In 2019, my general journey expertise was considerably elevated after I found the world of airport lounges. For many who do not know, airport lounges are separate areas inside terminals, and people with entry can take pleasure in complimentary meals and refreshments, non-public bogs, snug chairs and different facilities. Although some lounges require you to have a particular fare class or airline elite standing, my Chase Sapphire Reserve card provides me a free Precedence Cross Choose membership.
Precedence Cross has a worldwide community of airport lounges that may usually enable you and two further friends entry. Prior to now 4 years, I’ve regularly used my Precedence Cross membership throughout numerous U.S. and worldwide lounges. Although being granted entry inside this unique area within the airport might sound glamorous, not all airport lounges are created equal.
Generally, these lounges will not be quiet areas to loosen up in however are as a substitute overcrowded areas with an inflow of vacationers. And in some airport lounges, the meals is mediocre at finest.
Although having airport lounge entry is a good journey rewards bank card perk, the unsung hero of Precedence Cross is unquestionably the restaurant meals credit score. This is why.
Reap the benefits of the Precedence Cross airport meals credit score
To be trustworthy, I exploit airport lounges once I journey to reap the benefits of the complimentary meals and drinks. Good day, free meals, anybody?
Precedence Cross does not simply provide lounge entry but additionally non-lounge experiences, corresponding to restaurant credit. Beforehand, I all the time prioritized my lounge entry over the restaurant credit, however that has lately modified.
In November 2023, I had a three-hour layover at Baltimore/Washington Worldwide Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI). I used Lounge Buddy to verify for lounges I may entry whereas ready for my subsequent flight. There are a couple of Minute Suites within the terminal, however these non-public mini-rooms are higher fitted to napping or working. Plus, it’s a must to pay for water and snacks, and I used to be trying to capitalize on getting free meals.
On the app, it stated that Precedence Cross was accessible to make use of on the Harbor Grill. In response to Precedence Cross, my membership would enable me to obtain $28 off the invoice and $56 off if the cardholder (aka me) registers one visitor, which labored completely for me as I used to be touring with somebody.
Sitting on the bar at Harbor Grill, my companion and I ordered two scorching meals and drinks that price lower than the $56 credit score. We sat on the Harbor Grill for 2 hours, having fun with our meals and watching school soccer.
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General, I had an awesome expertise utilizing the Precedence Cross restaurant credit score for the primary time. The meals was scrumptious, which isn’t all the time the case at airport lounges, and we had loads of room to sit down, loosen up and watch TV whereas we waited for our flight. Significantly, why have I not used this credit score earlier than?
Presently, there are virtually 40 Precedence Cross eating places at 25 U.S. airports. From steakhouses to well-liked restaurant chains corresponding to Chili’s Grill & Bar, your Precedence Cross membership might allow you to take pleasure in a complimentary meal and drinks earlier than your flight.
Associated: Skip the lounge and get free meals: Use your Precedence Cross at 37 US airport eating places
Who can use the Precedence Cross airport meals credit score?
Sadly, not all Precedence Cross members have restaurant entry as an added perk. Whereas a number of rewards bank cards provide Precedence Cross memberships, solely sure playing cards have this restaurant profit, together with the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the UBS Visa Infinite Credit score Card and the Capital One Enterprise X Enterprise. American Categorical cardholders and most Capital One cardholders don’t have entry to Precedence Cross’s non-lounge experiences and eating places.
The knowledge for the UBS Visa Infinite Card has been collected independently by The Factors Man. The cardboard particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or supplied by the cardboard issuer.
Nonetheless, even you probably have a bank card that provides the Precedence Cross restaurant profit, it is all the time finest to verify with the hostess or waitress earlier than eating. Since Precedence Cross insurance policies can change, we advocate you let a workers member know you intend to make use of your Precedence Cross.
After I dined at Harbor Grill, I instantly informed the bartender that I needed to make use of this profit. The waitress confirmed that I used to be utilizing a Precedence Cross membership by a Chase card, as they didn’t settle for Amex or Capital One memberships.
On the finish of my meal, the waitress requested for my Precedence Cross card; my meals and drinks have been free since my meal was lower than the $56 credit score. Nonetheless, you can not add a tip when paying with a Precedence Cross credit score. I requested the waitress if she may cost $.01 to my bank card to go away the tip, to which she obliged.
Associated: Which playing cards provide Precedence Cross restaurant entry?
Backside line
Let’s face it: Meals and drinks on the airport are costly. And as a frequent traveler, I worth getting snacks, meals and drinks on the airport earlier than my flight over sitting in a lounge with less-than-stellar facilities. Plus, if I am touring with a bunch of individuals or relations, the Precedence Cross meals credit score is an effective way to spend time on the airport with out having to pay further charges for everybody to get right into a lounge. Bear in mind, Precedence Cross sometimes solely permits you and two friends to go to a lounge without spending a dime.
With this meals credit score, I can decide the meal and drinks I need with out being restricted to the set menu in a lounge. What can I say? I wish to have choices, and this Precedence Cross restaurant credit score personally ticks extra bins in terms of maximizing my membership than most U.S. lounges supplied by this system.
