Airport food is undeniably expensive. Whether you’re hungry in between layovers or you’re going to be stuck on a flight with bad airplane food, it’s typical to bite the bullet and just pay the astronomical pricing for some chicken tenders and fries. But we’ve got a major travel hack to let you in on — if you join Priority Pass, you can skip all of that and get those expensive meals for free.
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This Little-Known Program Lets You Eat for Free at Many Airport Restaurants
Many travel credit cards offer a free Priority Pass airport lounge membership, which gets you access to over 1,300 lounges. Once you join, the dilemma of whether or not to shell out to eat at the airport becomes a thing of the past. Priority Pass lounges typically offer free drinks and lots of snacks, which should fill you up before reaching your destination. However, even if the airport you’re at doesn’t have a lounge that is a member of the Priority Pass program, you are eligible for $56 off your meal — $28 for you and $28 for a friend — at many airports around the United States and beyond.
You’re going to need a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve or the U.S. Bank Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite® Card to participate. Note that American Express cards that offer Priority Pass do not offer this deal. Once you have the card in your possession, sign up for the complimentary Priority Pass program through its website. Then, through this little-known travel hack, your bill at over 50 participating restaurants with locations in many large US airports will receive a major discount. Download the Priority Pass app and sign in with your account for airport maps and info on participating locations. Then, all you have to do is show up, place your order, and swipe your Priority Pass membership for the discount.
If you want to take advantage of this discount, however, you’re going to need to be comfortable making your way around to different terminals, as the restaurant you want (or the closest one that’s a member of the Priority Pass program) could be on the other side of the airport. You could also take advantage of this deal by popping around to several restaurants, getting $28 off per meal, with every swipe. Just be sure to tip for the original meal cost. Don’t cheat your server just because you got a discount. 