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The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card offers unlimited complimentary Priority Pass access to you and any guests traveling with you.
If you’re looking to get free or discounted access to airport lounges, your best bet is to open a credit card that offers Priority Pass membership and enroll in the Priority Pass program. With more than 1,300 lounges across the world — and across 600 cities — chances are you’ll find a Priority Pass lounge wherever you go.
That said, most travel rewards credit cards with Priority Pass access have very high annual fees; however, they typically also come with other valuable benefits that can justify these fees. To help you decide which Priority Pass credit card is best for you, we dive into the details for all the eligible credit cards below.
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.
| Annual fee | Member visit fee | Guest visit fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $99 | $35 | $35 |
| Standard Plus | $329 | 10 visits free, then $35 thereafter | $35 |
| Prestige | $469 | Free | $35 |
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.
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Free Priority Pass lounge access for you and two guests traveling with you.
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is our top contender, as it offers unlimited complimentary Priority Pass access to you and two guests traveling with you. The card also comes with a valuable sign-up bonus that lets you earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel, as well as a high rewards rate on hotels, rental cars and flights booked through Capital One Travel.
The card does charge an annual fee of $395; however, benefits like its annual travel credit (up to $300) and Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit (up to $100) can help offset that amount.
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Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here. Apply Now
Free Priority Pass lounge access for you and two accompanying guests. Additional guests are $35 each per visit.
Along with Priority Pass lounge access, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers a high rewards rate on travel worldwide and dining. Points are worth 50% more when redeemed for travel through Chase TravelSM and can also be transferred to a number of airline and hotel partners at a rate of 1 to 1. Plus, this card comes with valuable travel benefits and protections, like a $300 annual travel credit, trip delay reimbursement and lost luggage reimbursement.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Free Priority Pass lounge access for you, your supplementary cardholder and one guest (enrollment required). Additional guests are $35 each per visit.
On top of Priority Pass lounge access (enrollment required), The Platinum Card® from American Express offers Delta Sky Club access on Delta itineraries and American Express Centurion Lounge access when flying any airline. The card is ideal for booking flights, as you’ll earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply.
Its extensive travel benefits include:
The Platinum Card® from American Express also grants exclusive access to its International Airline Program, which offers lower fares when booking international flights on more than 20 airlines.
*Enrollment required for these benefits.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Free, unlimited access for you and two accompanying guests (enrollment required). Additional guests are $35 each per visit.
The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card is the best card for travelers who frequently stay at Marriott — the world’s largest hotel brand. Cardholders receive automatic Platinum Elite status, an annual free night worth up to 85,000 points and unlimited Priority Pass visits for you and two companions (enrollment required).
The card also includes an annual dining credit of up to $300 (up to $25 monthly) that covers eligible restaurant purchases, whether you’re dining at home or on the road.
How LendingTree Rates Credit Cards?
Our experts rate credit cards based on several factors including card benefits, bonus offers and independent research. Credit card issuers do not influence or have a say in our card ratings. Read our credit card methodology here.Free Priority Pass lounge access for you, your supplementary cardholder and one guest (enrollment required). Additional guests are $35 each per visit.
Business owners who travel frequently can squeeze a lot of value out of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, which offers ultimate luxury benefits like access to the Global Lounge Collection. Not only can you visit Priority Pass lounges while traveling, but The Business Platinum Card® from American Express also includes access to Amex Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs (when flying Delta) and other independent lounges that are part of the collection.
Plus, cardholders can get a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee credit and an annual Clear credit (up to $189) to get through airport security to enjoy the lounges quickly (enrollment required).
| Credit Cards | Our Ratings | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Priority Pass access | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
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on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
2X Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day; 10X Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel; 5X Miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel | $395 | You and 2 guests |
Apply Now
on Capital One's secure site Rates & Fees |
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Chase Sapphire Reserve®
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on Chase's secure site |
Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases. | $550 | You and 2 guests |
Apply Now
on Chase's secure site |
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The Platinum Card® from American Express
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5X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Terms apply. | $695 | You, your supplementary cardholder and 1 guest (enrollment required) | ||
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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
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Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy® points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®. Earn 3X Marriott Bonvoy® points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines and 2X Marriott Bonvoy® points on all other eligible purchases made on the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card. | $650 | You, your supplementary cardholder and 1 guest (enrollment required) | ||
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The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
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5X Membership Rewards® points on flights and prepaid hotels on AmexTravel.com, and 1X points for each dollar you spend on eligible purchases. Earn 1.5X points (that’s an extra half point per dollar) on each eligible purchase at US construction material, hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers, and software & cloud system providers, and shipping providers, as well as on purchases of $5,000 or more, on up to $2 million per Card Account per calendar year. Purchases eligible for multiple additional point bonuses will only receive the highest eligible bonus. | $695 |
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:
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.
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.
Depending on your credit card, you may also receive a dining credit as part of your Priority Pass™ Select membership. The dollar amount of this dining credit will range, but is reported to reimburse about $28 to $30 for you and your guests. To check if there’s a participating restaurant in the airport, download the Priority Pass app to see a full list of restaurant locations. By using your participating credit card, you’ll automatically get the allotted amount off your total bill.
Note that American Express eliminated this benefit as part of their Priority Pass offerings to its card members. If this idea sounds appealing to you, you can still access the restaurant discount with other cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve®.
Typically, only premium travel credit cards offer complimentary Priority Pass™ Select membership, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express (enrollment required).
Priority Pass lounges are meant to be an escape from the busy terminal and airport; however, they can get crowded. Generally, it depends on the airport, the time of year and the time of day that you’re traveling.
No, you’ll need to present your physical membership card or your digital membership card through your Priority Pass app. While most Priority Pass lounges accept the digital membership card upon entry, some may not accept entrance without a physical card. It’s always recommended that you carry your physical membership card at all times when traveling.
If you receive Priority Pass as a benefit through your credit card and enroll, you’ll have the Priority Pass Select membership. However, the number of times you can visit Priority Pass lounges in one year will depend on the credit card. While most allow you to visit the lounges unlimited times, some only allow you 10 free visits per year and will charge you the guest rate after that.
To register for the Priority Pass benefit through your credit card, you’ll need to log onto your account benefits or call your issuer to activate your membership. Then, you’ll receive your Priority Pass membership card within three business days. While you wait for your membership card to come in the mail, you can use your digital card immediately by downloading the Priority Pass app.
Yes, you can use your Priority Pass membership anytime that you’re in an airport where there’s an eligible lounge or restaurant. While Priority Pass lounges are mostly located internationally, there are lounges at major airports in the United States where you can take advantage of this benefit.
To make choosing the right card easier, we looked at credit cards reviewed on LendingTree, as well as cards on major issuer sites, to compile a list of cards that offer the best Priority Pass lounge access. Our recommendations are based on the strength of the cards’ lounge networks, as well as the additional value you can earn with the cards — including the rewards value, cost of ownership and value of benefits such as travel and purchase protections and airline companion passes. Our choices are not influenced by our advertisers. Learn more on how we calculate rewards.
To see rates & fees for American Express cards mentioned on this page, visit the links provided below:
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the above benefits are provided by third parties such as Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as certain terms, conditions, and exclusions apply.
The content above is not provided by any issuer. Any opinions expressed are those of LendingTree alone and have not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any issuer. The offers and/or promotions mentioned above may have changed, expired, or are no longer available. Check the issuer's website for more details.
