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I got a free Priority Pass membership with my credit card. It's not as useful as I'd hoped, but it's a pretty good value.

5 January 2025 at 06:16
Priority Pass card with Capital One Venture X card in front of it
The Capital One Venture X credit card comes with a variety of benefits, including a Priority Pass membership.

Amanda Adler

  • I recently got the Capital One Venture X card, which comes with a hefty annual fee.
  • It has great travel benefits, but I've had mixed experiences with my complimentary Priority Pass.
  • I haven't been able to use many airport lounges with it, but it and the card are still a good value.

After years of seeing Capital One's catchy "What's in your wallet?" commercials, I finally looked into its credit cards.

As a frequent flyer, I found its Venture X card to be the most appealing option due to its variety of travel perks, but I hesitated to apply for it because of its fairly high annual fee of $395.

I finally gave it a shot when I realized it comes with a complimentary Priority Pass membership, which usually costs a few hundred dollars.

At the time of writing, I've had this card for just over a month and have used it for two vacations, with more scheduled in the weeks to come.

Here are my initial reactions to the benefits β€” particularly the Priority Pass membership, which felt so desirable it convinced me to get the card in the first place.

The Capital One Venture X card won me over with its cash-back and travel perks

Plane in boarding area with sunset behind it
I spend a lot of time in airports waiting to board my plane.

Amanda Adler

By signing up for the Capital One Venture X card, I immediately got a lot of perks, including a $300 annual travel credit and a $120 Global Entry or TSA PreCheck Credit.

These benefits alone help defray the $395 annual fee, and the card also comes with:

  • 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
  • 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
  • 2X miles on all other purchases

I also got an initial bonus of 75,000 miles after I spent $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of owning the card.

For my family, the card's biggest draw is the aforementioned complimentary Priority Pass membership, which provides unlimited access for me and two guests to select airport lounges worldwide.

My family of three spends a lot of time in airports, and waiting in a lounge is far more appealing than vying for crowded seating close to the gate.

The Priority Pass membership gets me access to many lounges, but there are limitations

Delta Sky Club entrance with red velvet ropes in front
Many airline-specific lounges, such as the Delta Sky Club, don't accept Priority Pass cards for entry.

Amanda Adler

Once I got my Priority Pass membership, I used its easy-to-navigate app to see which lounges I could access.

I was delighted to find my pass got me into lounges in all three terminals at my home airport, Orlando International Airport (MCO).

However, I learned most airline-specific lounges, such as the Delta Sky Club, don't accept Priority Pass.

I was also surprised by the lack of Priority Pass lounge options in some larger cities with major international travel hubs β€” I found no lounge options when I had layovers at Salt Lake City International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport.

Los Angeles International Airport doesn't have lounges guests can access with Priority Pass, either.

Lit-up ceiling and people walking in SLC airport
During a long layover in Salt Lake City, I discovered no lounges here would accept my Priority Pass membership.

Amanda Adler

I also realized that even if lounges are available, they may not be close enough to my flight to be worth visiting.

For example, while I was flying out of MontrΓ©al, the only lounge I could use was in a terminal quite far from the one my plane was departing from.

Still, over 1,700 lounges around the globe do accept Priority Pass. I'm hopeful I'll be able to take advantage of my membership as I visit more airports.

Despite its drawbacks, Priority Pass is still a good solution for my lounge-loving family

On my recent trips, I've struggled to find available lounges outside of my home airport. However, I still think Priority Pass is great for my family.

Having access to airport lounges in Orlando, our home base, is a great perk on its own, as I've previously paid as much as $50 per person per visit for this benefit. Now, we all get into the lounge for free.

I enjoy having comfortable seating, ample charge ports, and a quiet place to relax before boarding a plane. My son loves stocking up on the complimentary lounge snacks, which saves me from having to buy him pricey β€” and generally mediocre β€” airport food.

Knowing there's a comfy airport lounge waiting for me at MCO the next time I travel helps make my journey feel almost as fun as the destination.

Plus, with my Capital One Venture X card, I also earn travel rewards for every dollar I spend. Although I've only had my card for a few weeks, I've already racked up miles I can redeem for future flights.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I went to a Chase Sapphire airport lounge and couldn't believe I could get in for free without the travel credit card

18 December 2024 at 09:09
Dark and good walls with gold finishings in front of the Chase Sapphire Lounge's welcome desk
The Chase Sapphire airport lounge is always free for Sapphire Reserve credit cardholders, but there are two ways to get complimentary access without the card.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

  • I visited LGA's Chase Sapphire airport lounge to check out the meals, drinks, entertainment, and spa.
  • Chase Sapphire lounge access is free for $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders.
  • However, travelers without the card can enter for free with a Priority Pass membership once a year.

A Chase Sapphire airport lounge opened in January at New York City's LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. There are also Chase Sapphire lounges in Boston and Hong Kong.

I got an exclusive tour of the credit-card lounge in LaGuardia's Terminal B in February.

Inside a lounge with seveeral seating areas and hanging plants from a mezzanine.
A peek inside the Chase Sapphire Lounge at NYC's LaGuardia Airport.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The 21,850-square-foot space felt like a luxury hotel lobby.

I spotted thoughtfully designed seating areas, an upscale bar, a complimentary restaurant and buffet, extensive coffee bars, a peaceful coworking space, an arcade with an old-school jukebox, and a spa offering free facials.

Upstairs on the second floor, there were private suites as well as a mezzanine full of plants.

Inside an art-deco style arcade with shelves of records behind a shuffle board table, a Marshall jukebox on the left, a velvet seating area on the right, and blue striped carpeting
Inside the arcade at LGA's Chase Sapphire Lounge.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

The lounge at LGA is open from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily and is free for $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cardholders to visit whenever they have a flight departing within three hours.

All they have to do is activate their complimentary Priority Pass airport lounge membership that comes with the credit card.

However, during my tour from general manager Ioannis Tzielekis, I was surprised to learn that Chase Sapphire lounge access doesn't necessarily require a Chase card. In fact, you can get all the same complimentary amenities free of charge.

How to get into the airport lounge for free

A man stands at the entrance of a blue-mirrored entrance to an airport lounge.
The entrance to the Chase Sapphire Lounge in LaGuardia Airport's Terminal B.

Joey Hadden/Business Insider

There are two ways to get Chase Sapphire lounge access for free without the card, both of which require a boarding pass for a flight up to three hours away.

The easiest way is to travel with a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder who is allowed two free guests per visit. Any additional guests cost $27 per person.

photo illustration of the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is displayed on a smartphone screen.
An example of a Chase Sapphire Preferred card is displayed on a mobile device.

SOPA Images

Travelers don't have to know a Chase cardholder for the second option.

A Chase Sapphire representative told Business Insider that those who hold a Priority Pass membership without the card can enter for free once a year. Each additional visit costs $75.

The pass is complimentary with various travel credit cards from other banks, or it has a starting rate of $99 for those without any of the partnered card programs, according to the Priority Pass website.

While I was only visiting the lounge for a tour, knowing I could have a pleasant experience before boarding a long flight made me excited for my next trip to the airport β€” and keen to get a Priority Pass membership.

Read the original article on Business Insider

I spent 33 hours flying to Tanzania. One thing I did before the trip made the journey manageable.

30 November 2024 at 02:22
The author before a 13-hour flight between Washington DC and Ethiopia.
The author before a 13-hour flight between Washington, DC, and Ethiopia.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

  • My journey from Denver to Zanzibar, Tanzania, took about 33 hours and included four flights.
  • It was one of my longest journeys, and I searched for ways to make it bearable.
  • The best thing I did was get a credit card with lounge access.

When I landed in Tanzania, fellow travelers, lodge staff, and safari guides were amazed that I had made it all the way from Colorado.

When I mentioned that the trip took over 30 hours, they were stunned.

Having crossed oceans and continents to get to destinations like Japan and New Zealand, getting to Tanzania didn't seem all that different.

When I booked my flights and realized I'd have three layovers and four flights over 33 hours, I set out to make the journey more bearable.

I bought a new travel pillow, downloaded podcasts and shows, and wore comfy outfits, but the best thing I did was get a travel credit card.

I got a credit card with airport lounge access

Before heading to Tanzania, I had visited an airport lounge once on my way to New Zealand. My seven-hour layover was filled with the comforts of prosecco, ramen, and comfy seating.

It felt like a luxury, but as someone who shows up to airports right on time, prioritizes nonstop flights, and tries to travel as cheaply as possible, I wasn't sure paying hundreds of dollars for a credit card would be worth the airport lounge access.

Then, I looked into options, and it became clear that the perks outweighed any annual fees.

I settled on the Capital One Venture X card. It would give me access to Capital One lounges and a Priority Pass membership, which includes lounges around the world.

The annual fee is $395, but the perks include a $300 travel credit. Since I travel often, it felt like the card's fee was closer to $95. I figured I'd easily eat $100 worth of food in the lounges over a year.

Other perks, such as access to luxury hotels and a TSA PreCheck or Global Entry statement credit, helped me justify the credit card fee.

The Ethiad Lounge in DC.
The Etihad lounge at the Washington Dulles International Airport.

Monica Humphries/Business Insider

I likely ate $100 worth of food on my round-trip flight

I kicked things off with a five-hour layover in the Washington Dulles International Airport. I pulled up my Priority Pass app and looked at the lounge options near my gate.

I had three to choose from and ended up at the Etihad lounge. Without the card, entrance into the lounge would have cost $75.

I had a breakfast spread of smoked salmon, bao buns, pastries, and access to a full bar. I also had comfy seating β€” much nicer than the leather benches at my gate.

While guests are allowed to visit the lounge for three hours, I was there early in the morning, and no one seemed to mind that I was there for closer to four.

For the rest of my journey, I made shorter stops in lounges to grab quick bites and use the restrooms.

For example, I realized I needed drinking water and a bathroom when I landed in Ethiopia. I initially went to the airport's public bathroom, but a line stretched around the corner. So, I pulled up my Priority Pass and found a lounge nearby. I popped in, used the bathroom, and grabbed a snack and a water bottle. The 15-minute trip saved me time and money.

Some lounges, like the Capital One lounges, had to-go food I could eat during my flight. At others, the staff made sure that I knew when my flight was boarding, so I never feared missing the plane.

If I had longer layovers, I would've taken advantage of the showers at some lounges.

The perks were basic, but having a peaceful place to rest between flights, people to update me on departures, and plenty of food and drinks set me up for success on the long journey.

Read the original article on Business Insider
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