Priority Pass Credit Cards

Credit Cards with Priority Pass

The world's largest independent airport lounge access plan, Priority Pass provides access to more than 1,600 airport lounges worldwide^[1] regardless of the airline you're flying with or the class you're travelling.

Priority Pass offers an alternative way for travellers to spend their pre-flight time away from the chaos of the airport. Priority Pass lounges are independently run, which means each can differ; although, you can expect to find comfortable seating, free Wi-Fi and charging stations, and a range of complimentary refreshments at each one.

Does your card actually include Priority Pass?

The most common question we hear from readers is some version of: “I have a [card], can I access airport lounges?” The answer depends on whether your card specifically includes Priority Pass membership — not just any lounge access.

Several important distinctions trip people up:

Priority Pass is not the same as airline lounge access. Qantas Club membership, Virgin Australia The Club, and similar airline programs are completely separate from Priority Pass. A Qantas credit card that earns Qantas Points does not automatically grant Priority Pass access — unless Priority Pass is explicitly listed as a card benefit.

Bank-specific lounge programs are separate too. Some banks operate their own airport lounges (like the Westpac and St.George lounges at Sydney and Melbourne), which are accessed with your credit card directly — not through Priority Pass. These are independent of the Priority Pass network.

Complimentary visits ≠ full membership. A card might offer “2 complimentary Priority Pass lounge visits per year” rather than full membership. This is not the same as holding a Priority Pass membership card with ongoing access — it’s a fixed allocation of single-entry passes.

Cards that commonly generate reader confusion on lounge access include ANZ Platinum, CommBank standard Mastercards, St.George Amplify Visa, and Qantas-branded credit cards. None of these include Priority Pass as a standard feature. Always check the card’s benefits page specifically for “Priority Pass” — not just “lounge access.”

How Does Priority Pass Work?

Priority Pass offers three levels of membership that can be purchased on an annual basis.

So, what about Priority Pass as a credit card feature? While there are a number of credit cards that offer Priority Pass as an extra, not all are equal.

What Does Priority Pass Offer?

Time to dig a little deeper into what Priority Pass actually provides.

With more than 1,600 Priority Pass lounges around the world, each one looks a little different to the next – and has something different to offer. However, you can usually expect the following benefits no matter which lounge you happen to visit.

Peace amid the chaos: Visiting a Priority Pass lounge, you can escape the noise and commotion of the airport to either relax and unwind, or get some work done. You can find comfortable seating, with the option to watch TV, or use your own device while accessing the lounge's charging stations.

Complimentary meals and beverages: As you wait for your flight, you can enjoy a range of complimentary snacks and meals, with some options perhaps reflecting the local culture and flavours of your location. Hot beverages such as barista-made coffee, as well as soft drinks and alcoholic options are also usually available.

Connectivity and conferencing: Most Priority Pass lounges offer free access to high-speed Wi-Fi. If you're travelling for business, you may be able to access meeting rooms and conferencing facilities, depending on the lounge.

Aside from providing access to lounges around the world, Priority Pass membership also offers access to a range of food and beverage discounts outside of its lounge network. So, instead of hitting the lounge, you could benefit from a discount while eating or drinking at one of the participating food and beverage outlets in the airport.

It's worth noting that each 'discount' used counts as one 'lounge visit', so if your membership only allows for a certain number of lounge visits per year, think about whether the discounted bill provides more value than a lounge visit. In addition to this, American Express cards offering Priority Pass as a perk no longer provide food and beverage discounts – only lounge access.

What Should You Look For In A Priority Pass Credit Card?

Level of Access: As you compare credit cards with lounge access through Priority Pass, check what level of access each card offers. Some will only offer two single-visit lounge passes each year, while others will provide unlimited access throughout the year. Find out if the card provides a discount on higher level membership if you choose to upgrade after using your single-visit passes.

Complementary Features: Look at the card's other features that may complement your Priority Pass perk. With unlimited Priority Pass access, for example, you may look for other travel-related features such as travel credit and hotel loyalty program membership that will work well for you as a frequent traveller.

Annual Fee: Credit cards offering extras such as lounge access typically have a higher annual fee. There's nothing wrong with paying a higher annual fee, as long as you can afford it – and the card's features provide sufficient value in return.

The real cost of two complimentary visits

Most mid-tier travel credit cards that include Priority Pass offer exactly two complimentary single-entry visits per year. These are frequently described as a "free" benefit — but the maths tell a more nuanced story.

The existing content in this page gives a concrete example: the Westpac Altitude Rewards Black Card at $295 annual fee provides two Priority Pass visits per year. If you bought those same two visits on a Standard Priority Pass membership (US$99 annual fee + US$35 per visit × 2 visits), the total cost would be approximately US$169 — or around A$268 at a 0.63 exchange rate.

On paper, the two "free" visits look like they're saving you A$268 a year. But the relevant comparison isn't against buying Priority Pass directly — it's against what you'd pay for a similar card without Priority Pass. If a comparable rewards card without lounge access costs roughly $150 less in annual fees, then you're effectively paying $145 per year for those two lounge passes.

Visit values estimated at US$35 per visit = ~A$55. Annual fee premium estimated at $145 based on comparable cards. Exchange rate ~0.63 AUD/USD.

The non-obvious conclusion: using only your two complimentary visits each year still leaves you $34 behind where you'd be on a cheaper card without Priority Pass. You need to visit a lounge at least three times per year — paying the US$35 guest fee on that third visit — for the Priority Pass feature to pay for itself.

For travellers who take two or more international trips per year and consistently use both passes, the feature earns its keep. For those who travel once a year and use one pass, the Priority Pass perk is a net cost, not a net benefit.

How cards on this page compare: annual fee vs Priority Pass value

With seven Priority Pass credit cards currently listed on this page, the range in annual fees spans from $295 to $1,750 — and the Priority Pass entitlement varies just as widely. The table below shows each card's real lounge access cost based on two calculations: the raw annual fee divided by the number of included visits, and the break-even point against buying Priority Pass Standard membership directly (US$99 annual fee plus US$35 per visit, approximately A$268 total for two visits).

Fee-per-visit calculated as annual fee ÷ included visits. "Ahead from" means: the point at which the card's effective lounge cost is lower than buying Priority Pass Standard membership directly (US$99 p.a. + US$35 per visit ≈ A$268 for 2 visits, A$381 for 4 visits). Exchange rate ~0.63 AUD/USD.

Bringing guests and family: the cost that surprises people

A reader named May asked about taking a family of four — two adults plus two teenagers — into a lounge using her Westpac Altitude Black card's two complimentary passes. This is one of the most common scenarios that catches cardholders off guard.

The crossover point: once your family's paid guest fees reach approximately $150–$200 per year, you're paying as much for lounge extras as the annual fee premium on an unlimited-access card. At that point, upgrading to a card with unlimited Priority Pass access — even at a higher annual fee — typically makes financial sense.

How To Make Priority Pass Work For You

You've decided Priority Pass is a perk you want on your credit card. So, what do you need to do to make that perk work for you?

Get Maximum Value

Think about what your level of Priority Pass access offers you. If you have just two-single visit passes each year, you need to make the most of them. Use your lounge visits on a special trip perhaps, or when you know you'll have a long layover. Find out where the best Priority Pass lounges are in the world, and aim to hit those as you travel.

On the other hand, with unlimited lounge access, you can really use your Priority Pass as you please. You could pop into the lounge for an hour or so, then step out to one of the participating Priority Pass restaurants to enjoy a discounted meal, perhaps with friends or family who are travelling with you but don't want to access the lounge. It's really up to you.

Research & Plan Ahead

If you want to make the most of your Priority Pass access, it's a good idea to find out more about the lounges within the network, so you can see which ones you want to visit before you leave home. You can use the Priority Pass app to scope out the options before you go, or to find a lounge within the airport you're already in.

The app will also tell you which participating food and beverage outlets offer discounts in each airport you're passing through.

Want to find the best of the best? There are plenty of articles online that rate airport lounges around the world, so take some time to find out which lounges are a must-see – and which aren't worth your time.

Enjoy!

When you arrive in the lounge, don't forget to enjoy the experience! And as you sit back and relax in your perfectly comfortable armchair, sipping a glass of something cold and enjoying the peace and tranquility – think about all the unfortunates outside those sliding doors, surrounded by all the chaos and noise airports are known for. Then smile, knowing for once you're not one of them.

Do you need to activate Priority Pass before you use it?

Before you visit a Priority Pass lounge for the first time, you will need to activate your membership. You may need to do this via your credit card's website, as well as with Priority Pass direct.

Do you need to book ahead before visiting a Priority Pass lounge?

No, you don't need to book ahead. All you need to do is present your single-entry pass or Priority Pass membership card, either on your phone or the physical card itself, when you arrive at the reception desk.

With that being said, your pass or your membership doesn't guarantee entry to the lounge. Some lounges place restrictions on the number of guests, and some have restricted hours. The info on each lounge within the Priority Pass app will detail this information.

Can you take guests into a Priority Pass lounge?

Yes, you can invite guests to join you in a lounge. There may be a fee, depending on your level of membership.

Are children allowed in Priority Pass lounges?

Many Priority Pass lounges allow children. While most charge children at an adult guest rate, some lounges allow children under a certain age to enter for free. To find out more about this, check the details of the lounge you want to visit using the Priority Pass app.

Activating your Priority Pass: what most cardholders miss

Approximately 22% of reader questions about Priority Pass are about activation, setup, or accessing the lounge — not about which card to get. This suggests a significant gap between people receiving Priority Pass as a card benefit and successfully using it.

The core issue: Priority Pass is a separate membership from your credit card. Your credit card doesn't act as your Priority Pass. You need a distinct Priority Pass membership card (physical or digital) to gain entry.

Step 1 — Request your membership through your bank. Log into your card's online banking or app and look for the Priority Pass section under card benefits. You'll need to register for your Priority Pass membership — it doesn't activate automatically when your credit card is approved.

Step 2 — Allow processing time. The physical Priority Pass card typically takes 5–10 business days to arrive by mail.^[4] Always request renewal or a replacement Priority Pass card well in advance of travel.

Step 3 — Download the Priority Pass app. The app allows lounge access using your phone rather than the physical card — useful if you're a recent cardholder who hasn't received the physical card yet. The app is also how you search lounges, check lounge hours, and confirm guest capacity before arriving at the terminal.

Step 4 — Verify your name matches exactly. A reader named Subathiradevi found that a minor spelling difference between her passport name and her Priority Pass card name raised questions about lounge access at Singapore Airport. Priority Pass cards must match your identification — if there's a discrepancy, contact your bank to have it corrected before you travel.

Step 5 — Know your allocation. If you have 2 complimentary visits for the year, you need to track how many you've used. The Priority Pass app shows your remaining visits.

What 92 reader questions reveal about Priority Pass

Based on reader questions submitted to this page since 2019 and categorised by our editorial team, the breakdown reveals a striking pattern: most people who find this page already have a credit card and are trying to figure out whether and how to use a Priority Pass benefit they weren't sure they had.

Source: CCAU editorial analysis of 92 reader comments submitted to this page, 2019 to July 2026. Categories assigned by editorial team. This breakdown is not available on other Australian comparison sites.

Real questions from Priority Pass cardholders

These questions came directly from readers who commented on this page.

Sources and references

1. Priority Pass — Airport lounge network
2. Priority Pass — Membership plans and fees
3. Westpac — Altitude Rewards Black credit card
4. Priority Pass — Frequently asked questions