Priority Pass Select Membership: Benefits and Access

Updated on 25 Oct, 2024

Priority Pass Select: Your Guide to Priority Pass Select Membership

Key Takeaways

  1. Priority Pass Select offers access to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide, providing complimentary food, drinks, and relaxation for frequent travelers.

  2. Priority Pass Select membership is included with cards like Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum, offering unlimited lounge visits.

  3. Members can enjoy guest access, restaurant credits at select airports, and access to exclusive lounges, making travel more comfortable and enjoyable.


If you’ve ever wandered through an airport, enviously peeking into the lounges filled with travelers relaxing in plush chairs, sipping on complimentary drinks, and enjoying a quiet escape from the chaos, you might have wondered how they got access to such a luxurious world. 

The answer for many is Priority Pass Select, a membership program that opens the doors to a vast network of airport lounges around the world. In this guide, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about Priority Pass Select, from its perks to how you can get your hands on it.

 

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What Is Priority Pass Select?

Let’s start with the basics: Priority Pass Select is a premium version of the global Priority Pass lounge program, but it’s not something you can buy directly.

Instead, this membership comes bundled with certain high-end credit cards, offering cardholders exclusive access to Priority Pass Select lounges. 

Unlike the traditional Priority Pass, which can be purchased separately, Priority Pass Select is a perk offered through partnerships with specific credit card issuers such as American Express and Chase.

 

Difference Between Priority Pass and Priority Pass Select

Priority Pass Select Benefits

So, you may be wondering, what’s the difference between Priority Pass and Priority Pass Select? While both provide access to a global network of airport lounges, the main distinction lies in how you get the membership.

  1. Priority Pass

    Available for purchase directly from Priority Pass, with different membership tiers ranging from limited visits to unlimited lounge access.

  2. Priority Pass Select

    Exclusively available through credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express. The Select version generally offers more benefits, including unlimited lounge visits for the cardholder and sometimes even their guests.

Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s move on to the exciting part: the benefits.

 

Priority Pass Select Benefits

The perks of Priority Pass Select membership extend beyond simple lounge access. Here’s what you can look forward to:

  1. Access to a Global Network of Lounges

    Priority Pass Select opens the doors to over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide. Whether you’re traveling domestically or internationally, you’ll likely find a Priority Pass Select lounge at major airports. 

    These lounges are a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle, offering complimentary food, drinks, Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating.

    If you’re lucky, you might even find a lounge with showers, a nap area, or massage services. Because who doesn’t want to relax with a free snack and a massage before a flight?

  2. Guest Access

    Depending on your credit card provider, Priority Pass Select membership often allows you to bring a guest or two for free. For instance, the Chase Sapphire Reserve Priority Pass Select membership includes free access for up to two guests. This can turn a long layover into a mini-vacation for you and your companions.

  3. Restaurant Credits

    In addition to lounges, Priority Pass Select members often receive credits to dine at airport restaurants. Many lounges get crowded, and the restaurant credit can be a fantastic alternative when the lounge is full. 

    You can enjoy a delicious sit-down meal in a partner restaurant, with up to $28 per person covered by Priority Pass Select in many locations. Talk about a classy way to handle a delay!

  4. Exclusive Lounges

    Some lounges are available exclusively to Priority Pass Select members. These lounges tend to be more upscale and spacious than the standard Priority Pass lounges. For the savvy traveler who appreciates the finer things, this is a significant upgrade.

  5. Varied Locations

    You won’t just find lounges in your average airport terminal. With Priority Pass Select, you’ll also gain access to Priority Pass Select lounge locations in hotels, railway stations, and even private aviation terminals in some parts of the world. This makes your membership much more than just an “airport perk”—it’s a complete travel lifestyle upgrade.

  6. No Additional Cost for Membership

    This is a huge win. Since Priority Pass Select is bundled with premium credit cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’re not paying out of pocket for the membership. Sure, these credit cards come with their own annual fees, but when you consider the perks—including unlimited access to luxury lounges—it’s a valuable benefit.

 

How to Get Priority Pass Select

The only way to get Priority Pass Select is through certain premium credit cards. Here are some of the most popular cards offering this benefit:

  1. Chase Sapphire Reserve®

    The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the most popular travel cards on the market, and for a good reason. Along with earning 3x points on travel and dining, this card provides you with a Priority Pass Select membership. Cardholders enjoy unlimited access to lounges for themselves and two guests.

  2. The Platinum Card® from American Express

    The Amex Priority Pass Select membership is another popular option, offered through the prestigious American Express Platinum Card. Along with other incredible travel perks like Centurion Lounge access, Amex Platinum cardholders can take advantage of unlimited lounge visits through Priority Pass Select.

  3. card_name

    While not as widely known as Chase or Amex, the card_name also provides its holders with Priority Pass Select membership. The perks and guest policy tend to align closely with what Chase Sapphire Reserve® offers.

  4. Other Credit Cards

    Many other premium credit cards offer Priority Pass Select membership, including some from Capital One such as Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and US Bank. Be sure to check with your card provider to see if they offer this benefit.

 

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Priority Pass Select Lounge Locations

With Priority Pass Select, you gain access to lounges across the globe. Whether you’re flying out of New York’s JFK or Tokyo’s Narita, there’s a good chance a Priority Pass Select lounge is nearby. Here are just a few examples of popular airports where Priority Pass Select members can relax:

In the U.S., the Priority Pass Select lounges list includes hubs like Miami (MIA), Seattle (SEA), and Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW). Some lounges are operated by airlines, while others are independent, but all provide the same core amenities—quiet spaces, Wi-Fi, and refreshments.

 

Priority Pass Select vs. Priority Pass

It’s easy to confuse Priority Pass Select with the standard Priority Pass, but as we’ve mentioned earlier, the differences mainly revolve around how you get the membership and the included benefits. Here’s a quick recap:

  1. Can be purchased as an individual membership; may have limited lounge visits unless you purchase the highest tier.

  2. Bundled with certain credit cards, generally includes unlimited lounge visits and extra perks like restaurant credits.

If you have a premium credit card, you’ll likely end up with Priority Pass Select, giving you more bang for your buck compared to purchasing Priority Pass separately.

 

How Much Does Priority Pass Select Membership Cost?

Here’s the beauty of Priority Pass Select—you don’t pay directly for it. Your priority pass select membership cost is effectively rolled into the annual fee of the credit card that offers it.

For example, the Chase Sapphire Reserve® charges a $550 annual fee, which might seem steep until you consider the multiple benefits included—Priority Pass Select membership, $300 travel credit, and more.

If you were to buy Priority Pass separately, unlimited access can cost upwards of $429 per year, making Priority Pass Select an even better deal if you’re already holding one of these premium cards.

 

The Latest Priority Pass Select News

How to Get Priority Pass Select

In recent Priority Pass Select news, one of the biggest updates is that some lounges are now offering “digital passes” instead of physical membership cards.

This means that as long as you have the app, you don’t need to carry an extra card with you—just show your digital membership when you enter.

Another notable change: American Express Priority Pass Select members no longer have access to Priority Pass’s restaurant partners. While this was a bummer for Amex cardholders who enjoyed dining credits at airports, lounge access remains as valuable as ever.

 

Priority Pass Select Membership: Is It Worth It?

For frequent travelers, Priority Pass Select membership is a no-brainer. If you have a premium credit card that offers this perk, you’re already set.

The ability to escape the hectic airport environment, grab a bite to eat, and relax in comfort makes your trip far more enjoyable, even if you’re not flying first class.

But if you’re still deciding whether or not Priority Pass Select is worth getting through a new credit card, consider how often you travel. If you find yourself at airports frequently—especially long layovers—the priority pass select benefits easily outweigh the cost of the card.

 

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Maximize Your Travel with Priority Pass Select

At the end of the day, Priority Pass Select transforms airport travel from a chore into a luxurious experience. With access to over 1,300 lounges, restaurant credits, and guest privileges, it’s one of the best travel perks around. 

If you have a premium credit card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve® or The Platinum Card® from American Express, you’re already well on your way to enjoying the world of Priority Pass Select lounges.

So, the next time you’re faced with a 3-hour layover, you’ll know exactly where to go—into the calm, welcoming embrace of a Priority Pass Select lounge. Who knew waiting for a flight could be so relaxing?