Priority Pass is a network of independently run airport lounges around the world that anyone with a membership can access. Individuals can sign up for a standard annual membership that starts at $99 a year but every lounge visit will cost the member $35, or they can opt for the $469 a year prestige membership with no charge associated with each visit.
One of the best things about Priority Pass is that you can get a membership at no additional cost to you through one of the very many premium travel credit cards in the market that offer a Priority Pass Select membership as one of the card’s perks. With it, you have the ability to access any of the more than 1,500 lounges worldwide just by enrolling in the program through your credit card.
Priority Pass Lounge locations
Because Priority Pass lounges are independently operated, the size, layout, amenities and hours of operation vary from lounge to lounge, with some offering buffet food, drinks, free wifi, napping areas, workout rooms and even an outdoor pool. Many lounges within the network are truly independent, but others are airline affiliated lounges that cater to both the airline’s business and elite flyers and their partners as well as grant access to those with a Priority Pass membership.
The network is always adding new lounges, and with more than 1,200 lounge locations in every continent currently accessible with a membership you’re virtually guaranteed to stumble upon a member lounge in most of your future travels.
How to gain access to Priority Pass lounges
All you need in order to enter one of the lounges within the Priority Pass program is your membership card along with a boarding pass. Once you enroll in the program, you will receive a physical card, and you can register that membership online, which allows you to log into the Priority Pass app on your phone, where you can also find a virtual version of your membership card. Either the physical or virtual cards will suffice to enter the lounge.
Some lounges, particularly those that are airline run, reserve specific time slots for that airline’s elite members and business or first travelers and will restrict access to the lounge to Priority Pass members during those times. Most lounges will post their operating hours —including any time restrictions for Priority Pass members—on a posted sign outside the entrance, but you can find out this information ahead of arriving at the airport via the website or app.
Many premium credit cards offer a Priority Pass Select membership with unlimited yearly visits at no cost to you, as well as guesting privileges. These are some of those cards:
Platinum Card by American Express
The Platinum Card® from American Express
Intro bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of card membership| Annual Fee | $695 |
| Purchase APR | See Pay Over Time APR |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
at Bankrate
The Platinum Card® from American Express looks impressive when you pull it out of your wallet. Beyond good looks, the card grants access to a wide range of airport lounges and offers valuable credits and benefits, but you have to be willing to work it to get the most out of the perks.
Reward Rates
- 5XEarn 5x Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel (up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year)
- 5XEarn 5x Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel
- 1XEarn 1x points on other eligible purchases
Other benefits
- Travel benefits including hotel and car rental chain statuses, car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection
- Consumer protections including extended warranty and return protection
at Bankrate
Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Intro bonus
60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening| Annual fee | $550 |
| Regular APR | 22.49%–29.49% variable |
at Cardratings.com
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® upstages the competition for its valuable rewards value, lounge benefits, and a list of perks and benefits longer than an encore version of “Freebird”.
Rewards Rates
- 10x10x points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
- 5x5x points on flights through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
- 3x3x points on other travel and dining immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually.
- 1x1x point on all other purchases
- Additional perks: Airport lounge access, purchase protection, extended warranty protection, trip cancelation/interruption insurance, auto rental collision damage waiver, cell phone protection, complimentary Doordash and Instacart+ membership along with monthly Instacart+ credits
- Foreign transaction fee: None
at Cardratings.com
Capital One Venture X Card Highlights
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Intro bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles after spending $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening| Annual Fee | $395 |
| Purchase APR | 19.99%–29.99% variable |
| Foreign Transaction Fee | None |
at Cardratings.com
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card includes valuable travel benefits, like complimentary lounge access and travel protections, with an annual fee that’s up to $300 less than competitors. You’ll earn up to 10x miles, which can be redeemed for travel, statement credits or transfer to 15+ airline and hotel partners.
Rewards Rates
- 10X 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- 5X 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
- 2X 2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day
Other benefits
- Travel protections including car rental insurance, trip cancellation/interruption and travel delay protection
- Consumer protections including extended warranty and return protection
at Cardratings.com
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card Highlights
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®American Express® Card
Intro Bonus
Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.| Annual fee | $650 |
| Regular APR | 20.99%–29.99% variable |
at Bankrate
With disappointing rewards and a shrunken welcome bonus, the $650 Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant®American Express® Card forces you to use up its benefits to justify the eye-watering annual fee.
Reward Rates
- 6xEarn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®
- 3xEarn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide
- 2x Earn 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases
- $300 dining statement credit (up to $25 per month)
- $100 property credit for a minimum two-night stay at The Ritz-Carlton or St. Regis
- 1 free night every account anniversary
- 1 earned choice award after spending $60,000 in a calendar year
- $100 Global Entry/TSA Precheck application fee credit
- Complimentary Priority Pass Select to 1,200+ airport lounges for you and up to two guests
- Secondary car rental loss and damage Insurance, trip delay/cancellation/interruption insurance, baggage insurance
- Foreign transaction fee: None
at Bankrate
A cheaper Priority Pass option
Other cards, instead, offer a Priority Pass membership with limited the amount of visits per year, and may limit your ability to bring in guests, but they tend to charge lower annual fees. The U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card made our best airline credit cards list for this reason.
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Card Highlights
U.S. Bank Altitude Connect
Intro bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $2,000 in the first 120 days worth $500 towards travel and more.| Annual fee | $0 first year, then $95 |
| Regular APR | 21.24% to 29.24% |
Rewards Rates
- 5x 5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked directly in the Altitude Rewards Center
- 4x 4X points on travel, at gas stations and EV charging stations
- 2x 2X points at grocery stores, grocery delivery, dining and streaming services
- 1x 1X on all other purchases
- Additional perks: Cell phone protection, Trip cancellation/interruption, TSA/Global Entry fee rebate
- Foreign transaction fee: None
Priority Pass Guesting Privileges
All Priority Pass members have the ability to bring in guests into a lounge, but there may be a charge per guest depending on the type of membership and the credit card you obtained their Priority Pass membership through.
For example, if you have Priority Pass via the Chase Sapphire Reserve card, you’ll get entry for yourself and two guests for no additional charge, just like with the Capital One Venture X. The American Express Platinum card instead, allows you to enter with one guest for free.
Alternative Lounges
Many travel credit cards that come with a Priority Pass Select membership also offer other ways to get into an airport lounge. For example, the Platinum Card from American Express grants you access to the Centurion Lounge and Plaza Premium lounges, the Chase Sapphire Reserve gets you inside the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, and the Capital One Venture X card will let you access Plaza Premium lounges and the Capital One Lounge network.
Bottom Line
Because a multitude of credit cards at your reach offer a free Priority Pass Select membership by just enrolling, it is a fantastic idea to take advantage of the benefit. If you value your time at the airport and would like to upgrade your experience at a quieter place, enjoying a snack and a drink at no extra cost to you, then Priority Pass is what you’re after.
Frequently asked questions
Can I access any Priority Pass Lounge with my membership card?
Yes. Your Priority Pass Select membership card will get you access to any participating lounge in the network, provided they are not at capacity or restricting access to Priority Pass members at the time.
Can I use my U.S. Priority Pass to enter international lounges?
Once a Priority Pass member, you have access to any of the 1,500+ lounges in the network, including those in the United States or abroad.
Can I buy a day pass to enter a Priority Pass lounge without a membership?
Because all Priority Pass lounges are independently operated, some will offer the ability to buy your way into the lounge to those who do not hold a Priority Pass membership.
Please note that card details are accurate as of the publish date, but are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the card issuer to verify rates, fees, and benefits before applying.
