Priority Pass is the most widely recognised independent lounge access programme in the world, covering more than 1,300 lounges across 148 countries. For UAE residents who travel regularly, it’s often the difference between a rushed hour in a terminal food court and a relaxed pre-flight meal with reliable Wi-Fi. Here’s everything you need to know: what it covers in the UAE, how to get it through a credit card, and whether the standalone membership is worth buying.
What Priority Pass Actually Gets You
At its core, Priority Pass grants entry to partner lounges that would otherwise require a business or first class ticket. The access is based on your membership card, not your ticket class - meaning you can be in economy and still walk into a full lounge service.
Standard lounge benefits at Priority Pass partner lounges typically include:
- Hot and cold buffet food (quality varies by lounge)
- Soft drinks, juices, and in many lounges, beer, wine, and spirits
- Barista or self-serve coffee
- Wi-Fi
- Comfortable seating away from the main terminal
- Shower facilities (usually bookable at the lounge desk, not guaranteed)
- Charging points and workspaces
The quality gap between a basic Priority Pass lounge and a top-tier airline lounge is real. However, a solid mid-tier lounge - which is what you typically get in UAE airports - is substantially better than the terminal alternative, especially for layovers over two hours.
Priority Pass at Dubai International Airport (DXB)
DXB is one of the world’s busiest airports and has Priority Pass lounge coverage across all three terminals via the Marhaba Lounge network, operated by dnata.
- Terminal 1: Marhaba Lounge in Concourse B and Concourse C
- Terminal 2: Marhaba Lounge, airside
- Terminal 3: Marhaba Lounge in Concourse B and Concourse C
If your membership plan includes complimentary visits, entry is free. If you’ve used your allocation, Priority Pass charges approximately USD 32–35 per visit (billed to your Priority Pass account). Children aged 2–11 are typically half price; under-2s enter free.
One important note: the dedicated Emirates Business and First Class Lounges in Terminal 3 are not accessible via Priority Pass, regardless of membership tier. Those require an Emirates Business or First class ticket, or Skywards Platinum/Gold status. For a full breakdown of every access method at DXB - day passes, airline lounges by terminal, and walk-in pricing - see our Dubai airport lounge guide.
Priority Pass at Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH)
Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport - which replaced the old AUH terminal in late 2023 - has Priority Pass lounge coverage via Plaza Premium Lounge. Plaza Premium operates a large, well-equipped lounge at the new terminal. Expect a similar buffet and drinks offering to DXB’s Marhaba, with good shower facilities.
The same per-visit charges apply as at DXB if you exceed your complimentary allocation. Lounge location can shift with gate assignments at the new terminal, so check the Priority Pass app for the current gate reference before heading airside.
If you’re flying Etihad from AUH in business or first class, their dedicated Etihad Lounges are the better option - but these are not Priority Pass accessible. For full AUH information, see our Abu Dhabi airport guide.
UAE Credit Cards That Include Priority Pass
Most UAE residents get Priority Pass through a premium credit card rather than buying it directly. The benefit is usually included as part of the annual fee, and many cards absorb the cost of 4–10 complimentary lounge visits per year before the per-visit charge kicks in.
Cards commonly offering Priority Pass or equivalent lounge access in the UAE:
| Card | Priority Pass tier | Complimentary visits |
|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum (UAE) | Full Priority Pass | Unlimited (supplementary cards extra) |
| Citibank Prestige | Priority Pass Standard Plus | Up to 10 per year |
| Emirates NBD Visa Infinite | Priority Pass or direct Marhaba | 4–6 per year (varies by tier) |
| ADCB Traveller Card | Direct Marhaba access | 4–6 per year |
| FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank) Infinite | Priority Pass | Typically 6 per year |
| Mashreq Solitaire | Priority Pass | 4–6 per year |
Confirm the exact visit count before applying - card benefits change, and some banks quietly reduce complimentary visits when renewing. The American Express Platinum UAE is the most generous option for frequent travellers, but its annual fee (approximately AED 3,000–4,000) only makes sense if you travel five or more times per year.
Before applying for any card primarily for lounge access, calculate your likely annual visit count against the card’s annual fee. If you fly four times a year, a card with six complimentary PP visits effectively pays for the lounge benefit and then some.
Buying a Standalone Priority Pass Membership
If you don’t hold a premium credit card, Priority Pass offers three direct membership tiers (prices approximate, in USD, as of 2024–2025):
| Plan | Annual fee | Included visits | Per-visit fee after |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | USD 99 | 0 | USD 35 |
| Standard Plus | USD 329 | 10 per year | USD 35 |
| Prestige | USD 469 | Unlimited | - |
The Standard plan at USD 99/year only makes sense if you visit lounges fewer than three times a year - at that frequency, buying walk-in day passes at AED 185–260 each might be cheaper overall. The Prestige plan at USD 469/year becomes cost-effective from around 14 visits upwards (14 × USD 35 = USD 490). For heavy travellers - say, monthly international flights - it pays back within the first quarter.
Membership is purchased directly on the Priority Pass website and delivers a physical card within 5–10 business days to a UAE address. You can also add supplementary cards for family members at an additional cost per card.
Is Priority Pass Worth It for UAE Residents?
For UAE residents travelling primarily through DXB and AUH, the maths usually favour getting Priority Pass through a credit card rather than buying it standalone. The AmEx Platinum UAE offers the cleanest value for frequent travellers; mid-tier bank cards with 4–6 annual visits cover most leisure traveller needs at no visible extra cost beyond the card fee (which many hold for other benefits anyway).
For occasional travellers - fewer than three international trips per year - a Marhaba day pass booked in advance at approximately AED 185–220 is often more cost-effective than any annual membership.
If you’re planning a long-haul trip that connects through DXB, check the full costs of your UAE trip before deciding whether a premium card makes financial sense. For travellers relocating to the UAE, getting a domestic number and a UAE-issued credit card is typically the fastest route to lounge access - the local bank cards tend to move faster through approval than international carryover policies.
Plan Your Trip
✈️ Book your flights to the UAE 🛡️ Get travel insurance 📱 Stay connected with an eSIM 🚗 Rent a car
Some UAE bank cards bundle membership, as covered in our credit cards for lounge access guide.