A Guide to Getting Airport Lounge Access With a Credit Card
Navigating credit cards that offer airport lounge access can be as challenging as navigating airports themselves.
“More and more banks have premium credit cards that come with lounge access, including Chase, American Express and Capital One, but make sure whatever card you sign up for has enough lounges in its network to justify the hefty annual fee,” advised Clint Henderson, managing editor of The Points Guy, a website that covers topics like credit cards and travel perks.
What Are Airport Lounge Access Credit Cards?
As their name suggests, airport lounge access credit cards provide access to airport lounges as a perk. While one lounge might serve fliers from several airlines, another might serve fliers from just one airline.
Henderson said entry into these lounges enables travelers to nibble on free food, sip free beverages, log some laptop time or read a book in a space that’s typically less crowded and chaotic than an airport terminal. Another advantage: Generally, airline-affiliated lounges are staffed by customer service agents who can assist with flight arrangements, such as rebooking a delayed flight.
However, these airport perks may come at a sky-high price. For example, the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card comes with a $650 annual fee, while the American Express Platinum Card® charges an annual fee of $695.
Check out our best travel credit cards.
Top Cards that Provide Airline Lounge Access
The top cards that provide airline lounge access depend on factors such as a card’s annual fee and the network of lounges associated with the card.
Here are four of the top cards for airline lounge access.
Best Card for Versatility: American Express Platinum Card
Henderson said that “you can’t go wrong with” the Amex Platinum Card since it offers access to Amex Centurion, Amex Global Lounge Collection, Priority Pass, Plaza Premium, Delta Sky Club and Lufthansa lounges. The card enables entry into more than 1,400 lounges around the world. Amenities typically include complimentary food and drinks, free high-speed Wi-Fi, and showers.
Keep in mind that the Platinum Card now restricts access to Delta Sky Clubs. Plus, the card charges an annual fee of $695.
Best Card for Priority Pass Access: Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card
Looking for a credit card with access to Priority Pass lounges but a lower annual fee than the Amex Platinum Card? The Chase Sapphire Reserve Credit Card offers full access to every Priority Pass airport lounge for up to two guests. Plus, authorized card users are eligible for their own Priority Pass membership. Access to the more than 1,700 Priority Pass lounges is available to travelers on all airlines.
Furthermore:
Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders enjoy access to certain Air Canada Maple Leaf lounges and Air Canada cafés in the U.S., Canada and Europe when flying on any Star Alliance airline.
Chase Sapphire Reserve awards 60,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first three months after account is opened.
Cardholders are reimbursed for up to $300 in travel made each year with Sapphire Reserve.
Cardholders earn 10X points on nearly all hotels and car rentals purchased through Chase Travel after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases each year.
Cardholders collect 5X points on flights booked through Chase Travel and 3X points on dining.
Cardholders get priority access for tickets to a variety of events.
It’s worth noting that even though the card’s $550 annual fee is lower than the annual fee for the Amex Platinum Card, it still might be too hefty for some people.
Best Card for Rewards: Capital One Venture X Rewards Card
The Capital One Venture X Rewards Card supplies complimentary access to Capital One airport lounges, in-airport dining at Capital One Landing and Priority Pass lounges.
But where this card really stands out is the generous rewards it provides. These include:
75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first three months of the account being open
10,000 anniversary bonus miles each year
$300 credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel
Up to a $120 credit for enrollment in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
10X miles on hotels and rental car bookings through Capital One Travel
5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
2X miles on other purchases
Two drawbacks: The card charges a $395 annual fee, and you must have excellent credit to be approved for the card.
Best Card With No Annual Fee: U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card
If you’re an occasional traveler who’d like to take advantage of an airport lounge from time to time and not pay an annual card fee, the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card might be a smart choice. The card offers four free visits per year to Priority Pass airport lounges. Other travel benefits include no foreign transaction fee, up to a $100 credit for enrollment in TSA PreCheck or Global Entry and various travel protections (such as reimbursement for flight delays).
Furthermore, you earn:
20,000 bonus points for $1,000 in eligible purchases in the first 90 days of the account being open
0% introductory APR on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 billing cycles
5X points for prepaid hotel and car rental bookings made through the Altitude Rewards Center
4X points on travel
4X points at gas stations/EV charging stations on your first $1,000 each quarter
2X point on dining, streaming services and grocery store purchases
1X point on other eligible purchases
While the U.S. Bank Altitude Connect Visa Signature Card’s rewards are attractive, you might find other cards that give you airport lounge access while delivering more points in some categories.
How to Find the Best Airline Lounge Access Credit Card for You
Here are five tips about finding the best airline lounge access card for you:
Look into lounge access fees. Generally, credit cards offer free lounge access (except the annual card fee, of course). However, Henderson pointed out that some cards now limit the number of lounge guests who can accompany you at no charge.
Align the card with your local airline. Henderson recommended choosing a card tied to an airline with a major presence where you live. For example, if you live in Atlanta, you might want to pick a Delta Air Lines-affiliated credit card with lounge access since Delta is based in Atlanta. Similarly, you might be better off choosing an American Airlines-affiliated card with lounge access if you live in Dallas-Fort Worth since the airline is based in Fort Worth.
Investigate the card’s fee. If you don’t fly all that much, paying a hefty annual fee for a card that provides airport access might not be worthwhile — unless the card supplies other valuable perks that you’d use.
Consider a card with Priority Pass access. Priority Pass enables access to a network of more than 1,700 independent lounges around the world. “Some of the international lounges can be amazing,” Henderson said.
Study airline alliances. In some cases, a number of airlines are members of an alliance that shares resources, such as airport lounges. So, if you’re a top-tier holder of an American Airlines-connected card, for example, you can enjoy access to lounges operated by other airlines in the 13-member oneworld Alliance.
Check out our best travel credit cards.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Check if My Card Has Airport Lounge Access?
To check if your card provides airport lounge access, review the card’s benefits on the card’s website, check the card’s mobile app or contact the credit card issuer.
Which Credit Card Is Best for Airport Lounge Access?
The best credit card for airport lounge access is one that charges a reasonable annual fee and provides access to airports that you frequently use.
How Much Does it Cost to Enter an Airport Lounge?
Some credit cards come with free access to airport lounges. But holders of cards not associated with any airport lounges may be able to access a lounge for a daily fee ranging from, say, $20 to $50.
