After getting the Chase Sapphire Reserve, I had a chance to try out a Priority Pass partner lounge at DFW.
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What Is Priority Pass?
Priority Pass is an independent airport lounge program. It partners with lounges operated by different airlines and airports, and members can access participating lounges regardless of the usual airline lounge restrictions, such as needing to fly the same airline or hold a business/first class ticket. Priority Pass says it has more than 950 partner lounges worldwide. In the U.S., membership comes in three tiers: $99/$249/$399, and each lounge visit otherwise costs $27. The lowest tier does not include any free visits, the mid-tier includes 10 free lounge visits per year, and the top tier includes unlimited lounge visits. Bringing a guest costs an additional $27, and no tier includes free guest visits. Overall, it is still a fairly premium pass. For those of us who play the points-and-miles game, some premium credit cards also come with a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve that I recently applied for.
How to Find Priority Pass Partner Lounges
On the Priority Pass homepage, there is a lounge search function in the upper left corner. You can search by airport code or city name. The results are comprehensive and user-friendly, including lounge hours, location, and detailed directions. It also shows each lounge’s amenities, such as wifi, snacks, and showers.
THE CLUB AT DFW
This time I visited THE CLUB AT DFW at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).
Since I was connecting and short on time, I hurried over with my luggage on the airport train to Terminal D in the morning. The same elevator provides access to several different airline lounges. I showed my PPS membership card at the front desk and was admitted.
Because I was rushing between flights, I didn’t really get to test how comfortable the lounge seating was. I only took a few quick photos. You can see that the lounge itself is not very large, and there was no hot food being served in the morning. I grabbed a small bread roll and headed out.
Overall, The Club at DFW is quite good, and the location is convenient. It’s not on the same level as the AMEX Centurion Lounge, but it has most of the essentials. If you are connecting in Terminal D, it’s definitely worth a visit. As for flights from other terminals, DFW is simply too large; riding the airport train back and forth can easily take 20-plus minutes, so if you are pressed for time, it’s probably not worth the trouble.
Credit Cards That Include Priority Pass Select
- Barclays Ameriprise WEMC ($150 annual fee; legacy cardholders who opened before January 2012)
- CNB Crystal Visa Infinite ($400 annual fee)
- J.P. Morgan Ritz-Carlton Visa Infinite ($450 annual fee)
- Chase Sapphire Reserve ($450 annual fee)
All of the cards above allow you to bring guests in for free. The two cards below also provide access to multiple lounge networks.
- Citi Prestige WEMC ($450 annual fee; American lounges and Priority Pass Select lounges, including Alaska lounges; guests allowed)
- American Express Platinum Card ($450 annual fee; not only PPS, but also Delta, Airspace, Centurion, and International AMEX lounges. However, some lounges restrict guest access and may charge a fee.)
There are also a few traps you should avoid, because the Priority Pass Select they provide is not actually free, especially the AMEX Hilton HHonors Surpass, which even has an annual fee. Also, since Priority Pass Select membership cards all look exactly the same, I recommend that people who receive the following cards cut them up to avoid accidentally using them later.
- Saks Fifth Avenue World Elite Mastercard (no annual fee, $30 per visit)
- PenFed AMEX (no annual fee; two complimentary visits after spending 15,000, then $27 each additional visit)
- AMEX Hilton HHonors Surpass ($75 annual fee, $27 per visit).