A Priority Pass membership on its own costs up to $469 a year for unlimited visits. But several premium credit cards hand you a version of that membership for free, folded into an annual fee you may already be paying for other perks.
The catch in 2026 is that guest rules have tightened, and lounge networks now vary a lot from card to card. Here is a clear comparison of the top options, what they cost, and who each one fits.
Key facts at a glance
| Card | Annual fee (2026) | Priority Pass for cardholder | Guest access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amex Platinum | $895 | Yes, enrollment required | Standard Priority Pass guest fees |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve | $795 | Yes, unlimited visits | Generous, plus Sapphire Lounges |
| Capital One Venture X | $395 | Yes, unlimited for primary | Spend-based since Feb 2026 |
All figures are current as of July 2026. Annual fees and benefits can change, and APRs vary by creditworthiness.
American Express Platinum
The Amex Platinum carries a $895 annual fee as of 2026, the highest on this list. In return you get one of the widest lounge packages available.
That includes Priority Pass membership (enrollment required), access to Amex Centurion Lounges, and up to 10 Delta Sky Club visits per year when flying an eligible Delta flight. If you fly often and can use the card's many statement credits, the fee can pencil out.
Chase Sapphire Reserve
The Chase Sapphire Reserve sits at a $795 annual fee. It pairs unlimited Priority Pass visits with access to Chase's own growing network of Sapphire Lounges, which are known for more generous guest rules.
Cardholders also receive up to $300 in annual travel statement credits, which offsets a large chunk of the fee for anyone who travels regularly. For guest-friendly lounge access, this card is often the pick.
Capital One Venture X
The Capital One Venture X is the value play at a $395 annual fee. The primary cardholder gets unlimited Priority Pass visits, plus access to Capital One's own Lounge and Landing locations.
A $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel helps offset most of the fee. The big change came in February 2026: complimentary guest access is now spend-based. You must spend at least $75,000 on the card in a calendar year to bring guests for free. Below that, guests pay the standard per-visit fee, and authorized users who want their own access pay a $125 annual fee.
What changed with lounge access in 2026
Guest policies are the headline story. Card issuers have been tightening free guest access as lounges get crowded, and the Venture X spend threshold is the clearest example.
Priority Pass restaurant credits have also been trimmed on some cards over the past few years. The takeaway is to read the current terms before you apply, because a benefit that existed last year may look different now.
Are these cards worth the fee?
Do the math on your own travel. If you visit a lounge only once or twice a year, a $795 or $895 fee rarely pays off just for the lounge.
But if you fly monthly, value the statement credits, and would use the lounge on most trips, a premium card can deliver more than its fee in value. For occasional travelers, buying a day pass or a standalone Priority Pass may cost less. Travelers loyal to one hotel brand may also get more from a hotel rewards card than from lounge access alone.
Build the credit these cards require first
Here is the part most lounge guides skip. Premium travel cards like these generally require good to excellent credit, so approval is not guaranteed. If your score is not there yet, the smart first move is building it.
A credit-builder account like the Self Visa Credit Card reports your payments to all three bureaus, which can help you work toward the profile these cards want to see.
The Current Build Card is another option that ties your reported activity to funds you set aside, helping you build history while keeping spending in check. Steady on-time payments over several months are what move a score toward the range premium cards ask for.
Current Build Card
Current Build Card
$0 annual fee. No minimum deposit required. No credit check required. 1 point per dollar on eligible categories. Reports to Experian, TransUnion, Equifax.
Fee
$0
APR
0%
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
1 point/dollar on eligible categories (with qualifying payroll deposit)
Benefit
No credit check, no deposit minimum
And if you want a simple, low-limit starter, the Chime Card offers a secured approach that reports on-time activity without a traditional credit check. Terms and conditions apply, and results vary by individual.
Next steps
Match the card to your travel volume, not to the shiniest perk. Add up how many lounge visits you realistically take, subtract the statement credits from the annual fee, and see if the math works. If your credit needs work first, start building now so you can qualify when the numbers make sense.
Chime Card™
Chime Card™
Chime Card™ is Chime's secured credit card and has the reliable Chime credit-building features plus 5% cash back rewards on category of choice (with qualifying direct deposit) and access to cash at ATMs.¹
Fee
$0
APR
No interest
Minimum Deposit Amount
$0
Credit Check
No
Cashback
5% cash back rewards on category of choice (with qualifying direct deposit)
Benefit
Overdraft up to $200 without fees for eligible members.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest credit card with Priority Pass?
Among the major premium cards, the Capital One Venture X has the lowest annual fee at $395 as of July 2026 while still including unlimited Priority Pass visits for the primary cardholder. Its $300 annual travel credit offsets much of that fee for frequent travelers.
Do Priority Pass cards let you bring guests for free?
It depends on the card, and the rules tightened in 2026. The Chase Sapphire Reserve is generally the most guest-friendly, while the Capital One Venture X now requires $75,000 in annual spending to bring guests at no charge.
Is Priority Pass through a credit card worth it?
It can be if you fly often enough to use the lounges several times a year. If you only travel once or twice annually, the high annual fees usually outweigh the lounge value, and a day pass may cost less.
What credit score do I need for a Priority Pass credit card?
Most cards that include Priority Pass are premium products that typically require good to excellent credit, often roughly 700 or higher. If your score is lower, building credit first improves your odds of approval.
