Airport lounge access is one of the most sought-after credit card benefits for frequent travelers. The ability to relax in a comfortable area, enjoy free food and drinks, and escape the chaos of the main terminal is a luxury that many travelers appreciate. However, not all airport lounges are created equal, and some may offer little more than a pack of Oreos and a lukewarm cup of coffee.
That’s where Priority Pass comes in. In addition to traditional airport lounges, Priority Pass also offers access to a network of affiliated restaurants in select airports across the United States. This lesser-known benefit allows cardholders to enjoy a free meal before their flight, as well as a credit for their traveling companions.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the Priority Pass restaurant benefit, where you can find participating restaurants, how much the benefit is worth, and which credit cards offer access to Priority Pass restaurants.
What are Priority Pass restaurants?
When most people think of Priority Pass, they think of airport lounges where travelers can relax, work, and enjoy complimentary food and drinks. However, Priority Pass also has a network of affiliated restaurants in more than 20 airports in the United States. These restaurants offer cardholders a credit for a free meal, as well as a separate credit for their guests.
In addition to restaurants, Priority Pass also offers access to other non-lounge perks at select airports, such as private rooms at Minute Suite locations, game stations at Gameway locations, and spa treatments at Be Relax Spa locations.
It’s important to note that not all Priority Pass memberships include access to Priority Pass restaurants, spas, sleep pods, and other non-lounge visits. We’ll discuss which memberships do and don’t include these benefits later in the article.
Where can you find Priority Pass restaurants?
Priority Pass-affiliated restaurants can be found at select airports across the United States. Some airports have multiple participating restaurants, while others may only have one. Here is a list of U.S. airports where you can find Priority Pass restaurants:
– Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
– Bill and Linda Clinton National Airport (LIT)
– Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
– Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
– Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
– Denver International Airport (DEN)
– Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
– Dulles International Airport (IAD)
– Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
– George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
– Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
– John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
– Miami International Airport (MIA)
– Nashville International Airport (BNA)
– Portland International Airport (PDX)
– Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD)
– Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
– San Diego International Airport (SAN)
– San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
– Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
– St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
– Syracuse Hancock International Airport (SYR)
– Tampa International Airport (TPA)
– Tucson International Airport (TUS)
How much is the Priority Pass restaurant benefit worth?
The value of the Priority Pass restaurant benefit varies depending on the rules set by each restaurant. Typically, cardholders can receive between $28-$30 of free food and drinks per person. Let’s take a look at two sample restaurants to understand how the benefit works.
At The Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar at IAH, cardholders can receive a maximum of $28 per person in free food and drinks. This credit cannot be used for to-go orders, and cardholders can register a maximum of one guest for a free meal. This means that a cardholder and their guest could receive a total of $56 in complimentary food and drinks. It’s important to note that the credit cannot be used towards gratuity.
On the other hand, The Corona Beach House at MIA offers a credit of $30 per person with no limit on the number of guests that can be registered for a free meal. Similar to other restaurants, this credit cannot be used for to-go orders or grab-and-go items, and an 18% gratuity is automatically added to the bill.
Depending on the restaurant you visit, you may encounter different rules regarding the amount of credit you receive, guest restrictions, and gratuities. It’s important to review the rules of each restaurant before using your Priority Pass benefit.
Credit cards that offer access to Priority Pass restaurants
While many credit cards offer access to Priority Pass lounges, only a few still include access to Priority Pass restaurants. These cards are:
– Citi Prestige
– Ritz-Carlton Card
– UBS Visa Infinite
American Express and Capital One recently removed the Priority Pass restaurant benefit from their credit cards, while the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite Card offers four Priority Pass visits per year that cannot be used for Priority Pass restaurants.
Unfortunately, the Citi Prestige card is not currently accepting new applicants, and the Ritz-Carlton Card is no longer available for new applications. However, the UBS Visa Infinite Card is still open for applications and offers access to Priority Pass restaurants.
Final thoughts
The Priority Pass restaurant benefit is a valuable perk for frequent travelers looking to save money on meals before their flights. While not every airport offers Priority Pass restaurants, there are several participating locations in some of the busiest airports in the United States.
If you have a credit card that offers access to Priority Pass restaurants, be sure to take advantage of this benefit the next time you’re at an airport with a participating restaurant. Enjoy a free meal and relax in comfort before your flight, courtesy of your credit card.