“Should I get Priority Pass for Bali, or is fast track better?” is one of the most frequent questions we hear. The answer is that they’re different products solving different problems. Priority Pass gets you into airport lounges; fast track gets you through immigration faster. Most travelers benefit from both. This guide explains exactly what each does, what it costs, and which one to choose if you must pick.
Key Takeaways
- Fast track = faster immigration. Priority Pass = lounge access.
- Fast track works on arrival AND departure. Priority Pass works on departure only.
- Fast track: $35 to $55 per person per use. Priority Pass: $99 to $429/year membership.
- For 1-2 Bali trips per year, fast track wins on cost.
- For 5+ trips per year, Priority Pass + fast track combined is best.
What Each Product Does
Bali Airport Transfer
An immigration shortcut. A uniformed greeter meets you at the jet bridge or arrival gate, walks you through a dedicated VIP lane (skipping the standard 60 to 120 min queue), helps with eVOA and customs, and walks you to the curb. Available on both arrival and departure. Read our honest fast track review for the data.
Priority Pass
A membership program that grants you access to participating airport lounges worldwide. At DPS, this includes Premier Lounge, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Saphire Lounge (subject to current participation). The lounges are POST-SECURITY in DEPARTURES, so Priority Pass is only useful when leaving Bali, not arriving.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Fast Track | Priority Pass |
|---|---|---|
| Skip immigration queue | Yes | No |
| Lounge access | Sometimes (premium tier) | Yes |
| Works on arrival | Yes | No |
| Works on departure | Yes | Yes |
| Cost per use | $35-$55 | Free with membership |
| Annual membership | None | $99-$429 |
| Best for | Single trip, peak season | Multiple trips per year |
Priority Pass: How It Works
Membership Tiers
| Tier | Annual Fee | What You Get |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $99 | $35 per visit, no free visits |
| Standard Plus | $329 | 10 free visits, $35 thereafter |
| Prestige | $429 | Unlimited free visits |
| Free via credit card | $0 | Bundled with Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve, etc. |
How to Get Priority Pass for Free
Several premium credit cards include Priority Pass at no extra charge:
- American Express Platinum (US): unlimited Priority Pass for cardholder + 2 guests
- Chase Sapphire Reserve (US): unlimited Priority Pass for cardholder
- HSBC Premier Mastercard (multiple markets)
- Citi Prestige (some markets)
- Various bank platinum cards in Asia, Middle East
If you have one of these cards, Priority Pass at DPS lounges is essentially free.
What Lounges Priority Pass Includes at DPS
As of early 2026:
- Premier Lounge — accepted
- Plaza Premium Lounge — accepted
- Saphire Lounge — accepted (verify before arrival)
- Concordia Lounge — sometimes accepted
- Garuda Executive Lounge — NOT accepted (airline-specific)
- SQ KrisFlyer Lounge — NOT accepted (airline-specific)
For full lounge guide see our lounge access guide.
The Critical Distinction: Arrival vs Departure
This is where most travelers get confused.
Arrival
You land at DPS. You face:
- Immigration queue (45 to 120 min)
- Baggage claim
- Customs
- Exit to find your driver
Priority Pass is COMPLETELY USELESS here. The lounges are post-security in departures, which you cannot access on arrival.
Fast track is HIGHLY USEFUL here. It cuts immigration from 90 min to 10 min.
Departure
You leave Bali. You face:
- Check-in queue (15 to 45 min)
- Security (10 to 20 min)
- Immigration outbound (15 to 30 min)
- Walk to gate, possibly long wait at gate
Both are useful here. Fast track speeds you through check-in, security, and immigration. Priority Pass gives you a comfortable place to wait between security and gate.
The Real-World Math
Scenario 1: Single Bali Trip Per Year
| Choice | Cost | Total Time Saved |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Track Round Trip Only | $80-$140 | 2-3 hours |
| Priority Pass Standard Plus Only | $329 | ~30 min comfort |
| Both | $409+ | 3+ hours |
Verdict: Fast track wins. Priority Pass overkill if you fly DPS once.
Scenario 2: Quarterly Bali Visits (4x/year)
| Choice | Annual Cost | Total Time Saved |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Track 4x Round Trip | $320-$560 | 8-12 hours |
| Priority Pass Prestige Only | $429 | 2-3 hours comfort |
| Both Combined | $749+ | 10-15 hours total benefit |
Verdict: Combined wins for frequent travelers.
Scenario 3: Has Amex Platinum (Priority Pass Free)
| Choice | Marginal Cost | Total Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Track Only | $80-$140 per trip | Immigration speedup |
| Priority Pass via Amex | $0 (already paying for Amex) | Lounge access |
| Both | $80-$140 per trip | Maximum benefit |
Verdict: Get both. Priority Pass is essentially free with the card you already have.
When Priority Pass Wins
- You fly internationally 5+ times per year (across all destinations).
- You enjoy lounge food and don’t mind a 30-min walk through immigration.
- You travel solo with carry-on (no rush).
- You’re already paying for Amex Platinum or similar (PP becomes free).
- Your departures from Bali are during peak (long waits at gates).
When Fast Track Wins
- You’re landing in Bali in peak season (Jul, Aug, Dec) or peak hours (10:00-14:00, 22:00-02:00).
- You’re traveling with family / kids.
- You hate queues more than you love lounges.
- You have a driver waiting and don’t want them to wait 90 minutes.
- You’re a 1-time annual Bali traveler.
When Both Win (The Premium Setup)
- You fly through DPS multiple times per year.
- Your time is worth more than lounge food.
- You arrive on long-haul red-eyes (need lounge for departure refresh).
- You’re a business traveler or VIP.
What Priority Pass Doesn’t Do
Common misconceptions:
- Priority Pass does NOT skip security or immigration.
- Priority Pass does NOT include free food or drinks beyond what the lounge provides.
- Priority Pass does NOT give priority boarding.
- Priority Pass does NOT give baggage allowance.
- Priority Pass at DPS does NOT include arrival lounges (there are no arrival lounges).
What Fast Track Doesn’t Do
Equally important:
- Fast track does NOT skip the actual visa requirement (you still need eVOA / VOA).
- Fast track does NOT include flight upgrades.
- Fast track does NOT include lounge access (basic tier).
- Fast track does NOT skip baggage claim wait (bags arrive when they arrive).
The Hybrid Premium Departure
The best premium departure setup:
- Pre-booked departure fast track: priority check-in, security express, immigration outbound.
- Walk straight to lounge (Premier or Plaza Premium).
- Use Priority Pass to enter lounge for free (or pay $40 walk-up).
- 90-120 min in lounge: shower, food, wifi.
- Walk to gate when ready.
Cost for couple: ~$80 fast track + $0 PP via card = $80 total. Same experience without these would be 90 min in queues + cramped gate seat.
What About DragonPass?
DragonPass is similar to Priority Pass with overlapping but not identical lounge networks. At DPS, DragonPass typically grants access to Plaza Premium and some others. If you have it via your bank card, it works similarly to Priority Pass.
What About LoungeKey?
Some Mastercard World Elite cards include LoungeKey. At DPS, LoungeKey accesses similar lounges to Priority Pass. Functionally equivalent for most users.
Common Mistakes
- Buying Priority Pass for an arrival. It is useless for arrivals.
- Skipping fast track because you have Priority Pass. Different problems.
- Not checking which lounges Priority Pass covers at DPS. Networks change.
- Buying Standard tier and being shocked when you pay $35 per visit. Get Standard Plus or Prestige if you want free visits.
- Forgetting to check guest policy. Most credit-card-bundled Priority Pass includes 1-2 free guests. Check yours.
The Final Recommendation
| Your Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 1 Bali trip per year, peak season | Fast Track only |
| 1 Bali trip per year, off-peak | Fast Track only (worth it for arrival) |
| 2-3 Bali trips per year | Fast Track each time + cheap walk-up lounge |
| 4+ Bali trips per year | Fast Track + Priority Pass Standard Plus |
| 5+ international trips per year | Fast Track + Priority Pass Prestige (or get Amex Platinum) |
| Have Amex Platinum already | Both. Fast Track for arrivals, free PP for departures |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Priority Pass on arrival in Bali?
No. The lounges are after security in departures, inaccessible to arriving passengers.
Does Priority Pass speed up immigration?
No. It only grants lounge access.
Is fast track included with Priority Pass?
No. They are completely separate products.
Can I pay for Priority Pass at the lounge entrance?
No. You must be a member or have it bundled with your card. Walk-up rates ($40-$55) work but aren’t Priority Pass.Will Priority Pass save me money on Bali fast track?
No. Different products. Fast track is paid per-use; Priority Pass is membership-based for lounges.
Make the right call for your situation. If you want maximum value on your Bali arrival and departure, pair arrival fast track with departure fast track + your existing lounge benefit. Book your fast track today.