Skip the lounge and get free food! Use your Priority Pass at 37 US airport restaurants

HOSTED BY: 1 AIR TRAVEL

Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.

Priority Pass is most well known for its network of airport lounges. But Priority Pass also includes some non-lounge experiences, including restaurants. These restaurants let eligible Priority Pass members enjoy sit-down dining experiences at select airports as part of their membership.

The list of U.S. restaurants participating in Priority Pass changes somewhat frequently. Currently, there are 37 Priority Pass restaurants at 25 U.S. airports.

Here’s what you need to know about using the Priority Pass restaurant benefit in the U.S., including eligible restaurants and how to know whether your Priority Pass membership offers access to restaurants.

Priority Pass restaurants in the US

Yankee Pier in San Francisco. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Here’s a list of all U.S. airport restaurants that are part of the Priority Pass program when we most recently updated this article:

There are also restaurants at airports outside the U.S. that participate in Priority Pass. And there are non-lounge airport experiences that you can access with Priority Pass, including:

In short, checking your options on the Priority Pass website is always a good idea before heading to the airport.

Related: Which cards offer Priority Pass restaurant access?

How to get Priority Pass restaurant access

Landry’s Seafood in Houston. SUMMER HULL/THE POINTS GUY

You need an eligible Priority Pass membership to get free food or drinks at participating Priority Pass restaurants. You could purchase a Priority Pass membership, but several premium cards offer Priority Pass membership as a complimentary cardholder perk.

However, you don’t get complimentary access to non-lounge airport experiences such as restaurants and spa treatments if your Priority Pass membership is through an American Express card. Effective Jan. 1, most Capital One cardholders also lost complimentary access to Priority Pass restaurants and other non-lounge airport experiences.

However, Priority Pass memberships provided as a perk by other credit card companies, such as Chase and Citi, continue to offer access to most non-lounge Priority Pass experiences. The top currently available picks for cards that offer Priority Pass Select membership that includes restaurant access and other non-lounge airport experiences are the Chase Sapphire Reserve, UBS Visa Infinite Credit Card and Capital One Venture X Business.

The information for the UBS Visa Infinite has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card details on this page have not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.

Related: Maximize Priority Pass benefits by labeling your cards

How to use the Priority Pass restaurant benefit

Yankee Pier in San Francisco. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Once you have a card offering Priority Pass membership as a perk, enroll in Priority Pass if your issuer doesn’t automatically enroll you. Once enrolled, you’ll get digital access and a physical Priority Pass card in the mail. Once you get your physical Priority Pass card, put it in your carry-on bag or travel wallet since some Priority Pass lounges and restaurants don’t accept digital cards.

Related: Add your Priority Pass membership card to your digital wallet

When you arrive at a participating airport restaurant, mention to the greeter or host that you plan to use your Priority Pass membership for your meal. You’ll find out at this point whether the restaurant is still participating in Priority Pass and, if so, whether it currently accepts Priority Pass members. After all, many of the Priority Pass restaurant pages note the following:

Please note that the restaurant may exceed their seating limit at certain times of the day & access to the restaurant is at their sole discretion.

You’ll likely be entitled to a dining credit for the cardholder and at least one guest. But check the terms of your card’s Priority Pass benefit and the restaurant’s rules. For example, the Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar in Houston limits the number of guests you can claim to one.

The dining credit amount varies by restaurant, although most offer members a credit of $28 to $30 per guest for food and drinks. Check the restaurant’s Priority Pass page for all the relevant details. Most Priority Pass restaurants prohibit to-go and grab-and-go orders; some may even prohibit taking leftovers. You won’t get a refund if you don’t use your entire credit.

Related: Is a Priority Pass lounge membership actually worth it?

Frequently asked questions about Priority Pass restaurants

San Francisco Giants Clubhouse. KATIE GENTER/THE POINTS GUY

Here are some of the most common questions about Priority Pass restaurants.

How many times can you visit Priority Pass restaurants within a day?

If you’re traveling through an airport with multiple restaurants that participate in the Priority Pass program, you can visit all the restaurants if time (and stomach space) permits.

However, some Priority Pass restaurants only allow travelers with an outbound boarding pass. So, you might be unable to stop by a Priority Pass restaurant if you just landed at your final destination.

Does Chase Sapphire Reserve Priority Pass include restaurants?

Yes, the complimentary Priority Pass Select membership available to Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders includes airport lounges, restaurants, cafes and markets.

Chase Sapphire Reserve primary cardholders and authorized users can enroll in a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership. These members can bring up to two guests per visit at no extra charge, although some Priority Pass restaurants may allow fewer guests.

Related: Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve worth the annual fee?

Do you tip at Priority Pass restaurants?

When using your Priority Pass benefit at a restaurant, tip as you normally would on the full amount of your bill. At most restaurants — Corona Beach House in Miami is an exception that automatically adds 18% gratuity to your bill — you can’t use your Priority Pass credit toward gratuity.

Even if your Priority Pass credit completely covers your bill, some restaurants may be willing to charge a minimal amount to your card (like $0.01) so you can add a tip to that charge. However, it’s best to also have some cash on hand in case you need to leave a cash tip.

Related: The best Priority Pass lounges in the US

Bottom line

If you enjoy eating at an airport restaurant before your flight or during layovers, check the list of airports with Priority Pass restaurants above.

If you frequently originate at or connect through one or more of these airports, it may be worth getting a card that provides Priority Pass restaurant access. You’ll want to avoid American Express cards and most Capital One cards, but one excellent option is the Chase Sapphire Reserve. Check out our Chase Sapphire Reserve review for more details about the card and its benefits.