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What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into Priority Pass Lounges?
You could buy your way in with a paid Priority Pass membership, but it's often more economical to flex your credit card benefits.
Ramsey is a freelance travel journalist covering business travel, loyalty programs and luxury travel. His work has appeared in Travel+Leisure, Condé Nast Traveler, Reader's Digest, AFAR, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, Frommers.com, Fodors.com, Business Traveler, Fortune, Airways, TravelAge West, MSN.com, Bustle.com and AAA magazines. As someone who flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has been to 173 countries, he is well-versed in the intricacies of credit cards and how to maximize the associated perks and services.
Meghan Coyle is an editor on the Travel Rewards team and the co-host of the Smart Travel podcast. She covers travel credit cards, airline and hotel loyalty programs, and how to travel on points. Meghan is based in Los Angeles and has a love-hate relationship with LAX.
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For travelers, credit cards are more than just a means to pay for things. Some cards offer access to airport lounges, which give cardholders a more private place to sit, enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and better Wi-Fi away from the hustle and bustle of the airport.
Several cards include a Priority Pass membership as a benefit of holding the card. The program grants access to more than 1,600 lounges worldwide, and you don't need to have elite status or a first class fare. Most major airports (and some smaller airports, too) have at least one Priority Pass lounge, spa location, or restaurant.
Priority Pass' unlimited annual plan usually costs $469, but many credit cards offer Priority Pass membership as a perk — some with annual fees lower than the cost of a membership itself.
An overview of top credit cards with Priority Pass
Clearly these cards also are considered premium travel credit cards, as evidenced by their high annual fees. While hefty, they include unlimited visits to Priority Pass lounges (some other cards not named here cap the number of visits you can make per year).
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NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
At $795 a year, the annual fee is steep, but the travel benefits can more than outweigh the cost each year. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers $300 in annual travel credits to use on airline, hotel or other travel costs along with a Priority Pass membership for the cardholder.
Cardholders can also access Chase's own network of airport lounges called the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, with locations including Phoenix (PHX) and San Diego (SAN). As a Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholder, you’ll have unlimited access to all locations of the Chase Sapphire lounges for you and up to two guests.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
This is one of the more expensive annual fees on the market, but its perks are especially generous in the travel department. The annual fee on the American Express Platinum Card® is $895 (see rates and fees), but it includes Priority Pass access for the cardholder and up to two guests. Enrollment required. Terms apply.
On top of that, cardholders can also access AmEx’s swanky Centurion Lounges as well as Plaza Premium and Escape lounges. Cardholders also have 10 visits per year to Delta Sky Club when flying Delta Air Lines. Terms apply.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
There are many other lounges accessible to cardholders including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta (same limits as the American Express Platinum Card®), Plaza Premium and Escape lounges. Terms apply.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
Cardholders get $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. The card's current welcome offer is as follows: Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026. Terms Apply.
NerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula takes into account the type of card being reviewed (such as cash back, travel or balance transfer) and the card's rates, fees, rewards and other features.
For a more affordable premium travel card option, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card comes with a $395 annual fee, which is lower than many of its competitors — and the lowest of any card named in this guide.
Cardholders receive unlimited Priority Pass lounge access for themselves. Additional guests will cost cardholders $35 per person.
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders can access Capital One Lounges, currently available in airports including Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Denver (DEN). Though the Capital One lounge network is small, its lounges are far better in quality than most Priority Pass lounges.
Other notable travel benefits include a $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Travel purchases and 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary, which can go a long way to help offset the card’s cost.
Nerdy Perspective
Which credit cards do you like for lounge access?
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been my go-to card for lounge access since 2018. You get a Priority Pass Select membership that allows unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests, and you can access Chase Sapphire lounges in New York and Boston. The food options in the Chase lounge are much better than most lounges, and the decor is modern and pleasant. It's a great place to relax or get some work done outside of the terminal.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been my go-to card for lounge access since 2018. You get a Priority Pass Select membership that allows unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests, and you can access Chase Sapphire lounges in New York and Boston. The food options in the Chase lounge are much better than most lounges, and the decor is modern and pleasant. It's a great place to relax or get some work done outside of the terminal.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
I use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for lounge access. It not only comes with access to Priority Pass lounges, but also to Capital One lounges across the U.S. The food options at the Capital One Lounge are great. I like that there are a bunch of small plates, so you don't have to commit to a heavy meal before a flight. You can even grab food to take with you from their to-go section.
I use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for lounge access. It not only comes with access to Priority Pass lounges, but also to Capital One lounges across the U.S. The food options at the Capital One Lounge are great. I like that there are a bunch of small plates, so you don't have to commit to a heavy meal before a flight. You can even grab food to take with you from their to-go section.
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
Sally French
Lead Travel Writer/Spokesperson
I'm spoiled. I find it difficult to travel without lounge access! Lounge access makes it so I actually want to arrive at the airport early, removing any stress that unforeseen delays might cause me to miss my flight. Of course, some lounges are better than others. The American Express Platinum Card® gets me into Centurion Lounges, which are all better than any Priority Pass lounge I've been to.
I'm spoiled. I find it difficult to travel without lounge access! Lounge access makes it so I actually want to arrive at the airport early, removing any stress that unforeseen delays might cause me to miss my flight. Of course, some lounges are better than others. The American Express Platinum Card® gets me into Centurion Lounges, which are all better than any Priority Pass lounge I've been to.
Sally French
Lead Travel Writer/Spokesperson
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been my go-to card for lounge access since 2018. You get a Priority Pass Select membership that allows unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests, and you can access Chase Sapphire lounges in New York and Boston. The food options in the Chase lounge are much better than most lounges, and the decor is modern and pleasant. It's a great place to relax or get some work done outside of the terminal.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been my go-to card for lounge access since 2018. You get a Priority Pass Select membership that allows unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests, and you can access Chase Sapphire lounges in New York and Boston. The food options in the Chase lounge are much better than most lounges, and the decor is modern and pleasant. It's a great place to relax or get some work done outside of the terminal.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
I use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for lounge access. It not only comes with access to Priority Pass lounges, but also to Capital One lounges across the U.S. The food options at the Capital One Lounge are great. I like that there are a bunch of small plates, so you don't have to commit to a heavy meal before a flight. You can even grab food to take with you from their to-go section.
I use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for lounge access. It not only comes with access to Priority Pass lounges, but also to Capital One lounges across the U.S. The food options at the Capital One Lounge are great. I like that there are a bunch of small plates, so you don't have to commit to a heavy meal before a flight. You can even grab food to take with you from their to-go section.
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
Sally French
Lead Travel Writer/Spokesperson
I'm spoiled. I find it difficult to travel without lounge access! Lounge access makes it so I actually want to arrive at the airport early, removing any stress that unforeseen delays might cause me to miss my flight. Of course, some lounges are better than others. The American Express Platinum Card® gets me into Centurion Lounges, which are all better than any Priority Pass lounge I've been to.
I'm spoiled. I find it difficult to travel without lounge access! Lounge access makes it so I actually want to arrive at the airport early, removing any stress that unforeseen delays might cause me to miss my flight. Of course, some lounges are better than others. The American Express Platinum Card® gets me into Centurion Lounges, which are all better than any Priority Pass lounge I've been to.
Sally French
Lead Travel Writer/Spokesperson
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been my go-to card for lounge access since 2018. You get a Priority Pass Select membership that allows unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests, and you can access Chase Sapphire lounges in New York and Boston. The food options in the Chase lounge are much better than most lounges, and the decor is modern and pleasant. It's a great place to relax or get some work done outside of the terminal.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® has been my go-to card for lounge access since 2018. You get a Priority Pass Select membership that allows unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests, and you can access Chase Sapphire lounges in New York and Boston. The food options in the Chase lounge are much better than most lounges, and the decor is modern and pleasant. It's a great place to relax or get some work done outside of the terminal.
Craig Joseph
Lead Travel Writer
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
I use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for lounge access. It not only comes with access to Priority Pass lounges, but also to Capital One lounges across the U.S. The food options at the Capital One Lounge are great. I like that there are a bunch of small plates, so you don't have to commit to a heavy meal before a flight. You can even grab food to take with you from their to-go section.
I use my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card for lounge access. It not only comes with access to Priority Pass lounges, but also to Capital One lounges across the U.S. The food options at the Capital One Lounge are great. I like that there are a bunch of small plates, so you don't have to commit to a heavy meal before a flight. You can even grab food to take with you from their to-go section.
Meghan Coyle
Assistant Assigning Editor, Travel
Sally French
Lead Travel Writer/Spokesperson
I'm spoiled. I find it difficult to travel without lounge access! Lounge access makes it so I actually want to arrive at the airport early, removing any stress that unforeseen delays might cause me to miss my flight. Of course, some lounges are better than others. The American Express Platinum Card® gets me into Centurion Lounges, which are all better than any Priority Pass lounge I've been to.
I'm spoiled. I find it difficult to travel without lounge access! Lounge access makes it so I actually want to arrive at the airport early, removing any stress that unforeseen delays might cause me to miss my flight. Of course, some lounges are better than others. The American Express Platinum Card® gets me into Centurion Lounges, which are all better than any Priority Pass lounge I've been to.
Sally French
Lead Travel Writer/Spokesperson
Use your credit card for Priority Pass lounge access
Before applying for a credit card solely for Priority Pass lounge access, understand that Priority Pass lounges widely in quality. While almost all Priority Pass lounges usually offer refreshments like snacks, light meals, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, not all do. They generally offer free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating, but it can sometimes still be difficult to find an available seat in the lounge.
If your airport's Priority Pass lounge is up to par though, consider using one of those credit cards to gain access, rather than buying a membership outright.
To view rates and fees of the American Express Platinum Card®, see this page.To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page.To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.
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