Priority Pass credit cards – free airport lounge, here I come!
How Priority Pass cards work in Australia, what the traps are and how much it's really worth.
Key takeaways
- The most common credit card offer is for 2 Priority Pass lounge passes, which is worth around $140.
- There aren't many Priority Pass lounges in Australia - if you're only flying domestically, it's not a major benefit.
- Our experts say it's a useful added feature, but shouldn't be the main reason to pick a rewards card.
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What is Priority Pass and how do I get it with a credit card?
Priority Pass is a membership program that gives you access to over 1,700 airport lounges and experiences around the world. Members pay a yearly membership fee, and may also have to pay lounge entry fees.
Want to avoid paying anything? Some credit cards in Australia offer Priority Pass lounge access. Here's what's available:
- The most common offer is 2 lounge visits per year. Any additional visits will cost US$35 each. Cards offering this include the Westpac Altitude Black; the Amplify Signature from St.George, Bank of Melbourne and Bank SA; and the MyCard Premier Card. The BOQ Specialist Signature offers 4 passes, but most people can't apply for it.
- Some Platinum cards offer unlimited lounge visits per year, including American Express Platinum and American Express Platinum Business.
Our expert says: Priority Pass is a nice-to-have, not a key feature
"I wouldn't pick a credit card solely for Priority Pass, given that it's quite hard to use your passes within Australia. If you're travelling overseas often and use a lot of different airlines, then it's a great additional feature. But given the higher fees on cards offering it, you'll need to be looking at other card features as well as this before making a choice."
How to join Priority Pass with a credit card
The process is slightly different for every card, but usually you'll need to enrol in Priority Pass using your credit card details.
For example, with a Westpac Altitude Black Credit Card, you need to visit prioritypass.com/westpacblack and follow the prompts to enrol.
With American Express Platinum and Platinum Business cards, you can just call the number of the back of your card.
Once your Priority Pass account is activated, you'll be sent a plastic membership card and can activate a digital one. You need to show one of these cards to visit a lounge or get other Priority Pass benefits at the airport.
If you want to contact Priority Pass, the closest customer service centre to Australia is in Hong Kong and can be reached on 0011 852 2866 1964. You can view other Priority Pass contact centres on the website, or contact your credit card company.
Where are Priority Pass lounges located?
There are Priority Pass lounges at airports all around the world – including airports in London, Los Angeles, Dubai, Singapore and Hong Kong. Priority Pass says it offers access to "1,700+ lounges and experiences", though that figure includes restaurants as well as lounges.
In Australia, there are Priority Pass lounges in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth international airports, as well as Rex domestic lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. Outside Adelaide, these domestic lounges aren't useful if you're flying with Qantas as they're in a different terminal.
The Priority Pass website has a search tool you can use to find lounges for your travel plans.
What traps should I be aware of with Priority Pass lounges?
- Access isn't guaranteed. Lounges get busy, and they'll give priority to paying customers with bookings over Priority Pass members. So there's a chance you might not get into your chosen lounge as planned.
- Not all services are included. Typically, you'll pay extra if you want to use a shower or for premium alcoholic drinks.
- You can't stay in the lounge indefinitely. Each individual lounge will enforce visit length limits. In Australia, 2 hours is typical. Not a major restriction given you often can't check into an international flight until 3 hours before, but something to bear in mind.
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Can I still use my Priority Pass card if my American Express card has expired, never used & has been lost? My digital membership card shows expiry in 2018. Is it possible to receive an updated physical Priority Pass card with expiry Dec 2020?
Hi Janine,
If you have an active American Express account that offers Priority Pass benefits, you can contact the Amex team on 1300 132 639 to discuss the account and its features. If you have a separate Priority Pass membership, or want one, you can send an enquiry through the Priority Pass website.
Regards,
Amy
We are flying to London in June 2020 and would like to use our mastercard points to purchase a priority pass. Can this be done?
Hi David,
Thank you for your comment.
Priority pass cannot be purchased using points, unfortunately. You can purchase a Priority Pass membership directly or receive Priority Pass Select membership as a benefit on a travel rewards credit card. You can see the list of the credit cards with Priority Pass above.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
My wife and I will be departing from Los Angeles airport, flying Qantas on the 30th March 2019. We would like to visit an airport lounge prior to departure. How can we obtain tickets now and how much will they cost?
Hello John,
Thank you for your comment.
The cost for International Business Class lounges is $69. The passes are sold only online, and will not be available at the lounge itself on the day of travel.
Regards,
Jhezelyn
Which frequent flyer credit cards offer free supplementary cards to spouse etc
Hi Steve,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Some Qantas credit cards let you request a supplementary card for a partner or family member, which means they can use the card to make purchases and earn rewards. Just make sure you factor this into your repayments and check whether or not there is a fee for getting additional cards.
You can check our list of frequent flyer credit cards to compare your options. On the page, is a comparison table you can use to see which card suits you. Once you have chosen a particular card, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the bank’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.
Before applying, please ensure that you meet all the eligibility criteria and read through the details of the needed requirements as well as the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
Hope this information helps
Cheers,
Arnold