I used a credit perk to dine for nearly free at an airport restaurant and it's my new favorite travel hack

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.Thomas Pallini/Insider

• Chase offers complimentary Priority Pass memberships to its Sapphire Reserve cardholders, which grant access to airport lounges.
• Priority Pass also includes certain airport restaurants and members are given a $28 meal allowance.
• I used the perk on a recent trip and saw how easy it was to dine for virtually free.

This tiny piece of metal is known as the Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card and costs me $550 per year. One of the ways I justify paying that fee is by offsetting it and making the card work for me through the many travel perks that it offers.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

My favorite perk, so far, is having a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership that grants me access to certain airport lounges around the world.

A a Priority Pass card.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

I've used Priority Pass to access lounges everywhere from New York City to Bogota, Colombia, and it's immeasurably elevated my travel experience. But in addition to the lounges, Priority Pass also partners with some airport restaurants and gives members as much as $28 to spend on a meal.

Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Read More: Orlando Airport has two of the same lounges. I used my credit card perk to access both and found one was way better.

I tested out the perk on a recent layover in Washington, DC's Ronald Reagan National Airport. Here's what it was like.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

I arrived in Washington at around 8 p.m. and was absolutely famished.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Most of the terminal's restaurants were closed or closing, including my favorite, Ben's Chili Bowl.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

I checked the Priority Pass mobile application to see if there were any open lounges or restaurants I could use. I wasn't hopeful but it was worth a shot.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Luckily, there was a restaurant in my terminal, the American Tap Room.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Although the Priority Pass app said it was closed, the restaurant was very much open. Flyers should check with the airport to see whether a restaurant is open since the app seems to be outdated.

The American Tap Room's listing on the Priority Pass website.      Thomas Pallini/Insider via Priority Pass

I checked the terms of the deal and saw that I was, in fact, able to spend up to $28 and have it entirely covered by Priority Pass, except for the gratuity.

The American Tap Room's listing on the Priority Pass website.      Thomas Pallini/Insider via Priority Pass

Normally, I would've walked right past this place. Airport food is often overpriced for what it is, and I would've just opted for fast food if this wasn't a Priority Pass restaurant.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

I walked in and immediately saw the Priority Pass sign. The staff confirmed that I could spend up to $28.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The menu was basic but still have some classics. Appetizers included hummus, calamari, and buffalo wings while the rest were salads, sandwiches, and finger foods.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The food items were reasonably priced and my $28 allowance was enough for a proper meal consisting of an appetizer, entree, and a soft drink.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

And the best part is that I could bring a guest and they'd get the $28 allowance, as well.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

I started off with five wings as an appetizer. They cost $6.75 so I still had $21.75 to spend before I'd have to pay out of pocket.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Next came the entree, a fried chicken sandwich that came with french fries. The third most expensive item on the menu, this cost $13.85.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The restaurant was quite crowded and I'm sure at least some were using the Priority Pass perk.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

I honestly felt bad for the patrons that didn't have Priority Pass.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Once the meal was said and done, I still had $7.40 leftover. I could've ordered a salad and took it with me in case I got hungry again, but I was content for the night.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

The bill came and I was perfectly within my $28 allowance so I didn't have to pay a dime, except for the tip. Priority Pass members are encouraged to give a tip based on the final total, so bring cash.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Priority Pass was already a favorite perk of mine with the Chase Sapphire Reserve but the restaurant feature really made it even more attractive. Not all lounges in the Priority Pass program have hot food and I would prefer a restaurant meal to the snacks I've had in some lounges.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

There's also no limit to how many Priority Pass restaurants a flyer can visit in a single trip. Those with a long layover or delayed flight can go to another restaurant and use the perk again.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Some restaurants even allow flyers to use the perk at their arrival airport. Many of the restaurants, however, only allow flyers with a departing flight to use the $28.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider

Priority Pass is also a perk of the American Express Platinum credit card but restaurants are not included in that program, giving the edge to Chase.

American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cards.      Jenny Cheng/Business Insider

I boarded my flight home with a full stomach and similarly full wallet, having spent just $5 for a two-course meal.

Using Priority Pass at an airport restaurant.      Thomas Pallini/Insider