If you're a frequent traveler, getting a credit card with airport lounge access can be worth every penny.
Airport lounges offer a golden ticket to free drinks and food, high-speed internet, comfortable loungers, and even free massages or facials on occasion, all tucked away in a quiet space away from the busy terminal.
You'll typically pay a high annual fee for a credit card with airport lounge access, but the accompanying benefits usually make up for the cost for the right traveler.
Business Insider's personal finance experts compared annual fees, lounge networks, and guest privileges to bring you our top recommendations of the best credit cards with lounge access you can get right now.
The Best Credit Cards With Lounge Access in 2025
| Best for | Card | Annual Fee | Lounge Networks |
| Value | Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | $395 |
|
| Travel insurance | Chase Sapphire Reserve® | $550 (rates and fees) |
|
| Luxury | The Platinum Card® from American Express | $695 (rates and fees) |
|
| Business owners | Capital One Venture X Business Card | $395 |
|
| American Airlines fans | Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | $595 |
|
| Delta fans | Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | $650 (rates and fees) |
|
| United fans | The New United Club℠ Card | $695 (rates and fees) |
|
Best for Value
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the most affordable credit card for airport lounge access, with an annual fee of $395 that's easily offset by an annual credit of up to $300 toward Capital One travel portal bookings.
Capital One Venture X cardholders can access the Partner Lounge Network, which includes Priority Pass Select membership after enrollment. Cardholders also get unlimited access to Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landings.
Annual fee: $395
Lounge networks: Capital One Partner Lounge Network; Priority Pass (enrollment required); Capital One Lounges
Entrance rules: With valid departure boarding pass and proof of active Capital One Venture X card, up to three hours before departure (waitlists may apply during peak times)
Guest privileges: Up to two complimentary guests for Priority Pass; up to two free guests at Capital One Lounges and $45 per additional guest; up to one complimentary guest at Capital One Landings and $45 per additional guest
Authorized user cost and access: Capital One Venture X cardholders can add up to four authorized users at no additional cost. Authorized users can enroll for complimentary Priority Pass Select membership and enjoy the same guest privileges as primary cardholders
Child policy: Children under 2 enter Capital One Lounges free with an eligible cardholder; Priority Pass access varies based on individual lounge policies
Non-cardholder access: For Capital One Lounges: $45 per day pass for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cardholders and Capital One Spark Miles for Business cardholders; $90 per day pass for any other traveler
Read more in our Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card review.
Best for Travel Insurance
$550
N/A
20.24% - 28.74% Variable
Earn 60,000 bonus points
Good to Excellent
- Annual travel credit can effectively shave $300 off the annual fee if you use it
- Strong travel insurance
- Strong bonus rewards on travel and dining
- Very high annual fee
If you're new to rewards credit cards you may want to start elsewhere, but if you know you want to earn Chase points and you spend a lot on travel and dining, the Sapphire Reserve is one of the most rewarding options.
Chase Sapphire Reserve- Earn 60,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- $300 Annual Travel Credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Earn 5x total points on flights and 10x total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3x points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases
- Get 50% more value when you redeem your points for travel through Chase Travel℠. For example, 60,000 points are worth $900 toward travel.
- 1:1 point transfer to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide after an easy, one-time enrollment in Priority PassTM Select and up to $120 application fee credit every four years for Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck®
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance and more.
- Member FDIC
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is one of the most well-rounded travel rewards credit cards you can get, thanks to generous airport lounge access and top-tier travel insurance including primary rental car coverage and medical emergency benefits.
Cardholders can enroll for complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which comes with access to Chase Sapphire Lounges, located in a growing number of cities throughout the U.S. and in Hong Kong.
Annual fee: $550
Lounge networks: Priority Pass (enrollment required); Chase Sapphire Lounges; select Air Canada Lounges and Cafes when flying with a Star Alliance airline; and The Etihad Lounge at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Entrance rules: With valid departure boarding pass and proof of active Priority Pass membership, up to three hours before departure (waitlists may apply during peak times)
Guest privileges: Up to two complimentary guests for Priority Pass and Chase Sapphire Lounges, then $27 per additional guest
Authorized user cost and access: Cardholders can add authorized users for $75 per card per year. Authorized users can also enroll for Priority Pass Select membership and enjoy the same lounge access privileges as the primary cardholder
Child policy: Children under 2 enter Chase Sapphire Lounges free with an eligible cardholder
Non-cardholder access: Priority Pass members receive one complimentary visit to a U.S. Chase Sapphire Lounge each calendar year; unlimited access at the Hong Kong location
Read more in our Chase Sapphire Reserve credit card review.
Best for Luxury
$695
N/A
See Pay Over Time APR
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® points
Good to Excellent
- Long list of travel benefits, including airport lounge access and complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott (enrollment required)
- Statement credits with Saks and Uber (enrollment required)
- Bonus categories leave something to be desired
- One of the highest annual fees among premium travel cards
If you want as many premium travel perks as possible, The Platinum Card® from American Express could be the right card for you. The annual fee is high, but you get a long list of benefits such as airport lounge access, travel statement credits, and more.
Amex Platinum Card- Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel® up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards® Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel®.
- $200 Hotel Credit: Get up to $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection bookings through American Express Travel using your Platinum Card®. The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
- $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back in statement credits each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card® on one or more of the following: Disney+, a Disney+ bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, The New York Times, Peacock, and The Wall Street Journal. Enrollment required.
- Enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection, with over $500 of annual value if you visit Centurion Lounges and each of our partner lounges including Delta Sky Club® lounges when flying an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations) , select Lufthansa lounges when flying Lufthansa, Plaza Premium lounges and Escape Lounges, and enroll in Priority Pass Select. See terms.
- A Walmart+ membership can get you free shipping with no order minimum on eligible items shipped by Walmart. Use your Platinum Card® to pay for a monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) and receive one statement credit for up to $12.95 (plus applicable taxes. Plus Ups not eligible) each month. Free Shipping excludes most Marketplace items, freight & certain location surcharges. Paramount+ Essential plan only, separate registration required.
- $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees are charged by the airline to your Platinum Card® Account. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
- $200 Uber Cash: Platinum Card® Members can ride or dine in style with $15 in Uber Cash each month, plus a bonus $20 in December after adding their Card to their Uber account. Use your Uber Cash on rides and orders in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- $199 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. Receive up to $199 per Calendar year in statement credits, when you pay for a CLEAR Plus Membership (subject to auto-renewal) with the Platinum Card.
- Receive either a $120 statement credit every 4 years for a Global Entry application fee or a statement credit up to $85 every 4.5 years for a TSA PreCheck® (through a TSA official enrollment provider) application fee, when charged to your Platinum Card®. Card Members approved for Global Entry will also receive access to TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
- Shop Saks with Platinum: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases in Saks Fifth Avenue stores or at saks.com on your Platinum Card®. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- Use Global Dining Access by Resy to access premium dining experiences. Receive Priority Notify and unlock insider access to some of the world's most sought-after restaurants with Global Dining Access by Resy. Download the Resy iOS app or log into Resy.com and add your Platinum Card® to your Resy profile to take advantage of your special benefits and discover restaurants near you.
- $695 annual fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Platinum Card® from American Express comes with complimentary access to hundreds of the most luxurious airport lounges worldwide through its Amex Global Lounge Collection.
Cardholders can enroll to receive Priority Pass Select membership. They also get unlimited access to the famous Amex Centurion Lounges, and up to 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs each Medallion year (February 1 through January 31) when flying with Delta, excluding basic economy fares. Terms apply.
Finally, Amex Platinum Cardholders can visit Lufthansa Lounges when flying on a Lufthansa Group flight; Escape Lounges; and Plaza Premium Lounges.
Annual fee: $695 (rates and fees)
Lounge networks: Priority Pass (enrollment required), Amex Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges, Plaza Premium Lounges, Lufthansa Lounges with qualifying travel, and up to 10 visits to Delta Sky Clubs per Medallion year with qualifying travel. Unlock unlimited Delta Sky Club access by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on the Amex Platinum Card within a calendar year
Entrance rules: With valid departure boarding pass and required documents, up to three hours before departure (waitlists may apply during peak times)
Guest privileges:
- Amex Centurion Lounges: $50 per adult guest or $30 per child between ages 2 to 17; earn complimentary guest access for up to two guests at U.S., Hong Kong, and London Heathrow (LHR) Centurion Lounges by spending $75,000 in eligible purchases on the card within a calendar year
- Delta Sky Clubs: Up to two guests at $50 per person, charged to this card
Authorized user cost and access: The Amex Platinum Card offers two types of authorized user cards — Additional Card Members ($195 a year for each Additional Card Member) who get many of the card's benefits, including full access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection; and Companion Platinum cardholders who do not pay an additional annual fee, but do not have access to the Amex Global Lounge Collection
Child policy: Children under 2 enter all Amex Global Lounge Collection lounges free with an eligible cardholder
Non-cardholder access: None
Read more in our American Express Platinum card review.
Pro tip: Business owners who value the Amex Global Lounge Collection can access the same lounge networks through The Business Platinum Card® from American Express — learn more in our Amex Business Platinum card review.
Best for Business Owners
The Capital One Venture X Business Card is the small business credit card counterpart of the Capital One Venture X, and one of the most affordable business credit cards with airport lounge access.
Annual fee: $395
Lounge networks: Capital One Partner Lounge Network; Priority Pass (enrollment required); Capital One Lounges
Entrance rules: With valid departure boarding pass and proof of active Venture X Business Card, up to three hours before departure (waitlists may apply during peak times)
Guest privileges: Up to two complimentary guests for Priority Pass; up to two free guests at Capital One Lounges and $45 per additional guest; up to one complimentary guest at Capital One Landings and $45 per additional guest
Authorized user cost and access: Unlike the consumer version of this card, Venture X Business Card authorized users do not get complimentary access to Capital One Lounges or Priority Pass Select membership
Child policy: Children under 2 enter Capital One Lounges free with an eligible cardholder; Priority Pass access varies based on individual lounge policies
Non-cardholder access: For Capital One Lounges: $45 per day pass for Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Cardholders and Capital One Spark Miles for Business cardholders; $90 per day pass for any other traveler
Read more in our Capital One Venture X Business card review.
Best for American Airlines Fans
$595
N/A
20.24% – 29.24 Variable
Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles
Excellent
- Full Admirals Club membership gets you (and authorized users) access to American Airlines lounges
- Lots of American Airlines benefits, including priority boarding and check-in and a free checked bag for you and up to eight travel companions
- High annual fee
- Only earns bonus miles on American Airlines purchases
This is a terrific card for frequent American Airlines flyers who can take advantage of its included Admirals Club membership and other day-of-travel perks to offset the high annual fee. Authorized users also get Admirals Club access, so there's extra value to be had there, too. However, it's not the best card for earning AA miles on everyday spending, and the lack of travel protections isn't ideal for an airline credit card.
Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®If you fly American Airlines almost exclusively, you'll get the most value out of the Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® for airport lounge access.
This card comes with complimentary Admirals Club membership, which offers access to several lounge networks before departure as well as upon arrival:
- More than 50 Admirals Club lounges worldwide on flights operated or marketed by American or any oneworld alliance airline
- Alaska Airlines lounges on American or Alaska flights
- Qantas Clubs for same-day Qantas travel, or on American flights out of Auckland or Sydney
- Select third-party partner lounges on same-day flights operated by American
Annual fee: $595
Lounge networks: American Airlines Admirals Club
Entrance rules: Available to departing and arriving cardholders with active Admirals Club membership and same-day boarding pass for a qualifying flight
Guest privileges: Immediate family (partner and/or children under 18) or up to two adult guests traveling on American or a oneworld airline
Authorized user cost and access: $175 for up to three authorized users with access privileges to Admirals Club lounges only (does not include access to partner lounges), then $175 per additional authorized user
Child policy: Children under 2 enter free with an eligible cardholder
Non-cardholder access: One-day passes available for $79 or 7,900 American AAdvantage miles per person (exclusions apply)
Read more in our Citi AAdvantage Executive card review.
Best for Delta Fans
$650
N/A
20.24% - 29.24% Variable
Earn 70,000 bonus miles
Good to Excellent
- Annual companion certificate benefit, which is valid for first class and Comfort+ as well as the main cabin to select destinations
- Access to American Express Centurion Lounges and 15 Delta Sky Club visits each Medallion® Year
- Earns 3 miles on Delta purchases
- Very high annual fee
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is one of the best airline credit cards for frequent Delta flyers who can use benefits like airport lounge access, which can make the annual fee worthwhile.
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Card- Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge when you book a Delta flight with your Reserve Card.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a First Class, Delta Comfort+®, or Main Cabin round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over other Medallion Members within the same Medallion tier and fare class grouping when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card is the only airline credit card in this guide that offers conditional access to Amex Centurion Lounges.
When flying with Delta (excluding basic economy), cardholders get up to 15 annual Delta Sky Club visits as well as unlimited access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges. They also get four one-time guest passes each year to bring friends or family into a Delta Sky Club (limit two passes per visit). Terms apply.
Annual fee: $650 (rates and fees)
Lounge networks: Delta Sky Clubs, Amex Centurion Lounges, Escape Lounges
Entrance rules:
- Delta Sky Clubs: Up to 15 annual visits on same-day, non-basic economy flights operated or marketed by Delta. After the 15-visit limit has been reached, cardholders can purchase one-time passes for $50 per person per visit, or unlock unlimited access after spending $75,000 in purchases on this card in a calendar year
- Amex Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges: Unlimited access when flying a Delta-operated or marketed flight charged to an American Express card
Guest privileges: For $50 per person per visit, cardholders can bring immediate family members (partner and/or children under age 21) or up to two guests into Delta Sky Clubs or Amex Centurion Lounges. Cardholders can bring up to two guests to Escape Lounges by paying the individual location's designated guest rate
Authorized user cost and access: $175 per Additional Card for up to 15 annual visits to Delta Sky Clubs and unlimited access to Amex Centurion Lounges and Escape Lounges with eligible same-day travel; annual one-time guest passes not included
Child policy: Children under 2 enter Delta Sky Clubs with an eligible cardholder
Non-cardholder access: None
Read more in our Delta Reserve review.
Pro tip: There's a business version of this card that also offers lounge access: The Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card.
Best for United Fans
$695
N/A
20.49% - 28.99% Variable
Earn 90,000 bonus miles
Excellent
- Great intro bonus offer
- If you want United Club membership, this card gets you it for less than buying it outright
- Get two free checked bags on United
- Earns 4 miles per dollar on United® purchases
- Steep annual fee, especially for an airline credit card
- The non-United bonus categories (travel and dining) only earn 2 miles per dollar
While a few of the best travel credit cards are great for United flyers, the United Club℠ Card is the most high-end of the bunch. Not only does it offer a full United Club airport lounge membership, but it can also help you rack up the miles for free trips quickly through everyday spending.
United Club Card- Limited-Time Offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles
- 4x miles on United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and all other travel
- 1x mile on all other purchases
- United Club℠ card membership - at least a $750 value
- Free first and second checked bags - a savings of up to $360 per roundtrip (terms apply) - and Premier Access® travel services
- Earn a 10,000-mile award flight discount after $20,000 in purchases to use toward an eligible award flight - up to two times each calendar year
- Member FDIC
The New United Club℠ Card comes with complimentary United Club individual membership to 45+ United Club locations worldwide, which costs $750 a year if purchased outright. Individual members can bring one adult guest and any children under 18.
Travelers who often travel with companions can earn their way to United Club All Access membership by spending $50,000 in eligible purchases on the United Club Card in a calendar year.
All Access membership includes access to Star Alliance partner lounges worldwide, plus unlimited United Club access for up to two adult guests, or one adult guest and any children under 18. All Access members also get four United Club passes for one-time use when they have an authorized user on their card account (terms and conditions apply).
Annual fee: $695
Lounge networks: United Clubs; cardholders who earn All Access membership can access Star Alliance partner lounges
Entrance rules: Available to cardholders departing or arriving same-day on flights operated or marketed by United Airlines, Star Alliance airlines, or a contracted partner
Guest privileges:
- United Club individual members: One adult guest and all dependents under 18
- United Club All Access member: Up to two adult guests, or one adult guest and all dependents under 18
Authorized user cost and access: Authorized user cardholders are not eligible for United Club membership
Child policy: Children under 2 enter free with an eligible cardholder
Non-cardholder access: One-time passes available
Read more in our United Club card review.
Pro tip: The United Club℠ Business Card also comes with access to United Club lounges.
Guide to Airport Lounge Networks
Airport lounges vary in quality and access worldwide. The American Airlines Admirals Club, Delta Sky Clubs, and United Clubs are airline lounge networks, while the Amex Centurion Lounges, Capital One Lounges, and Chase Sapphire Lounges are operated by credit card issuers.
In some cases, a specific lounge may be jointly operated by two partner operators, such as the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club with Etihad Airways at New York's John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport.
Independent lounge networks exist as well — Priority Pass is one of the largest and best known, while Escape Lounges and Plaza Premium Lounges also fall into this category.
Airline Lounges
Most airlines oversee their proprietary lounge network. Depending on the size of the carrier, it may have just a few lounges, or offer dozens of locations across its most frequented airports. United, American, and Delta all have their own airport lounge networks, and many international airlines also operate lounges around the world.
For the most part, these lounges are reserved for international premium travelers, elite travelers with a lot of annual flights, those who pay a sizable fee for membership access, or cardholders of the airline's premium credit card, which usually charges annual fees of $450 or higher.
Priority Pass Select
Many lounges operate independently of the airlines. Priority Pass is a network that gives you access to over 1,500 airport lounges around the world.
Each lounge has its own rules on admission, guests, and complimentary beverages. Many offer admission for you and up to two guests at no charge. Once inside, you can drink and eat to your heart's content without paying a dime. Some offer showers and nap pods, while others are more bare bones.
American Express Centurion Lounges
Amex Centurion Lounges are the best-known credit card issuer lounges. They typically offer upscale, restful environments with complimentary wine, beer, and cocktails; buffet-style entrées, soups, sides, desserts, and fruit; coffee, spa water, and non-alcoholic beverages; shower suites and family rooms; and quiet areas for work and rest.
There are more than a dozen Amex Centurion Lounges in major U.S. airports, and close to a dozen more worldwide.
Chase Sapphire Lounges
There are nearly a dozen Chase Sapphire Lounges in major U.S. cities as well as in Hong Kong International Airport. Chase is a relative newcomer to the credit card issuer lounge space, but is coming in strong with beautifully curated lounges offering chef-designed food and drinks, unique spaces featuring local art, and plenty of charging stations for phones and laptops.
Capital One Lounges
Capital One is also following Chase and Amex with the recent launch of its Capital One Lounges and Capital One Landings. This network is small but growing, with more than half a dozen locations throughout the U.S. serving chef-curated meals, custom cocktails, and much more.
Least Expensive Cards for Airport Lounge Access
All of the top picks in this guide offer airport lounge access as long as your same-day travel meets the individual lounge requirements and you aren't over your allotted number of visits for the year.
But if you aren't prepared to fork over several hundred dollars a year in annual fees, here are some more affordable credit cards with airport lounge access on a per-visit basis. If you want to try a lounge or two to see if they fit your travel style, open one of the following cards first.
The New United℠ Explorer Card
Annual fee: $0 intro for the first year, then $150
Lounge access: Two single-use passes to United Club Lounges yearly
Read more in our United Explorer card review.
U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card
Annual fee: $0
Lounge access: Priority Pass Select membership with four complimentary lounge visits yearly
Read more in our U.S. Bank Altitude Connect card review.
Alternative Ways to Get Lounge Access
If you don't have or don't want to get a credit card with airport lounge access, there are some other ways you can visit a lounge on your next flight.
Here are the main options available to most travelers:
Purchase a Business-Class or First-Class Ticket
Several airlines offer lounge access for their premium travelers, especially on international flights. A business-class or first-class ticket may even grant you access to a premium lounge such as the American Airlines Flagship Lounge, Delta One Lounge, and United Polaris Lounge.
Some airlines do not offer lounge access on domestic first-class or business-class flights. So if visiting the lounge is your goal, check the fine print on your ticket before purchasing.
Buy a Lounge Membership or Day Pass
Many airline lounge networks, as well as Priority Pass, offer lounge access memberships for purchase. You can typically expect to spend several hundred dollars each year for an annual membership.
Some lounges also sell day passes. Individual hours, requirements, and prices vary, so check the available options at your intended airport when you travel.
Enter as Someone Else's Guest
As this guide shows, a number of credit cards offer lounge memberships that include complimentary access for guests. If you frequently travel with a primary cardholder who is able to bring guests into airport lounges, you may not need to get your own airport lounge access credit card or membership.
Why You Should Trust Us: How We Chose the Best Credit Cards for Airport Lounge Access
Business Insider's credit card team sifted through dozens of credit cards offering some form of airport lounge access, narrowing down our list to the most user-friendly options for U.S. travelers.
Criteria we considered include:
- Annual cost — Is the value of the lounge access equal to or better than the cost of the annual fee? Are you able to bring business partners or family members into the lounge with you?
- Breadth of access — Are you able to visit many airport lounges worldwide with the membership(s) included with this credit card, or are you restricted to select locations? Are there any hidden costs or requirements for access?
For a full breakdown of our methodology, read our guide to how we rate credit cards at Business Insider.
FAQs
What's the best credit card for airport lounges?
The best credit card for airport lounge access is The Platinum Card® from American Express, which offers a broad range of lounge networks including Amex Centurion Lounges, Priority Pass membership after enrollment, and up to 15 Delta Sky Club visits per year with qualifying travel. The best credit card for lounge access at a low annual fee is the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, which offers access to Capital One Lounges and Priority Pass membership after enrollment for just $395 a year.
Is there a credit card with lounge access and no annual fee?
The U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card has no annual fee and comes with a Priority Pass membership that includes up to four annual passes to participating lounges with eligible travel.
How do I check if my credit card has airport lounge access?
The best way to check if your credit card has airport lounge access is by reading your guide to benefits. You can usually find this information in your online account portal or by checking the issuer's website. Credit cards for airport lounge access typically charge fairly high annual fees, so chances are high that you don't have this perk if you aren't sure if your credit card has airport lounge access.
Do authorized users get credit card airport lounge access?
Some of the best credit cards with airport lounge access include complimentary membership for authorized users. The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and the Capital One Venture X Business Card both offer this benefit to authorized users at no additional cost, while Chase Sapphire Reserve® and The Platinum Card® from American Express authorized users get airport lounge access for an added annual fee.
***Terms, conditions, and exclusions apply. Refer to your Guide to Benefits for more details. Travel Accident Insurance is not guaranteed, it depends on the level of benefits you get at application.
For Capital One products listed on this page, some of the benefits may be provided by Visa® or Mastercard® and may vary by product. See the respective Guide to Benefits for details, as terms and exclusions apply.
Eligibility and Benefit level varies by Card. Terms, Conditions and Limitations Apply. Please visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide for more details. Trip Delay Insurance, Trip Cancellation and Interruption Insurance, and Cell Phone Protection Underwritten by New Hampshire Insurance Company, an AIG Company. Global Assist Hotline Card Members are responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. If approved and coordinated by Premium Global Assist Hotline, emergency medical transportation assistance may be provided at no cost. In any other circumstance, Card Members may be responsible for the costs charged by third-party service providers. Extended Warranty, Purchase Protection, and Baggage Insurance Plan Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss & Damage Insurance Underwritten by AMEX Assurance Company. Car Rental Loss or Damage Coverage is offered through American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.
For rates and fees of The Platinum Card® from American Express, please click here.
