The most common and effective way to obtain a Priority Pass membership without paying a separate annual fee directly to Priority Pass is by leveraging benefits offered through certain premium credit cards.
The Primary Method: Premium Credit Cards
Many high-tier travel and luxury credit cards offer complimentary Priority Pass Select membership as a core perk. When you are approved for one of these qualifying credit cards, you can typically register for your Priority Pass membership shortly thereafter. Once your membership card arrives in the mail, you can begin to enjoy the benefits of lounge access. The specific rewards, additional discounts, and any associated annual fees for these credit cards can vary significantly from one card to another.
How It Works
The process is generally straightforward once you've identified a suitable credit card:
- Apply and Get Approved: Choose a credit card known for offering Priority Pass Select membership as a benefit and apply for it. Approval depends on your creditworthiness.
- Register for Priority Pass: After your credit card application is approved, you will typically receive instructions on how to activate or register for your Priority Pass Select membership. This might involve visiting a dedicated portal or calling the credit card issuer.
- Receive Your Membership Card: Priority Pass will then mail you your physical membership card. Some programs also offer digital membership cards accessible via the Priority Pass app, allowing for immediate use.
- Enjoy Lounge Access: Present your Priority Pass membership card (physical or digital) at participating airport lounges worldwide to gain entry.
Types of Priority Pass Memberships Offered
While the benefit is often referred to as "Priority Pass Select," the exact level of access and number of visits included can vary based on the credit card:
- Unlimited Complimentary Visits: This is the most sought-after benefit, offering unlimited access for the cardholder to Priority Pass lounges. Some cards extend this to include one or two complimentary guests per visit.
- Limited Complimentary Visits: Some cards may offer a set number of free visits per year (e.g., 4, 10, or 12 visits). After exhausting these, subsequent visits or guest entries might incur a per-person charge.
- Access at a Discounted Rate: A less common benefit, where the credit card provides access to Priority Pass membership, but each lounge visit still incurs a reduced fee.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Card
When aiming to get Priority Pass access through a credit card, consider the following:
- Credit Card Annual Fee: While you don't pay Priority Pass directly, the credit card itself will likely have an annual fee. This fee effectively covers the cost of benefits like Priority Pass, along with other perks. Evaluate if the total value of all benefits, including Priority Pass, outweighs the annual fee.
- Other Travel Benefits: Many cards offering Priority Pass also come with other valuable travel perks such as travel credits, airline fee credits, elite status, travel insurance, or global entry/TSA PreCheck credits.
- Guest Policy: If you frequently travel with family or friends, check the credit card's specific guest policy for Priority Pass. Some allow free guests, while others charge a fee for each guest.
- Lounge Network Access: Priority Pass provides access to over 1,300 airport lounges and experiences worldwide. Confirm the card provides access to the full network rather than a limited subset.
Understanding the "Free" Aspect
It's important to clarify what "free" means in this context. You do not pay a separate, direct membership fee to Priority Pass when it's offered as a credit card benefit. However, the credit card itself typically carries an annual fee, which essentially bundles the cost of the Priority Pass membership and other premium benefits into a single charge. Therefore, while you avoid a direct Priority Pass subscription cost, there is often an underlying annual cost associated with the credit card providing the benefit.
Maximizing Your Priority Pass Membership
Once you have your membership, make the most of it:
- Download the Priority Pass App: This app allows you to easily find participating lounges, check lounge amenities, and often provides a digital membership card for entry.
- Check Lounge Capacity: Popular lounges can sometimes be crowded, especially during peak travel times. The app or lounge directory might offer real-time capacity updates.
- Understand Guest Policies: Always be aware of how many guests your specific Priority Pass Select membership allows for free, and what the charge is for additional guests.
- Explore Non-Lounge Experiences: Beyond traditional lounges, Priority Pass also includes access to airport dining credits, spa services, and other unique experiences at select airports.
