Priority Pass enrollment happens through your American Express account, not through a separate process
If your Amex card comes with Priority Pass as a benefit, you set up it by logging into your American Express online account or mobile app, finding the benefits section, and selecting Priority Pass. American Express will then issue you a membership number and send login credentials to the email on file. You do not fill out a separate form or contact Priority Pass directly to start — Amex handles the enrollment on their end once you request it through your account.
The exact steps depend on which Amex card you hold. The Platinum Card, The Business Platinum Card, and certain other premium cards include Priority Pass Select, which gives you access to over 1,400 airport lounges worldwide. Some cards include a limited number of guest passes per year; others do not. Check your card's benefits guide or log into your account to see what your specific card offers.
Once enrolled, you receive a digital membership card you can show at lounge entrances, either on your phone or printed. Some lounges also let you check in using just your membership number. The whole process typically takes a few minutes, and your membership becomes active when ready.
Key Takeaways
- Enroll in Priority Pass through your American Express account online or in the mobile app by navigating to your benefits and selecting Priority Pass.
- Amex sends your membership number and login details to your email once enrollment is complete, usually within minutes.
- You receive a digital membership card on your phone and can use it at over 1,400 lounges worldwide on the same day you enroll.
- Your card's benefits guide tells you how many guest passes you receive per year and which lounges are included in your membership tier.
- Some lounges charge a fee if you visit more than a certain number of times per year, so check the lounge rules before your first visit.
Finding Priority Pass in your Amex account
Log into your American Express account at americanexpress.com or open the Amex mobile app. On the website, look for a "Benefits" or "My Benefits" section, usually found in the main menu or under your account settings. In the app, this section is typically labeled "Benefits" or "Offers" and appears as a tab at the bottom of the screen.
Once you are in the benefits section, search for "Priority Pass" or scroll through the list of available benefits. When you find it, you will see a button or link that says "Enroll" or "set up." Click it, and Amex will ask you to confirm your enrollment. That is the entire process — no additional information is needed because Amex already has your details.
If you cannot find Priority Pass in your benefits section, your card may not include it, or you may already be enrolled. Check your card's benefits guide (available in your account or by calling the number on the back of your card) to confirm what benefits come with your specific card.
What happens after you enroll
Within a few minutes of enrolling, American Express sends an email to the address on your account with your Priority Pass membership number and instructions for setting up your online account. You will also receive a digital membership card that you can view in the Priority Pass mobile app or on the Priority Pass website after you log in.
Your membership is active when ready. You do not have to wait for a physical card to arrive in the mail, though Priority Pass will send one if you request it. Most people use the digital card on their phone at lounge entrances — straightforward show the barcode or membership number to the lounge staff, and they scan or note it.
Save your membership number somewhere straightforward to find, like in your phone's notes app or a password manager. If you lose access to your digital card, you can always provide your membership number verbally at the lounge entrance.
Understanding Priority Pass membership tiers and lounge rules
Priority Pass Select, which comes with most premium Amex cards, includes unlimited lounge visits at participating locations worldwide. However, some lounges charge a per-visit fee if you exceed a certain number of visits per year — typically 10 free visits, then $27 per visit after that. A few lounges are not included in Priority Pass at all and require a separate membership or day pass.
Before your first visit to a lounge, check the Priority Pass website or app to see if that specific lounge has any restrictions or fees. You can search by airport code or city name and see the exact terms for each location. This takes two minutes and prevents surprises at the gate.
Guest policies vary by lounge. Most allow you to bring one or two guests for free, but some charge per guest or do not allow guests at all. Again, the Priority Pass app shows the guest policy for each lounge before you arrive.
Using your membership at the airport
When you arrive at the airport, open the Priority Pass app or website on your phone and find the lounge you want to visit. The app shows you the lounge's location, hours, and amenities (food, showers, Wi-Fi quality, and so on). Tap the lounge name to see your digital membership card with the barcode.
Walk to the lounge entrance and show the barcode to the staff, or straightforward tell them your membership number. They will scan or write down your information and let you in. The whole check-in takes under a minute. If the lounge is at capacity, staff may ask you to wait or return later, but this is rare.
You can visit as many lounges as you want on the same day if you have time between flights. Each visit counts toward your annual limit if the lounge charges per visit after a certain threshold.
What to do if enrollment does not work
If you click "Enroll" in your Amex account and see an error, or if you do not receive an email with your membership number within 24 hours, call the number on the back of your Amex card and ask to speak with someone about Priority Pass enrollment. They can troubleshoot the issue or enroll you manually over the phone.
If your card does not show Priority Pass as an available benefit, your card may not include it. Some Amex cards offer Priority Pass only to cardholders who meet certain spending thresholds or who have held the card for a minimum time. Call Amex to confirm whether Priority Pass is part of your current benefits package.
If you have already enrolled but cannot log into the Priority Pass website or app, go to the Priority Pass website directly (prioritypass.com) and use the "Forgot Password" option to reset your login. Your membership number is in the email Amex sent you when you enrolled.
Managing your membership and guest passes
Log into your Priority Pass account online to see how many guest passes you have used so far in the calendar year and how many remain. You can also update your profile information, read your digital card again if you lose it, or request a replacement physical card.
Guest passes work differently depending on your card. Some Amex cards give you a set number of free guest passes per year (for example, 10); others include unlimited guests. Check your Amex benefits guide to see your limit. When you bring a guest, they do not need their own Priority Pass membership — you straightforward present your card and let staff know you have a guest with you.
Your membership renews automatically each year on the anniversary of your enrollment, as long as your Amex card remains active. You do not have to re-enroll or do anything to keep your access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay anything to enroll in Priority Pass?
No. Priority Pass enrollment is free if your Amex card includes it as a benefit. You only pay if a specific lounge charges a per-visit fee after you exceed their free-visit limit, which is rare and shown in the Priority Pass app before you visit.
Can I use Priority Pass at lounges outside the airport?
Yes. Priority Pass includes access to over 1,400 lounges worldwide, and many are in city centers, train stations, and other travel hubs — not just airports. Search the Priority Pass app by location to see what is available near you.
What if I lose my digital membership card or forget my membership number?
Log back into your Priority Pass account online or in the app to view your card and membership number again. You can also call Priority Pass customer service, or straightforward provide your name and date of birth at the lounge entrance and staff can look you up in their system.
Does my Priority Pass membership end if I close my Amex card?
Yes. Your Priority Pass membership is tied to your Amex card benefit. If you close the card or it is no longer active, your Priority Pass membership ends. If you open a new Amex card with Priority Pass, you can enroll in a new membership through that card's account.
Can I bring my spouse or family member as a guest every time I visit a lounge?
You can bring guests up to your card's annual limit. Most Amex cards with Priority Pass include a set number of free guest passes per year. Once you use them, additional guests may not be allowed, depending on the lounge's policy. Check your benefits guide for your specific guest limit.