, access to over 1,550 lounges worldwide, 1,330 of them via Priority Pass. The Platinum’s former Lufthansa Lounge access ended on 1 October 2026 - as a replacement there is the “Lounge on the Go” credit (6 × €20) in Frankfurt and Munich until 31 March 2027.
Which credit cards available in Germany offer lounge access at all is compared here: Credit cards with lounge access 2026
Airport lounges were long reserved for frequent-flyer elites and business-class passengers only. Priority Pass changed that: anyone can get access to over 1,900 lounges and experiences worldwide - independent of airline or ticket class.
In this guide I explain how Priority Pass works, which lounges exist in Germany, and how you can get free access with the right credit card.
What is the Priority Pass?
The Priority Pass is the world’s largest independent lounge access program. With a membership you get entry to airport lounges - no matter which airline you fly or which ticket class you booked.
Priority Pass in numbers
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Lounges & experiences worldwide | 1,900+ |
| Cities | 600+ |
| Countries | 143 |
| Lounges in Germany | ~17 |
Source: prioritypass.com, as of 6 November 2026. “Experiences” are e.g. restaurants, spas and sleep pods – they are part of the total, but usually not included via credit cards such as the AMEX Platinum.
What makes it special: the Priority Pass is airline-independent. You can fly Ryanair and still go into a premium lounge. With classic lounge access via frequent-flyer status or a business-class ticket, that isn’t possible.
What do airport lounges offer?
In a lounge you escape the hustle of the terminal. Most lounges offer:
- Food & drinks - buffet, snacks, alcoholic beverages (free)
- Fast Wi-Fi - significantly better than the terminal Wi-Fi
- Comfortable seating - armchairs, sofas, work areas
- Power outlets - charge your devices before the flight
- Quiet - less noise and stress
- Showers - for longer connections (not all lounges)
- Daily newspapers & magazines - print and digital
Especially during delays or long layovers, a lounge is worth its weight in gold. Instead of waiting at the gate, you sit comfortably with free food and drinks.
Priority Pass membership tiers
Priority Pass offers three membership options:
Standard
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | €89 |
| Lounge visits | €30 per visit |
| Guests | €30 per person |
Only worth it with very few visits per year (1-2 times).
Standard Plus
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | €289 |
| Included visits | 10 free |
| Additional visits | €30 per visit |
| Guests | €30 per person |
Cheaper than Standard from 7+ visits.
Prestige
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual fee | €459 |
| Lounge visits | Unlimited free |
| Guests | €30 per person |
From 16+ visits per year, the cheapest option.
Tip: Instead of buying the Priority Pass directly, it’s often worth getting a premium credit card that includes the pass as an add-on benefit.
Priority Pass via credit cards
The best way to get Priority Pass is through a premium credit card. The AMEX Platinum offers the most comprehensive lounge access in Germany.
AMEX Platinum: Priority Pass Prestige included
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Lounges in total (AMEX figure) | over 1,550 worldwide |
| of which Priority Pass | 1,330 lounges |
| Priority Pass tier | Prestige (value: €459) |
| Free visits | 50 per year |
| Free guests | 1 per visit |
| Supplementary card | Own Priority Pass included |
The AMEX Platinum costs €720 per year, but in addition to the Priority Pass it includes many other perks like travel insurance, hotel status and credits.
Important: The 50 visits apply to the primary card, supplementary card and all guests combined. If you go into the lounge with a companion, 2 visits are deducted. The Platinum supplementary card gets its own Priority Pass and may also bring one companion for free — a couple therefore has two passes but shares the allowance of 50 visits (as of September 2026, Platinum Card schedule of fees and benefits).
Other credit cards with Priority Pass
Besides the AMEX Platinum, other cards also offer Priority Pass access:
- Deutsche Bank Mastercard Platin (€200/year) - Priority Pass, your own visit is free of charge according to the price and service schedule, companion €20 per visit
- Commerzbank GoldKreditkarte (€99.90/year) - Priority Pass on request; the product page does not state visit or guest costs
- HypoVereinsbank Visa Infinite - Priority Pass included, but only for HVB Private Banking and Wealth Management clients
All cards with fees, visit rules and guest costs compared: Credit card with lounge access 2026.
The AMEX Platinum’s former extra perk - direct access to Lufthansa lounges - ended on 1 October 2026 (details below).
Priority Pass lounges in Germany
In Germany there are roughly 17 Priority Pass lounges at 10 airports. However, the quality varies greatly.
Frankfurt (FRA) - 4 lounges
Frankfurt is the most important German airport and has the most Priority Pass options:
| Lounge | Terminal | Location | Opening hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| LuxxLounge | T1 | Landside (before security) | 06:30-21:30 |
| Priority Lounge | T3 | Airside | 06:15-21:15 |
| SkyTeam Lounge | T3 | Airside | 06:30-22:00 |
| Air France Lounge | T3 | Airside | 05:00-20:00 |
Source: prioritypass.com, as of 7 November 2026.
Problem: All airside lounges are now in Terminal 3. Anyone flying Lufthansa or Star Alliance out of Terminal 1 only has the LuxxLounge before security.
Munich (MUC) - Big problem
| Lounge | Terminal | Location | Restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport Lounge World | T1 | Non-Schengen | All airlines |
| Airport Lounge Europe | T1 | Schengen | Only Condor, Finnair, Icelandair, Widerøe |
Caution: In Terminal 2 (Lufthansa hub) there is not a single Priority Pass lounge. That’s a massive problem, because most Lufthansa flights depart from there.
New restriction since 2025: The Airport Lounge Europe is only accessible to passengers of certain airlines. Anyone flying Eurowings or EasyJet has to use the Airport Lounge World in the Non-Schengen area - which requires a detour through passport control.
Anyone who arrives in Munich with Priority Pass and continues with Lufthansa is left without a lounge – since 1 October 2026 even with an AMEX Platinum (see below).
Berlin (BER) - One lounge plus restaurant credit
Priority Pass now lists a real lounge at BER: the BER Lounge Tegel in Terminal 1 (Schengen area). On top of that there are restaurant offers with a food & drink credit, for example at NU and marché café (both Terminal 1). The Priority Pass app shows the credit amount for each offer.
Source: prioritypass.com, as of 7 November 2026.
Other German airports
| Airport | Lounge |
|---|---|
| Düsseldorf (DUS) | Hugo-Junkers-Lounge, Open Sky Lounge |
| Hamburg (HAM) | Hamburg Airport Lounge |
| Cologne/Bonn (CGN) | Airport Business Lounge |
| Stuttgart (STR) | Airport Lounge |
| Hannover (HAJ) | Airport Lounge |
The Hugo-Junkers-Lounge in Düsseldorf is considered one of the best Priority Pass lounges in Germany.
AMEX Platinum and Lufthansa lounges: The dual benefit is history
For years this was the strongest lounge perk of any German credit card: the AMEX Platinum opened all Lufthansa Business and Senator Lounges worldwide in addition to the Priority Pass - an Economy ticket was enough, although companions were excluded.
That is over. On 1 October 2026, American Express and Lufthansa ended the partnership. Since then:
| What | Until 30 September 2026 | Since 1 October 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Lufthansa Business Lounge (Economy ticket) | Yes, via Platinum | No |
| Lufthansa Senator Lounge (Business ticket) | Yes, via Platinum | No |
| Lufthansa First Class Lounge (Centurion) | Yes | No |
| Priority Pass Prestige (50 visits) | Yes | Yes, unchanged |
| Centurion Lounges | Yes | Yes, unchanged |
Platinum Personal and Business Platinum are affected equally - and worldwide, not just in Germany.
The replacement: “Lounge on the Go” in Frankfurt and Munich
Because there is no airside Priority Pass lounge at precisely the two Lufthansa hubs (Frankfurt Terminal 1, Munich Terminal 2), AMEX introduced a dining credit:
| Detail | ”Lounge on the Go” |
|---|---|
| Credit | 6 × €20 = €120 |
| Period | 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027 |
| Airports | Frankfurt Terminal 1, Munich Terminal 2 (incl. satellite) |
| Partners | 37 restaurants, cafés and shops |
| Redemption | QR code in the Amex Experiences app; you pay any amount above €20 on the spot |
| Frequency | At most one redemption per calendar day |
| Cards | Platinum and Business Platinum; primary and supplementary card share the 6 credits, Platinum Plus is excluded |
A coffee and a sandwich instead of a buffet and an armchair - a dining credit is no substitute for a lounge, but it is €120 per half-year. AMEX has not yet said what happens after 31 March 2027.
What this means for your lounge strategy
- Frankfurt T1 and Munich T2: Without a business-class ticket or Frequent Traveller/Senator status, Platinum holders no longer get a lounge there. Use the “Lounge on the Go” credit or plan your lounge visit at the destination airport.
- All other airports: Priority Pass Prestige is unchanged - 50 visits per year, 1 free guest (counts as a visit), its own Priority Pass for the supplementary card.
- Lufthansa frequent flyers: Lounge access now comes only through status. The thresholds per calendar year: Frequent Traveller 650 Points + 325 Qualifying Points, Senator 2,000 Points + 1,000 Qualifying Points.
Current changes 2025/2026
Lufthansa Lounge Washington (IAD)
The Lufthansa Lounge in Washington D.C. has been undergoing extensive renovation since October 2025 (planned until the end of 2026). During this time, access is restricted or not possible.
Frankfurt Terminal 3
Frankfurt’s new Terminal 3 has been in operation since April 2026. It has a Priority Lounge for Priority Pass members (area J, level 3, non-Schengen, daily 06:15-21:15 according to Priority Pass), plus the SkyTeam Lounge and the Air France Lounge, both accessible via Priority Pass. If you depart from the Schengen area, you have to switch to the non-Schengen area to use it. It does not help Lufthansa passengers in Terminal 1 – Lufthansa does not fly from Terminal 3.
USA: Priority Pass access to Lufthansa lounges
Note: In the USA, Priority Pass offers access to some Lufthansa lounges - but with severe restrictions:
| Airport | Priority Pass status |
|---|---|
| JFK | Only Tue & Wed 17:30-22:30 |
| Washington (IAD) | Renovation until end of 2026 |
| Detroit (DTW) | Mon-Sat 6:00-12:00 & 16:00-21:00 |
| Newark (EWR) | No Priority Pass access |
| Boston (BOS) | No Priority Pass access |
For AMEX Platinum holders: Since 1 October 2026 the Priority Pass route with exactly these restrictions is the only one left in the USA too - the separate AMEX access to Lufthansa lounges has ended worldwide.
How to use Priority Pass optimally
1. Research lounges in advance
Not every airport has a Priority Pass lounge in your terminal. Check in the Priority Pass app before your flight which options are available.
2. Watch the opening hours
Many lounges close before the last flight. With late flights it can happen that no lounge is open anymore.
3. Note the maximum stay duration
Most lounges have a time limit of 3 hours. For longer stays you have to leave the lounge and check in again (counts as a second visit).
4. Plan guests strategically
With the AMEX Platinum, guests are deducted from the 50-visit allowance. Consider whether your companion really needs to come into the lounge - or whether you’ll meet up later at the gate.
5. Use the Priority Pass app
The app shows all available lounges, current opening hours and reviews. The digital card saves you from carrying the physical plastic card.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What is the Priority Pass?
The Priority Pass is the world’s largest independent lounge access program with over 1,900 lounges and experiences in 143 countries. With a membership you get entry to airport lounges - independent of airline or ticket class.
What does the Priority Pass cost?
There are three tiers: Standard (€89/year + €30 per visit), Standard Plus (€289/year + 10 free visits) and Prestige (€459/year, unlimited free). Access via credit cards like the AMEX Platinum is cheaper.
Which credit card offers Priority Pass?
The AMEX Platinum offers Prestige membership with 50 free visits per year (according to AMEX, over 1,550 lounges worldwide, 1,330 of them via Priority Pass). The former additional access to Lufthansa lounges ended on 1 October 2026; in Frankfurt and Munich there is the “Lounge on the Go” credit (6 × €20) instead until 31 March 2027.
Can I bring guests into the lounge?
At Priority Pass lounges: yes, guests cost €30 or are deducted from the allowance (with AMEX Platinum, 1 guest is free, but counts as a visit).
Are there Priority Pass lounges at Munich Airport Terminal 2?
No, in Munich Terminal 2 there is no Priority Pass lounge. Since most Lufthansa flights depart from there, that’s a big problem. Until September 2026 the AMEX Platinum’s Lufthansa Lounge access helped here - that ended on 1 October 2026. As a replacement there is the “Lounge on the Go” credit (6 × €20 until 31 March 2027) for restaurants and cafés in Terminal 2.
Do I need a business-class ticket for the lounge?
No, with Priority Pass the ticket class doesn’t matter. You can also go into the lounge with an Economy ticket. Priority Pass does not get you into Lufthansa lounges, however - there, ticket class or frequent-flyer status counts.
How long may I stay in the lounge?
Most lounges have a time limit of 3 hours. After that you have to leave the lounge. Re-entering counts as a second visit.
Does my Priority Pass expire if I cancel the card?
Yes, with the AMEX Platinum the Priority Pass is tied to the card. If you cancel the card, your Priority Pass access also expires at the end of the month.
Conclusion
The Priority Pass is the easiest way to airport lounges - even without frequent-flyer status or a business-class ticket. However, the network in Germany has gaps, especially at the major Lufthansa hubs in Frankfurt Terminal 1 and Munich Terminal 2.
Until September 2026 the AMEX Platinum solved this problem: Priority Pass Prestige (value: €459) plus separate Lufthansa Lounge access. Since 1 October 2026 the Lufthansa part is history. At Frankfurt T1 and Munich T2 that leaves Platinum holders with the “Lounge on the Go” credit (6 × €20 until 31 March 2027) - or a business-class ticket or frequent-flyer status. At every other airport, Priority Pass remains the card’s strongest lounge benefit.
The free Platinum supplementary card is still worth it for your partner: it comes with its own Priority Pass, but the 50 visits are shared.
Further reading:
- Redeeming AMEX points: The complete guide - How to use AMEX MR optimally for flights
- Credit cards with welcome bonus 2026 - All current bonuses at a glance
This guide shows the general lounge access options. In the Premium Handbook you’ll find the complete strategy for how to combine the AMEX Platinum optimally with other cards and extract maximum value.
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David Lesnik · Founder of MEILENKÖNIG
Expert for miles, points, and credit card strategies. Helps travelers fly business & first class for a fraction of the price.