Basic Guide to Credit Cards that Offer Priority Pass Lounge Access

Lounge access is by far one of my favorite travel hacks. I sure don’t miss those days of packing snacks and getting ripped off on overpriced airport beers. Nowadays, food and drinks are typically complimentary for me and my guests. Instead of dreading time spent at the airport I’m planning in extra time on layovers. The best part is that membership to lounge networks is a free perk. Learn about all of the options in the basic guide to credit cards that offer Priority Pass Lounge Access. 

In this Basic Guide you’ll find:

• Priority Pass Lounges
• Chase Sapphire Reserve
• Amex Platinum
• Amex Hilton Honors
• Amex Bonvoy Brilliant
• Citi Prestige
• U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve
• Basic Breakdown

Priority Pass Lounges

The Priority Pass Lounge Network is made up of over 1,300 airport lounges spread across the world. These private spaces are home to relaxing seats, complimentary refreshments (including alcohol), and appetizers. You’ll also find each lounge equipped with high-speed Wifi and some even offer showers (like The Club Lounge in New Orleans). A priority pass membership can cost over $400 a year but thankfully many credit cards offer a complimentary membership.

Below you’ll find all of the different credit cards that offer a priority pass membership!

Chase Sapphire Reserve

The Chase Sapphire Reserve offers the cardholder a Priority Pass Select Membership. With this membership, the cardholder receives unlimited access while the Sapphire Reserve is open. The cardholder can also bring two guests for free into each lounge. As you can see, this membership alone can certainly add up savings quickly for frequent travelers. 

Chase Sapphire Reserve Authorized users also receive their own priority pass select membership. It costs $75 to add an AU to the Reserve but the value can be earned back after only a few lounge visits.  

Chase Sapphire Reserve

Earn 50,000 Ultimate Rewards Points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.

Basic Travel Tips: This is one of our favorite travel cards as it has some of the best travel protection, as well as priority pass lounge access, rental car reimbursement, and more. You can learn more about this card here.

As an added benefit, Chase Sapphire Reserve Holders also have access to special credits at priority pass restaurants. Show the membership card to the host at any of the restaurants included to received credit towards a meal (Average $28 in credit per person). 

Chase Sapphire Reserve Lounge Basics 

• Unlimited Priority Pass Lounge Access
• Can bring 2 Guests into a lounge for free
• Priority Pass Restaurant Credit  
• Authorized users receive their own Priority Pass Membership

American Express Platinum (Or Business Platinum)

The American Express Platinum (And Business Platinum) offers the cardholder a Priority Pass Select Membership. With this membership, the cardholder receives unlimited access while the American Express Platinum card is open. The cardholder can also bring two guests for free into each lounge. As you can see, this membership alone can certainly add up savings for frequent travelers. 

Amex Platinum Authorized users also receive their own priority pass select membership. It costs $175 to add up to 3 AU’s to the Platinum card but the value can be earned back after only a few lounge visits.  

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AMEX Platinum Credit Card

Earn 75,000 membership rewards once you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. You can also earn 10x points on eligible purchases on up to $15,000 in combined purchases at U.S. Gas Stations and U.S. Supermarkets, during your first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply. Learn More Here.

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As an added benefit, the Amex Platinum card also provides access to other airport lounges like the Centurion and Escape lounges. Unfortunately, the Amex Platinum Priority Pass membership discontinued restaurant credits which is a major difference between this option and the Chase Sapphire Reserve. 

Amex Platinum Card Lounge Basics 

• Unlimited Priority Pass Lounge Access
• Can bring 2 Guests into a lounge for free
• Authorized users receive their own Priority Pass Membership
• No Priority Pass Restaurant Credit  
• Same benefits for Amex Business Platinum Cardholders 

American Express Hilton Honors Credit Cards 

There are three American Express Hilton Honors credit cards that offer different versions of a priority pass membership. The personal Hilton Honors Aspire & Surpass cards, and the Hilton Honors Business Credit Card all provide lounge access. Let’s break down all three below:

Amex Hilton Honors Aspire Credit Card

The American Express Hilton Honors Aspire is similar to the Sapphire Reserve and Platinum in that it offers unlimited priority pass visits plus two guests. One big difference is that authorized users of the Aspire do not receive their own priority pass membership. Additionally, there is no priority pass restaurant credit with any of the Amex Hilton Honors Credit Cards. However, it’s important to note that the Aspire does come with Hilton Honors Diamond status which can provide access to the hotel lounges.

Amex Hilton Honors Aspire Card Lounge Basics 

• Unlimited Priority Pass Lounge Access
• Can bring 2 Guests into a lounge for free
• No Priority Pass Restaurant Credit  
• Hilton Hotel Lounge Access (Only certain locations 

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Hilton Honors Aspire AMEX Credit Card

Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Terms Apply. Learn More Here.

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Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Credit Card (And Business Version) 

The Hilton Surpass Card (And Hilton Business Card) offers a unique priority pass membership, not like the others. Surpass holders will receive 10 priority pass visits per year. Any guests brought into a lounge will be taken away from the 10 passes. After the 10 passes are gone, it will cost $32 per visit plus an additional $32 for each guest. This is a great option for folks who only travel a few times per year. 

Amex Hilton Honors Surpass Card Lounge Basics 

• 10 Priority Pass Lounge Access Visits 
• No free Guests (Can use a pass or pay $32) 
• No Priority Pass Restaurant Credit  
• Same benefits for Hilton Honors Business Cardholders 

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AMEX Hilton Honors Surpass Credit Card

Earn 150,000 bonus miles once you spend $2,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. You can also earn a $150 statement credit after your first purchase on the Hilton Honors Surpass credit card. Terms apply. Learn More Here.

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American Express Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card 

The Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brillant Card is similar to the Sapphire Reserve and Platinum in that it offers unlimited priority pass visits plus two guests. One big difference is that authorized users of the Bonvoy Brilliant do not receive their own priority pass membership. Additionally, there is no priority pass restaurant credit.

Amex Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant Card Lounge Basics 

• Unlimited Priority Pass Lounge Access
• Can bring 2 Guests into a lounge for free
• No Priority Pass Restaurant Credit  

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Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express

Earn 75,000 miles once you spend $3,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening. Also enjoy up to $300 in statement credits on qualifying Marriott Bonvoy purchases each year. You will earn 6x on all Marriott purchases per $1, 3x on U.S. restaurants and flights booked directly through the airline, as well as 2x anywhere else.

Learn More Here.

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Citi Prestige® Credit Card

The Citi Prestige Card offers unlimited priority pass visits plus two guests. One big difference between the Prestige and other options is that in lieu of two guests, the cardholder can bring in their whole immediate family into the lounge. This includes a spouse, domestic partner, and/or children under 18 years of age. In addition, authorized users of the Citi Prestige card will receive their own priority pass membership. 

To make the Citi Prestige even better, the priority pass membership also includes restaurant credits like the Chase Sapphire Reserve. 

Citi Prestige® Credit Card Card Lounge Basics 

• Unlimited Priority Pass Lounge Access
• Can bring 2 Guests into a lounge for free OR
• Can bring entire immediate family into the lounge for free
• Includes Priority Pass Restaurant Credit  
• Authorized users receive their own Priority Pass Membership

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve comes with four complimentary priority pass lounge visits. Additionally, the cardholder can bring a complimentary guest with each of those four visits. It’s important to note that authorized users do not receive their own priority pass membership cards but restaurants are included (used in lieu of a lounge pass).  

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Credit Card Lounge Basics

• 4 Visits to a Priority Pass Lounge 
• 4 Guest Passes to a Priority Pass Lounge 
• Restaurant Access can be used for the 4 Visits 
• Authorized users do not receive their own membership 

Basic Breakdown 

As you can see there are a lot of options that lead to priority pass lounge access. Depending on your situation the best one for you will vary. I’m a big fan of the Chase Sapphire Reserve as I get a lot of value from the lounges and restaurant credit. Other folks who don’t encounter many restaurants may opt for the Amex Platinum which includes more options for lounges. Folks who only travel a few times each year will benefit from Amex Hilton Honors Surpass card. Finally, families will find the best value from the Citi Prestige. 

What’s your favorite option for priority pass lounge access? Do you have a favorite lounge you tend to visit? I’d love to hear from you down in the comments or over in the 4,000 + Member Basic Travel Facebook Group!

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