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![The 9+ Best Credit Cards That Get You Priority Pass Lounge Access [2023]](https://upgradedpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Priority-Pass-app.jpg?auto=webp&disable=upscale&width=1420&height=650&fit=crop)
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Whether you use the airport lounge for business or leisure travel, chances are you appreciate the value of having access to a lounge when traveling.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to secure airport lounge access and the related benefits of a Priority Pass membership without having to purchase one. The membership is complimentary with several premium travel rewards credit cards.
In this article, you will find all the information you need on the Priority Pass lounge, the amenities and services the membership includes, and which credit cards are best for getting complimentary or discounted access.
| Card | Welcome Bonus and Annual Fee |
Priority Pass Lounge Access
|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express |
|
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| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card |
|
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| Chase Sapphire Reserve® |
|
|
| Citi Prestige® Card |
|
|
| Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card |
|
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| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card |
|
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| The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card |
|
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| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express |
|
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| The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card |
|
|
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a welcome bonus offer of up to 125k (or 150k) points with the Amex Platinum. The current public offer is 80,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
When it comes to complimentary worldwide lounge access, the Amex Platinum card is king.
While the Amex Platinum card includes access to other lounges in the Amex Global Lounge Collection — such as the Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Club, Escape Lounges – The Centurion Studio Partner, select Lufthansa Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, and select Virgin Clubhouses — the largest network available is by far Priority Pass.
One of the best features of the Amex Platinum card is that authorized users receive the same complimentary Priority Pass lounge membership as the primary cardholder. Authorized users cost $195 per card (rates and fees).
Authorized users can each bring an additional 2 guests into the lounge for no charge. Additional guests beyond that will have to pay at the Priority Pass Standard Program rate of $35 per person, per visit.
Note that Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards no longer include restaurants (“non-lounge airport experiences”).
A close contender behind the Amex Platinum card, the Capital One Venture X card offers the distinct benefit of providing both the primary cardholder and each authorized user a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. Unlike the Amex Platinum card, you can add authorized users for no additional cost — making this a very lucrative benefit for those who can use it.
In addition to Priority Pass lounges, the Capital One Venture X card includes access to Capital One Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges.
Hot Tip: Adding an authorized user to the Amex Platinum card or Chase Sapphire Reserve card can give the additional cardholder unlimited Priority Pass Select membership, which includes the option to bring 2 additional guests.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve card is a premium travel rewards card offering plenty of travel benefits, including travel statement credits, elevated earnings on travel purchases, and complimentary lounge access to Priority Pass lounges.
Just like the Amex Platinum card, authorized users receive the same Priority Pass Select membership as primary cardholders. This includes unlimited access plus 2 additional guests at no charge. Additional guests are then charged at the discounted rate of $27 per person, per visit.
It costs $75 for each authorized user you add to your Chase Sapphire Reserve card, but that can be a good value for unlimited Priority Pass lounge access and the ability to bring 2 guests.
While the new Chase Sapphire Lounges by The Club sound like they would be exclusive to Chase Sapphire cards, they are actually part of the Priority Pass network.
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders also have access to Chase Sapphire Terrace locations (which are exclusive to this card). Currently, there’s only 1 location which is due to open on March 20, 2023, at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) in Texas.
The Citi Prestige card, no longer available for new applicants, has a lot going for it. With strong earnings on airlines and dining, the fourth award hotel night free, and statement credits for travel purchases, the card is worth considering even if it did not come with lounge access.
The Citi Prestige card does complimentary lounge access properly. The Priority Pass Select membership that comes with the card allows access for the primary cardholder and their immediate family. Or, you can bring 2 additional guests.
Authorized users have the same level of Priority Pass membership, including access for immediate family or 2 guests. Authorized users cost just $50 to add to the card.
The Citi Prestige card is a great choice if you’re traveling frequently with immediate family and want lounge access for everyone.
With supercharged reward earnings on Hilton purchases, an annual free hotel night, and complimentary top-level Diamond elite status, the Hilton Aspire card checks all the boxes for a premium hotel rewards card.
If Hilton is your hotel brand of choice, you’ll find a lot of reasons to have the Hilton Aspire card, including complimentary Priority Pass Select membership.
Membership includes unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges for the cardholder and 2 additional guests. Authorized users do not receive Priority Pass Select membership.
Note that Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards no longer include restaurants (“non-lounge airport experiences”).
With complimentary elite status, and a free hotel night each card anniversary, the Marriott loyalist will enjoy all of the perks of the premium Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant card.
In addition, the primary cardholder receives complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that provides unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges. The primary cardholder can also bring 2 additional guests.
According to the terms and conditions on the card, any additional guests above the 2 complimentary guests are charged at the standard Priority Pass membership rate, which would be $35 per person, per visit.
Authorized users do not receive Priority Pass Select membership.
Note that Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards no longer include restaurants (“non-lounge airport experiences”).
The Hilton Surpass card is a great choice for securing complimentary Priority Pass lounge access. Your complimentary Priority Pass Select membership comes with 10 free lounge passes each membership year. Once those 10 passes are used, you will be charged $35 per visit, plus $35 per guest.
A membership year is defined as one year from the date you register for Priority Pass Select and every subsequent year from that date.
The Hilton Surpass card has a low annual fee and comes with a generous welcome bonus, Hilton Honors Gold status, and other valuable benefits.
Note that Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards no longer include restaurants (“non-lounge airport experiences”).
Lesser-known cards like the Mastercard® Black Card™ and Mastercard® Gold Card™ also offer complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that includes unlimited access for the primary cardholder, guests, and authorized users.
In addition, although not open to new applicants, the Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Card comes with unlimited access to Priority Pass lounges for the primary cardholder who can also bring unlimited guests.
And lastly, you could consider the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, which comes with complimentary Priority Pass Select membership with 4 free visits per membership year for the cardholder plus 4 guest visits.
For existing cardholders, you can also get access to PP with these cards – Ritz, Black, Altitude) but they are not open to new applications at the moment.
Hot Tip: Check to see if you’re eligible for a huge welcome bonus offer of up to 170,000 points with the Amex Business Platinum. The current public offer is 120,000 points. (This targeted offer was independently researched and may not be available to all applicants.)
The Amex Business Platinum card comes with the same access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection as the personal version of the card, including Priority Pass lounge access upon enrollment. Like the personal version, the Amex Business Platinum card offers unlimited access for the primary cardholder and any authorized users.
The Amex Business Platinum card allows access to 2 additional guests for both primary cardholders and authorized users. Additional guests beyond 2, according to the terms and conditions on the card, will be charged at the Priority Pass Standard Program rate of $35 per person, per visit.
Authorized users on the Amex Business Platinum card can be added for $350 each (rates and fees).
Note that Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards no longer include restaurants (“non-lounge airport experiences”).
The Hilton Business Amex card has stellar earning potential with a moderate $95 annual fee (rates and fees). The car earns generously on Hilton purchases and a long list of business expenses and also comes with a welcome bonus and Hilton Honors Gold status.
Plus, you’ll receive 10 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visit passes each Priority Pass Select membership year. These passes can be used for friends and family as well.
Once you use your 10 passes, you will be charged the standard Priority Pass rate of $35 per person, per visit.
Note that Priority Pass memberships from U.S.-issued American Express cards no longer include restaurants (“non-lounge airport experiences”).
Bottom Line: Very few business cards come with complimentary lounge access. There are far more lounge access benefit options with personal cards.
Priority Pass has been around for over 30 years, providing a worldwide network of airport lounges.
The program’s founder watched as business class passengers enjoyed lounge access while he endured the “chaos of the departure hall.” He then created Priority Pass, a program that would offer airport lounge access, regardless of your class of travel or the airline you were flying.
The Priority Pass network has expanded to include dining facilities, spa experiences, retail offers, and access to Be Relax Spa and Minute Suites locations.
The Priority Pass worldwide network of lounges and associated properties spans nearly 150 countries, over 500 cities, and over 1,300 facilities. This dominant global footprint means you’re sure to find a lounge throughout your travels.
You can purchase a Priority Pass membership directly or receive a Priority Pass Select membership as a benefit on a travel rewards credit card.
With a Priority Pass Select membership, you can expect the following benefits:
Additional locations and services are constantly being added. When you initiate a search for a lounge, all of the available facilities, including restaurants and sleeping options, will be listed.
Bottom Line: Priority Pass Select includes more than just lounge access. You can find a place to take a nap, dine at a restaurant with your traveling companion, or catch a quick shower. While facilities vary by airport, with over 1,300 locations and growing, you’ll find Priority Pass locations widely available during your travels. Check out our guides to the best Priority Pass lounges in the U.S. and the best Priority Pass lounges worldwide.
To get an idea of how much the complimentary lounge access on a travel rewards credit card is worth, here is a look at what it costs for a Priority Pass membership and what it offers.
There are 3 levels of membership you can purchase directly from Priority Pass. One key factor to notice is that even if you buy the Prestige level membership, you must pay extra for any guests to have access.
With Priority Pass Select (the level of membership you receive on a travel rewards credit card), you can bring 2 additional guests into the lounge with you for no extra charge.
Since a single Prestige level membership costs $469 (before any available discount) a year when purchased from Priority Pass, the complimentary membership that comes with your credit card and allows 2 guests can be worth much more.
Hot Tip: The complimentary Priority Pass membership that comes with a travel rewards credit card can be worth more than a purchased membership as the complimentary membership can allow up to 2 additional guests for no charge. Paid membership charges $35 per guest per visit.
The complimentary Priority Pass membership that comes with your credit card is not activated automatically, so you will need to register for membership.
Log into your online credit card account, and under Card Benefits, you’ll see the Priority Pass option. Once you’ve registered, you’ll clearly see your membership’s confirmation and terms. The image above is from a Chase Sapphire Reserve card registration.
Once you’ve activated your membership, a membership card will be sent to you in the mail, and you’ll receive your card within 10 to 14 days. You will also likely have a digital card for immediate use.
With the exception of the Capital One Venture X card, you cannot use your credit card to access a Priority Pass lounge. You must use either the physical Priority Pass membership card or a digital version of the card from the Priority Pass mobile app.
The Priority Pass mobile app can be very helpful for locating lounges and accessing your digital membership card.
Having the app on your smartphone allows you to do all of the following:
Not all credit cards have access to digital membership cards, and not all Priority Pass lounges accept digital membership cards, but most do.
Having a Priority Pass Select membership can be a real luxury when traveling. Having that membership provided complimentary with a credit card is even better.
Usually, you wouldn’t select a credit card based on just 1 benefit. However, with the addition of dining establishments, Minute Suites and Be Relax Spa access, and over 1,300 locations worldwide, Priority Pass Select membership is a benefit that makes securing a card that has it very compelling.
The value of complimentary Priority Pass Select membership is clear. Lounge access alone can cost hundreds of dollars per year. If you use the complimentary access and consume a couple of free meals per year at Priority Pass program restaurants, you’ve received more than enough value to offset any annual fee.
Plus, credit cards with Priority Pass Select membership typically offer other benefits that add even more value.
For Hertz benefits of Capital One products, enrollment is required through Capital One website or mobile app. Upon enrollment, eligible cardholders will remain at upgraded status level through December 31, 2024. Please note, enrolling through the normal Hertz Gold Plus Rewards enrollment process (e.g. at Hertz.com) will not automatically detect a cardholder as being eligible for the program and cardholders will not be automatically upgraded to the applicable status tier. Additional terms apply.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
The information regarding the U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card, Ritz-Carlton™ Rewards® Card, Mastercard® Black Card™ and Mastercard® Gold Card™ was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information for the Citi Prestige® Card has been collected independently by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The Hilton Honors American Express Surpass® Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
The information regarding The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® card, click here.
For rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, click here.
For rates and fees of The Hilton Honors American Express Business Card, click here.
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Christine ran her own business developing and managing insurance and financial services. This stoked a passion for points and miles and she now has over 2 dozen credit cards and creates in-depth, detailed content for UP.
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23 comments
satish kumar Sahdev
April 26, 2019
Excellent offer of Priority Pass Membership.
Kathy
August 09, 2019
My husband just upgraded his Surpass to the Aspire. Will they send him a new Priority Pass card with the better benefits or will his present priority pass account be upgraded to reflect the new benefits? Thanks
Christine Krzyszton
August 09, 2019
Hi Kathy. It does not happen automatically. Once his new Aspire card arrives, your husband should go online to his American Express Hilton Honors Aspire card account and register for the upgraded Priority Pass Select Membership under the benefits section.
Toby
August 09, 2019
Amex Platinum no longer offers Priority Pass Select as of August 1st 2019. I think other cards have dropped the Select as well. You should update your info.
Christine Krzyszton
August 09, 2019
Hi Toby. Nothing has changed as far as cards offering complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. I think you may be referring to the change American Express made to their Priority Pass Select membership that does not allow the use of Priority Pass Select credits at lounge alternative restaurants. This change was effective August 1st and we added that information to the article previously. Citi and Chase cards with Priority Pass Select membership still have the ability to use their membership for credits at lounge alternative restaurant locations. Thank you for giving us the opportunity to clarify this.
Kerri
August 28, 2019
In July 2017 I was at LAX and the Alaska club would not allow any Priority Pass members to enter, stating that there were “capacity controls” in effect because there was no space available. However,they were willing to sell me and my three guests a day pass for $50 each ($25 with the Alaska Visa Signature card).
Kira
September 06, 2019
9 out of 10 times I try to go to a Priority Pass lounge in the US, there is capacity control. You need to go really early before 630 am or after 9 pm to have a chance to get in. I also see that some lounge staff distribute a number card to the people waiting in line to get access to the lounge. Priority Pass is a dead thing right now and I am using United Club Card to give me access or the worst scenario I go to a Priority Pass restaurant to get some food and drink.
EasternTraveler
December 27, 2019
There are other cards that offer Priority Pass memberships that are not listed here, such as City National Bank Crystal card and HSBC card. Please update to include those and any foreign card that we might be able to get that will give access.
There is an Angel Lounge Access that was offered by some credit cards including the Citi Chairman, but that has since changed. Is there any guide that shows the other cards and the competing lounge access availability?
Jarrod West
December 27, 2019
Hi EasternTraveler,
This post is not a comprehensive list of every credit card that offers a Priority Pass membership, but rather a list of our favorite cards that do, which is why the cards you’ve mentioned were not included.
Also, it appears the Angel Lounge Access program was discontinued 3 years ago.
EasternTraveler
December 27, 2019
I know Sanctifly is still in business.
I think Dragonpass, Lounge Club, Lounge Pass are still in business
Christine Krzyszton
December 28, 2019
Thanks for that information.
J
January 11, 2020
Since the CSR, Prestige, and Aspire cards limit Priority Pass to 2 additional guests,
I was wondering if I had 6 friends with me at a lounge, could I use each PP card for 2 guests?
So pretty much all 6 would get in from 3 PP.
Christine Krzyszton
January 11, 2020
Unfortunately the Priority Pass terms and conditions state that “only one Priority Pass Card may be used for each visit to a Lounge or Merchant location”. Thanks for reading.
Edward K Tam
January 15, 2020
Can you confirm that Ritz Carlton is for sure unlimited visits and can bring unlimited guests?
Christine Krzyszton
January 15, 2020
Hello Edward. It is up to the discretion of the lounge but the terms have allowed cardholders to bring unlimited guests. If you have the card, you can call the number on the back of your card or Priority Pass to confirm for your own peace of mind before you travel.
Xavier
January 21, 2020
I called the Priority Pass line and then spoke with the Chase Ritz team and both confirmed that the Ritz card only has cardholder + 2 guests (not unlimited). It’s only one data point so i’d like for them to be proven wrong!
Christine Krzyszton
January 22, 2020
If you have the card, you can log in to your account and view the benefits on the card as confirmation. You can also consider adding an authorized user who will receive their own Priority Pass Select membership.
Sean Galgay
June 02, 2022
If I already have the Amex Platinum card and pay yearly for the Delta Sky Club access with 2 guests, should I also get the Pass card from your company? Basically will the Pass get me into lounges that I do not have coverage for even if I am not flying that airline?
Sean
Christine Krzyszton
June 03, 2022
Hi Sean. Please understand that we are not American Express, we are Upgraded Points, a blog specializing in credit card rewards and travel resources. To receive the Priority Pass Select card, you can log in to your Amex Platinum card account online and under the Benefits tab, register for Priority Pass Select. You will receive the membership card in the mail and can use it to access Priority Pass Lounges worldwide. There is no additional fee for the card.
Garrett
January 18, 2023
What about the BOA premium elite? I’ve yet to figure out how to activate it.
Christine Krzyszton
January 20, 2023
Hi Garrett. This is not an all-inclusive list of every card that offers Priority Pass Select membership, just some of the best cards. But, yes, the Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card offers complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. You can’t access the lounge with your BOA card, you must register via your online card account (or call the number on the back of your card) and you’ll receive a Priority Pass membership card in the mail. Here’s more info on the card:/credit-cards/reviews/bank-of-america-premium-rewards-elite-credit-card/
jeannie Silva
July 29, 2023
What about the Citi/AAdvantageExecutive World Elite Master Card? Priority pass?
Keri Stooksbury
July 29, 2023
Hi Jeannie – The Citi®/AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® includes Admirals Club access but not Priority Pass. Here’s an article on the card’s benefits. Thanks for reading!
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