Best credit cards for airport lounge access

Lounge Access Details: Cardholders and authorized users can relax at the airport in peace and quiet with complimentary access to the Global Lounge Collection worldwide. The collection includes a number of network lounges such as The Centurion Lounge and Delta Sky Club lounges (when flying with Delta) as well as the full range of Priority Pass lounges (you must enroll separately for access to Priority Pass lounges, but membership is complimentary).

Lounge Access Guest Policy: The variety of lounges available to cardholders means there's also a variety of guest policies to navigate. Each network has different rules – some even differ by country or location. Many allow at least two guests at no charge, but your best bet will be to map out your lounge path before your trip to fully understand what options will be available to you and your companions. When it comes to the Centurion Lounges, cardholders can pay a $50 fee for each guest ages 18+ or $30 for children aged 2-17, with proof of age. If you want to bring up to two complimentary guests, you'll need to spend $75,000 in eligible purchases per calendar year on your card to qualify. One thing to keep in mind is that Platinum Card authorized users do receive access to the Centurion Lounges and you can add up to three authorized users to your account for an annual fee of $195 per card.

The Bonus: Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $8,000 on eligible purchases on your new card in your first six months of card membership.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees. Add up to three authorized users per card for a flat annual fee of $195 per card. After those three, each additional user is $195 annually.

Rewards: Earn 5X the points per $1 spent on flights booked directly with the airlines or through American Express Travel (on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year) as well as on eligible hotels booked through amextravel.com. Earn one Membership Rewards point per $1 spent on your other eligible purchases.

Other Perks: Receive up to $200 annually in Uber Cash for U.S. rides each month or Uber Eats orders and up $200 credit for airline incidental fees annually with a pre-selected airline. There are numerous other credit opportunities available as well.

Terms Apply. Enrollment required for select benefits.

PROS:

• This card is well-known for its many valuable perks and benefits.
• Cardholders can earn 80,000 points after spending $8,000 with the card in the first six months.
• Airport lounge access includes Global Lounge Collection as well as the Centurion Lounge, Delta Sky Club and Priority Pass Select lounges.

CONS:

• This card charges one of the highest annual fees of any card on the market.
• Most purchases will only earn one point per $1 spent – it's particular flight and hotel purchases that earn more.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Lounge Access Details: Cardholders and authorized users enjoy complimentary access to more than 1,300 airport lounges around the world after a one-time enrollment in Priority Pass Select.

Lounge Access Guest Policy: The cardholder and authorized user receive complimentary Priority Pass lounge access and can bring two accompanying guests each at no additional charge. Additionally, this card still offers access to Priority Pass restaurants and non-lounge perks at airports (think Minute Suites and spa services) that most other credit cards don't offer with their lounge access programs.

The Bonus: Earn 60,000 bonus points (worth $900 when redeemed through Chase Travel℠) after spending $4,000 in the first three months.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees. Each authorized user is $75.

The Rewards: When you book through Chase Travel, earn five points per $1 on flights and 10 points per $1 on car rentals and hotels (after earning your $300 annual travel reimbursement). Earn three points per $1 spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and on travel after your reimbursement (more on that below) and one point per $1 spent on all your other purchases. Redeem your points through Chase Travel and they're worth 50% more. You can also transfer your points 1:1 to a number of airline and hotel loyalty programs. Furthermore, you can combine points earned with this card in the same bucket as points you earn with other cards in the Ultimate Rewards universe, such as Chase Freedom® Unlimited or Ink Business Cash®. Learn more in our Guide to Chase Ultimate Rewards points

Other Perks: Take advantage of up to a $300 reimbursement each account anniversary year to cover travel purchases charged on your card. Furthermore, cardholders are eligible for a reimbursement to cover their Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

PROS:

• You just need to use your card to make $4,000 in purchases in the first three months to earn a bonus worth up to $900 in travel. This is one of the most valuable bonuses available.
• Besides airport lounge access, this card also includes a statement credit opportunity worth up to $300 per year, which can help a great deal in covering the annual fee.
• You can earn triple points not just on travel but also on dining, so you have another way to rack up your points. Plus, there's that extra earning available when you make certain travel bookings through Chase Travel.

CONS:

• This card has one of the highest annual fees of any widely available card out there and could become expensive to carry if you don’t use the benefits or perks.
• You only earn bonus points on dining and some travel-related purchases. If you spend a great deal in other categories, such as groceries or even gas, you’ll earn more with a different card. Perhaps consider adding another Ultimate Rewards-earning card to your portfolio to maximize these purchase rewards.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Lounge Access Details: Cardholders can enjoy complimentary access to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network.

Lounge Access Guest Policy: Cardholders and authorized users enjoy complimentary access for you to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network. It's unusual for authorized users to receive their own lounge membership, making it possible for them to travel without the primary cardholder and still take advantage of the lounge access.

The Bonus: Earn 75,000 miles when you spend $4,000 in the first three months. Those miles are worth $750 in flexible travel.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees.

The Rewards: Earn 10x miles for hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5x miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through the portal. Additionally, earn 2x miles on all your other purchases.

Other Perks: The list of additional perks is long with this card, especially considering its relatively low annual fee. Take advantage of $300 annual credit for travel booked through Capital One Travel; enjoy 10,000 bonus miles each year, worth $100 in travel; save with up to $120 reimbursement to cover your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee.

PROS:

• Earning 2x miles per $1 spent on your purchases (plus that extra earning on certain travel booked through the Capital One portal) means it's easy to rack up rewards here.
• An annual bonus of 10,000 miles is a nice "thanks for another year as a customer" gift.
• No annual fee for authorized users is almost unheard of in the premium card market – take advantage of this offer to fully maximize what Venture X has to offer.

CONS:

• The Capital One Lounge network is, well, not really a "network" just yet given there are only a few locations currently. We have high hopes for the future though and the Partner Lounge Network access is nice in the meantime.
• While lower than the annual fees of most premium cards, it's still shouldn't be overlooked. Make absolutely certain you'll more than offset that fee in order to make it worthwhile.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Lounge Access Details This card allows you access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection of airport lounges, which includes a number of branded lounges as well as the full Priority Pass Select lounge network. Enrollment required for select benefits

Lounge Access Guest Policy: Cardholders pay $50 per guest ages 18+ or $30 per guest ages 2-17, with proof of age, to access the Centurion Lounges. You can spend $75,000 in a calendar year on your Business Platinum Card to qualify for complimentary access for up to two guests per visit to Centurion Lounges. Access to other lounges in the network varies by lounge and location.

The Welcome Offer: Earn 150,000 Membership Rewards points when you spend $20,000 on eligible purchases within the first three months of opening your account.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn five times the points per $1 spent on flights and prepaid hotels booked at amextravel.com. Earn an extra half-point (so, 1.5 points) per $1 on eligible purchases with U.S. construction material and hardware suppliers, electronic goods retailers and software and cloud system providers, and shipping providers and on each eligible purchase of $5,000 or more, up to a cap. Otherwise, earn one point per $1 spent on eligible purchases. You'll receive 35% of your Membership Rewards points back (up to 1 million points per year) each time you Pay with Points for all or part of your flight on a pre-selected airline booked through American Express Travel. Earn 35% of your points back on business and first-class flights booked with any airline through American Express Travel.

Other Perks: offers over $1,000 in statement credits on select purchases, including tech, recruiting and wireless in the first year of membership, up to $200 in statement credits annually when incidental airline fees are charged by the airline to the card, and up to a $199 in statement credit per calendar year on your CLEAR® Plus membership (subject to auto-renewal). Enrollment required for select benefits

Credit Needed: CreditScoreNeeded

PROS:

• This card includes access to the American Express Global Lounge Collection, which is extensive and could be a welcome respite for the weary business traveler.
• Besides lounge access you get a bunch of other travel benefits such as a $200 annual airline fee credit with a pre-selected airline and elevated status with Marriott and Hilton programs. Enrollment required for select benefits
• New cardholders can earn 150,000 bonus points after spending $20,000 on eligible purchases in the first three months.

CONS:

• This card has one of the highest annual fees of any business or consumer card.
• The spend requirement for the initial bonus is high at $20,000, so make sure that's within your company's budget to meet.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Lounge Access Details: As a cardholder, you'll have membership in the American Airlines Admirals Club, which provides you access to Admirals Club lounges at airports around the globe as well as access to a number of partner lounges. You can bring your guests traveling with you as well. Additionally, authorized users on your card can also access the lounges even if they are traveling without the primary cardholder.

The Bonus: Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first three months of account opening.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn four miles per $1 spent on American Airlines purchases and one mile per $1 spent on all your other purchases. You earn one Loyalty Point per mile earned with your card.

Other Perks: Check your first bag, and those of up to eight traveling companions, for free on domestic itineraries. There's also a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee reimbursement available every five years.

PROS:

• Earn 70,000 American Airlines AAdvantage® bonus miles after spending $7,000 within the first three months of account opening, which could cover numerous award flights later.
• This card include access to the American Airlines Admirals Club as wells as several partner lounges.
• Get first checked bag free for yourself and up to eight companions on domestic itineraries.

CONS:

• Although this card is good for airport lounge access, it charges a high annual fee. You’ll need to consider whether you can take advantage of other benefits and rewards, especially if you don’t use the lounge access perks.
• This card primarily awards American Airlines purchases. All other purchases earn only one mile per $1 spent. .

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Lounge Access Details You'll enjoy complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club® when traveling on a same-day Delta marketed or operated flight. You will receive four Delta Sky Club one-time guest passes each year. After that, you may bring up to two guests at a per-visit rate of $50 per person, per location. 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.

The Welcome Offer: Earn 70,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $5,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first six months of Card Membership.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn three miles on every $1 spent on eligible purchases made directly with Delta and 1 mile per $1 on other eligible purchases.

Other Perks: You'll receive a round-trip companion certificate each year when you renew your card, which could go a long way to offsetting the annual fee. Furthermore, you'll check your first bag for free.

PROS:

• This card includes complimentary access to the Delta Sky Club, as well as four one-time guest passes each year, and reduced rate for some of your guests after that.
• The welcome offer for new cardholders offers a nice supply of bonus miles (see full terms in the Card Details section).
• This card includes other valuable benefits like a round-trip companion certificate each year you renew and first checked bag free.

CONS:

• This card has a high annual fee which could be expensive if you aren’t a frequent Delta flyer.
• Most of the benefits and perks are related to Delta so you might find it difficult to get much value out of the card unless you are a Delta fan.

We have not polled this card yet, but would love to hear your thoughts on it if you are a cardholder. Comment below or email us at [email protected] to share more about your experience.

Lounge Access Details: Enjoy access to United Club locations as well as participating Star Alliance-affiliated lounges around the globe. The primary cardholder can bring along two adult guests or one adult and dependent children under the age of 21.

Limited-time offer: Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first three months from account opening.

Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn 4x miles on United® purchases, 2x miles on all other travel and dining and 1x mile on all other purchases.

Other Perks: Check your first AND second bag for free and take advantage of credit for your Global Entry, TSA PreCheck or Nexus application fee, among other credits and money-saving opportunities.

PROS:

• The list of possible credits to make your trip simpler (and a bit less expensive) is lengthy.
• Getting your first checked bag free is pretty common with airline cards, but this card goes a step further and gives you a second checked bag free as well.
• Save more with 25% off your United in-flight purchases.

CONS:

• That annual fee is not to be overlooked. Ensure you can more than offset it by putting the perks and rewards to good use.
• As with any co-branded card, this one is good for the United-loyal – but not TOO loyal. If you already fly with United enough to earn status and rack up plenty of miles, this card probably isn't going to be terribly useful to you.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.

Lounge Access Details: Unlimited lounge visits for you and up to two guests at no additional charge per visit once enrolled in complimentary Priority Pass Select membership, which offers access to over 1,200 airport lounges around the world.

The Bonus:Earn 95,000 Marriott Bonvoy bonus points after you use your new card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership.

The Annual Fee: AnnualFees

The Rewards: Earn 6X Marriott Bonvoy points for each dollar spent on eligible purchases at hotels participating in the Marriott Bonvoy program; 3X points at restaurants worldwide and on flights booked directly with airlines; 2X points on all other eligible purchases.

Other Perks: As a Marriott Bonvoy Elite member you can earn 50% more points on eligible purchases at participating hotels for each U.S. dollar or the currency equivalent that is incurred and paid for by the member; Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, card members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit; Receive up to a $100 property credit for qualifying charges at The Ritz-Carlton® or St. Regis® when you book direct using a special rate for a two-night minimum stay using your card; Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®; Each calendar year you can receive 25 Elite Night Credits toward the next level of Marriott Bonvoy Elite status; cell phone protection; and more. Terms apply. Enrollment required for select benefits.

PROS:

• Receive either a statement credit every four years after you apply for Global Entry ($120) or a statement credit every 4.5 years after you apply for a five-year membership through any Authorized Enrollment Provider for TSA PreCheck (up to $85) when you pay the application fee with your card.
• Each calendar year after spending $60,000 on eligible purchases, card members are eligible to select an Earned Choice Award benefit. Benefit options include: Five Suite Night Awards, a free night valued at 85K points, and mattress and box spring $1,000 discount from Marriott Bonvoy Boutiques. Certain hotels have resort fees.
• In addition to earning rewards on hotel stays, cardholders can also earn rewards on restaurant purchases worldwide and airline purchases made directly with the airline, as well as a boost of 2X points on all other eligible purchases.
• Terms apply. Enrollment may be required for select benefits.

CONS:

• The annual fee isn't for everyone, but if you're looking for a luxury hotel and airport experience, this card can help you have just that.
• This card features a lot of great travel perks, however, while the rewards rate offered on eligible Marriott Bonvoy property stays is nice, it's not quite as high as you might expect for a card with such a high annual fee.

*Scores above reflect the results of surveys with actual cardholders. Full methodology below.