How to get a Priority Pass and Enjoy the Travel Benefits
The Priority Pass is a little card that you can use to get some great travel benefits, like Priority Pass Lounge Access, free meals, and more.
Priority Pass Lounges are labeled in the airport with a little sign that says “Priority Pass Accepted” or go to this link for the list of lounges worldwide. If you are not flying in business class, then you can’t get in these lounges. Some lounges are nicer than others, but they will give you a refuge from the rest of the airport with comfortable seats, free snacks and drinks, a place to charge your electronics, free Wifi, restrooms– and sometimes showers, good meals, free massages, and other perks.
One of the best perks from the Priority Pass card we have found was two $15 food certificates at the Minneapolis/St Paul Airport. You bring your card to the PGA Lounge above the French Meadow Cafe, and they will give you the free food passes. We used them at the French Meadow to get some vegan deliciousness– a Tempeh Reuben and some Vegan Chili and Rice. Yum!
To get the Priority Pass, you need to apply for one of these credit cards, or buy the Priority Pass separate, which can be expensive. We recommend these credit cards in the order listed below, as they also give you additional travel benefits including the Priority Pass lounge visits.
(Some of these contain referral links that would give us a few points when you sign up, others are just perks for you!)
1) Hilton Honors Ascend Card
This card provides 10 visits to Priority Pass lounges per year. The annual fee for the card is $95 and includes Gold status in the Hilton Honors Hotel Program which gets you room upgrades and free breakfast. To me, it is the best value out of any of the cards that provide priority pass. It also has a signup bonus of 100,000 bonus (value of $500+) when you sign up for the card and spend $3000 in 90 days.
Jerrod’s Bonus Tip: The annual fee is pretty reasonable at $95. With 10 visits to the priority lounges along with a nice signup bonus, I would say this card is worth it for a light single traveler.
2) Hilton Aspire Card
With the Hilton Aspire Card, you get unlimited visits for both you and 2 guests. The fee is $450 a year but includes a lot of perks including Diamond status in Hilton Honors Hotel Program, a $250 airline credit per calendar year, a $250 resort credit (We used it for snorkeling and kayaking in Maui) per card anniversary year, a free night annually (We used it for a room at the Grand Wailea in Maui with prices going for over $800 per night at peak time). It also has a signup bonus of 100,000 bonus (value of $500+) when you sign up for the card and spend $4000 in 90 days.
Jerrod’s Bonus Tip: While the annual fee of $450 is quite high I was able to get over $2000 of value from the card for the first year ($250 airline credit x2, $250 resort credit, and an $800 room for the night along with free breakfast, and 100,000 Hilton Points). I will probably keep this card going forward as I can easily justify the $450 fee.
3) Amex Platinum Card
This card includes unlimited visits for both you and 2 guests. The fee is $550 a year and includes things like 10 free GOGO WIFI passes, Hilton Gold Status, SPG Gold Status, a $200 airline credit, $200 in Uber Credits, access to American Express Lounges, and access to Delta lounges (only for yourself). The current signup bonus is 60,000 points when spending $5000 in 3 months
Jerrod’s Bonus Tip: There are a lot of perks with this card, but the fee is too high for most people to justify keeping the card for the long term. It might be worth getting for the short term if there is a nice signup bonus.
4) Amex Business Platinum Card
This is a business card and includes all of the benefits of the Amex Platinum Card, but the annual fee is $450 vs $550. It has a signup bonus of 50,000 points after spending $10,000 in 3 months.
Jerrod’s Bonus Tip: This card includes a lot of additional perks and is $100 cheaper than the Amex Platinum Card. It is a business card, so you would have to apply with a business or sole proprietorship.
5) Chase Sapphire Reserve Card
You will get unlimited visits for both you and 2 guests with this card. The annual fee is $450 but includes a $300 travel credit each year. There is a signup bonus of 50,000 points (that can be transfer to multiple airline and hotel partners) after spending $4,000 in 3 months.
Jerrod’s Bonus Tip: This card is a good option if you have applied for less then 5 credit cards in the last 24 months. It has $300 travel credit that offsets some of the $450 fee per year. If you have more than 5 applications in two years, you cannot get approved for the card.
6) Citi Prestige Card
This card provides unlimited visits for you and 2 guests. It includes a $250 travel credit each year and 4th night free at hotels when booking through them and staying 4+ nights. The annual fee is $450 and there is currently no signup bonus at the moment.
Jerrod’s Bonus Tip: This card is good if you typically spend more than 3 nights in a hotel and you pay with your credit card. We usually don’t pay with credit card, so if we could not use this perk.
7) US Bank Altitude Card
You’ll get 4 visits for both you and a guest per year. It includes a $325 travel credit each year and 12 free GOGO WIFI passes each year. The annual fee is $400. The current signup bonus is 50,000 points ($750 value for travel) after spending $4,000. This card is only available for current US Bank customers.
Jerrod’s Bonus Tip: This is a good card, but you can only be approved for it if you have a current relationship with US Bank (credit card, loan, checking, etc.)
We hope this helps you with more enjoyable traveling!
Peace, Love, Travel ! xo
~Jerrod
