American Express Priority Pass

by | Airport Guides, Lounges

American Express Priority Pass Guide

American Express is one of the best credit cards that give you access to Priority Pass lounges and in this guide, we will show you how to get the most out of your Priority Pass with American Express.

What is Priority Pass Lounge?

Priority Pass is the world’s largest independent airport lounge access program with over 1,200 lounges worldwide. As a cardholder of American Express, you will have complimentary access to any of these Priority Pass lounges when you present your American Express card and a same-day boarding pass.

On American Express’ website, they’ve described Platinum Card and Centurion Cardmembers’ experience with Priority Pass as the following:

“As a Platinum or Centurion Cardmember, you and each authorized user on your account can access more than 1,200 airport lounges around the globe. Whether you’re flying out of JFK or Dubai, we’ve got you covered.”

Read our full guide on Priority pass here.

What is American Express?

American Express is a diversified global financial services company headquartered in Three World Financial Center in New York City. The company was founded in 1850 and provides charge and credit cards, traveler’s cheques, financial advisory services, merchant acquiring, and insurance.

In order to be eligible for a Priority Pass membership through American Express, you must hold either a Platinum Card or Centurion Card from American Express.

The Platinum Card from American Express

The Platinum Card from American Express is a charge card that comes with an annual fee of $695. Some of the benefits that come with this card include 5x Membership Rewards points on airfare booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel, $200 airline fee credit, up to $200 in Uber credits annually, and access to over 1,200 airport lounges with a complimentary Priority Pass membership.

In order to receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership, you must first be an American Express Platinum Cardholder. You can then enroll in the program by going to americanexpress.com/prioritypass. From here, you will be able to print out your Priority Pass card or download the Priority Pass app to have digital access to your card.

Benefits:

  • For a limited time, you may earn 100,000 Membership Rewards points after spending $6,000 on purchases within the first six months of card membership (maybe higher targeted offers through CardMatch, subject to change at any time).
  • The APR for pay overtime feature is 18.99% to 25.99% variable APR on eligible charges.
  • Cardholder plus two guests free, $32 per guest after that. Enrollment required.

You can apply for this card here.

The Centurion Card from American Express

The Centurion Card from American Express, also known as the “Black Card,” is an invite-only charge card with an annual fee of $2,500. Some of the benefits that come with this card include a $200 annual airline fee credit, $200 in Uber credits annually, access to over 1,200 airport lounges with a complimentary Priority Pass membership, and much more.

In order to receive a complimentary Priority Pass membership, you must first be an American Express Centurion Cardholder. You can then enroll in the program by going to americanexpress.com/prioritypass. From here, you will be able to print out your Priority Pass card or download the Priority Pass app to have digital access to your card.

Benefits:

Some of the benefits that come with this card include a $200 annual airline fee credit, $200 in Uber credits annually, access to over 1,200 airport lounges with a complimentary Priority Pass membership, and much more.

The Business Platinum Card from American Express

120,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $15,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of card membership.

5X Membership Rewards points on eligible airfare booked directly with airlines or through American Express Travel and on prepaid hotels booked on amextravel.com.

50% more Membership Rewards points. That’s 1.5 points per dollar, on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more. You can get up to 1 million additional points per year

Complimentary access to over 1,200 airport lounges with a complimentary Priority Pass membership.

Enroll to get up to $200 in statement credits annually by getting up to $100 semi-annually for U.S. Purchases with Dell. Terms apply.

$695 annual fee.

Amenities You Quality with a Priority Pass with Amex Card

Priority Pass lounges offer American Express cardholders a place to relax, refresh, and work away from the hustle and bustle of the airport terminal. Each lounge is different, but most offer amenities such as:

-Complimentary food and beverages

-High-speed Wi-Fi

-Comfortable seating

-Private workspaces

-Shower facilities

-Complimentary newspapers and magazines

In some cases, you may even be able to access other airport amenities such as spa treatments, golf Simulators, or children’s play areas. To find a complete list of all the airport lounges that are part of Priority Pass, visit their Amex website on the snapshot below;

You can also search on the search bar on Priority Pass’ website as shown in the snapshot below;

How to Use Priority Pass with American Express?

To use Priority Pass with American Express, simply show your American Express card and a same-day boarding pass at the lounge entrance. You can also access the lounges by using the American Express App on your smartphone. To do this, log into your account, go to the “Benefits” tab, and click on “View All Benefits”. Then, scroll down to “Airport Lounges” and click on “Access Priority Pass Lounges”. You will then be able to show the digital card on your phone to the lounge attendant.

If you are traveling with a guest, you will need to pay a $27 per person entry fee. Children under the age of 2 years old can enter for free.

It’s important to note that while Priority Pass is complimentary for American Express cardholders, there are some exceptions. American Express Platinum and Centurion cardholders do not have any restrictions on the number of visits they can make to Priority Pass lounges. However, other American Express cardholders such as Gold, Green, and Business cardholders are limited to 10 free visits per year. After that, they will be charged a $27 per person entry fee.

To get the most out of your Priority Pass with American Express, it’s important to plan ahead and research the lounges you’ll have access to at your departure airport. This way, you can take full advantage of the amenities and services each lounge has to offer.

Reciprocating Lounge passes with Amex:

Delta Sky:

Present your valid Platinum Card, ID, and boarding pass for a same-day Delta flight to the attendant in order to enter. You are allowed to purchase guest access for $29 per person which includes your spouse or domestic partner and any children under 21 years old, or up to two other traveling companions. If you have more than the allotted number of guests with you, they may each buy a One-Day Pass.

Centurion Lounge:

You may enter the airport lounge with your Platinum Card, a boarding pass for same-day travel, and a government-issued ID. You’re allowed up to two complimentary guests.

Plaza Premium airport lounges:

Enter by presenting your valid Platinum Card, a boarding pass with confirmed same-day travel, and government-issued ID. You may bring up to one guest for free.

Eurostar Business Premier Lounges

You must show your valid Platinum Card (issued in ICC, UK, France or Belgium), and a boarding pass with a confirmed reservation for travel on the same day to enter. Only individuals are allowed – no group bookings.

Amex priority pass cost

To get the Priority Pass privileges, you first need to apply for any of the three cards described above and it will cost you around $695 per year with decent APR on purchases. The APR rate is variable for Business Platinum– ranging from 17.24% to 25.24% and is based on your creditworthiness and other factors as determined at the time of account opening.

The Classic Platinum also costs $695 annually and has late fees of $40 and an APR of 18.99% to 25.99% as shown in the snapshot below from its website.

The American Express Platinum Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, and The Centurion Card from American Express all come with a complimentary Priority Pass membership. This means that cardholders of these cards can enjoy access to over 1,300 airport lounges around the world.

Which other cards give you access to Priority Pass Lounges?

Amex Priority Pass Guests:

Both the Classic Platinum and Business Platinum Amex cards allow you to come with up to 2 guests for free – those are three people. The cardholder and two eligible guests. After the first 2 guests, each additional guest can pay $32 for a one-time visit.

If you have the Amex Centurion card – also known as the Amex Black Card – you can bring in an unlimited number of guests for free. That’s one of the reasons the Amex Centurion is considered one of the best black cards.

The Priority Pass program has strict rules about who can enter the airport lounge with you. According to the Priority Pass website, “Your guest must also travel on same-day flight itineraries and present a boarding pass for access.”

This means that if you’re traveling with family or friends, they can’t use your Priority Pass card to access the lounge if they’re not flying out on the same day as you.

However, if you’re a cardholder of the Amex Platinum card, you can purchase up to 10 one-time guest passes per year for $32 each. These guest passes can be used by anyone, regardless of whether they’re flying on the same day as you or not.

The Amex Gold Card Priority Pass

The American Express Gold Card does not come with a complimentary Priority Pass membership that guests can use.

As a Gold Cardmember, enjoy:

  • Complimentary Priority Pass™ membership
  • Two complimentary lounge visits every year
  • Additional visits for Cardmember or guests can be purchased at the prevailing rate.

With the Amex Gold card, you’re NOT allowed to bring in guests for free.

You can earn the following with the Amex Gold card though;

  • 3x points for purchases at American Express Travel
  • 2x points for purchases directly with airlines or in a foreign currency
  • 1x point on every £1 spent
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