Updated page for 2021, including the Capital One Venture X.
It’s becoming increasingly common for premium credit cards to offer priority pass lounge access. For those not familiar Priority Pass is a network of over 800 airport lounges. Reader Eric asked if we could create a post comparing the differences and we aim to please so here we are! Below is a list of credit cards that offer priority pass lounge access as a benefit, this is then followed by a comparison table.
Cards That Offer This Benefit
- American Express Platinum (personal, business & all the different flavors)
- Capital One Venture X
- Barclaycard Gold & Black
- Chase Ritz-Carlton
- Chase Sapphire Reserve (detailed post on this benefit can be found here)
- City National Bank Visa Infinite
- Citi Prestige (detailed post on this benefit can be found here)
- U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve
- Hilton Honors Ascend from American Express
- Hilton Honors Aspire
- American Express Bonvoy Brilliant
Comparison Table
| Free Access | # Of Guests | Authorized Users | Mobile App | Annual fee | Restaurant Access | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Express Platinum | Yes | $27 per guest | Yes (normally $175 for three additional cardholders) | Yes | Varies ($550 normally) | No |
| Hilton Honors Ascend | 10 free visits, then $27 per visit | 32 per guest (can use the 10 free visits) | No | Yes | $95.00 | No |
| Hilton Honors Aspire | Yes | Two guests free | No fee, but no access to Priority Pass lounges | Yes | $450 | No |
| American Express Bonvoy Brilliant | Yes | $27 per guest | No | Yes | $450 | No |
| Business Hilton Honors | 10 free visits, then $27 per visit | $32 per guest (can use the 10 free visits) | No | Yes | $95 | No |
| Barclaycard Gold & Black | Yes | No limit | Unknown ($195 for black & $295 for gold) | ? | $495, $995 | Yes |
| Chase Ritz-Carlton | Yes | No limit* | Yes (no fee) | Yes | $450.00 | Yes |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | Yes | Two guests free | Yes ($75 per cardholder) | Yes | $550.00 | Yes |
| City National Bank Visa Infinite | Yes | $32 per guest | Yes, doesnt have to be authorized^ | Yes | $400 | Yes |
| Citi Prestige | Yes | Two guests or immediate family | Yes ($75 per cardholder) | Yes | $350-$450 | Yes |
| UBS Visa Infinite | No | None | No | ? | $495 | Yes |
| U.S. bank Altitude Reserve | Four free visits for primary cardholder, four free for guests then $27 | No limit* | No | Yes | $400 | Yes |
| Capital One Venture X | Yes | Two guests | Yes | Yes | $395 | No |
This table contains four columns:
- Free access: This is whether the primary cardholder receives free access or not.
- # Of Guests: This includes the number of free guests you’re allowed to bring into lounges. You can bring in additional guests for a cost of $27 per person if you want to exceed these limits. Note some lounges also have a restriction on the total amount of guests you can bring in (this is also relevant to the Chase Sapphire Reserve)
- Authorized users: This indicates whether authorized user cardholders also receive this benefit or not. Unless otherwise noted if they do receive this benefit it’s the same as the primary cardholder.
*Some lounges have a restriction on the total amount of guests you can bring in, this limit still applies to cards that have no hard limits on the amount of guests that can be brought in.
^This card lets you choose one other person to receive this benefit, they don’t have to be an authorized user.
Us bank altitude connect/business and altitude reserve get a certain amount of visits per year, the visits can be used at restaurants
Really helpful post but seems quite outdated. Would be great to update it!
Is it possible to add the BOA Premium Rewards Elite card to this list? I’m having a hard time figuring out what access it offers and AU access looks like. Thanks!
Capital One Venture X no longer has restaurant access as of 1 Jan 2023, as covered by DoC themselves: https://www.doctorofcredit.com/capital-one-to-remove-access-to-priority-pass-non-lounge-options-restaurants-spas/
Fixed
Capital One Venture X allows unlimited guests.
Be aware that the non-lounge restaurants accepting Priority Pass (even the one from the Chase Ritz card with unlimited guests) can limit the number of guests per visit. At SFO, all of the restaurants accepting Priority Pass, Lark Creek Grill, Mustards Bar and Grill, SF Giants Clubhouse and Yankee Pier, limit you to one guest getting the $28 discount.
Ritz Carlton is the best card for Priority Pass:
1. Unlimited guests
2. Free priority pass for your authorized users (which are free to add, with no limit on AUs)
3. Priority Pass restaurant access
According to the terms and conditions, Amex Plat includes 2 free guests.
Just came to add the same. I got my PP in the mail for my new Amex Platinum and it also lists 2 guests (3rd is $32 billed to your card).
What is restaurant access? Free pass to dine in a restaurant outside of the lounge?
Priority Pass has a select list of participating restaurants in which a member is eligible for up to $28 to $30 per guest for credits on food/drinks.
Verdict?