What Credit Cards Can Get Me Into Priority Pass Lounges?

For travelers, credit cards are more than just a means to pay for things. Some cards offer access to airport lounges, which give cardholders a more private place to sit, enjoy complimentary food and drinks, and better Wi-Fi away from the hustle and bustle of the airport.

Several cards include a Priority Pass membership as a benefit of holding the card. The program grants access to more than 1,600 lounges worldwide, and you don't need to have elite status or a first class fare. Most major airports (and some smaller airports, too) have at least one Priority Pass lounge, spa location, or restaurant.

Priority Pass' unlimited annual plan usually costs $469, but many credit cards offer Priority Pass membership as a perk — some with annual fees lower than the cost of a membership itself.

An overview of top credit cards with Priority Pass

Here are some of the best credit cards with Priority Pass lounge access among the benefits.

Enrollment required. Terms apply.

Clearly these cards also are considered premium travel credit cards, as evidenced by their high annual fees. While hefty, they include unlimited visits to Priority Pass lounges (some other cards not named here cap the number of visits you can make per year).

» Learn more: The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access

What credit cards come with Priority Pass?

Chase Sapphire Reserve®

At $550 a year, the annual fee is steep, but the travel benefits can more than outweigh the cost each year. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers $300 in annual travel credits to use on airline, hotel or other travel costs along with a Priority Pass membership for the cardholder.

By the way, Chase recently launched its own network of airport lounges called the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, with locations including Phoenix (PHX) and San Diego (SAN). As a Chase Sapphire Reserve® cardholder, you’ll have unlimited access to all locations of the Chase Sapphire lounges for you and up to two guests.

» Learn more: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth its annual fee?

The Platinum Card® from American Express

This is one of the more expensive annual fees on the market, but its perks are especially generous in the travel department. The annual fee on The Platinum Card® from American Express is $695 (see rates and fees), but it includes Priority Pass access for the cardholder and up to two guests. Enrollment required. Terms apply.

On top of that, cardholders can also access AmEx’s swanky Centurion Lounges as well as the Plaza Premium, Airspace and Escape lounges. Cardholders also have 10 visits per year to Delta Sky Club when flying Delta Air Lines. Terms apply.

» Learn more: What credit cards get me into the Delta Sky Club?

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express

The business version of the Platinum card is also expensive ($695 annual fee, see rates and fees), but packs in equally notable perks.

The Business Platinum Card® from American Express includes Priority Pass membership, as well as guest access for two additional people. Enrollment required.

There are many other lounges accessible to cardholders including Centurion Lounges, Delta Sky Clubs when flying Delta (same limits as The Platinum Card® from American Express), Plaza Premium, Airspace and Escape lounges. Terms apply.

Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card

For $650 per year, the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card locks you into earning Marriott Bonvoy® points, but it does offer some nice travel benefits. Terms apply, see rates and fees.

Cardholders get $300 in statement credits per calendar year (up to $25 per month) for eligible purchases at restaurants worldwide. The card's current welcome offer is as follows: Earn 185,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Terms Apply.

» Learn more: The best Priority Pass restaurants

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

For a more affordable premium travel card option, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card comes with a $395 annual fee, which is lower than many of its competitors — and the lowest of any card named in this guide.

Cardholders receive unlimited Priority Pass lounge access for themselves and up to two guests. In addition, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card cardholders can access Capital One Lounges, currently available in airports including Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Denver (DEN). Though the Capital One lounge network is small, its lounges are far better in quality than most Priority Pass lounges.

Other notable travel benefits include a $300 annual travel credit for Capital One Travel purchases and 10,000 bonus miles each account anniversary, which can go a long way to help offset the card’s cost.

Use your credit card for Priority Pass lounge access

Before applying for a credit card solely for Priority Pass lounge access, understand that Priority Pass lounges widely in quality. While almost all Priority Pass lounges usually offer refreshments like snacks, light meals, alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks, not all do. They generally offer free Wi-Fi and comfortable seating, but it can sometimes still be difficult to find an available seat in the lounge.

If your airport's Priority Pass lounge is up to par though, consider using one of those credit cards to gain access, rather than buying a membership outright.

To view rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page. To view rates and fees of The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, see this page. To view rates and fees of the Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card, see this page.