A Priority Pass Select membership has long been one of the most valuable perks that are included as a benefit of certain travel rewards cards. There are now more than 1,400 Priority Pass lounges worldwide, and the lounge network is still growing.
While Priority Pass membership is provided as a benefit of select premium credit cards, you won't be able to access Priority Pass lounges by simply showing your credit card. Instead, you'll need to enroll your credit card before you can start visiting Priority Pass lounge locations.
Although some lounges will accept a digital card, some lounges require a physical card — so you'll want to enroll your card well before your first lounge visit, if possible.
Luckily, enrolling your card is a relatively simple process that can be done online or by calling your card issuer. Today, we'll walk you through the steps you need to take to do this so you can begin enjoying your Priority Pass membership. Enrollment required for select benefits.
American Express
Once you're logged into your Amex online account, you'll want to ensure you've selected the right card. As you can see from the top right portion of the image below, I'm currently viewing the page for The Platinum Card® from American Express — but multiple other Amex cards also offer Priority Pass Select membership. Click on "Benefits & Rewards" to see all the perks that come with your card.
Given the sheer number of perks that come with the The Platinum Card® from American Express, you might have to scroll down a little until you find "The American Express Global Lounge Collection."
From there, you'll see a full description of the incredibly comprehensive lounge access that comes with the Amex Platinum, including access to Amex Centurion lounges and Delta SkyClubs when flying Delta. Note that you can also enroll in Priority Pass by calling the number on the back of your eligible American Express card. Enrollment required for select benefits.
If you add Platinum Card authorized users to your card, they must call the number on the back of their card to enroll themselves in Priority Pass. Remind them to also enroll in their other authorized user benefits during the call, including Marriott Gold Elite, Hilton Gold, Hertz Gold Plus Rewards, Avis Preferred and National Car Rental Emerald Club Executive status. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Related reading: Choosing the best American Express credit card for you
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Capital One
To activate a Priority Pass membership with an eligible Capital One card, such as the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see rates and fees), visit the Capital One Priority Pass page to start the sign-up process.
The Venture X card provides Priority Pass membership to the primary cardmember and authorized users who can bring up to two guests with each visit to a Priority Pass lounge.
If you're an account holder, you can also follow the link from your Capital One Priority Pass welcome email. Next, you will enter your 16-digit Venture X card number and then click "Submit." Be sure to select your country of residence to continue. The next few prompts will ask you to create an account by providing your address and billing details (for identification purposes) before clicking "Join."
Once enrolled, log in to your account through the Priority Pass website or mobile app to access a list of eligible lounges and to view your digital membership card.
Chase
To activate a Priority Pass membership with an eligible Chase card, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve, you'll want to make sure you're on the Ultimate Rewards area of the Chase website. You can reach this section by clicking on your point total in the bottom left-hand of your account page. Enrollment required for select benefits.
You'll then want to click on the card you're trying to enroll in.
Now, click on "Card Benefits" in the top left corner.
Scroll down until you see boxes with all of your card's benefits. Click "Travel" to see a box for "Complimentary Airport Lounge Access." As you can see, I've already activated my membership — but if you hadn't, you'd click the "activate now" button and follow the instructions on the screen.
If you add an authorized user to your account before activating your Priority Pass membership online, your authorized user will also be enrolled. Otherwise, you'll need to call the number on the back of your card to enroll your authorized user in Priority Pass. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Related reading: Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review
Citi
The only Citi credit card to offer a Priority Pass membership is the Citi Prestige® Card (no longer accepting applications).
It had the most customer-friendly policy of all regarding Priority Pass enrollment. Citi Prestige cardholders were automatically enrolled in Priority Pass, so they could sit tight and wait for their card to arrive in the mail. Enrollment required for select benefits.
The information for the Citi Prestige has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Related reading: Citi Prestige 5x earnings: How to get the most out of dining and airfare categories, and beyond
U.S. Bank
The U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card offers a 12-month Priority Pass Select membership. One cardmember per account can enroll, and their first four visits and four individual accompanying guest visits are waived during the first Priority Pass Select membership year. (Enrollment required for select benefits). You can log in to the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Card Benefit site to enroll.
The information for the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Bottom line
Valuable perks such as airport lounge access are the easiest ways to justify paying $350+ annual fees for premium credit cards, but if you forget to take advantage of them, the math starts to work against you. Enrolling your Priority Pass membership shouldn't take more than five minutes, and it can save you the inconvenience of arriving at an airport with a long layover only to realize that you don't have the lounge access you expected. Enrollment required for select benefits.
Related reading
- Everything you need to know about the Priority Pass program
- The best credit cards for Priority Pass lounge access
- Best credit cards for airport lounge access
- The best Priority Pass lounges around the world
- The best Priority Pass lounges in the U.S.
- Guide to lounge access with the Amex Platinum and Business Platinum
- AA, Delta and United lounges have limited access to customers flying with them: Here's what to do
- What's the best way to share lounge access with my spouse or family member?
Additional reporting by Danyal Ahmed & Katie Genter.
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
