Don't Get That Groupon For Priority Pass, You Can Do Better
Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. View the current offers here.
Groupon is currently offering a couple of deals for Priority Pass, but we think that you could do better.
If you're unfamiliar, Priority Pass is a lounge membership program that offers access to more than 1,200 lounges and restaurants in airports worldwide. Membership plans range from a variety of prices and levels of accessibility.
While the Groupon deals do offer discounts on these plans, if you're seeking a good bargain on a Priority Pass, this is definitely not your best option. Here's a little breakdown of why this is the case:
If you were to buy the $7 package, you'd receive $76 toward Standard Plus Membership which includes 10 free lounge visits per year (it's not even worth considering the Standard Membership). After those 10 visits you'd have to pay $32 per visit, and any guest you want to bring with you will cost another $32. With this Groupon deal, you'd be getting the Priority Pass' Standard Plus membership for $230, while $299 is the normal going rate.
However, there are plenty of other ways to get significantly cheaper access to the Priority Pass network.
Many credit cards offer complimentary Priority Pass membership just for being a cardholder. And even though some of those cards come with a high annual fee, you're likely better off with them than going through Groupon.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a Priority Pass Select membership and gets you unlimited visits and allows you to bring two guests in for free, every time. The Chase Sapphire Reserve does have an annual fee of $450, but that big number is easily offset by the card's $300 annual travel credit (which is quite easy to redeem). If you say the effective annual fee of the Reserve is $150, then it's fair to say you're getting a much better Priority Pass membership at a significantly lower price tag than what you'd get on Groupon.
The Hilton Honors American Express Ascend Card also offers customers a free Priority Pass Select membership sans the unlimited access to the lounge network. Rather, Ascend cardholders receive 10 free lounge visits per year (and a pass can be used for guests too) with all additional passes for $27. It also has a reasonable annual fee of just $95 (see rates & fees), and when considering that the membership Ascend offers is nearly identical as the Standard Plus Membership that would cost $230 with Groupon, you'll be significantly ahead if you go through Ascend. Plus, you'll have some Hilton perks to boot (think complimentary Gold Status).
There are other cards, like The Platinum Card® from American Express or the Citi Prestige® Card, that offer better Priority Pass membership as well (enrollment required). For an in-depth guide to the Priority Pass program, click here and check out our stories on how How to Enroll in Priority Pass (With Eligible Credit Cards) and The Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access in 2019.
For rates and fees of Hilton Ascend card, click here.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S. |
4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X). |
3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com. |
Intro Offer
Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.60,000 bonus pointsAnnual Fee
$250Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.Pros
- 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
- 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
- Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months
Cons
- Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
- Few travel perks and protections
- Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
- Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $250.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees