What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into Priority Pass Lounges?
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Credit cards are more than just a means to pay for things. They offer notable benefits that savvy spenders — and travelers — know to review before even applying for a card. One of those popular perks is access to airport lounges.
Some airline co-branded cards provide access to their own lounges, but travelers can get more options with travel cards that come with Priority Pass membership, which grants access to 1,300 lounges worldwide. Of course, this benefit is most valuable for frequent flyers, but Priority Pass lounges can make the airport experience much more enjoyable even if you travel occasionally.
Priority Pass lounges can look different from airport to airport. Priority Pass lounges usually offer refreshments like snacks, light meals, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, Wi-Fi and comfortable seating. You can pay for Priority Pass membership (an unlimited annual plan costs $429), but you may already have it as a credit card perk.
Here are some of the credit cards with Priority Pass lounge access among the benefits.
An overview of credit cards with Priority Pass
To make it easier to choose which is the best Priority Pass credit card for you, consider this overview.
Card | Annual fee | Number of Priority Pass visits and guest access | Includes Priority Pass restaurant discount |
---|---|---|---|
$550. | No set limit of visits for the cardholder and two guests. | No. | |
$695. | No set limit of visits for the cardholder and two guests. | No. | |
$695. | No set limit of visits for the cardholder and two guests. | No. | |
$650. | No set limit of visits for the cardholder and two guests. | No. | |
$550. | No set limit of visits for the cardholder and two guests.* | No. | |
$150. | 10 complimentary visits*; $35 per person for additional visits. | No. | |
$0. | Four complimentary visits; $35 per person for additional visits. | No. | |
$395. | No set limit of visits for the cardholder and no set limit of guests for Priority Pass. | No. |
Enrollment required. Terms apply.
*Existing cardholders who enrolled in Priority Pass on or before Jan. 31, 2023 will no longer have a membership as of Feb. 1, 2024. Cardholders who enroll between Feb. 1, 2023 and Jan. 31, 2024, will continue to have membership through Oct. 31, 2024. Terms apply.
**For card members who enrolled in Priority Pass Select on or before June 30, 2023, the benefit ended on July 1, 2024. For card members who enrolled in Priority Pass Select between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, the benefit lasts until April 1, 2025. New members are not eligible for the benefit. Terms apply.
There are nine credit cards with Priority Pass lounge access to choose from. If you're worried about the Chase 5/24 rule, it might be wise to first consider the options from American Express, Capital One or U.S. Bank. Meanwhile, those who are pursuing the Chase trifecta have one clear option.
You'll see that a number of options are premium travel credit cards with higher annual fees. While these cards come with a big price tag, they also include unlimited visits to Priority Pass lounges. This perk also extends to two guests, increasing the value of the benefit significantly.
When deciding between Priority Pass credit cards, consider which transferable points you're most eager to collect — and which will give you the most opportunities to redeem. After all, there's little logic to collecting Hilton Honors points if you rarely stay at Hilton properties.
» Learn more: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access
What credit cards come with Priority Pass?
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
At $550 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.
» Learn more: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth its annual fee?
The Platinum Card® from American Express
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 Platinum Card® from American Express is $695 ( 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 the Plaza Premium, Airspace, Escape lounges and the Delta Sky Club when flying Delta Air Lines. Terms apply.
Starting Feb. 1, 2025, cardholders will be limited to just 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs per program year. Members can earn unlimited access after spending $75,000 in a program year. Unlimited access remains through Jan. 31 of the following year. Spend tracking begins Jan. 1, 2024.
» Learn more: What credit cards get me into the Delta Sky Club?
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
The business version of the Platinum card is also expensive each year ($695, see rates and fees), but packs in equally notable perks.
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express includes Priority Pass membership as well as guest access for two additional people. Enrollment required.
There are many other lounges accessible to cardholders including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta (the same changes for the consumer card are taking effect in 2025), Plaza Premium, Airspace and Escape lounges.
Terms apply.
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
For $650 per year, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card locks you into earning Marriott Bonvoy® points, but it does offer some nice travel benefits. Terms apply, see rates and fees.
Cardholders get $300 in credits at Marriott hotels as well as Priority Pass lounge access for the account holder and up to two guests. Enrollment required. In September, the $300 Marriott credit will be replaced with a new benefit of up to $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 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.
» Learn more: How the Hilton Surpass Card Priority Pass works
The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card
This is another Hilton Honors co-branded credit card that locks cardholders into earning Hilton Honors points. For $195 per year, The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card includes limited Priority Pass access for 10 visits per year**. Enrollment required. Terms apply. see rates and fees.
Similar to the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, you can pay the Priority Pass guest fee of $35 per person for additional guests or visits. Terms apply.
**For card members who enrolled in Priority Pass Select on or before June 30, 2023, the benefit ended on July 1, 2024. For card members who enrolled in Priority Pass Select between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2024, the benefit lasts until April 1, 2025. New members are not eligible for the benefit. Terms apply.
U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card
At $0 per year, the ability to access Priority Pass lounges eight times per year is a nice perk, especially for those who travel less often.
The U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card includes venues such as restaurants and cafes, unlike American Express cards with Priority Pass. Having a restaurant quality meal each time you pass through the airport could really add up.
» Learn more: The best Priority Pass restaurants
Use your credit card for Priority Pass lounge access
To gain access to Priority Pass lounges, your credit card’s benefit roster may be the key to opening the door. Many credit cards provide unlimited lounge access for the cardholder and up to two guests while others provide a set number of free passes to use each year.
These credit cards are worth considering if you travel frequently or want to improve the airport experience for you and your travel companions.
To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, 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. To view rates and fees of the Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card, see this page. To view rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, see this page.
How to maximize your rewards
You want a travel credit card that prioritizes what’s important to you. Here are some of the best travel credit cards of 2024:
Flexibility, point transfers and a large bonus: Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card
No annual fee: Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card
Flat-rate travel rewards: Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Bonus travel rewards and high-end perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
Luxury perks: The Platinum Card® from American Express
Business travelers: Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card
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