Cheapest card to get Priority Pass Select

[arkane]

Ever since the Amerirpise Platinum gravy train died (RIP ), I've been looking for a "cheap AF" card to try and save my PP Select membership. I'm aware that no-AF and PP Select do not go together, so I'm trying to minimize the AF spend for the PP Select membership.

So far from my research, I think the Hilton Ascend card at $95 AF with 10 free PP lounge visits is as cheap as it gets. I know USB's Altitude Reserve is technially cheaper at $75 net AF if I use up all $325 of travel credit, but it only comes wih 4 free PP passes, so on a per pass basis, it's more expensive. Since I'm an AirBnB type person, the Hilton Ascend card is virtually useless to me apart from the PP Select membership for $95. Just wanted to ask all you experts (*cough*@K-in-Boston*cough*) if I'm missing any obvious or better choices.

[Shadowfactor]

As far as I know the lowest AF card with PP is the Hilton card.

You mentioned USB Altitude Reserve, I personally think thats the best option. It does have an effective AF of $75 but if you use WIFI on planes it comes with passes which make the card completely free if you use just 5 of them.

The next best choice is either CSR or Prestige. Being that you are an AirBNB user, the prestige and its 4NF might not be appealing but its an easy way to get PP for a low net AF if you can milk the 4NF

[wasCB14]

What value do you assign to the credits on Amex Platinum?

Keep it mind it has those "little network" lounges...Airspace, Plaza Premium, Escape, a little Lufthansa...not "only" Cent/PP/Delta.

[arkane]

You mean Uber credits? Almost 0 since they don't rollover, and UberEats has gone whack with charging small order fees on top of a service fee ON TOP of a delivery fee. A $6 meal comes out to >$15 total **bleep**?!

In any case though, Amex Plat is out of the question, since I simply cannot justify the massive $550 AF for the little travelling I do each year (2-3 trips MAX).

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@Shadowfactor wrote:

As far as I know the lowest AF card with PP is the Hilton card.

You mentioned USB Altitude Reserve, I personally think thats the best option. It does have an effective AF of $75 but if you use WIFI on planes it comes with passes which make the card completely free if you use just 5 of them.

The next best choice is either CSR or Prestige. Being that you are an AirBNB user, the prestige and its 4NF might not be appealing but its an easy way to get PP for a low net AF if you can milk the 4NF

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Yeah Altitude Reserve is definitely on my radar, but to get that $75 net AF I'm forced to rack up $325 in travel expenses every year. Thus far it hasn't been too hard since I usually fly 2-3 times a year anyway, but I'm just not a huge fan of the whole "prepay for travel credit, use it or lose it" model. Same with CSR. Plus with how conservative USB is, I'm gonna have to garden for 18 months just to have a shot lol.

[wasCB14]

I'm not a fan of the new Eats fee structure, either. I'll be able to use the credit for rides for the next few months, but I absolutely understand how the "trickle" isn't useful for everyone. The Uber card doesn't require frequent riding to work as a nice dining/streaming card.

If you do go with Hilton, keep in mind that PP acceptance can be spotty. Depending on the time of day or how busy a lounge is, it may refuse or waitlist PP customers.

That uncertainty would make me reluctant to pay an AF for a card if the main appeal was PP.

I personally find Hilton points almost useless, but purely on a "AF for 10 passes" basis it might be your cheapest option.

[Anonymous]

UNFCU Elite is probably the cheapest card with PP at $50 AF. The downside is that the underwriting is pretty strict (I for instance was denied the card and counteroffered the Azure instead despite having >800 credit score and six figure income).

https://www.unfcu.org/credit-cards/elite/

[arkane]

Ha I knew I was missing some little known cards with huge benefits! I think you've just found my next card!

But yeah, definitely need to garden for a while before I even think about applying given what you said. Did they give you any specific reasons why they denied you for the Elite? Is that open to "senior members" or have some additional, non-credit related restrictions?

[wasCB14]

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@arkane wrote:

Ha I knew I was missing some little known cards with huge benefits! I think you've just found my next card!

But yeah, definitely need to garden for a while before I even think about applying given what you said. Did they give you any specific reasons why they denied you for the Elite? Is that open to "senior members" or have some additional, non-credit related restrictions?

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https://www.unfcu.org/credit-cards/elite/

Priority Pass™ Select: enrolled members receive five free visits annually at any of the participating lounges, and can purchase additional visits

[arkane]

Yeah I noticed. Totally fine with me though since I travel so irregularly that 5 visits is about as much as I'd need/want in a given year. Hell if the Hilton Ascend had an option to pay $50 for five PP passes I'd take it!

[Anonymous]

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@arkane wrote:

Ha I knew I was missing some little known cards with huge benefits! I think you've just found my next card!

But yeah, definitely need to garden for a while before I even think about applying given what you said. Did they give you any specific reasons why they denied you for the Elite? Is that open to "senior members" or have some additional, non-credit related restrictions?

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I don't recall why exactly as it's been a while but I wouldn't be surprised if length of time at the CU was a factor (I had joined just to get one of their cards). It might be worth revisiting if I ever decide to kill off most of my AF cards though.