Is Priority Pass Worth It for Hawaii Travelers? Here's What You Need to Know
Is Priority Pass Worth It for Hawaii Travelers? Here's What You Need to Know
Power Lounge Premium at Tokyo Haneda joins Priority Pass, 2024
If you're flying out of Hawaii anytime soon and wondering if Priority Pass is worth it, here's the real talk: it’s not very helpful in Hawaii anymore.
As of 2024, the Plumeria Lounge in HNL (Honolulu)—which used to be the main Priority Pass lounge for travelers in Hawaii—was removed from the program. That was pretty much our only “decent” Priority Pass option here. So if you're flying interisland or to the mainland, don’t expect much lounge love from Priority Pass.
But that doesn’t mean Priority Pass is trash. It actually shines in other parts of the world—especially internationally.
✅ When Priority Pass Is Worth It
If you travel internationally, even just once or twice a year, Priority Pass can be super clutch. Here’s where it really adds value:
Asia – Lounge game in Japan, Korea, Thailand = 🔥. You’ll find clean, quiet lounges with real food and drinks.
Europe – Most major airports have solid lounges, and Priority Pass gives you access without needing to fly business.
South America & Australia – Surprisingly good coverage with lounges that serve hot meals and drinks (sometimes even alcohol included).
U.S. airports with Priority Pass restaurants – Some spots still let you use your membership for $28-$30 food credits.
So yeah, outside of Hawaii, it’s a different story.
🚫 Where Priority Pass Falls Flat
Let’s be honest—Priority Pass in the U.S. can be hit or miss. And for Hawaii travelers, it's mostly a miss. Here’s why:
No lounges in LIH (Kauai), KOA (Kona), or ITO (Hilo)
No more access to Plumeria Lounge at HNL
Long wait times at U.S. lounges even when available
Some cards don’t include restaurant access anymore, most notably the cards with Chase, AMEX, & Capital one.
Unless you're traveling through mainland hubs like LAX, SFO, or JFK regularly, you might not get your money's worth just flying domestic.
💳 Which Cards Include Priority Pass?
Here are a few cards that include Priority Pass access:
Chase Sapphire Reserve – Includes Priority Pass lounges, but no restaurants
Capital One Venture X – Includes Priority Pass lounges, but no restaurants
Amex Platinum – Includes Priority Pass lounges, but no restaurants
If you already have one of these cards for the points and perks, the lounge access is a nice add-on. But if you're thinking of getting a card just for Priority Pass and you don’t travel internationally, it might not be worth it.
🤙 My Take (for Hawaii Travelers)🤙
If you're flying from Hawaii to Japan, Australia, or even Southeast Asia—Priority Pass is a win. But if most of your travel is interisland or to the mainland U.S., I’d say skip it. Lounge access in Hawaii just isn’t what it used to be.
If you do want lounge perks when flying from HNL or the neighbor islands, you're better off focusing on:
Hawaiian Airlines first class (they offer their own lounges)
Amex Centurion Lounges on the mainland (only with Amex Platinum)
Chase Sapphire Lounges in select U.S. cities
The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at San Diego International, Chase
Have questions about which card is best for you based on how often and where you travel? I got you. Book a free consult and I’ll help you choose the right setup for your travel goals. If you do decide to get one of these card, please consult with us, as we make a small commission per credit card sale.
STILL GET CHANCE. Just need the right game plan.
Mahalo,
Scott Kobayashi | Hawaii Reward Travel
