Airlines with priority boarding

What is priority boarding?

Priority boarding is the process at which certain customers can board the plane before others. This can give you enough time to settle your bags in the overhead bin and relax before takeoff.

How can I get priority boarding?

• Earn elite status.
  Frequent flyers who have earned elite status with an airline often have the benefit to board early. Some airlines let elite status members of partner airlines use this perk.

• Purchase higher class ticket.
  Passengers in the premium cabins and on first or business class usually get to board first.

• Get an eligible credit card.
  Some airline cobranded credit cards come with priority boarding for the main cardholder and passengers traveling on their reservation. If you travel often, this perk can save you time and money.

• Purchase priority boarding.
  Most airlines let you buy priority boarding. However, this is typically tied to a single flight and if you change it, you lose this perk. Also, the price varies depending on your itinerary.

Compare credit cards that offer priority boarding

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Name	Product	Welcome Offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Aer Lingus Visa Signature® Credit Card		Earn up to 100,000 Avios. Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening and earn an additional 25,000 Avios after you spend $20,000 in the first 12 months of account opening.	Up to 3x points	$95		Earn up to 100,000 Avios. Earn 75,000 Avios after you spend $5,000 on purchases within the first 3 months of account opening and earn an additional 25,000 Avios after you spend $20,000 in the first 12 months of account opening.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
United℠ Explorer Card		50,000 miles after you spend $3,000 in the first 3 months	Up to 2x miles	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)		Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card		40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 in your first 6 months	Up to 2x miles	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($99 thereafter)		Earn 40,000 bonus miles after you spend $2,000 on purchases in your first 6 months. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Go to site View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Who’s eligible for priority boarding?

Most airlines offer priority boarding to specific customers without paying a fee, including:

How to use priority boarding

Some airlines will include priority check-in and security along with priority boarding. This can help you reach the gate faster.

Once there, check your boarding pass to see which boarding group you’re in. Wait until the announcer calls your group to board. Some airline mobile apps offer push notifications to let you know when boarding starts.

Bottom line

Elite status members and passengers traveling in premium cabins enjoy priority boarding. Eligible airline credit card owners also get this perk while everyone else has to purchase it.

If you like to get priority boarding without paying for it, consider an airline credit card.

Frequently asked questions

• How much does priority boarding cost?

  The price of priority boarding depends on the airline and your flight. It can cost anywhere from $7 to $75 or more.

• What kind of priority boarding do credit cards offer?

  Eligible credit cards typically let you board after elite status members, passengers traveling on premium classes and active US military personnel, but before economy passengers.

• Do authorized credit card owners get priority boarding?

  No, unless they are traveling on the same reservation as the primary cardholder.