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Your Priority Pass Membership Just Got Worse: New Fees, Lounge Departure Hitting U.S. Travelers

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Ryan Smith
Edited by: Keri Stooksbury
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Priority Pass cardholders should pay attention to a round of changes now rolling out across the U.S. Several lounges in the network have started charging extra for showers — a perk that was previously included with your visit — and a new lounge in Texas has already left the program entirely.

It’s another step in what has become a long, slow erosion of Priority Pass value.

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What’s Changing?

The most widespread update, first noticed by View From the Wing, involves shower fees at The Club lounges, which are operated by Airport Dimensions — the lounge arm of Collinson Group, the same company that owns Priority Pass.

Starting July 1, 2026, showers at the following locations will no longer be included with lounge access:

  • The Club CLT — Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Concourse A
  • The Club DFW — Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Terminal D
  • The Club LAS — Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), Terminals 1 and 3
  • The Club PIT — Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT), Concourse C
  • The Club SJC — San Jose International Airport (SJC), A8 and A15

The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses have also joined the trend. Showers at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses at JFK (Terminal 4), Washington Dulles (Concourse A), and San Francisco (International Terminal A) now charge $15 per use.

PIT The Club lounge bar seating
The Club lounge in Pittsburgh. Image Credit: Jessica Merritt

On top of the fee changes, the Plaza Premium Lounge in Terminal D at DFW has left the Priority Pass network altogether. That lounge only opened on March 9, 2026.

Why This Matters for Travelers

The shower fee situation is particularly telling because The Club lounges are run by Collinson — the same parent company as Priority Pass. This isn’t a third-party lounge pushing back on low reimbursement rates. This is Priority Pass effectively charging its own cardholders more to use its own lounges. The math is straightforward and makes sense on their side: If shower guests drive up costs, the easiest fix is to pass those costs on to travelers.

That’s not good news for cardholders who rely on Priority Pass as a core benefit of their travel credit card, though.

The shower fees alone won’t devastate every traveler, but they’re part of a broader pattern. Lounges are leaving the network, copays are spreading, and the overall experience keeps getting squeezed. The Plaza Premium Lounge departure at DFW is a concrete example: Even newly opened lounges aren’t sticking around.

If you’re traveling through one of the affected airports and were counting on a shower before a long flight, plan to pay — or seek an alternative like Centurion Lounges or Chase Sapphire Lounges. Additionally, some airline-specific lounges are available through day passes or elite status.

Hot Tip:

One of the easiest ways to get access to lots of lounges is by holding the right credit card. Our list of the best cards for lounge access can help you pick the right one.

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Final Thoughts

Priority Pass remains one of the most widely available lounge access programs, but it’s no longer the benefit it was a few years ago. Shower fees at U.S. lounges — especially ones operated by Priority Pass’ own parent company — are a clear signal of where things are headed. If you’re deciding whether a Priority Pass-linked credit card still justifies its annual fee, changes like these are worth factoring into that math.

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About Ryan Smith

Ryan completed his goal of visiting every country in the world in December of 2023 and is now revisiting some favorites. Over the years, he’s written about award travel and credit cards for publications like AwardWallet, The Points Guy, USA Today Blueprint, CNBC Select, Tripadvisor, Point.me, Forbes Advisor, and more.

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