Which cards come with Priority Pass membership
Priority Pass is a membership program that gives you access to airport lounges around the world. Several premium credit cards include Priority Pass as a cardholder benefit, though the level of access varies by card. The cards that offer it tend to be in the higher annual fee range — typically $300 to $550 per year — because Priority Pass membership itself costs money to buy separately.
The major cards offering Priority Pass include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the American Express Platinum Card, and the Citi Prestige Card. Some cards offer unlimited lounge visits included in the membership, while others limit you to a certain number of visits per year or per card membership period. A few cards bundle Priority Pass with other lounge access, so you may have multiple ways to enter a lounge depending on which card you're using.
The specific terms change periodically, and card issuers sometimes add or remove this benefit. Before choosing a card primarily for Priority Pass access, check the current cardholder benefits on the issuer's website to confirm the membership level and any visit limits.
Key Takeaways
- Priority Pass membership is included with several premium credit cards, most commonly the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum Card, and Citi Prestige Card.
- Cards that include Priority Pass typically charge annual fees of $300 or more, which reflects the cost of the membership benefit itself.
- Some cards offer unlimited lounge visits through Priority Pass, while others cap the number of visits per year or per membership period.
- Priority Pass gives you access to thousands of airport lounges worldwide, though not every airport has a Priority Pass lounge.
- Card benefits change over time, so you should verify current Priority Pass terms directly with the card issuer before making a decision based on this benefit.
How Priority Pass membership works with credit cards
When a credit card includes Priority Pass, the card issuer pays for your membership and adds it to your account automatically. You don't purchase Priority Pass separately or pay an additional fee — it comes as part of the card benefit package. The membership is active as long as your card account is open and in good standing.
To use it, you read the Priority Pass mobile app or visit their website, locate a lounge near your departure airport, and present your membership card or digital pass when you arrive. Some lounges let you bring one or two guests for free; others charge a per-guest fee. The rules vary by lounge location, so check the app before you go.
If you close the credit card, your Priority Pass membership ends. If you downgrade to a different card from the same issuer that doesn't include Priority Pass, you lose the benefit. Some cardholders keep a card open specifically to maintain Priority Pass access, even if they don't use it for everyday spending.
What you can do inside a Priority Pass lounge
Airport lounges vary widely in what they offer, but most provide complimentary food and beverages, comfortable seating, and Wi-Fi. Many have shower facilities, which is useful on long layovers or early morning flights. Some lounges offer business centers with computers and printers, phone booths for private calls, and quiet zones for rest.
The quality and amenities differ significantly between lounges. A Priority Pass lounge in a major hub like New York or London may have full meal service and premium beverages, while a smaller airport lounge might offer snacks and coffee. The Priority Pass app shows photos and reviews of each lounge, so you can see what to expect before you visit.
Priority Pass lounges are separate from airline-specific lounges. If you have a frequent flyer status with an airline, you may have access to that airline's lounge as well as Priority Pass lounges, giving you multiple options at the same airport.
Comparing Priority Pass to other lounge benefits
Not all premium credit cards use Priority Pass. Some cards offer their own branded lounge access instead. For example, American Express cards may include access to American Express Centurion Lounges, which are operated by Amex and typically offer higher-end amenities than Priority Pass lounges. Other cards partner with different lounge networks or offer a combination of benefits.
The advantage of Priority Pass is breadth — it covers thousands of lounges in many countries, so you're likely to find access wherever you travel. The disadvantage is consistency; lounge quality varies more than it does with a single operator's branded lounges. If you travel frequently to the same airports, a card with that airport's specific lounge access might be more valuable than Priority Pass.
Some cards offer both Priority Pass and access to other lounge networks, giving you flexibility. When comparing cards, look at which lounges are actually near the airports you use most often, because a benefit you can't use doesn't add value.
Priority Pass visit limits and membership tiers
Credit cards that include Priority Pass typically offer one of two membership levels: Standard or Prestige. Standard membership usually includes a limited number of visits per year — often 10 visits — with a fee for additional visits. Prestige membership typically offers unlimited visits at no per-visit charge.
Which tier your card includes depends on the card itself. Higher-tier cards are more likely to include Prestige membership. If your card includes Standard membership and you travel frequently, you may hit the visit limit and have to pay out of pocket for additional lounge access, which defeats some of the benefit.
The visit limit resets on your membership anniversary, not on the calendar year. Check your card's terms to see when your membership period begins and ends, so you know when your visit count resets.
Finding Priority Pass lounges and checking availability
The Priority Pass app and website let you search for lounges by airport code or city name. You can filter by amenities — shower, food, Wi-Fi, business center — to find lounges that match what you need. The app shows hours of operation, which matters if you have an early morning or late night flight.
Some lounges require advance reservations, especially during peak travel times. Others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The app tells you which lounges near your airport accept walk-ins and which require booking ahead. If you're traveling during a busy holiday period, reserving in advance is usually safer.
Not every airport has a Priority Pass lounge. Smaller regional airports may have no Priority Pass option at all. If you travel to airports where Priority Pass doesn't have a lounge, that benefit won't help you on those trips. This is why checking the specific airports you use most often is important before choosing a card based on Priority Pass access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Priority Pass if I'm not flying that day?
Most Priority Pass lounges require a same-day airline ticket to enter, though some lounges have different rules. Check the specific lounge's policy in the app before you visit. A few lounges allow lounge access without a ticket for a higher fee, but this is uncommon.
Do I have to pay for my guest to enter the lounge with me?
It depends on the lounge. Many Priority Pass lounges allow one or two guests free with a member, while others charge a per-guest fee. The app shows the guest policy for each lounge, so check before you bring someone with you.
What happens to my Priority Pass if I cancel the credit card?
Your Priority Pass membership ends when the card is closed or downgraded. If you want to keep lounge access, you would need to either keep the card open or purchase Priority Pass membership separately, which costs money annually.
Can I transfer my Priority Pass membership to someone else?
No. Priority Pass membership is tied to the cardholder and cannot be transferred. Only the person whose name is on the credit card can use the membership, though that person can bring guests into the lounge.
Is Priority Pass worth the annual fee of the credit card?
That depends on how often you travel and whether Priority Pass lounges are available at your airports. If you fly several times a year and use the lounge each time, the benefit may offset part of the card's annual fee. If you rarely fly or travel to airports without Priority Pass lounges, the benefit adds less value.