What Priority Pass is and how it works with credit cards
Priority Pass is a membership program that gives you access to airport lounges around the world. When a credit card includes Priority Pass as a benefit, the card issuer pays your membership fee — usually between $99 and $469 per year — as part of what you get for holding the card. You don't pay separately, and you don't have to do anything to set up it beyond having the card in your wallet.
The program works like this: you read the Priority Pass mobile app or print a membership card, show it at a participating lounge when you arrive at the airport, and walk in. Most lounges let you stay for a set amount of time — typically two to three hours — and offer food, drinks, Wi-Fi, showers, and quiet seating. Some cards give you unlimited lounge visits per year; others limit you to a certain number of visits or charge you a fee per visit after a threshold.
Priority Pass operates lounges in over 1,300 locations across more than 140 countries. Not every airport has a Priority Pass lounge, so before you choose a card based on this benefit, check whether the airports you use most often have one. The Priority Pass website has a searchable directory of all participating lounges.
Key Takeaways
- Priority Pass membership is included with certain premium credit cards, and the card issuer covers the annual membership cost.
- The number of lounge visits you get per year depends on which card you have — some offer unlimited visits, while others limit you to a set number.
- You can bring a companion into most lounges, though some cards charge a fee per guest or limit the number of free guests per year.
- Priority Pass lounges are not available at every airport, so you should check the directory for the airports where you travel most often.
- Some cards include other lounge benefits alongside Priority Pass, such as access to the card issuer's own lounges or other third-party networks.
Which credit cards include Priority Pass
The cards that offer Priority Pass tend to be premium or luxury cards with annual fees of $300 or more. The most common ones include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the American Express Platinum Card, and the Citi Prestige Card. Each card's Priority Pass benefit is slightly different — some give unlimited visits, others give a set number per year, and some charge per visit after you've used a certain number of visits.
Because card benefits change and new cards are launched regularly, the best way to find current options is to visit the credit card issuer's website and search for "Priority Pass" in the benefits section. You can also call the card issuer's customer service line and ask whether Priority Pass is included and what the terms are.
If you're considering a card primarily for the Priority Pass benefit, compare the annual fee against the cost of a standalone Priority Pass membership. If you travel frequently and will use the lounge access, the card's annual fee may be worth it. If you travel rarely or the airports you use don't have Priority Pass lounges, the benefit may not justify the cost.
How many lounge visits you get and what happens when you bring a guest
The number of visits included varies by card. Some cards offer unlimited Priority Pass lounge visits for the primary cardholder. Others offer a set number per year — for example, 10 visits — and then charge a fee (often $25 to $35) for each additional visit. A few cards offer a hybrid model: unlimited visits at certain lounges and a limited number at others.
Most Priority Pass lounges allow you to bring one guest with you at no charge. Some cards extend this to two guests, and a few premium cards allow unlimited guests. However, some lounges have their own rules about guests, so it's worth checking the lounge's details in the Priority Pass app before you arrive. If a lounge charges a guest fee, it's typically $25 to $35 per person.
If your card limits the number of free guest visits per year, keep track of how many you've used. Once you hit the limit, you'll pay the per-guest fee for additional companions. The Priority Pass app shows your remaining visits and guest allowances, so you can check before you go to the lounge.
What's included in Priority Pass lounges
Most Priority Pass lounges offer similar core amenities: complimentary food and beverages, comfortable seating, Wi-Fi, and restrooms. Many also have shower facilities, which can be useful if you have a long layover or arrive early for a flight. Some lounges have business centers with computers and printers, and a few offer spa services or premium dining.
The quality and breadth of amenities vary widely depending on the lounge's location and size. A lounge in a major international hub may have multiple dining areas and a full bar, while a smaller regional lounge might offer only snacks and coffee. The Priority Pass app includes photos and detailed descriptions of each lounge, so you can see what to expect before you visit.
Keep in mind that Priority Pass lounges are separate from airline lounges. If you have elite status with an airline or a premium airline credit card, you may have access to that airline's own lounges in addition to Priority Pass lounges. Some airports have both types available, giving you options depending on which airline you're flying.
How to use your Priority Pass benefit
Once your credit card arrives, you'll receive information about how to register for Priority Pass. You typically go to the Priority Pass website, enter your card details, and create an account. The process takes a few minutes. After you register, you can read the mobile app or request a physical membership card by mail.
When you arrive at an airport with a Priority Pass lounge, open the app and search for nearby lounges. The app shows the lounge's location, hours, amenities, and current wait time. You can also see whether you have visits remaining and whether you can bring a guest. When you're ready to enter, show the lounge staff either your phone screen with your membership details or your physical membership card.
Some lounges also accept digital entry through the app itself — you'll scan a code or show your membership barcode on your phone. If you lose your phone or forget your card, call Priority Pass customer service and they can provide your membership number over the phone, which the lounge staff can look up manually.
Priority Pass compared to other lounge access benefits
Some premium credit cards offer lounge access through other networks instead of or in addition to Priority Pass. American Express Platinum cardholders, for example, get both Priority Pass and access to American Express's own Centurion Lounges. Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders get Priority Pass plus access to certain Chase lounges. Comparing these options matters because the networks have different lounge locations and amenities.
Priority Pass has the largest global network, so if you travel internationally or to smaller airports, it's often the most useful benefit. However, if you fly primarily on one airline or from a few major hubs, that airline's lounge network or your card issuer's proprietary lounges might be more convenient. Some travelers find that having access to multiple networks gives them the most flexibility.
If you're choosing between cards based on lounge access, look up the specific airports and airlines you use most often and see which lounge networks have locations there. This will tell you which card's lounge benefits are most valuable to your actual travel patterns.
When Priority Pass access ends and what to do if you close the card
Your Priority Pass membership is active as long as you hold the credit card. If you close the card or it's not renewed, your Priority Pass membership ends. Some card issuers give you a grace period — typically 30 to 60 days — to use remaining visits after the card is closed, but this varies. Check your card's terms or call customer service to confirm.
If you want to keep Priority Pass access after closing a card, you can purchase a standalone membership directly from Priority Pass. The annual cost ranges from $99 for the Select membership (10 lounge visits per year) to $469 for the Prestige membership (unlimited visits). This is why some people keep a premium credit card even after the annual fee increases — the Priority Pass benefit alone may be worth more than the fee.
If you're downgrading to a card without Priority Pass, make sure to use up your remaining visits before the card closes. Once your membership ends, you lose access when ready and can't use visits you didn't take.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Priority Pass if I'm not flying that day?
Most Priority Pass lounges require proof of a same-day flight to enter. You'll typically need to show your boarding pass or flight confirmation. A few lounges allow entry without a flight, but this is uncommon. Check the lounge's details in the Priority Pass app to see whether it requires a flight.
What happens if a lounge is full or closed?
If a lounge reaches capacity, staff may ask you to wait or return later. Some lounges have a waitlist you can join through the app. If a lounge is permanently closed or temporarily shut down, the Priority Pass app will show its status. You won't be charged for a visit if you can't enter due to capacity or closure.
Do I get Priority Pass benefits if I'm an authorized user on someone else's card?
This depends on the card issuer. Some cards extend Priority Pass access to authorized users; others limit it to the primary cardholder only. Check your card's benefits guide or call customer service to confirm whether authorized users can register for Priority Pass.
Can I transfer my Priority Pass membership to someone else?
No, Priority Pass memberships are non-transferable and tied to the cardholder's name. If you want to give someone else lounge access, they would need to be an authorized user on your card (if the card issuer allows it) or have their own Priority Pass membership.
What if I have a complaint about a lounge or want to report a problem?
You can report issues directly through the Priority Pass app or by calling Priority Pass customer service. Common complaints include long wait times, cleanliness, or amenities not matching the app description. Priority Pass takes feedback seriously and may offer a credit toward future visits if you had a poor experience.