Sick of Crowded Airport Lounges? You Can Now Pre-Book More Priority Pass Lounges -- but It'll Cost You

Lengthy travel days aren't always enjoyable. When visiting a destination that requires you to fly, you must plan to arrive at the airport well before your flight to allow enough time to get through security and make it to your gate in time. After getting through security, some travelers prefer to head to an airport lounge to relax before their flight departs. 

But now that many more people have airport lounge access thanks to their rewards credit card perks, lounges are getting overcrowded, which means some travelers get turned away once lounges reach capacity. It can be frustrating when this happens. You can avoid being turned away by reserving a spot at select airport lounges. Find out how much this service will cost you. 

You can now pre-book some Priority Pass lounges

Pre-booking is now available at select Priority Pass airport lounges for members who want to guarantee a reserved spot. This newer feature is available to busy travelers, but it is not a free service. The cost varies depending on which lounge you want to pre-book, but you can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $8 for each lounge pre-booking you make. 

If you have a trip coming up and don't want to risk being turned away because a lounge is too busy, you may want to consider whether this service is worth the additional fee. You can pre-book eligible lounges through the Priority Pass website or mobile app. 

You'll be asked to provide your flight and Priority Pass membership details during the booking process. To reserve a spot, you must make a reservation at least 24 hours before arrival. At this time, only select Priority Pass lounges can be pre-booked. 

Reservations can be made at eligible lounges at over 20 airports worldwide, including the following: 

• Rio de Janeiro Santos Dumont
• São Paulo Congonhas
• Benito Mexico City Benito Juarez International
• Cancun International
• Aeropuerto Internacional de San Juan
• Birmingham Airport
• London Gatwick
• London Heathrow
• Syracuse Hancock International 

You can view a complete list of available airport lounges that allow pre-booking on the Priority Pass website. If you think you can benefit from this service, you may want to include this expense in your vacation budget to ensure you get to hang in the lounge before your flight. 

Some credit cards include airport lounge access as a perk

Having the right credit card in your wallet can make a difference. Some of the best travel rewards credit cards include perks that can improve your travels. Some even offer complimentary airport lounge access, which can prove valuable for frequent travelers. 

Here are two top-rated credit cards that include a complimentary Priority Pass membership: 

• Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card: This credit card is packed with valuable travel benefits. It has a generous welcome offer for new cardholders and an annual travel credit of up to $300 for eligible travel purchases made through the Capital One Travel portal. Cardholders also receive 10,000 bonus miles at each anniversary. The card charges a 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable) APR and a $395 annual fee. (See rates and fees.)
  • Apply now for the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.
• Chase Sapphire Reserve®: This credit card is a favorite among travelers who like premium credit card perks. It has a generous welcome offer and includes an annual travel credit of up to $300. It also provides up to a $100 statement credit every four years as reimbursement for Global Entry, TSA Precheck, or NEXUS application fees. 
  • Apply now for the Chase Sapphire Reserve® card.

If you have either of these credit cards in your wallet, you can level up your travel experience by visiting participating Priority Pass airport lounges during your travels. But as mentioned above, lounge pre-booking services are an additional expense that isn't complimentary. Before paying this fee, consider how your personal finances will be impacted. 

When you book travel expenses using rewards credit cards, you'll get rewarded for your spending. Be sure to consider what credit card you use the next time you book travel arrangements for an upcoming vacation, so you don't miss out on reward opportunities.