The Best Credit Cards with Airport Lounge Access
November 22, 2023
6 min read
Going has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Going and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of all of the card offers that appear on this page are from advertisers; compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site; and Going does not include all card companies are all available card offers.
Table of Contents
For credit card users who fly often, airport lounge access is a coveted perk that can significantly ease the airport experience. While some cards give you access to a wide selection of airport lounge programs, others are airline-specific. When choosing the card that will work best for you, it’s important to consider what kind of lounge networks you want access to (and what you’re willing to pay for that access), as well as how much use you’ll get out of the other travel extras on offer.
Here are some of the best credit cards with airport lounge access and several other travel perks.
Best for overall airport lounge access: The Platinum Card® from American Express
card_name
Annual fee: annual_fees(See Rates and Fees)
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Pros and cons
Pros:
- In general, there is no yearly cap on the amount of times you can visit a lounge.
Cons:
- The popularity of lounges may mean that if it's at capacity, you may have to wait a bit.
Our take
This card offers complimentary access to the largest number of airport lounge networks, far more than other premium travel credit cards. Lounges include Centurion Lounge, Plaza Premium and Priority Pass lounges, International American Express lounges, Delta Sky Club and Escape Lounges (enrollment required).
Best for Priority Pass and other travel perks: Chase Sapphire Reserve®
card_name
Annual fee: annual_fees
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Pros and cons
Pros:
- One of the most cost-effective ways to get a complimentary Priority Pass Select membership.
Cons:
- The number of Sapphire Lounges is increasing, but its not close to the number of Centurion Lounges at the moment.
Our take
Chase is increasing its airport lounge presence with its growing network of Chase Sapphire Lounges by the Club.
Best for lounge access with a lower annual fee: Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
card_name
Annual fee: annual_fees
Earning rate:
- 2 Miles per dollar on every purchase, every day.
- 5 Miles per dollar on flights booked through Capital One Travel.
- 10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel.
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Lounge access at a (comparatively) affordable rate!
Cons:
- With 3 lounges currently open, the network of Capital One Lounges is fairly small, but it is growing--one at JFK is in the works.
Our take
In a world where annual fees of $500+ are the normal price of admission to get airport lounge access, this card gets you lounge access for a more modest annual fee.
Best airline cards with airport lounge access
Each of the three major domestic US airlines offers premium-level credit cards that grant you some airport lounge access, too.
card_name
Annual fee: annual_fees(See Rates and Fees)
Earning rate:
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases
- Terms apply.
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Card holders may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person.
- Complimentary access to The Centurion Lounge only when flying a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight.
Cons:
- Basic Economy tickets are not eligible to enter Delta Sky Clubs.
- Starting February 2025, you're limited to 15 visits per year to the Sky Club. If you want to have unlimited visits, you'll need to hit a steep spending threshold. Here is the fine print:
Effective 2/1/25, Reserve Card Members will receive 15 Visits per year to the Delta Sky Club; to earn an unlimited number of Visits each year starting on 2/1/25, the total eligible purchases on the Card must equal $75,000 or more between 1/1/24 and 12/31/24, and each calendar year thereafter.
Our take
A great way to get complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club(R) when traveling on a same-day Delta-marketed or Delta-operated flight, but Basic Economy tickets are not eligible to enter Delta Sky Clubs.
card_name
Annual fee: annual_fees
Earning rate:
- 4 miles per $1 spent on United® purchases
- 2 miles per $1 spent on all other travel and dining
- 1 mile per $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Cardholders get complimentary and unlimited access to all United Club locations and participating Star Alliance affiliated lounges.
- You can bring up to two adult guests (or one adult and any dependent children that are under the age of 21) per visit.
Cons:
- This card does not get you complimentary access to the United Polaris Lounges, the airline's business class and premium lounge. You'll need a business class ticket for access.
Our take
With 45 United Club lounges, there's potentially one at an airport you frequent.
Citi® / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard®
Lounge access:
- Access to Admirals Club lounges with nearly 50 locations, as well as about 40 partner airline lounges worldwide.
- Unlimited lounge visits for cardholder and their immediate family (spouse and children under the age of 18) or up to two traveling guests.
Information about the Citi® / AAdvantage Executive World Elite Mastercard® is collected independently by Going and is not available through Going or its partners.
Best hotel card with airport lounge access: Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
card_name
Annual fee: annual_fees(See Rates and Fees)
Earning rate:
- 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar of eligible purchases at hotels participating in Marriott Bonvoy®.
- 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines.
- 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
- Terms apply.
Welcome offer: bonus_miles_full
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Cardholders can enroll in Priority Pass™ Select, which offers unlimited airport lounge visits to over 1,200 lounges.
Cons:
- Unlike other cards issued by American Express, this card does not provide access to its Centurion Lounges.
Our take
If you're in the market for a premium hotel card, this one ticks off lots of boxes.
Going has partnered with CardRatings for our coverage of credit card products. Going and CardRatings may receive a commission from card issuers. Opinions, reviews, analyses, and recommendations are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities. Some of all of the card offers that appear on this page are from advertisers; compensation may affect how and where the cards appear on the site; and Going does not include all card companies are all available card offers.
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
See Rates and Fees for the card_name
Published November 22, 2023
Last updated July 8, 2024
