Everything you need to know about the Priority Pass airport lounge program

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This post has been updated with information that the Chase Sapphire Reserve will lose Priority Pass restaurant access from July 1, 2024.

Lounge access: It's not just for the rich and famous. It's for anyone who wants to make their airport travel experience more luxurious and less stressful.

Many top rewards credit cards offer access to the worldwide Priority Pass. Although you may already have a Priority Pass card in your wallet or app on your phone, it's sometimes unclear what that means and what's included in your membership.

It's also worth noting that Priority Pass membership isn't automatic; if you have a credit card that offers membership, you still need to enroll to activate your membership benefits.

Let's take a closer look at the different levels of Priority Pass membership, which cards offer the benefit and how to get the most out of your access.

What is Priority Pass?

Priority Pass is a network of airport lounges, minisuites and even airport restaurants. As of this writing, it boasts 1,400 eligible locations in over 600 cities in 148 countries.

Although those numbers are impressive, many lounges are outside the U.S.

So, while the network is large, there's no guarantee you'll have access to a lounge on every trip you take. However, there's a good chance Priority Pass can help you on many of your trips.

Priority Pass lounges are located at more than 40 U.S. airports, and some have multiple lounges, including:

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Traveling internationally, you may find lounges in small to midsize airports such as Guanacaste Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica, and Entebbe International Airport (EBB) in Entebbe, Uganda. There's even a lounge with a pool in Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).

The lounge in Punta Cana even has a pool. SCOTT MAYEROWITZ/THE POINTS GUY

The facilities in the Priority Pass network vary by owner and location. Some lounges, like The Club ATL in Atlanta, are independent facilities, while others are affiliated with airlines. Both the Lufthansa Business Lounge in Detroit and the Air France Lounge in Boston are some examples of this.

If you are traveling with guests and children, you'll want to check the rules of your desired lounge location and your Priority Pass membership to find out if there will be an additional charge and if there is a guest limit.

Priority Pass restaurants and minisuites

Priority Pass also has a partnership with some airport restaurants, minisuites and more, allowing members to enjoy perks at locations that don't have a traditional lounge or the chance to eat at a restaurant rather than an airport lounge for a change.

American Express-issued Priority Pass memberships no longer include the restaurant benefit, and Capital One removed this benefit at the start of 2023 for personal Venture X cardholders.

Similarly, the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card* offers four Priority Pass visits per year, but these cannot be used for Priority Pass restaurants, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Bank.

The credit cards offering Priority Pass memberships that still include non-lounge visits, such as at spas and restaurants, include:

Capital One Venture X Business (only for eligible existing cardholders, not for new applicants)
Chase Sapphire Reserve (restaurant access ends June 30)
Citi Prestige® Card (no longer open to new applicants)*
The Ritz-Carlton Credit Card* (restaurant access ends June 30)
UBS Visa Infinite Card*

*The information for these cards has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

There currently are more than 30 Priority Pass-participating airport restaurants within the U.S., and more are available internationally. Some examples include:

Miami International Airport (MIA): Corona Beach House
Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): Landry's Seafood
New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK): Bobby Van's Steakhouse
San Francisco International Airport (SFO): San Francisco Giants Clubhouse
Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA): American Tap Room

Breakfast tacos from Landry's Seafood at IAH. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

The amount of the Priority Pass restaurant credit varies, but it averages $28 per person. Some restaurants also cap the number of guests. If you have one member and one included guest on your membership, then you may be able to enjoy $56 worth of food and drinks for your table by swiping your Priority Pass card from a credit card such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

At bars and restaurants, gratuity is not included, so be sure to tip on the bill amount before the credit is applied. Many locations do not allow you to take items to go, so it might not be the best option if you are in a rush.

Priority Pass also has some less conventional airport options. For example, the PGA MSP Lounge at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport (MSP) offers free access to a putting green, along with golf lessons and a golf simulator available for a fee. This lounge also offers a $15 credit that can be applied toward food and drinks or to a golf experience. Remember that this location has the same limitations as other non-lounge visits mentioned above.

Finally, Priority Pass provides access to Minute Suites in Atlanta, Charlotte, Salt Lake City, Dallas-Fort Worth and Philadelphia. The first hour is included with your Priority Pass membership, and additional hours can be rented at a discounted rate of $34.

On the other side of the world, sleep pods are available at Dubai International Airport (DXB) for two to three hours, depending on the time of day.

What is the difference between Priority Pass and Priority Pass Select?

There's a lot of confusion surrounding the terms "Priority Pass" and "Priority Pass Select," so we want to clear the air.

Priority Pass is the name of the company that offers memberships to lounges in its network. You can purchase Priority Pass memberships directly on the site, with annual fees starting at $99. Here's a breakdown of the membership options:

Standard membership: $99 per year; includes visits for $35 each for the member and any guests.
Standard Plus membership: $329 per year; includes 10 free visits, with subsequent visits for $35 each (the same price as all guest visits).
Prestige membership: $469 per year; all visits are included for the member, though guests are charged $35 per visit.

Meanwhile, many U.S. credit cards offer club access benefits called Priority Pass Select. Some are for just one person, while others include guests. In either case, Priority Pass and Priority Pass Select members can pay for additional guests beyond what is included with their membership.

Credit cards that offer Priority Pass Select memberships

These are multiple credit cards through which you can get a Priority Pass Select membership.

These include not only premium travel cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve and The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required) but also hotel credit cards like the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (enrollment is required) and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which even includes two guests.

How to use Priority Pass benefits

Once you have a card with a Priority Pass Select membership, you can't just present your credit card at a participating lounge, restaurant or Minute Suite and receive complimentary access. First, you must enroll in the program using a link associated with your credit card account. Find the link under "Benefits" when you log in to your account.

Because it can take a week or two to receive your membership card in the mail, it's best to enroll as soon as you receive your credit card. In the meantime, you can download the Priority Pass app, which includes a digital membership card that you can use to access most, but not all, facilities.

Make sure to know if guests are permitted — and how many — ahead of your visit, because the reception team at the lounge won't know your specific guest privileges. Because you're never asked to present your credit card at the lounge, you might not know you're charged until you see your statement.

The lounge might be full

Your best-laid lounge plans may not work out. Nowadays, many travelers have lounge access, and the lounges sometimes reach capacity. Some lounges are available to Priority Pass members during select hours only. Check the Priority Pass website before your next trip for available locations and their hours — and don't be shocked if some lounges are temporarily at capacity during peak times and deny access to Priority Pass members.

Bottom line

Several cards offer Priority Pass Select membership as a benefit, which can improve your travel experience with goodies like free food and drinks, as well as a comfortable place to relax or get some work done.

Check specific details of your membership because the guest policies vary from card to card.

Featured image by SCOTT MAYEROWITZ/THE POINTS GUY

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.