Summary
- Not all cards offer restaurant benefits with Priority Pass – with American Express and Capital One cards largely excluding it.
- It is easy and straightforward to use a card for restaurant credit.
- Restaurants are available at select major airports globally, but there are notable exceptions. Lists are kept updated on the website and app.
If you have a Priority Pass card, you likely associate this with access to one of hundreds of lounges globally. However, in recent years, the program has begun offering restaurant credit at terminals where it doesn’t have a lounge partner, giving you the chance to enjoy a nice meal instead. Here’s everything you need to know about the program and if you’re eligible.
Not all cards offer the restaurant benefits
For many, Priority Pass
is the benefit of a premium credit card rather than a separately purchased membership. However, not all card providers allow you to use your Priority Pass at restaurants, making it a bit complicated. For example, in 2019, American Express stopped allowing most restaurant access with its cards. Capital One did the same in 2023.
Photo: DreamerAchieverNoraTarvus | Shutterstock
This means you’ll have to have a Priority Pass purchased directly or issued by a select number of banks to be eligible for the restaurant’s perk. Luckily, most cards still offer this benefit, and if you have multiple, be sure to have all your digital membership cards on your phone in case one doesn’t provide the perk.
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With thousands of lounges around the world, here’s everything you need to know.
How does it work
Using the card for restaurant credit is very straightforward. You simply present the card at the time of ordering (and possibly again when paying). The restaurant will then apply a discount to your total spending. Depending on your card, Priority Pass gives credit for the member and guests, too. That means, in the US, $25-$30 each ($50-$60 for two) off your bill, while it’s £18 in the UK (£36 for two).
Photo: Sorbis | Shutterstock
A restaurant visit counts the same as a single lounge entry. So, depending on your Priority Pass membership level, you may be charged for this. If you have unlimited lounge use, this will be an easy decision. If however you expect to have to pay, it may not be worth it.
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What Are The 3 Priority Pass Membership Levels?
Depending upon whether you are a frequent traveler or not, you need to surf through the perks of each of the membership tiers.
Now, airport food and beverages are notoriously expensive. Also,, note that tips are excluded from the credit in the US. But it is usually possible to get a light meal and drinks for little to no hit on the wallet or add a bit more for a larger or special meal.
Photo: Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen
However, don’t think you’ve skipped lines because of the Priority Pass. Due to demand, restaurants can have lengthy queues before you can enter, more so at peak times, so be prepared to wait!
Where are the restaurants?
The easiest way to check for restaurants is to use the Priority Pass app or website. The list changes regularly, so you should always check even if you have used the same restaurant before. In the US, there are restaurant options at many of the major airports. There are notable exceptions, however, including some of the biggest airports (such as Los Angeles LAX, Atlanta ATL, and Newark EWR). This is often due to a more extensive choice of lounges, however, so you are not losing out.
Current options for airport restaurants include:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Terminal 8Eonly
- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Terminal 8 only
- Miami International Airport (MIA), North Terminal
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Washington, D.C. Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Outside the US, there are plenty of options as well. For example, in the UK, there are options at London Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, and City Airport, as well as Manchester, Bristol, and Glasgow.
There are some important terms here related to American Express card-issued Priority Passes. Only one of these restaurants – Pizza Express in Gatwick – can be used by these members (its not much, but better than none as in the US).
Berlin Brandenburg International Airport is another interesting case. There are currently no Priority Pass lounges available here, but instead, two restaurants are offered. One of these (the Moevenpick Cafe) can be used with American Express card-issued Priority Passes.
Is it worth it over a lounge?
Priority Pass lounges are an airport go-to for many travelers when they are not eligible for airline-operated lounges. The group’s footprint is enormous, with access to over 1600 airport lounges globally. This beats any of the other third-party lounge card offerings and makes Priority Pass a top choice for those traveling extensively.
Related
Which Third-Party Airport Lounge Program Offers The Best Value?
Priority Pass is the biggest and probably best for frequent travel, other options are cheaper for limited travel.
The restaurant options are a very interesting addition to the lounges. For those that frequent airports with good restaurant options, it certainly makes it worth considering getting a card that allows access (rather than an American Express or Capital One card that does not). In general, airport lounges tend to be better for a longer stay, or when you need to work or rest. But for a quick stop, restaurants are great – and usually offer better quality food and drink, with more choice and the option to pay a bit more for a bigger meal or something special.