5 Best Priority Pass Credit Cards of 2024 – Free or Discounted Membership

For travelers who frequent airport lounges, it’s worth opening a credit card with complimentary access to Priority Pass. Without the complimentary benefit, standard Priority Pass membership plans start at $99 per year, plus $35 per visit. The top-tier plan offered by Priority Pass costs $469 per year, with all-inclusive visits and guest passes at $35 each.

Priority Pass membership cost

For a credit card with a $550 annual fee to beat the cost of a Standard membership, you’ll need to visit a Priority Pass lounge 13 times within a year. However, don’t forget that opening a rewards credit card comes with a variety of other benefits beyond airport lounge access — like rewards and travel credits — that help justify the annual fee.

If you’re looking for lounge access, keep in mind that there are more ways to get free airline lounge access than through Priority Pass. For example, on a business-class ticket, the airline will most likely include access to their lounge in the fare. Alternatively, most airlines offer co-branded credit cards that give you free access to the airline’s lounges, with comparable annual fees with the cards listed above. This can be a good option if you travel with a major airline with convenient lounge locations.

How beneficial is having a Priority Pass? For starters, you’ll have access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world. While airport lounges are designed to escape the buzz of loud airports, each lounge has unique amenities to allow travelers to have an enjoyable experience. Here’s a list of the complimentary perks offered by many Priority Pass lounges:

• Wi-Fi and charging outlets
• Seating areas and workspaces
• Food and snacks
• Complimentary refreshments
• Airport restaurant dining credit (for participating cards only)

Each lounge will vary in its amenities, so be sure to check ahead before you arrive. Some lounges will even offer exceptional amenities, such as spa treatments, massage rooms, sleeping areas, showers and conference rooms. In addition, Priority Pass members can save money with exclusive airport dining, retail and spa offers through the Priority Pass app or on your digital account.

If you decide to get a credit card with Priority Pass, you’ll have to take a few steps before visiting your first lounge.

1. First, you’ll need to activate the Priority Pass benefit on your card. This can be done in your credit card account or by calling customer service.
2. Next, your Priority Pass card and membership information will come in the mail. Once you receive your card, you’re ready to visit Priority Pass lounges. Be sure to activate your membership well in advance of your next trip, since it may take 10 to 14 business days for your card and membership package to arrive.
3. Lastly, download the Priority Pass app. It allows you to quickly search an airport to see what shopping, lounges and restaurants are available there. You’ll also have a digital Priority Pass card to show when you arrive in lounges, rather than having to dig for your physical Priority Pass card. The app can make finding and visiting Priority Pass lounges a seamless experience.

The main benefit in choosing Priority Pass over other airport lounge access memberships is Priority Pass’ vast lounge network. This is especially useful for the international traveler, as most Priority Pass locations are overseas.

It’s worth noting that the quality of Priority Pass lounges can be inconsistent across locations, and it’s often lower than that of airline lounges or luxury options, like Amex Centurion lounges. Most of the variation in the Priority Pass™ Select program exists because lounges are operated by different management teams, resulting in different access policies and amenities.

For example, some lounges don’t admit guests, while others will require Priority Pass™ Select members younger than 21 to have a parent or guardian accompany them to a lounge. A portion of the lounges offer full bars and buffet-style spreads of food, while others have a limited selection of snacks and soft drinks. Further, certain lounges reserve the right to deny access to Priority Select members if the space is overcrowded.

The value of the Priority Pass benefit will depend on which airport lounges you visit and whether the airports you frequent have lounges in the Priority Pass network. If you’re considering getting a membership or opening a credit card with the benefit, you should consult the Priority Pass website and scope out their locations.