Priority Pass' business model is to monetize surplus lounge capacity. Many of the lounges that accept Priority Pass exist to serve premium class passengers for airlines which have only a few flights per day at a specific airport. The lounges are independently operated, and Priority Pass has no control over the experience. There is a wide range of opening hours, locations, sizes, furnishings (condition), amenities, food and drink. Most lounges which accept Priority Pass have liberal guest policies.

The lounges operated by AA, AS, DL, UA are membership clubs. Anyone can join, but these days we need to be flying on the corresponding airline (or partner) to use the membership, and the airline will have a service desk in the lounge to assist with flight disruptions. These lounges tend to be located near the operating airline's own gates, and at some hubs they may have more than one lounge.

The lounges operated for American Express, Capital One and Chase require a specific credit card to enter. These lounges tend to be newer than those operated by airlines, but because they are a recent fashion, they have to compete for whatever space is available at a each airport, and opening a new location takes years. Even if there is one in your airport, it may not be convenient for your flight.