2 Ways to Use Priority Pass to Score a Free Meal

Why does free food always taste better?

There are a lot of good reasons to avoid airplane food. For one thing, it doesn't exactly have a reputation for deliciousness. And for another, it tends to be some of the most expensive food you can buy.

That is, unless you try to buy food at the airport. Talk about upcharges!

If you have the right travel rewards card in your pocket, however, you may have a few ways around such exorbitant food prices. In particular, cardholders who are also Priority Pass members have two ways they can score a free meal while traveling.

1. The lounges

Airport lounges are awesome. Indeed, if you ask me, even a crowded lounge is better than no lounge at all. Not the least because of the free food (and drinks).

There are more than 1,300 Priority Pass lounges worldwide, and most (if not all) of them offer some sort of meal option. In many, you'll find a tantalizing buffet. Some may have sit-down meal service as well (or instead).

Either way, you're looking at a decent meal -- without the airport markup. In fact, there usually isn't a charge at all. Once you're in the lounge, you're typically free to eat as much as you like. (Note that most lounges don't like you to take food out of the lounge, so maybe avoid asking for a doggy bag!)

2. Participating restaurants

Sometimes, you may be in an airport -- or a specific terminal -- that doesn't contain a Priority-Pass-accessible lounge. That won't necessarily mean you'll have to fill your own feed bag, though.

There are dozens of airport restaurants that are actually part of the Priority Pass network. As such, Priority Pass members get a good-sized credit (usually around $28, though it may vary by location) to use toward your order.

Even better, your credit is doubled when you have a guest. Just as you can bring a guest (or sometimes two) into a Priority Pass lounge for free, you can get an extra restaurant credit when you dine with a guest.

You can find eligible restaurants on the Priority Pass website or in the app. Be sure to tell your server you'll be using your Priority Pass ahead of time. Some restaurants will swipe your card upfront, while others will wait until they present your bill.

How to get Priority Pass

If this all sounds like a sweet (and savory!) deal -- it is. So how can you get in on this action yourself? There are two main ways to get a Priority Pass membership:

1. Get it for free with your travel credit card. There are a lot of great credit cards with lounge access, and most of them come with some form of Priority Pass. (Keep in mind that if you want the restaurant credit, you'll need a Chase credit card with Priority Pass. American Express and Capital One Priority Pass memberships don't include restaurant credits.)
2. Sign up for a membership directly. Even if you don't have the right travel card, you can still get a Priority Pass membership through the company itself. Prices are a bit steep, however; to have unlimited free visits, you'll need the $469-a-year plan, and it doesn't come with guest visits.

The only thing worse than a long travel day is being hangry during that long travel day. But this isn't a problem for the prepared Priority Pass participant.